PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nikos Balopoulos (ranked 1814 p4p, 1594 weight class) and Ricky Alvarez (ranked 241 p4p, 218 weight class). Ricky Alvarez struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.0lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Balopoulos
vs
Alvarez

178 cm
28
164
5 - 3 - 0

188 cm
21
170
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Fantasy Threads (Laundry 15%)

Â© Trap House

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nikos Balopoulos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ricky Alvarez!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, John Roberts and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balopoulos misses the body punch
and Alvarez counters with a three punch combo that has Balopoulos backing up. Balopoulos nods at Alvarez to acknowledge the strikes.
Balopoulos swings widly with a right hand
and Alvarez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Balopoulos throws a hook to the side of Alvarez's head but Alvarez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Alvarez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A big left from Balopoulos misses.

Balopoulos drives through and clinches with Alvarez against the cage.

Balopoulos tightens his grip and picks Alvarez up, before dumping him to the ground. Alvarez manages to land in guard.

Alvarez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alvarez is trying to keep Balopoulos in close.
Alvarez seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balopoulos stays in close to Alvarez's body and controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balopoulos lands a couple of digs.
Balopoulos stands and throws Alvarez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
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 works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Alvarez regains half guard.
Balopoulos working over Alvarez with some ground and pound. Alvarez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Balopoulos is pressing down on Alvarez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Alvarez is holding on for now.
Balopoulos has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Balopoulos not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Balopoulos winds up and cracks Alvarez with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Alvarez wants to improve his position but Balopoulos is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez trying to control here.
Balopoulos missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Balopoulos is keen to just control but Alvarez is a slippery customer.
Alvarez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Balopoulos wants to take a breather but Alvarez is having none of it.
Balopoulos lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Balopoulos working Alvarez over with strikes.
Alvarez felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Alvarez is trying to stand back up but Balopoulos is controlling him
Balopoulos slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is staying active underneath Balopoulos, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Alvarez wants to control but Balopoulos is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Alvarez wants to improve his position but Balopoulos is controlling well.
Balopoulos lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Balopoulos controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Alvarez is pressing down on Balopoulos's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Alvarez looking for a sweep. Not yet Alvarez, not yet.
Balopoulos connects with a couple of short punches.
Balopoulos keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Alvarez's head.
Alvarez looking for a sweep. Not yet Alvarez, not yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balopoulos trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balopoulos is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Alvarez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Balopoulos.
Alvarez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balopoulos.
Balopoulos with a jab.
A jab from Alvarez finds it's way through Balopoulos's defenses.
Balopoulos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alvarez moves away.
Balopoulos misses with an uppercut.
Alvarez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balopoulos.
As Balopoulos backs off Alvarez throws a huge counter combo but Balopoulos manages to avoid it all.
Alvarez misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Balopoulos clinches up against the cage.

Alvarez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Balopoulos misses with a left hand
and Balopoulos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Balopoulos misses with a takedown attempt
and Alvarez counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balopoulos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alvarez.
Balopoulos takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Balopoulos is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alvarez can do to turn this around?
Alvarez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alvarez wants it to stay on the feet.
Balopoulos throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Alvarez counter with a right hand.
Balopoulos misses with a hook
and Alvarez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Balopoulos throws a poor cross that misses
and Alvarez counters with a series of strikes. Balopoulos will be more careful next time no doubt.
Alvarez lands a two punch combo.
Alvarez scores with a jab.
Ricky Alvarez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balopoulos looks to land a left hand but Alvarez moved out of range nicely.
Alvarez has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Balopoulos misses with an uppercut
and Alvarez makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Balopoulos really felt that one!
Balopoulos 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.
Balopoulos takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balopoulos misses with the combination.
Balopoulos looks to land a right hand but Alvarez moved out of range.
Alvarez lands with an overhand left.
Alvarez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Balopoulos forces Alvarez back against the cage and clinches.
Alvarez lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Alvarez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Balopoulos gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Alvarez is looking for a sweep. Balopoulos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Balopoulos is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Balopoulos has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balopoulos seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Balopoulos lands with a punch from half guard.
Balopoulos working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Well, if Balopoulos is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Alvarez manages to get to full guard.
Alvarez has Balopoulos pulled in close to control his posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez is continuing to stall.
Alvarez controls Balopoulos momentarily but Balopoulos frees himself.

Alvarez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Balopoulos passes into half guard.
Alvarez is trying to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Alvarez 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! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Balopoulos drives through and clinches with Alvarez against the cage.
Knees to the body from Alvarez.
Balopoulos is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Alvarez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Balopoulos fails with the takedown
and Alvarez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Alvarez scores with a three punch combo!
Balopoulos misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balopoulos looks to land a combination but Alvarez avoids it well.
A little jabbing left from Alvarez on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Alvarez jabs at Balopoulos's body.
Balopoulos misses with a left hand
letting Alvarez counter with a right hand.
A shot to the body from Balopoulos misses
and Alvarez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balopoulos misses with a takedown
and Alvarez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Balopoulos thinking.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikos Balopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Balopoulos misses the body punch
and Alvarez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Alvarez connects with the punch.
Balopoulos with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Alvarez to score with a decent uppercut.
Alvarez moves out of range as Balopoulos strikes.
Nikos Balopoulos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alvarez thumps Balopoulos with a low kick.
Balopoulos misses with a jab to the body
and Alvarez counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Balopoulos instigates a clinch.
Alvarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Balopoulos blocks it with crossed arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Alvarez.
Balopoulos is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Alvarez is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balopoulos tries to score a body lock takedown but Alvarez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Balopoulos avoids it.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Balopoulos avoids it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balopoulos has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Alvarez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Alvarez with a knee to the head.

Balopoulos has Alvarez pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Balopoulos pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Alvarez tumbling to the mat - Balopoulos dives into Alvarez's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alvarez looking to control.
Balopoulos landing with the ground and pound.
Alvarez wants to get back to his feet but Balopoulos is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balopoulos throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alvarez wants to stand and escape but Balopoulos is having none of it.
Balopoulos wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Balopoulos sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Balopoulos clinches up with Alvarez and pushes him back against the cage.
Balopoulos is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Alvarez pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Balopoulos drops down looking for an ankle pick but Alvarez pulls his leg out and moves away.
A shot to the body from Balopoulos misses
and Balopoulos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Balopoulos fails with the takedown
and Alvarez counters with a left to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balopoulos tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Alvarez counters with a lovely shot to the body.

Balopoulos moves into the clinch.
Alvarez scores with a knee to the head.
Balopoulos looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Balopoulos wants to take the fight to the mat but Alvarez manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Balopoulos is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Alvarez's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Alvarez misses with a knee strike.
Alvarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Balopoulos blocks it with crossed arms.
Ricky Alvarez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Balopoulos is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Balopoulos blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Alvarez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Balopoulos throws an off balance right hand
and Alvarez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balopoulos looks to clinch
and Balopoulos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A slow jab from Balopoulos misses its intended target.
Alvarez looks like he wants to counter punch here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Alvarez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Alvarez has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Alvarez!