PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nick Shamrock (ranked 19 p4p, 2 weight class) and Garegin Balayan (ranked 44 p4p, 7 weight class). Shamrock comes to the cage accompanied by One Winged Angel by The Black Mages. Balayan is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Troika. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shamrock
vs
Balayan

170 cm
33
148 lbs
32 - 4 - 0

180 cm
29
161 lbs
21 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Nick Shamrock!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Garegin Balayan!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Gregory Folan and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shamrock throws a shot to the body.
Nice cross by Shamrock.
Shamrock fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Balayan.
Shamrock swings for the body but Balayan moves out of range.
Shamrock lands a really nice looking cross but Balayan seems unphased.
A solid body kick from Balayan.
Balayan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shamrock.
Crunch! Balayan slams his shin into Shamrock's torso.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Balayan.
Balayan has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Shamrock looks to score with a jab to the body but Balayan is just out of range.
Balayan gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Shamrock.
Balayan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balayan checks a leg kick.
Balayan lands with a kick to the ribs.
Balayan is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Shamrock swings for the body but Balayan moves out of range.
Balayan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Shamrock rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Balayan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Shamrock has been working on his boxing with his coaches at ~T~ Troid - Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Shamrock misses with a body shot.
Shamrock lands the left hand.
Shamrock with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock misses with a straight left.
Balayan motions for Shamrock to come forward. Balayan throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Balayan looks to land a right hand but Shamrock moved out of range.
Shamrock is looking to counter punch.
Shamrock misses with a straight left.
A countering left hand to the body from Balayan misses.
Shamrock misses with a looping right.
Shamrock throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Balayan throws a nice outside leg kick.
Balayan swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Shamrock with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Shamrock throws a hook but Balayan avoids it easily.
A big left from Shamrock misses.
Shamrock lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Shamrock misses with a wild body shot.
Balayan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice defenses there by Balayan.
Shamrock scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Balayan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shamrock.
Balayan loads up on a big right hand but Shamrock slips the punch.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Shamrock lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Balayan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Balayan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Balayan let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Balayan checks a low kick from Shamrock.
Balayan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Balayan checks a leg kick nicely.
Shamrock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Balayan.
Shamrock tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Balayan is able to avoid easily.
Balayan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Balayan tries to clinch but Shamrock is having none of it.
Balayan moves out of range as Shamrock strikes.
Balayan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Balayan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Shamrock throws a chopping leg kick but Balayan manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Balayan steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Balayan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balayan is looking to score with low kicks.
Balayan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
A low kick from Shamrock is predictable there
and Balayan counters with an inside leg kick.
Balayan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shamrock.
Balayan looks to score with a jab to the body but Shamrock is just out of range.
Nick Shamrock seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shamrock misses the jab.
Balayan appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Shamrock displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Balayan throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan avoids the body shot from Shamrock.
Shamrock throws a leg kick which misses Balayan's front leg but catches the back leg as Balayan tries to avoid it.
Shamrock throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Balayan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Balayan does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Balayan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Balayan throws a head kick that misses.
Shamrock waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Balayan.
Shamrock connects with an inside leg kick.
Balayan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shamrock throws out the jab.
Shamrock throws a lazy uppercut
and Balayan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Shamrock cracks Balayan with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Balayan misses with a low kick.
Balayan does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Shamrock throws a leg kick but Balayan sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Shamrock throws a big shot that misses.
Shamrock misses with a hook.
Shamrock misses with a straight right.
Balayan swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Shamrock is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Shamrock looks to land a left hand but Balayan moved out of range nicely.
Balayan walks into a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balayan feints and then cracks Shamrock's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Shamrock down.
Shamrock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Shamrock. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Shamrock.
Shamrock lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Balayan looks for the body kick but Shamrock saw that one coming.
Shamrock appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Shamrock, right into the meat.
Balayan scores with a jab to the jaw.
Balayan throws a body shot but no joy.
Shamrock stuns Balayan with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Shamrock tries to work over Balayan's front leg with a kick but Balayan checks it.
Balayan feints a counter leg kick.
Shamrock throws the left hand but Balayan avoids the punch easily.
Shamrock thuds his right hand into Balayan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Balayan misses with a hook. Shamrock ducked under it nicely.
Shamrock checks the leg kick nicely there.
Shamrock appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balayan throws a hook to the side of Shamrock's head but Shamrock sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Balayan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A shot to the liver by Shamrock. Beautiful body shot.
Balayan tries to clinch there but Shamrock circles away.
Shamrock is looking to counter punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Shamrock dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Balayan.
Shamrock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Balayan was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamrock.
