PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Leon Hooker (ranked 1157 p4p, 138 weight class) and Balink Tarlah (ranked 1622 p4p, 198 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hooker
vs
Tarlah

163 cm
26
163 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

179 cm
26
165 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Experienced

Threads of HARDCORE

SKULLFCK Sportswear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Leon Hooker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Balink Tarlah!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Anthony Taglia and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tarlah tries for a takedown but Hooker sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hooker throws a nice looking combination but Tarlah bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A big right from Hooker misses.
Hooker misses with an uppercut.
Hooker misses with a looping right.
Tarlah is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Hooker throws a body shot but no joy.
Tarlah drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hooker defends it well.
Tarlah connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hooker misses the shot to the body.
Tarlah drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hooker defends it well.
Hooker misses with a combination

and Tarlah counters with a takedown into side control.
Hooker taking punishment in the form of punches.
Hooker is letting Tarlah control him for a moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tarlah creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tarlah landing strikes.
Hooker is looking to regain half guard here but Tarlah keeps moving and retains side control.
Hooker definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hooker trying to remain calm as Tarlah controls from the top position.
Hooker can't do much from the bottom here.
A lull in the action here as Tarlah stalls from top position.
Hooker is trying to control Tarlah's posture but Tarlah avoids it.
Tarlah working the ground and pound.
Hooker taking a bit of punishment here - Tarlah scoring with strikes.
Hooker tries to buck Tarlah off but Tarlah is having none of it.
Tarlah has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tarlah lands an elbow.
Tarlah in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hooker is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tarlah working the head with strikes.
Tarlah working the ground and pound.
Hooker tries to buck Tarlah off but Tarlah is having none of it.
Tarlah slows the pace down.
Tarlah looks up at the clock and then as Hooker takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Tarlah smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
A lull in the action here.
Tarlah in side control lands a decent elbow.
Hooker sneaks back into half guard.
Tarlah is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tarlah connects with a nice short shot to Hooker's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Tarlah there.
Tarlah trying to pass the guard but Hooker defending well.
Hooker has hold of Tarlah's hands but Tarlah slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hooker wants to improve his position but Tarlah is controlling well.
Hooker gets full guard.
Tarlah content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Hooker is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tarlah not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Tarlah working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hooker not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Hooker throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tarlah is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hooker is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tarlah defends well.

Hooker has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tarlah can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hooker doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Tarlah scoring with some ground and pound.
Tarlah slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Let's hope that Tarlah has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Tarlah's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hooker misses with a series of wild punches.
Hooker lands a slapping body shot.
The fighters circling - Hooker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tarlah tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hooker lands an overhand right.
Leon Hooker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hooker ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Some wild striking there from Hooker.
Tarlah drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hooker defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hooker misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Tarlah closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
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!
Tarlah working Hooker over with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tarlah lands a nice short elbow.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tarlah connects with a nice short shot to Hooker's temple.
Hooker is looking for a sweep. Tarlah is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tarlah sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Hooker is trying to control but Tarlah manages to pass to mount!
Tarlah breaks from Hooker's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Tarlah controlling from the full mount.
Tarlah lands a big shot there that rocks Hooker but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Hooker really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Tarlah controlling the position easily from mount.
Hooker is desperately trying to improve his position but Tarlah has a good base and remains in mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tarlah with the ground and pound from mount.
Hooker wants to hold on but Tarlah pushes him away.
Tarlah scoring with strikes but Hooker is staying in there.
Tarlah sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Tarlah has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hooker tries to lock up and control but Tarlah gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hooker is trying desperately to improve position.
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!
Tarlah dominating with strikes here.
Tarlah raining down shots from the mount!
Tarlah has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Hooker's face.
Hooker is looking to improve his position but Tarlah isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarlah landing strikes, looking to finish!
Tarlah scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Tarlah controlling the pace for now.
Hooker takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Tarlah scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Tarlah pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Hooker tries to reverse the position but Tarlah maintains control.
Hooker bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

Tarlah is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hooker defends well.
Hooker trying to control but Tarlah is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hooker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hooker trying to control but Tarlah is working from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tarlah can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tarlah lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tarlah is working Hooker over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Hooker can't keep his opponent in guard - Tarlah advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Hooker is trying to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Tarlah seems content to control.
Hooker is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tarlah not doing much here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Balink Tarlah showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hooker catches Tarlah with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hooker throws a body shot but no joy.
Tarlah has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Hooker swings for the body but Tarlah moves out of range.
Tarlah feints the counter takedown.
Hooker misses with the combination.
Tarlah circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hooker takes a swing at Tarlah's ribcage but misses.
Hooker connects with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hooker throws a big shot that misses.
Tarlah shoots for a double leg takedown but Hooker sprawls well. He's pushed Tarlah's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tarlah.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hooker moves in looking to clinch but Tarlah pushes him off.
Some wild striking there from Hooker.
Hooker lands a jab to Tarlah's midsection.
Hooker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tarlah wants to counter with a clinch but Hooker pushes him away.
Hooker fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Hooker rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Tarlah counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hooker trying to control but Tarlah postures up.
Tarlah is taking a breather. Hooker says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hooker on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Tarlah wants to pass the guard but Hooker is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hooker is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tarlah pulls his head out easily.
Tarlah keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Hooker actively working from the bottom here.
Hooker is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Tarlah scores with a couple of nice shots.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tarlah connects with a nice short shot to Hooker's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tarlah is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Leon Hooker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hooker is trying to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Tarlah in particular looking to stall.
Hooker flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Tarlah drops an elbow to the side of Hooker's head.
Tarlah stalling.
Tarlah seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Tarlah is pressing down on Hooker's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hooker is holding on for now.
Hooker wants to get back to full guard.
Tarlah drops an elbow to the side of Hooker's head.
Tarlah lands strikes from half guard.

Hooker looking for submissions off his back.
Tarlah is thwarting Hooker's attempts to control the position.
Tarlah is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Hooker is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Tarlah pulls his head out easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tarlah blocks the strikes from Hooker.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Tarlah lands a nice short elbow.
Tarlah working Hooker over with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Balink Tarlah.
I've got Tarlah winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Balink Tarlah!
Balink Tarlah decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.