PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zaid Al Balushi (ranked 216 p4p, 115 weight class) and Tacitus Kilgore (ranked 28 p4p, 15 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Al Balushi
vs
Kilgore

180 cm
30
155
12 - 3 - 0

175 cm
30
160
19 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Voodoo Nutrition

SynCity Fightwear
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zaid Al Balushi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tacitus Kilgore!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kilgore throws a shot from downtown. Al Balushi moves away and avoids it.
Kilgore takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kilgore tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Al Balushi was well out of range. Poor timing from Kilgore.
Al Balushi is looking to counter the offense by Kilgore and move into the clinch.
Al Balushi throws a jab when Kilgore was well out of range.
A big left from Kilgore misses.
An inside leg kick from Al Balushi misses.
Kilgore dips to his left and cracks Al Balushi with an uppercut!
Kilgore throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And Al Balushi counters with a quick kick to the body but Kilgore blocks it.
Tacitus Kilgore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice body punch from Al Balushi.
That kick from Al Balushi tenderised Kilgore's leg. Kilgore is trying to keep his angry face on.
Al Balushi scores with a decent looking hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kilgore scoring well with a low kick there.
Kilgore throws a jab when Al Balushi was well out of range.
Kilgore 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.
Kilgore looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Balushi is just out of range.
Kilgore chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Al Balushi can pounce on him.
Kilgore lands a nice looking body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kilgore wants to slow Al Balushi down by chopping away at his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kilgore swings widly with a right hand
and Al Balushi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kilgore scores with a leg kick.
Al Balushi lands a lovely overhand right.
A jab from Al Balushi misses.
Kilgore tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Kilgore shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Al Balushi manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kilgore is looking to work some ground and pound but Al Balushi has wrist control.
Al Balushi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kilgore trying to control the position from guard on top but Al Balushi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Al Balushi wants to sweep but no luck.
Kilgore postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kilgore postures up in Al Balushi's guard and throws a big left but Al Balushi blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore throws a big right hand that misses.
Kilgore is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Al Balushi is on top in guard.

Al Balushi preventing the sweep.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kilgore keeps trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kilgore working for submissions but it's allowed Al Balushi to get to half guard.
Kilgore is pressing down on Al Balushi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kilgore working a defensive guard but Al Balushi passes into half guard.
Kilgore wants to get back to full guard but Al Balushi has mounted him!
Kilgore is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi controlling the pace for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore is trying desperately to improve position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kilgore is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Zaid Al Balushi will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kilgore throws a shot from downtown. Al Balushi moves away and avoids it.
Kilgore looks to land a right hand but Al Balushi moved out of range.
A punch combination from Al Balushi misses.
Kilgore throws a solid leg kick but Al Balushi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kilgore.
Kilgore thows a leg kick but Al Balushi checks it
and Al Balushi counters with a solid body kick.
Kilgore takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Al Balushi looks to throw the jab but Kilgore is out of range.
Kilgore misses with the combination.
Kilgore works the jab nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kilgore lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Al Balushi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kilgore manages to avoid it.
Kilgore tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Al Balushi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Al Balushi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Al Balushi avoids the body shot from Kilgore.
It looked like Al Balushi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kilgore.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kilgore.
Kilgore misses the jab.
It appears Al Balushi was looking to counter with a kick there.
A low kick from Kilgore misses
and Al Balushi counters with a stiff right hand.
Tacitus Kilgore seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kilgore goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kilgore looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kilgore rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Al Balushi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A bone on bone clash there as Kilgore blocks the leg kick.
Kilgore throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kilgore lands with a nice body punch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Al Balushi.
Al Balushi tries to clinch but Kilgore moves out of range.
Kilgore throws a front kick that sends Al Balushi stumbling back into the cage.
Kilgore misses with the body kick
and Al Balushi counters with a stiff right hand.
Kilgore throws a shot from downtown. Al Balushi moves away and avoids it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Al Balushi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kilgore throws a leg kick that is checked
and Al Balushi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kilgore shoots in for a takedown but Al Balushi shows good takedown defense.
Kilgore throws a shot to the body.
Kilgore looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Balushi is just out of range.
Kilgore connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kilgore throws a jab when Al Balushi was well out of range.
Al Balushi fires out a quick counter leg kick but Kilgore just manages to avoid it.
Al Balushi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kilgore throws a body kick that misses
and Al Balushi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Al Balushi throws a body punch but Kilgore moves out of range.
Kilgore feints the counter takedown.
Kilgore takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Al Balushi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Al Balushi checks a leg kick nicely.
Good work by Kilgore as he checks the leg kick.
Kilgore lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Kilgore misses
and Al Balushi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kilgore has a takedown stuffed.
A telegraphed right hand from Kilgore misses the target.
Al Balushi moves out of range as Kilgore strikes.
Kilgore throws a lazy right hand but Al Balushi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Al Balushi blocks a jab.
Kilgore misses with an uppercut
enabling Al Balushi to counter with a crisp jab.
Kilgore throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Al Balushi lands the left hand.
Al Balushi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Al Balushi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kilgore.
Kilgore misses the shot to the body.
Kilgore with a nice cross.
Kilgore throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Al Balushi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As Kilgore tries to get set, Al Balushi tries to push him back and clinch up but Kilgore manages to avoid the attempt.
Al Balushi scores with a nice strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kilgore.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kilgore.
Kilgore misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kilgore throws a punch but it's blocked by Al Balushi.

