PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jacob Underwood (ranked 25277 p4p, 25382 weight class) and Jose Balboa (ranked 707 p4p, 735 weight class). Balboa has chosen 20 de Abril by Celtas Cortos as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Underwood
vs
Balboa

188 cm
18
185
0 - 4 - 0

190 cm
18
193
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jacob Underwood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jose Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Underwood avoids the head kick by Balboa.
Balboa scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Underwood blocks a head kick by Balboa.
Balboa swings for the body but Underwood moves out of range.

Balboa has Underwood up against the ropes in a clinch.

Underwood manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Balboa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Balboa slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Underwood is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Underwood looking to hit a scissor sweep but Balboa is one step ahead there.
Balboa throwing strikes from guard but Underwood blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Underwood keeping moving, preventing Balboa from controlling successfully.
Balboa stays in close to Underwood's body and controls the position.
Balboa wants to pass the guard but Underwood is keeping the position.
Balboa controlling from the top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Balboa lands with a kick to the temple. Underwood shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Balboa lands a nice looking body kick.
Underwood will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Balboa is looking for the big counter here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa lands a head kick. Underwood smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Balboa throws a head kick that half lands.
Balboa throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Underwood.
Balboa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Underwood tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Balboa was well out of range. Poor timing from Underwood.

Underwood moves into the clinch.

Underwood pulls Balboa into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balboa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Balboa trying to control the position from guard on top but Underwood is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balboa controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Balboa drops back looking for a leg! Underwood is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Underwood manages to kick Balboa off! Balboa jumps back into Underwood's guard.
Balboa controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa wants to control from the top but Underwood keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Balboa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Balboa moves into the clinch.
Underwood throws a punch but it's blocked by Balboa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Balboa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Underwood avoids it.
Balboa goes for a takedown attempt but Underwood pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Underwood tries to bum rush Balboa with a series of wild strikes but Balboa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Balboa works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Balboa is looking to slow Underwood down with leg kicks.
Balboa scores with a decent looking hook.
Balboa throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Balboa closes the distance and clinches.

Balboa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Balboa connects with an inside leg kick.
Balboa bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Balboa throws the kick towards the body but Underwood avoids it.
Balboa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Underwood swivels and escapes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Balboa dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Balboa takes the fight into the clinch.
Underwood blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Balboa lands a good knee to the midsection. Underwood won't want to take too many of those.
Balboa crunches a lovely knee into Underwood's ribcage.
Balboa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Balboa stalling the fight.
Underwood prevents the takedown attempt.
Balboa landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Balboa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Underwood takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've been told by Underwood's head coaches at Cozad MMA Montreal that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Balboa explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Underwood clinches up with Balboa and pushes him back against the ropes.

Balboa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Jose Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balboa fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Underwood doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Balboa clinches.
Balboa tries to throw a body punch but Underwood avoids it by throwing Balboa back against the ropes.
Balboa misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Underwood.
Balboa tries a knee to the head but Underwood blocks it.
Balboa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Balboa with a knee to the head.
Balboa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Underwood lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Underwood blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Balboa wants to take the fight to the mat but Underwood manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Balboa trying to land knees to the body.
Balboa tries to pull guard but Underwood won't allow it.
Jacob Underwood has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jose Balboa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Underwood is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Balboa is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Balboa landing knees to the body.
Underwood misses with an elbow strike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balboa tries to stall but Underwood uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Balboa has had enough of the clinch but Underwood keeps him there for the moment.

Underwood breaks from the clinch.
Balboa bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Balboa finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Balboa throws a head kick but Underwood moves out of range.
Underwood throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Underwood takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Balboa throws the kick towards the body but Underwood avoids it.
Underwood changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Balboa connects with an inside leg kick.

Balboa rushes Underwood and presses him up against the ropes.
Balboa utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Underwood on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Underwood misses with a punch on the inside.
Balboa lands a shoulder strike.
Balboa displaying some good clinch control by pressing Underwood up against the ropes.
Balboa tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Underwood trying to control the position but instead, Balboa has worked for underhooks and has pushed Underwood into the ropes.
Underwood throws a head punch that misses.
Balboa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Underwood backwards.

Underwood has clasped his hands together around Balboa's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Balboa wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Underwood wants to lay and pray for a moment but Balboa keeps working.
Balboa is trying to buck Underwood off.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jose 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 gets a clinch.
Underwood holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
Underwood takes a knee to the side of the body.
Balboa tries a knee to the head but Underwood blocks it.
Balboa tries a body shot but Underwood blocks it.
Balboa lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Balboa lands a left hand.
Balboa stalling against the ropes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Balboa obliges.
Balboa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Underwood avoids it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Balboa.
Balboa unloads a knee to the mid-section. Underwood lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Underwood avoids it.
Balboa is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Balboa jumps guard but Underwood stands there with Balboa around his waist. Balboa gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Underwood is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Balboa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Underwood avoids it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Balboa.
Balboa crunches a lovely knee into Underwood's ribcage.
Balboa unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Balboa taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Balboa is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Underwood is defending well for now.
Balboa misses with a knee strike.
Underwood being controlled against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Underwood blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Balboa stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Underwood is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.

Underwood lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Balboa pushes Underwood off and gets back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balboa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A low kick lands for Balboa.

Underwood changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Balboa looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Balboa wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Jose Balboa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Underwood decides to stand up, so the ref orders Balboa to his feet.
Jose Balboa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Underwood will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Balboa drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Underwood defends it well.
Balboa throws a head kick that half lands.
Balboa lands with a thumping leg kick.
Underwood takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Balboa clinches up with Underwood and pushes him back against the ropes.
Balboa on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Balboa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Underwood scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Balboa throws Underwood to one side and escapes!
Underwood is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Underwood checks a leg kick.
Balboa lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Balboa connects with a body shot.
Underwood looks to land a combination but Balboa avoids it well.
As Underwood backs off Balboa throws a huge counter combo but Underwood manages to avoid it all.

Underwood moves into the clinch.
Balboa will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Underwood up against the ropes.
Balboa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Balboa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

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