Shamrock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shamrock uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balayan.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Balayan checks a leg kick.
Balayan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balayan cracks Shamrock with a good jab.
Shamrock pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Balayan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Decent striking displayed by Balayan there.
Balayan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shamrock.
Balayan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Shamrock misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamrock throws a jab when Balayan was well out of range.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Shamrock here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Balayan thows a left - swing and a miss!
A big left from Shamrock misses.
Balayan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamrock was well out of range. Poor timing from Balayan.
Balayan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Shamrock throws a hook but Balayan avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balayan takes one on the button.
Balayan throws the left hand but Shamrock avoids the punch easily.
Balayan lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Balayan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Shamrock checks it well.
Shamrock is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Balayan can do to turn this around?
Balayan drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Shamrock takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Shamrock bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Balayan might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Shamrock has got the better of the exchanges.
Balayan tries to land a front kick but Shamrock steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Balayan ducks under a wild hook from Shamrock.
Balayan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Shamrock lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Balayan at a distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balayan. Shamrock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balayan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamrock was well out of range. Poor timing from Balayan.
Balayan throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Shamrock on the side of the head.
Balayan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shamrock.
Shamrock lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shamrock swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
An inside leg kick from Balayan misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Balayan connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shamrock scrambles back to his feet.
Shamrock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shamrock slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Balayan throws a half hearted mid kick.
Balayan throws the left hand but Shamrock avoids the punch easily.
Balayan misses with an uppercut.
Balayan tries to work over Shamrock's front leg with a kick but Shamrock checks it.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Balayan in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Shamrock misses with a wild body shot.
Shamrock looks to throw the jab but Balayan is out of range.
Shamrock throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balayan lands a glancing blow to the side of Shamrock's head.
Balayan ducks under a wild hook from Shamrock.
Shamrock misses with a wild body shot.
Shamrock ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balayan moves away.
Balayan is trying to counter with his kicks.
Shamrock misses with a wild body shot.
Balayan throws a wild body kick that Shamrock sees coming a mile off.
Shamrock tests Balayan's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Balayan checks a low kick from Shamrock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan throws a big shot that misses.
Shamrock tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Balayan was well out of range. Poor timing from Shamrock.
Balayan staying out of range there.
Shamrock looks to land a combination but Balayan avoids it well.
Shamrock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balayan manages to avoid it.
Shamrock swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Balayan counters with a nice leg kick.
Balayan slips a straight right by Shamrock.
Balayan checks a low kick from Shamrock.
Shamrock scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Balayan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shamrock.
Balayan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shamrock scores with a hook to the body. Balayan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Balayan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Shamrock is able to avoid easily.
Shamrock misses with a looping right.
Shamrock takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Balayan takes one on the button.
Shamrock defending well as Balayan loads up on a big left hand.
Shamrock swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Shamrock throws a combination. Balayan tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shamrock throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Balayan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Balayan checks a low kick from Shamrock.
Shamrock on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Balayan. Balayan obviously looking to wear him down.
Balayan moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Shamrock.
Balayan is trying to counter with his kicks.
Shamrock misses the jab.
Balayan misses with a low kick as Shamrock jumps back.
Balayan throws a hook but Shamrock blocks it.
Shamrock scoring well with a low kick there.
Balayan is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Shamrock looks to throw the jab but Balayan is out of range.
Balayan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shamrock throws out the jab.
Shamrock scores with a sloppy right hand. Balayan should have avoided that one.
Balayan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shamrock on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Shamrock is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nice body punch from Balayan.
Nick Shamrock is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shamrock shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Balayan is looking to score with low kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Nick Shamrock will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Balayan.
Shamrock takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Shamrock throws a quick inside leg kick.
Shamrock misses the shot to the body.
Balayan throws out a loose jab but Shamrock uses good head movement to avoid it.
Balayan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shamrock manages to avoid it.
Balayan dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Shamrock. That did some damage!
Balayan tries to land a front kick but Shamrock steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Shamrock connects with an inside leg kick.
Balayan misses with a low kick.
Shamrock lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Balayan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shamrock rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Balayan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Balayan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Shamrock is able to avoid easily.
An inside leg kick from Balayan misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shamrock. Balayan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balayan scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shamrock lands an overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balayan. Shamrock does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jab from Balayan.
Shamrock throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Balayan.
Some wild striking there from Shamrock.
Balayan misses with a hook.
It looked like Shamrock wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Shamrock walks into a left hand.
Shamrock staying out of range there.
Shamrock checks a low kick from Balayan.
Balayan with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Shamrock takes a swing at Balayan's ribcage but misses.
Shamrock connects with an inside leg kick.
