PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tony Baleta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Lipscomb (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baleta's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Till i Collapse. 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?

Baleta
vs
Lipscomb

175 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
24
167 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tony Baleta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Lipscomb!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baleta fails with an attempt to clinch.
Lipscomb delivers a nice body kick.

Lipscomb gets a clinch.

Lipscomb decides to pull guard.
Baleta trying to control the position from guard on top but Lipscomb is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baleta loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Baleta trying to control the position from guard on top but Lipscomb is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baleta wants to pass the guard but Lipscomb is keeping the position.

We're going to have a standup here because Tony Baleta wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Baleta takes the fight into the clinch.
Lipscomb is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Baleta to keep the fight standing.
Lipscomb wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baleta has Lipscomb pressed against the cage, preventing Lipscomb from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Baleta is trying to break free.
Lipscomb tries to pull guard but Baleta forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Lipscomb is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Baleta to keep the fight standing.
Tony Baleta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Lipscomb.

Baleta breaks the clinch.
Lipscomb pulls out of a head kick attempt.
No luck for Baleta with that takedown attempt.
Baleta tries for a takedown but Lipscomb sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lipscomb swats away the attempt to clinch by Baleta.
Baleta wants to clinch.
Lipscomb throws a head kick but Baleta moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baleta throws a one two combo.
Lipscomb tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lipscomb lands a jab to the nose.
Baleta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lipscomb tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good leg kick by Baleta there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lipscomb misses with a takedown attempt - Baleta sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Lipscomb looks gassed!
Baleta takes a kick to the side of the head.
Baleta plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Baleta misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lipscomb.
Lipscomb shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baleta pinned against the cage. Baleta gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Baleta drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lipscomb is striking from the bottom but Baleta uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baleta wants to take a breather but Lipscomb is having none of it.
Baleta controlling the pace.
Lipscomb is looking to escape.

Baleta stands up and beckons Lipscomb to join him on the feet.

Baleta scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Baleta working away.
Lipscomb tries to escape but Baleta is in control.
Baleta lands a few punches from side control.

Baleta decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baleta wants to clinch up but Lipscomb keeps it at a distance.

Baleta scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Baleta is looking to advance position but Lipscomb won't allow it.
Baleta wants to take a breather but Lipscomb is having none of it.
Lipscomb is trying to control but can't.
Baleta is trying to control. Lipscomb wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Baleta is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Baleta trying to pass the guard but Lipscomb defending well.
Baleta trying to control from half guard but Lipscomb is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lipscomb shoots in for a takedown but Baleta shows good takedown defense.
Baleta moves in looking to clinch but Lipscomb pushes him off.
Lipscomb throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Baleta shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lipscomb napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Baleta stands up.
Baleta moves in looking to clinch but Lipscomb pushes him off.
Baleta just misses with a punch to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A left and a right from Baleta both land. Nice combination.
Baleta wants to clinch.
Baleta stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Baleta wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lipscomb connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Lipscomb shoots in looking for a takedown but Baleta manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lipscomb's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Tony Baleta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Lipscomb.
Baleta throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

Lipscomb clinches up against the cage.
Lipscomb tries to break free but Baleta pushes him back against the cage.
Baleta keeps control of Lipscomb as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Baleta keeps control of Lipscomb as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Baleta jumps guard and drags Lipscomb to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Baleta pushes Lipscomb off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Baleta is looking to clinch but Lipscomb is avoiding it.
Baleta closes the distance but Lipscomb moves to the side
and Lipscomb cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baleta lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Lipscomb at a distance.
A head kick by Lipscomb misses

and Baleta counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baleta has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Tony Baleta overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Baleta lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Lipscomb squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Baleta tries to control but Lipscomb wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lipscomb is working to get back to half guard.
Baleta wants to control the pace but Lipscomb is squirming around nicely.
Baleta has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Lipscomb's face.
Baleta working the ground and pound effectively.

Baleta is standing up, even though he is in mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lipscomb closes the distance and clinches up with Baleta, looking for a takedown. Lipscomb pushes Baleta against the cage but Baleta circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lipscomb throws a right and a left that Baleta avoids nicely.
Baleta looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Baleta scores a takedown into full mount!

Baleta is standing up, even though he is in mount.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baleta looks to land a combination. Lipscomb sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lipscomb fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Lipscomb tries to bum rush Baleta with a series of wild strikes but Baleta uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Baleta dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Baleta with a nice cross.
Lipscomb is looking to clinch but Baleta is avoiding it.
Lipscomb tries to clinch up but Baleta circles away and keeps his distance.
Lipscomb blocks a head kick by Baleta.
Lipscomb doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Baleta counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Baleta blocks a head kick by Lipscomb.
Lipscomb throws a nice looking combination but Baleta bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Baleta.
Baleta shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lipscomb eats them both and turns towards Baleta to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Baleta closes this distance looking for a takedown but Lipscomb circles away.
Lipscomb will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Baleta misses with a takedown attempt - Lipscomb sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lipscomb defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Baleta.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Baleta. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lipscomb has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lipscomb is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Baleta jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lipscomb walks away with a smile on his face. Baleta gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Lipscomb looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baleta is fending him off so far but Lipscomb persists. Nope, Baleta circles away and we're back to standing.
Baleta paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Lipscomb checks the leg kick.
Lipscomb throws a nice head kick!
Lipscomb takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Baleta gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Baleta drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lipscomb pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lipscomb moves into the clinch.
Baleta is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Baleta with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Baleta is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lipscomb to keep the fight standing.
Baleta wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Baleta tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Lipscomb escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baleta closes the distance looking to clinch
and Lipscomb counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Baleta is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Lipscomb avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lipscomb moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Baleta lands a nice looking body kick.
No luck for Baleta with that takedown attempt.
Lipscomb connects with a high kick.
Michael Lipscomb has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lipscomb looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Baleta fails to land with a series of punches.
Lipscomb tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lipscomb has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Baleta.
Lipscomb fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Baleta avoids it really well and circles away.
Lipscomb thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Baleta if he has to take too many more of those.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baleta tries to clinch there but Lipscomb circles away.
A jab from Lipscomb does it's job there.
Tony Baleta is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lipscomb misses with a series of wild punches.
Lipscomb on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Baleta darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Lipscomb is trying to stand back up but Baleta is controlling him
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lipscomb throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Tony Baleta is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Baleta passes to full mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Tony Baleta.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Baleta, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Baleta!
After winning the bout, Tony Baleta thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.