PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Phil Baloni (ranked 2435 p4p, 296 weight class) and Julian Bashir (ranked 3835 p4p, 402 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Baloni
vs
Bashir

190 cm
27
210 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

185 cm
20
205 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Condemned

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Phil Baloni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Julian Bashir!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bashir connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Baloni misses with a straight left.
A little jabbing left from Bashir on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Baloni ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bashir moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bashir! But no joy.
Baloni slips under a jab.
Bashir takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Baloni's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bashir under the eye.

It looks like Julian Bashir has been cut.
Baloni throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bashir jabs at Baloni's body.
Baloni misses the shot to the body.
A jab lands there for Bashir.
Baloni is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bashir.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bashir! But no joy.
Bashir misses with a straight left.
Phil Baloni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bashir takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bashir bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bashir throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Baloni stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baloni throws a poor cross that misses
and Bashir counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Bashir staying out of range there.
Baloni closes the distance and clinches up with Bashir, looking for a takedown. Baloni pushes Bashir against the cage but Bashir circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bashir dips to his left and cracks Baloni with an uppercut!
Bashir takes a swing at Baloni's ribcage but misses.
Bashir bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bashir is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Baloni.
Baloni tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bashir manages to circle out of the way.
Bashir slips a jab from Baloni.

Baloni clinches up against the cage.
Bashir tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Bashir breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bashir misses with an uppercut.
Baloni looks to land a left hand but Bashir moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashir bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bashir displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baloni throws out the jab.
A little jabbing left from Bashir on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Bashir throws a right and a left that both miss.
Baloni seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Baloni misses with a left hand
and Bashir counters with a lovely shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baloni tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Baloni tries to clinch but Bashir moves out of range.
Bashir looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Baloni jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Baloni ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bashir moves away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bashir! But no joy.
Baloni ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Baloni wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Bashir scores with a punch to the head.
Baloni connects with a looping right hand.
Baloni paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Baloni circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashir missing with a left hand there. Baloni was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bashir throws a body punch but Baloni moves out of range.
Bashir takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Baloni clinches.

Bashir's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Bashir moves out of range as Baloni strikes.
Bashir uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baloni.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bashir! But no joy.
Baloni ducks under a wild hook from Bashir.
Baloni seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Baloni tries to clinch
and Bashir counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Baloni clinches with his opponent.
Baloni lands with a light punch inside.
Bashir can't find room to land a body shot as Baloni controls the action.
Baloni is looking to break free of the clinch but Bashir has double underhooks.
Baloni's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baloni digs a right hand underneath Bashir's ribcage. Bashir let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The referee is keeping an eye on Baloni - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Come on Baloni - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Baloni gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Baloni tries to work over Bashir's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baloni misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baloni lands a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baloni looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Baloni wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bashir has him pressed against the cage.
Baloni has Bashir pressed against the cage.
Bashir lands with a short shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Phil Baloni will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Julian Bashir's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Baloni instigates a clinch.

Baloni breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baloni fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bashir looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Julian Bashir seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bashir swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Baloni throws the left hand but Bashir avoids the punch easily.
Bashir has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Baloni finds it's way round the side to connect with Bashir's head.
Baloni scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Baloni lands a jab to Bashir's midsection.
Bashir avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Baloni, as that shot connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baloni tries to clinch up but Bashir circles away and keeps his distance.
Bashir swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Baloni feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bashirs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Baloni needs to keep his hands up - Bashir had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baloni's jab looks to have found its range, popping Bashir under the eye.
Bashir defending well as Baloni loads up on a big left hand.

Baloni instigates a clinch.
Baloni wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bashir has him pressed against the cage.
Bashir misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baloni blocking some punches.
Bashir doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bashir blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bashir tries to throw a body punch but Baloni avoids it by throwing Bashir back against the cage.
Baloni misses with a body punch.
Bashir stalls.
Bashir misses with the head strike.
Baloni has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Baloni is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bashir can do to turn this around?
Baloni slowing the pace effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Baloni.
A right hand to the body from Bashir.
Baloni stalling.
Baloni is struggling to control the position.
A head punch on the inside from Bashir fails to land.
Baloni taking a breather.
Baloni prevents a body shot from Bashir.
Baloni tries to break free but Bashir pushes him back against the cage.
Baloni is pushing Bashir up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Baloni tries to stall but Bashir uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Phil Baloni.
Baloni moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bashir lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Baloni at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baloni clinches up against the cage.
Baloni is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bashir throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Balonis head.

Bashir breaks from the clinch.
Baloni looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Baloni lands an overhand right.
Bashir misses with a looping left.
Bashir moves out of range of the strikes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baloni. Bashir does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baloni ducks under a wild hook from Bashir.

The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Baloni fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bashir, pushing him back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Baloni fails to land.
Baloni tries to work over Bashir's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baloni misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Baloni.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Baloni.
Baloni lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Bashir.
Baloni is trying to break the clinch but Bashir has him pressed against the cage.
Baloni lands a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baloni doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Baloni fails to land.

Baloni manages to break the clinch.
Baloni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bashir manages to avoid it.
Bashir throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Baloni stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Bashir misses with a hook. Baloni ducked under it nicely.
Baloni moves out of range of the strikes.
Bashir misses with a right hand

and Baloni counters by clinching up.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Phil Baloni dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Julian Bashir's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Baloni connects with a looping right hand.
Bashir lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Bashir misses with an uppercut. Baloni saw that one coming.
Baloni takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The fighters circle momentarily. Baloni darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Bashir uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baloni.
Baloni lands a nice hook to Bashir's body. Bashir takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Baloni moves away from the strike by Bashir.
A telegraphed right hand from Baloni misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baloni wants to clinch but Bashir slips to the side
and Bashir counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Baloni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bashir.
Bashir throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baloni is looking to counter the offense by Bashir and move into the clinch.
Baloni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bashir.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashir ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bashir takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Baloni looks to score with a jab to the body but Bashir is just out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Baloni takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Baloni has a couple of punches blocked by Bashir.
Baloni is trying to push Bashir away but Bashir has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bashir doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bashir misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baloni slowing the pace effectively.
Baloni avoiding damage.
Phil Baloni has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Baloni tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bashir's elbow.
Julian Bashir has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bashir misses with some punches.
Bashir lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Baloni backwards.
Bashir lands a shoulder strike.

Bashir pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bashir avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Bashir misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baloni.
Baloni scores with a nice head shot.
Baloni displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bashir throws out the jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baloni wants to clinch up but Bashir keeps it at a distance.
Baloni misses the jab.
Baloni misses with an uppercut. Bashir saw that one coming.
Bashir bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Bashir! But no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashir lands a nice hook to Baloni's body. Baloni takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Baloni missing with a left hand there. Bashir was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baloni is looking to clinch.
Baloni rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bashir counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Baloni lands a nice looking body shot.
Bashir pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Baloni bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bashir's head.
Baloni connects with a single shot there.
Nice straight punches there by Baloni. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Baloni.
Bashir gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Baloni moves out of range as Bashir strikes.
Bashir takes a shot to the body in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baloni lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nice jab there from Baloni.
Bashir looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bashir ducks under a wild hook from Baloni.
Baloni misses with a hook.
Bashir throws the left hand but Baloni avoids the punch easily.
Phil Baloni is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bashir looks to throw the jab but Baloni is out of range.
Bashir takes a swing at Baloni's ribcage but misses.
Baloni misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bashir.
Bashir now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Baloni has managed to clinch.
Bashir throws a head punch that misses.
A shot in the inside from Bashir.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Phil Baloni.
Well Baloni 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Baloni!
Phil Baloni managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Condemned, into his post fight interview.