A big right from Shamrock misses.
Shamrock lands a nice hook to Balayan's body. Balayan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Shamrock looks to score with a jab to the body but Balayan is just out of range.
Shamrock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balayan manages to avoid it.

Balayan fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shamrock, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamrock.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balayan tries a body shot but Shamrock blocks it.
A short right from Balayan.
Shamrock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Balayan tries to throw a body punch but Shamrock avoids it by throwing Balayan back against the cage.
Shamrock working aggressively here.

Balayan breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Shamrock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balayan manages to avoid it.
Balayan throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Shamrock counters with a straight right hand.
Shamrock uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balayan.
Balayan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Balayan misses the shot to the body.
Balayan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Shamrock with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Balayan misses with a low kick.
Shamrock throws a predictable looking body shot
and Shamrock takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Shamrock throws a leg kick
and Balayan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A jab from Balayan misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan blocks a leg kick.
Balayan now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Balayan darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Balayan tries to clinch but Shamrock moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Balayan checks a leg kick.
A little jabbing left from Balayan on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Shamrock throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Balayan lands with an overhand left.
Shamrock throws a big shot that misses.
Shamrock throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shamrock blocks a low kick nicely.
Balayan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Shamrock was well out of range. Poor timing from Balayan.
Balayan walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Balayan throws a leg kick
letting Shamrock counter with a right hand.
Balayan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Shamrock's sensitive parts.
Shamrock misses with a hook.
Shamrock takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Jab by Balayan.
Balayan has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balayan motions for Shamrock to come forward. Balayan throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock misses with a lunging right hand
and Balayan counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A slapping leg kick lands for Shamrock.
Shamrock throws an off balance right hand
and Balayan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Balayan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Balayan staying out of range there.
Balayan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shamrock manages to avoid it.
A big left from Balayan misses.
Balayan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Shamrock throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shamrock checks a low kick from Balayan.
Shamrock misses with a hook.
Shamrock throws the left hand but Balayan avoids the punch easily.
Shamrock throws a shot from downtown. Balayan moves away and avoids it.
Shamrock with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A low kick from Shamrock is predictable there
and Balayan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balayan ducks under a wild hook from Shamrock.
Shamrock moves out of range as Balayan throws a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Garegin Balayan just about did enough to take it.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Balayan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Shamrock avoids a kick to the body.
Balayan blocks a jab.
Balayan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Balayan throws out a loose jab but Shamrock uses good head movement to avoid it.
Balayan throws a body punch but Shamrock moves out of range.
Shamrock throws a low kick but it's checked well by Balayan.
Shamrock wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Balayan takes one to the side of the head.
Shamrock checks a leg kick.
Shamrock misses with a wild body shot.
Balayan scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shamrock. Balayan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shamrock throws a chopping leg kick but Balayan manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Balayan misses with an uppercut
and Shamrock counters with a thumping low kick.
Balayan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Balayan misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shamrock uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balayan.
Balayan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A jab from Balayan misses.
Balayan misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Shamrock makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Shamrock ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Balayan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Shamrock momentarily.
Balayan moves into range and connects with a jab.
Shamrock moves out of range as Balayan throws a body kick.
Shamrock misses with a straight left.
Balayan throws out a counter right but Shamrock avoids it with no problem.
Shamrock scores with the left hand. Balayan knows he should have avoided that one.
Shamrock loads up on a big right hand but Balayan slips the punch.
Shamrock throws a right hand that misses
and Shamrock takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Balayan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It looked like Shamrock was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Balayan.
Balayan scores with the left hand. Shamrock knows he should have avoided that one.
Balayan lunges at Shamrock with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shamrock's hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balayan throws a leg kick but Shamrock sees it coming and moves out of range.
Shamrock tries a low kick but Balayan avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock throws a looping overhand right but Balayan ducks down to avoid it.
Balayan swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Balayan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Shamrock is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Shamrock avoids a kick to the body.
Shamrock misses with a hook. Balayan ducked under it nicely.
Shamrock connects with a nice looking jab.
Balayan just misses with a punch to the body.
Balayan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Shamrock.
Balayan counters with a body kick.
Shamrock slips under a jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Balayan.
Balayan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Balayan takes a swing at Shamrock's ribcage but misses.
Balayan on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Shamrock looks to throw the jab but Balayan is out of range.
Balayan appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Shamrock tests Balayan's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Balayan drives through and clinches with Shamrock against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shamrock.
Shamrock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shamrock goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Balayan swings wildly with an uppercut but Shamrock uses good head movement to avoid it.
Balayan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shamrock tries to throw a body punch but Balayan avoids it by throwing Shamrock back against the cage.
