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WP 58 PBP Commentary |
This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of New York, with a TWGC record of 40 wins and 48 losses; Boris Balkan! And in the blue corner, fighting out of New York, with a TWGC record of 51 wins and 21 losses; Nick Rodriquez!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, James Atkins and James Glass.
The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Balkan has his takedown stuffed
and Rodriquez counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Balkan! Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Balkan (0) vs (4) Rodriquez
Balkan is looking to regain half guard here but Rodriquez keeps moving and retains side control.
Balkan tries to control but Rodriquez manages to take his back. Score +3 for taking back: Balkan (0) vs (7) Rodriquez
Rodriquez controls the action.
Let's hope that Rodriquez has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balkan is really stuck here.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan is working hard here to advance position.
Rodriquez gets his hands free as Balkan looks to control.
Rodriquez is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Balkan looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
I really don't envy Balkan right now.
Rodriquez controlling from the back.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan trying to control the hands but Rodriquez won't let him.
Rodriquez has the hooks in. Balkan is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Rodriquez is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Balkan is really stuck here.
My spies in KFA inform me that Rodriquez has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez keeps control of the position easily here as Balkan tries to buck him off.
That's five minutes gone in the round.
Balkan manages to reverse the position and now he's in Rodriquez's guard. Nice work there by Balkan.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balkan (2) vs (7) Rodriquez
Rodriquez looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Balkan puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Rodriquez is trying to get back to full guard.
That's six minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Rodriquez is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Balkan jumps into side control! Score +3 for passing guard: Balkan (5) vs (7) Rodriquez
Rodriquez is looking to reverse the position.
Balkan controlling the position.
Rodriquez tries to buck Balkan off but Balkan is having none of it.
That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez being controlled for a moment.
That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez is looking to regain half guard here but Balkan keeps moving and retains side control.
Balkan trying to control the action but Rodriquez is working from the bottom.
Rodriquez is trying to control Balkan's posture but Balkan avoids it.
That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez holding on.
Balkan will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rodriquez manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rodriquez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Balkan with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
That's ten minutes gone in the round.
We've been hearing good reports from Balkan'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.
Balkan looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Balkan prevents Rodriquez from improving his position.
That's eleven minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Balkan 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.
Rodriquez wants to improve his position but Balkan is controlling well.
Balkan is thwarting Rodriquez's attempts to control the position.
Rodriquez is looking to improve his position.
That's twelve minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez won't allow Balkan to pass to mount.
Rodriquez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rodriquez manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
That's thirteen minutes gone in the round.
Rodriquez controlling Balkan's posture.
Balkan's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Rodriquez wants to sweep but no luck.
Balkan tries to free his leg and advance position but Rodriquez is retaining full guard.
Rodriquez seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
That's fourteen minutes gone in the round.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rodriquez's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Rodriquez wants to improve his position but instead Balkan has moved into half guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rodriquez wins on points by 7 to 5.
Nick Rodriquez is the new super heavyweight champion!
Nick Rodriquez decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well. |
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