PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Plutonio Napalm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Rafael Balboa has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Balboa
vs
Napalm

180 cm
23
134 lbs
5 - 2 - 1

165 cm
20
146 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rafael Balboa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Plutonio Napalm!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Mauricio Rocha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balboa lands a with a good body shot.
Balboa really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Napalm looks for a takedown but Balboa sprawls well.
Balboa lands with an overhand left.
Balboa throws a jab but it's blocked by Napalm.
Balboa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Napalm shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Balboa as he jumps to the side.
Balboa scores with a jab. Napalm acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Balboa scores with a shot to the body.
Balboa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rafael Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Plutonio Napalm.

Napalm closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Napalm lands in his opponent's guard.
Napalm stops Balboa from standing up.

Napalm is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Napalm looking to pass the guard.
Napalm looks gassed!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa wants to stand but Napalm is controlling the position.

Napalm drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Napalm jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Balboa wants to stand but Napalm is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Napalm is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Balboa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Napalm takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Balboa works over Napalm's head and body with a nice combination.
Nice shot by Balboa.
Rafael Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Napalm tries to score a power double leg takedown but Balboa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Napalm somewhat.
Napalm on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Balboa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Napalm shoots in for a double leg but Balboa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Napalm takes one to the chin there.
Balboa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Balboa scores with a body shot.
Balboa cracks Napalm with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Balboa tries to bum rush Napalm with a series of wild strikes but Napalm uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Napalm shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense.
Napalm takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Napalm walks into a straight right hand from Balboa.
Balboa connects with a crisp jab.
Balboa throws a combination. Napalm tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A punch lands to the side of Napalm 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Balboa misses with a few strikes there.
Napalm will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Balboa connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Napalm slips a jab and a cross from Balboa.
Balboa is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Napalm is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Balboa.
Balboa with a jab.
Rafael Balboa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Balboa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nice uppercut there from Balboa.
Balboa tests Napalm's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Napalm shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Napalm seems to be looking for submissions.

Napalm is trying to work for a kimura but Balboa is defending well.

Napalm is looking for a kimura but Balboa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Napalm to get the leverage.
Balboa is trying to stand up here but Napalm is controlling him well.
Napalm wants to free his trapped foot but Balboa is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Napalm is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Balboa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Napalm.

Napalm is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Balboa doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Napalm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Balboa dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Napalm takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Napalm shoots for a takedown but Balboa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Balboa throws a one two combo.
Balboa misses with a few strikes there.
Balboa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Balboa wants it to stay on the feet.
Balboa misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Napalm has a takedown stuffed.
Rafael Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Plutonio Napalm.
Napalm is breathing heavily.
Napalm takes one on the button.
Balboa closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A punch combination from Balboa misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa throws a right hand that Napalm ducks under and follows up with a left that Napalm also avoids with ease.
Nice body punch from Balboa.
Balboa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Balboa wants it to stay on the feet.
Balboa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Napalm doesn't seem bothered though.
Napalm has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Balboa finds it's way round the side to connect with Napalm's head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Napalm is defended easily by Balboa.
Balboa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Balboa connects with a looping right hand.
Napalm fails to land the takedown.
Balboa stalks Napalm and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Napalm's face. Napalm staggers backwards, shaken.
Balboa throws a series of strikes that have Napalm backpedaling.
Balboa throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Napalm has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa throws a lazy right hand but Napalm sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Balboa throws a looping overhand right but Napalm ducks down to avoid it.
Balboa is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Balboa misses with a hook.

Napalm scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Napalm is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Balboa is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Napalm tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Napalm has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Balboa is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Napalm has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Napalm looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Napalm goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Balboa rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Napalm's guard! Nice work there by Balboa!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa wants to stand but Napalm is controlling his posture from full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Balboa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Napalm throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Balboa gets to his feet - Napalm follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Napalm 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 Napalm off to one side.
Balboa uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Napalm has time to react.
Balboa looks to land a combination but Napalm avoids it well.
Napalm slips a straight right by Balboa.

Balboa gets caught flat footed, as Napalm shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Napalm is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Napalm drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Napalm jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Balboa keeping full guard, as Napalm tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Plutonio Napalm will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Napalm takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Balboa!
Napalm avoids a punch combination nicely.
Napalm closes the distance and clinches up with Balboa, looking for a takedown. Napalm pushes Balboa against the cage but Balboa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Balboa scores with a jab.
Napalm drops his hands momentarily and Balboa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rafael Balboa is winning the standup battle so far.
Napalm changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Balboa tries to avoid it but Napalm manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Balboa to the ground. Balboa escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Balboa cracks Napalm with a right hand to the side of the head.
Balboa dips to his left and cracks Napalm with an uppercut!
Balboa dips to his left and cracks Napalm with an uppercut!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Balboa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Balboa lands with a cross.
Nice takedown defense from Balboa. No joy for Napalm on that attempt.
Rafael Balboa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Plutonio Napalm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Balboa finds it's way through Napalm's defenses.
Balboa lands with a straight right. Napalm didn't see that one coming.
Balboa lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Balboa misses with a two punch combination.
Napalm takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Napalm fails with the takedown.
Balboa is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Balboa lands a glancing blow to the side of Napalm's head.
Balboa punishes Napalm's body with a nice straight punch.
Napalm looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Balboa is fending him off so far but Napalm persists. Nope, Balboa circles away and we're back to standing.
Balboa lands a nice shot to the body.
Napalm takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Napalm fails with the takedown.
Napalm takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Balboa.
Balboa slaps away a takedown attempt from Napalm, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Balboa is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Balboa lands with a straight right. Napalm didn't see that one coming.
Balboa throws a one two combo.
Balboa cracks a nice hook into Napalm's ribs.
A big right from Balboa misses.
Balboa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Napalm moves away.
Balboa missing with a left hand there. Napalm was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Napalm feints and as Balboa raises his hands in defense, Napalm changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Napalm drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Napalm jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Napalm drops back looking for a leg! Balboa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Balboa manages to kick Napalm off! Napalm jumps back into Balboa's guard.
Napalm stops Balboa from standing up.

Napalm thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Napalm wants to pass the guard but Balboa is keeping the position.
Plutonio Napalm has got the better of the ground game so far.
Balboa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A big right from Balboa misses.
Rafael Balboa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Balboa misses with the combination.
Nice sprawl there from Balboa as Napalm shoots in.
Balboa lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Balboa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Balboa scores with a jab.
Balboa lands a right hook to the body.
Napalm takes one to the side of the head.
Napalm shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Balboa as he avoids it easily.
Napalm takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
The fighters circling - Balboa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Balboa showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Balboa has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Balboa!