PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocky Balboa (ranked 4127 p4p, 4218 weight class) and Steve Erwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Balboa comes to the cage accompanied by https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qDML_BCju8. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Balboa
vs
Erwin

180 cm
25
210
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
21
215
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Hates pizza

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rocky Balboa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Erwin!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Erwin is defended easily by Balboa.
Balboa throws a quick counter head kick but Erwin was just out of range.

Balboa darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Balboa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Balboa 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.

Balboa is looking for a kimura but Erwin is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Balboa to get the leverage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa content to control rather than advance.

Balboa seems to be working for a kimura but Erwin defends the submission attempt.
Balboa with the ground and pound but Erwin uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Erwin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Erwin should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Balboa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Balboa is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Erwin has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Balboa is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Erwin.

Balboa stands up.
Erwin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
As Erwin looks to move away, Balboa throws a big counter combo but Erwin just gets out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Erwin blocks a head kick by Balboa.
Erwin shoots in looking for a takedown but Balboa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Erwin's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As Erwin looks to move away, Balboa throws a big counter combo but Erwin just gets out of the way.
Rocky Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Erwin.

Balboa is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Erwin's half guard.
Erwin looks winded!

Balboa decides to stand up.
Balboa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Erwin lands a slapping body shot.
Balboa shoots in looking for a takedown. Erwin tries to sprawl out of it but Balboa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Erwin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Erwin throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Balboa's waist but Balboa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Erwin off to one side.
Balboa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Erwin defends it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa shoots in but no luck this time.
Erwin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Balboa shoots in but Erwin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Balboa connects with a jab.
Balboa looks for a takedown but Erwin sprawls well.
Erwin is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Balboa.
Balboa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erwin checks the leg kick.
A right-left combo lands from Balboa.

Balboa moves into the clinch.
Erwin is trying to break the clinch but Balboa is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Balboa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Balboa is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Erwin is defending well for now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balboa is looking to break free of the clinch but Erwin has double underhooks.
Erwin blocks an elbow strike.

Balboa pulls guard effortlessly.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Balboa dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Balboa shoots for a double leg takedown but Erwin sprawls well. He's pushed Balboa's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Balboa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Erwin circles away.
Balboa slips a jab and a cross from Erwin.
It looked like Balboa was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Erwin looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Erwin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Balboa lands a lovely overhand right.
Horrible takedown attempt by Balboa or perhaps it was just good defense by Erwin, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rocky Balboa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Balboa has managed to clinch.
Balboa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Erwin can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa tries to pull guard but Erwin forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Erwin is looking for a takedown.
Balboa has Erwin pressed against the cage, preventing Erwin from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Erwin is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Erwin is looking to break free of the clinch but Balboa has double underhooks.

Balboa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Erwin fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Erwin throws out a loose jab but Balboa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Erwin blocks a head kick by Balboa.
Balboa tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Erwin defends well and Balboa ends up having to push Erwin into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Balboa wants a takedown but no success here.
Erwin wants to take the fight to the mat but Balboa manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Balboa is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Balboa breaks the clinch.
Balboa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Balboa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa looks for a takedown but Erwin sprawls well.
Erwin blocks the body kick.
Balboa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Balboa displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Balboa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Erwin circles away.
Erwin wants to counter with a clinch but Balboa pushes him away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balboa shoots in and drives through. Erwin sprawls well.
Balboa tries to clinch but Erwin is having none of it.
Balboa tries to clinch but Erwin is having none of it.
Erwin tries to counter with a clinch but Balboa shakes him off and moves away.
Balboa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Erwin circles away.
Erwin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Erwin fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Erwin back to the cage. Balboa follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Horrible takedown attempt by Balboa or perhaps it was just good defense by Erwin, which made it look bad.
Nice sprawl there from Balboa as Erwin shoots in.
Balboa looks for a takedown but Erwin sprawls well.
Balboa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Erwin goes for a double leg but Balboa avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Balboa continues to drive forward.
Balboa shoots in but no luck this time.
Rocky Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Erwin shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa swinging wildly here.
Erwin shoots and misses
and Balboa counters with a straight right hand.
Horrible takedown attempt by Balboa or perhaps it was just good defense by Erwin, which made it look bad.
Erwin blocks a head kick by Balboa.
Balboa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Balboa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice sprawl there from Balboa as Erwin shoots in.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balboa works the jab nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rocky Balboa dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Balboa shoots in for a double leg but Erwin sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Erwin fails with a takedown attempt.
Erwin fails with the takedown.
Balboa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rocky Balboa is winning the standup battle so far.

Balboa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Balboa using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Erwin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Balboa misses with an elbow strike.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Erwin is looking to break free of the clinch but Balboa has double underhooks.
Balboa wants to break free but Erwin has control.
Erwin is trying to pull guard but Balboa has him pressed against the cage.
Rocky Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Erwin.
Erwin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Erwins head.

Balboa manages to pull guard.

Balboa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Erwin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Erwin looking to sit in guard and control but Balboa gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Balboa scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Balboa drops back looking for a leg! Erwin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Erwin manages to kick Balboa off! Balboa jumps back into Erwin's guard.
Balboa throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Erwin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Erwin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Balboa throwing strikes but missing.
Erwin wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Balboa is now in half guard.

Balboa stands up from half guard.
Some bone on bone action there as Erwin checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa dives in and grabs Erwin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Erwin pushes down on Balboa's head and hops out.
Balboa scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Balboa scores with a nice head shot.
Balboa stuffs the takedown attempt from Erwin. Erwin gets slowly back to his feet.
Balboa moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Balboa throws a half hearted mid kick.

Balboa closes the distance and clinches.

Balboa manages to break the clinch.
Balboa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Balboa misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Erwin tries to clinch but Balboa moves out of range.
Rocky Balboa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Erwin fails with a takedown attempt.
Balboa went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Balboa misses with a head kick.
Balboa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Erwin misses with a head kick.
A head kick from Balboa lands but Erwin takes it in his stride.
Steve Erwin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rocky Balboa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Erwin shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Balboa defends it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocky Balboa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Balboa 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:26
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rocky Balboa!
Rocky Balboa got down on his knees post fight and begged the management for a title shot. 'Please, I want that title shot so bad! Give it to me!'