PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nikos Balopoulos (ranked 2913 p4p, 3477 weight class) and Herschel Pettaway Jr (ranked 353 p4p, 400 weight class). Nikos Balopoulos could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Herschel Pettaway Jr's chin.

Balopoulos
vs
Pettaway Jr

178 cm
27
164
2 - 2 - 0

165 cm
18
158
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Fantasy Threads
Furnace Performance 🔥

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nikos Balopoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Herschel Pettaway Jr!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Lou da Vinci and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pettaway Jr misses with a body shot.
Pettaway Jr misses with a body shot.
Balopoulos is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A big right from Balopoulos misses.
Pettaway Jr wants to counter with a clinch but Balopoulos pushes him away.
Sloppy strikes from Balopoulos. Those never looked like landing.
Pettaway Jr on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Balopoulos throws a big shot that misses.
Pettaway Jr drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Balopoulos defends it well.
Balopoulos missing with a left hand there. Pettaway Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Balopoulos looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pettaway Jr throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Balopoulos decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pettaway Jr's guard.

Balopoulos avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balopoulos postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balopoulos content to stall in guard here.
We've been hearing good reports from Balopoulos's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Balopoulos with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Balopoulos with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Balopoulos showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Pettaway Jr has momentary wrist control but Balopoulos slips an elbow through the middle.
Pettaway Jr wants to sweep here but Balopoulos controlling him for the moment.
Balopoulos stands and throws Pettaway Jr's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Balopoulos lands some shots froms side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pettaway Jr is letting Balopoulos control him for a moment.
Balopoulos creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Balopoulos cracks Pettaway Jr with a big right hand but Pettaway Jr just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

Pettaway Jr is rocked!
Pettaway Jr is trying to work for a sweep but Balopoulos has mounted him!
Pettaway Jr is still in real trouble! Can Balopoulos finish him?
Balopoulos lands a big shot to the head and Pettaway Jr winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Nikos Balopoulos!
Nikos Balopoulos managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Fantasy Threads, into his post fight interview.