PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cliff Velasquez (ranked 24456 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alberto Balboa (ranked 4763 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Balboa's choice of entrance music: Null. Alberto Balboa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Velasquez
vs
Balboa

166 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 5 - 0

168 cm
23
142 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Cliff Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Alberto Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Balboa closes the distance and pushes Velasquez back into the cage.

Balboa manages to break the clinch.
Balboa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Velasquez appears to be looking for a big counter.

Balboa has Velasquez up against the cage in a clinch.

Balboa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Balboa looks to score with a jab to the body but Velasquez is just out of range.
Balboa shoots in looking for a takedown but Velasquez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Balboa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Velasquez gets tackled into the cage by Balboa. Balboa maintains the clinch.
Velasquez has Balboa pushed against the cage.
Velasquez jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Balboa walks away with a smile on his face. Velasquez gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Velasquez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Balboa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Velasquez's waist but Velasquez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Balboa off to one side.
Cliff Velasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alberto Balboa.
Balboa looks to land a combination but Velasquez avoids it well.

Balboa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Balboa misses with a body punch.
Balboa lands a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Balboa manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa shoots for a takedown but Velasquez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Velasquez closes the distance and pushes Balboa back into the cage.

Balboa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Balboa pushes Velasquez up against the cage in a clinch.
Velasquez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Balboa is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Velasquez prevents the takedown attempt.

Balboa breaks the clinch.
Balboa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Balboa digs a good body shot into Velasquez's ribs.
Balboa looks winded!

Balboa clinches with his opponent.

Balboa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Balboa dives in for a single leg takedown but Velasquez sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Balboa clinches.

Balboa manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Velasquez stops Balboa from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez wants to control from the top but Balboa keeps moving.
Velasquez won't allow Balboa to get back to his feet.
Velasquez is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Balboa is looking to stand up but Velasquez isn't so interested in that idea.
Velasquez wanted to stand there but Balboa had control of the position.
Balboa keeping moving, preventing Velasquez from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Balboa fails with a takedown attempt.
Velasquez went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Velasquez moves into the clinch.

Balboa breaks from the clinch.

Balboa has closed the distance and engaged Velasquez in a clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Balboa.
Balboa pushes Velasquez back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Balboa gets control of Velasquez's arms and successfully pulls guard. Balboa will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Balboa is looking to stand up but Velasquez isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez is standing up over Balboa. Balboa looks to escape but Velasquez dives into side control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Velasquez controlling the position.

Velasquez decides to stand back up.
Balboa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Velasquez counters by clinching up.
Balboa gets underhooks to prevent Velasquez's takedown attempt.

Velasquez decides to pull guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Balboa dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Balboa shoots in looking for a takedown but Velasquez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Balboa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As Balboa looks to move away, Velasquez throws a big counter combo but Balboa just gets out of the way.
Velasquez tries to clinch up but Balboa circles away and keeps his distance.
Balboa shoots in looking for a takedown but Velasquez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Balboa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Velasquez seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Balboa fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Balboa clinches up against the cage.
Velasquez doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Balboa on the inside.
Balboa lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Velasquez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Balboa to keep the fight standing.
Velasquez is trying to maintain a safe position but Balboa gets an underhook and turns Velasquez into the cage.
Velasquez is working for takedown but Balboa is calmly controlling the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa stops a takedown attempt from Velasquez.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cliff Velasquez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Velasquez takes a knee to the side of the body.

Balboa manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Balboa clinches with his opponent.
Balboa stops a takedown attempt from Velasquez.
Balboa working Velasquez over with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Velasquez backwards.
Balboa digs a right hand into Velasquez's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Velasquez's gas tank.

Balboa jumps into guard, dragging Velasquez to the mat.

Balboa pushes Velasquez off and scrambles back to his feet.

Balboa shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Balboa showed some decent athleticism there.
Balboa missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Balboa controlling the action here.
Velasquez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Balboa.
Balboa trying to control the action but Velasquez is working from the bottom.
Still in half guard, Balboa seems content to control.
Velasquez trying to control but Balboa postures up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balboa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Well, if Balboa is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Balboa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Velasquez is trying to maintain the position but Balboa is very close to passing his half guard.
Balboa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Velasquez defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Velasquez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Balboa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Velasquez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Balboa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Velasquez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Velasquez looking to control.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Balboa closes the distance and clinches.

Balboa has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Velasquez uses from the top position.
Velasquez prevents Balboa from getting back to his feet.

Balboa uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Balboa is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Velasquez rather than just go for the knockout.
Balboa darts in looking for a takedown but Velasquez gets double underhooks and turns Balboa into the cage.
As Balboa tries to get set, Velasquez tries to push him back and clinch up but Balboa manages to avoid the attempt.
Cliff Velasquez is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Velasquez tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Balboa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Balboa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Velasquez breaks from the clinch.
Cliff Velasquez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Balboa misses with a takedown

and Velasquez moves into the clinch.
Balboa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Velasquez is looking for a takedown.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balboa has Velasquez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Velasquez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Velasquez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Balboa throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A frustrated look appears on Velasquez's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Balboa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Velasquez tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Balboa goes for a takedown in the clinch but Velasquez prevents it.
Velasquez is trying to maintain a safe position but Balboa gets an underhook and turns Velasquez into the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alberto Balboa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Balboa drives through with a takedown into guard.

Velasquez is working an open guard so Balboa takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Balboa darts in looking for a takedown but Velasquez gets double underhooks and turns Balboa into the cage.
Balboa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Velasquez's waist but Velasquez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Balboa off to one side.
Balboa fails with the takedown

and Velasquez counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Velasquez.
Cliff Velasquez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alberto Balboa.
Velasquez is trying to stall.
Balboa blocking some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Velasquez trying to land knees to the body.
Velasquez is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Balboa to keep the fight standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Velasquez is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Balboa is defending well for now.
Velasquez is working for takedown but Balboa is calmly controlling the position for now.
Balboa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Velasquez wants a takedown.
Balboa is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Velasquez is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Balboa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Balboa drives through and clinches with Velasquez against the cage.
A hook to the body from Balboa.
A right handed body shot lands from Balboa.

Balboa drags the fight down to the ground.
Balboa wants to stand but Velasquez is controlling the position.
Balboa wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Velasquez manages to pass to side control.
Balboa is trying to stand back up but Velasquez is controlling him

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Velasquez.
Velasquez seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Balboa looks like he's trying to stand up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Velasquez but Velasquez pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Balboa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Velasquez pinned against the cage. Velasquez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Velasquez fails in his attempt to clinch.
Velasquez keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Balboa has his takedown stuffed

and Velasquez moves into the clinch.
Velasquez lands a nice shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa tries to circle away but Velasquez has him pinned against the cage.
Balboa is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Velasquez is trying to break the clinch but Balboa is controlling him.
Velasquez is looking to control Balboa's arms but Balboa gets an underhook and turns him. Now Velasquez has his back to the cage.
Balboa gets underhooks to prevent Velasquez's takedown attempt.
Balboa managing to block the knees to the body from Velasquez.

Balboa decides to pull guard.
Balboa wants to get back to his feet but Velasquez is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Balboa manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Balboa with a lazy takedown attempt
and Balboa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Alberto Balboa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Balboa darts in looking for a takedown but Velasquez gets double underhooks and turns Balboa into the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balboa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Velasquez seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Alberto Balboa.
Well Balboa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alberto Balboa!
A relieved looking Alberto Balboa thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.