Balayan lands with a left to the head.
Balayan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shamrock misses with the head strike.
Balayan misses with a punch to the body.
Balayan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A right hook to the body lands for Shamrock.
Shamrock misses with a punch to the body.
Balayan lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shamrock backwards.
Shamrock fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Balayan throws a punch but it's blocked by Shamrock.
Balayan tries to throw a body punch but Shamrock avoids it by throwing Balayan back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balayan scores with a shoulder strike.
Shamrock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shamrock cracks Balayan with a nice body shot.
Shamrock lands a body punch.
Balayan is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Shamrock takes a shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balayan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shamrock scores with a shot to the side of Balayan's head.
Balayan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shamrock's elbow.
Good body shot from Shamrock.
Balayan digs a right hand underneath Shamrock's ribcage. Shamrock let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Shamrock lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Balayan has a couple of punches blocked by Shamrock.
Shamrock tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shamrock.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Shamrock lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Balayan or not.
Shamrock lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Balayan or not.
A nice left hand lands by Shamrock.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Nick Shamrock will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Balayan gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Shamrock.
Balayan misses with a looping left.
Nice shot lands for Shamrock.
Shamrock moves out of range of the body kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Shamrock.
Shamrock clobbers Balayan with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Balayan fails in his attempt to clinch.
Balayan misses with a looping right.
Balayan looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Balayan on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Balayan lands a jab to the head.
Balayan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Shamrock to counter with a crisp jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Shamrock as he connects with a hook.
Shamrock is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Balayan.
Balayan is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Shamrock shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Balayan misses with a body shot.
Shamrock throws a hook to the side of Balayan's head but Balayan sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balayan misses with a looping left.
Balayan throws a hook to the side of Shamrock's head but Shamrock sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shamrock keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balayan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Balayan ducks right into an uppercut from Shamrock.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Shamrock.
Shamrock throws a poor cross that misses
and Balayan counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The crowd cheers as Shamrock lands an impressive looking overhand right. Balayan doesn't seem phased though.
Balayan lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Balayan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Shamrock scores with a punch to the head.
Shamrock on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Balayan. Balayan obviously looking to wear him down.
A nice inside leg kick there by Balayan. That's going to slow Shamrock down.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balayan takes a jab right on the kisser.
Shamrock throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Balayan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balayan throws an overhand right that lands on Shamrock's shoulder, as Shamrock tries to avoid the shot.
Shamrock fires out a quick counter leg kick but Balayan just manages to avoid it.
Balayan thumps Shamrock with a low kick.
Shamrock scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Balayan doesn't seem bothered though.
Balayan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Shamrock.
Balayan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Shamrock's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Shamrock duly obliges.
Balayan tries to land a front kick but Shamrock steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Shamrock misses with a shot to the body
and Balayan counters with a nice body kick.
Shamrock looks to land a left hand but Balayan moved out of range nicely.
Balayan looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Shamrock dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Balayan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shamrock scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Balayan takes a swing at Shamrock's ribcage but misses.
Balayan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shamrock misses with an uppercut.
Balayan is looking to land body kicks.
Shamrock will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Balayan takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Shamrock misses.
Balayan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shamrock.
Balayan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Balayan fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shamrock is out of range.
Balayan avoids the body shot from Shamrock.
Garegin Balayan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shamrock takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Shamrock ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Shamrock bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Balayan's head backwards.
Shamrock ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Balayan fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shamrock is out of range.
Shamrock scores with a leg kick.
Balayan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shamrock throws a body punch but Balayan moves out of range.
A nice side step and Balayan releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Balayan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Shamrock sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Shamrock fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Balayan checks it well.
Shamrock scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shamrock works Balayan's body with a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shamrock connects with a good right hand that stumbles Balayan. Balayan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Shamrock scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Balayan doesn't seem bothered though.
Balayan throws a big shot that misses.
Balayan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shamrock tried to counter with a leg kick but Balayan avoided it.
Balayan throws a body kick that misses.
Balayan throws a push kick but Shamrock slaps the foot to one side.
Balayan throws a big shot that misses.
Shamrock keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Shamrock dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Balayan wants to slow Shamrock down by chopping away at his legs.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shamrock defending well as Balayan loads up on a big left hand.
Shamrock throwing a counter right hand but Balayan manages to avoid it.
An inside leg kick lands from Shamrock.
Shamrock connects with a body shot that sends Balayan's belly button to the back.
Balayan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Shamrock manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Shamrock showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shamrock has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 49:46
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Shamrock!
Nick Shamrock retains his lightweight title!
Nick Shamrock spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.