Kilgore escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Al Balushi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kilgore.
Al Balushi throwing a counter right hand but Kilgore manages to avoid it.
Kilgore looks to score with a jab to the body but Al Balushi is just out of range.
Al Balushi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kilgore has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Al Balushi.
Al Balushi has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kilgore.
Kilgore throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Al Balushi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As Kilgore backs away, Al Balushi returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Kilgore keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kilgore swings for the body but Al Balushi moves out of range.
Al Balushi seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kilgore looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kilgore throws a jab when Al Balushi was well out of range.
Al Balushi tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kilgore manages to circle out of the way.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tacitus Kilgore will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kilgore throws a half hearted mid kick.
Al Balushi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Al Balushi throws a low kick but Kilgore moves out of range easily.
Kilgore throws a nice looking combination but Al Balushi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kilgore misses with a body kick.
A low kick lands for Kilgore.
A telegraphed right hand from Kilgore misses the target.
Al Balushi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kilgore can pounce on him.
Kilgore jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kilgore motions for Al Balushi to come forward. Kilgore throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kilgore throws a jab when Al Balushi was well out of range.
Kilgore attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Al Balushi throws a low kick but Kilgore moves out of range easily.
Kilgore throws a low kick, looking for Al Balushi's leg but Al Balushi calmly moves out of range.
Al Balushi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kilgore.
Al Balushi wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kilgore throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Al Balushi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kilgore throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kilgore throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Al Balushi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kilgore uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Al Balushi.
Kilgore checks a leg kick.
Kilgore misses with a wild body shot.
Kilgore throws a lazy uppercut
and Al Balushi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kilgore throws a left and a right that both miss
and Al Balushi counters with a stiff right hand.
Kilgore misses with a lunging right hand
and Al Balushi counters with a low kick, right behind Kilgore 's knee.
Kilgore misses with a shot to the body
and Al Balushi counters with a thumping low kick.
Al Balushi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kilgore looks to throw a body kick
and Al Balushi counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Al Balushi ducks under a wild hook from Kilgore.
Kilgore misses the body punch
and Al Balushi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kilgore thinking.
Al Balushi misses with a looping right.
Al Balushi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore throws a solid leg kick but Al Balushi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kilgore.
Kilgore looks for the body kick but Al Balushi saw that one coming.
Al Balushi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Al Balushi with a hook.
Kilgore misses with an uppercut. Al Balushi saw that one coming.
Al Balushi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Al Balushi tries to close the distance and clinch but Kilgore swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kilgore scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Al Balushi doesn't seem bothered though.
Kilgore works the jab nicely.
Kilgore misses with a hook. Al Balushi ducked under it nicely.
Nice defenses there by Kilgore.
Kilgore misses with a looping left.
Kilgore cracks a nice hook into Al Balushi's ribs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Al Balushi.
Kilgore rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Al Balushi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Al Balushi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kilgore.
Al Balushi was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore throws a series of punches but Al Balushi moves out of range.
It looked like Al Balushi was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kilgore.
A big left from Al Balushi misses.
Kilgore throws a push kick but Al Balushi slaps the foot to one side.
Al Balushi wants to clinch up but Kilgore keeps it at a distance.
Kilgore connects with a good right hand that stumbles Al Balushi. Al Balushi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kilgore on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Al Balushi. Al Balushi obviously looking to wear him down.
Kilgore cracks a nice hook into Al Balushi's ribs.
Kilgore takes one to the side of the head.
Kilgore's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kilgore throws a body shot but no joy.
Al Balushi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kilgore tries to land a body kick
and Al Balushi counters with a nice body kick.
Al Balushi motions for Kilgore to come forward. Al Balushi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kilgore throws a lazy right hand but Al Balushi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kilgore throws out a leg kick but Al Balushi moves out of range and Kilgore only half commits.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kilgore misses with an attempted mid kick.
Al Balushi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kilgore swats away the attempt to clinch by Al Balushi.
Al Balushi connects with an inside leg kick.
Al Balushi cracks Kilgore with a right hand to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Al Balushi looks to score with a jab to the body but Kilgore is just out of range.
Kilgore fails with the takedown
and Al Balushi counters with a series of strikes. Kilgore will be more careful next time no doubt.
Al Balushi lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kilgore will feel that in the morning.
Kilgore throws a poor cross that misses
and Al Balushi counters with a straight right hand.
Kilgore lands with a good body shot.
Al Balushi slips under a jab from Kilgore.
Kilgore has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kilgore is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Al Balushi.

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 Zaid Al Balushi.
Well Al Balushi 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zaid Al Balushi!
After winning the bout, Zaid Al Balushi thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.