PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rick Thomas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocco Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Thomas
vs
Balboa

180 cm
20
181 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

177 cm
22
170 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Rick Thomas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rocco Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice sprawl there from Thomas as Balboa shoots in.

Balboa gets tackled into the cage by Thomas. Thomas maintains the clinch.
Thomas blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Thomas taking a breather.
Balboa leaning against his opponent.
Thomas tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Balboa misses with a knee strike.

Balboa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Thomas fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa has a takedown stuffed.
Balboa has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Balboa drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Balboa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Balboa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas kicks Balboa off and gets to his feet.
Thomas tries to clinch but Balboa moves out of range.
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Balboa connects with a body shot.
Balboa jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Balboa moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Balboa or perhaps it was just good defense by Thomas, which made it look bad.
Balboa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thomas pinned against the cage. Thomas gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Thomas keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nice takedown defense from Thomas. No joy for Balboa on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas shoots in but no luck this time.
Balboa bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Balboa shoots in for a takedown but Thomas shows good takedown defense.
Balboa looks winded!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Thomas shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Balboa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thomas as he jumps to the side.

Thomas rushes Balboa and presses him up against the cage.

Balboa gets control of Thomas's arms and successfully pulls guard. Balboa will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Thomas trying to control but Balboa is working from the bottom.
Thomas is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Balboa is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Thomas engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to free his leg and advance position but Balboa is retaining full guard.
Thomas throws a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Balboa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Balboa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Thomas is controlling him.

Thomas stands up from Balboa's guard - Thomas perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Balboa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Balboa throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Thomas counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Thomas.

Balboa manages to break the clinch.
Thomas scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Balboa doesn't seem bothered though.
Balboa moves to clinch but Thomas breaks away
and Thomas counters with a stiff right hand.

Balboa shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Balboa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Thomas knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Balboa is working for a kimura but Thomas is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rocco Balboa will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Balboa throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Thomas was covering up waiting for the punch and Balboa finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Thomas had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Balboa defends it easily.

Thomas pushes Balboa off and gets back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa lands a head kick. Thomas smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas slips under a jab from Balboa.
Thomas tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Balboa defends well and Thomas ends up having to push Balboa into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Balboa shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Thomas is trying to defend but Balboa finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Balboa frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Thomas tries to hold on but Balboa pushes him away.
Balboa prevents Thomas from getting the reversal.
Rocco Balboa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Thomas is bucking up trying to escape but Balboa cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Thomas manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Balboa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Thomas has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas is not content to let Balboa control the position.
Thomas avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Balboa.

Thomas has one foot on Balboa's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Balboa tries to clinch but Thomas is having none of it.
Thomas moves in looking to clinch but Balboa pushes him off.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Balboa!
Thomas shoots in looking for a takedown but Balboa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Thomas's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Balboa is looking to clinch but Thomas is avoiding it.
Thomas tries to clinch up.
Balboa fails with a takedown attempt.
Thomas has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rick Thomas is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Thomas has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Thomas there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rocco Balboa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Balboa throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Thomas's waist but Thomas gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Balboa off to one side.
Balboa is breathing heavily.
Balboa works the jab nicely.
Rocco Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Balboa.
Thomas is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Balboa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas tries to clinch up but Balboa circles away and keeps his distance.

Balboa closes the distance and clinches.
Balboa goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thomas prevents it.
Thomas can't break the clinch.
Balboa can't break the clinch.
Thomas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thomas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Thomas takes a knee right on the jaw!
Balboa lands an elbow inside that Thomas shrugs off.

Thomas manages to pull guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Balboa thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Balboa wants to stand but Thomas is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rocco Balboa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Balboa throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Thomas on the side of the head.
Thomas dives in for a single leg takedown but Balboa sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Balboa shoots in and bounces Thomas off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Thomas has a closed guard, preventing Balboa from standing up.
Balboa wants to control from the top but Thomas keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Thomas trying to control the position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Balboa defends well.
Thomas is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Thomas throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Balboa drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Thomas dives on top into guard.

Thomas got a little sloppy there for a moment and Balboa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Thomas has managed to get both his arms back between Balboa's legs - danger averted.
Balboa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Balboa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Thomas.
Balboa being controlled here, momentarily.
Balboa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Balboa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Balboa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balboa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Thomas swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Balboa moves into the clinch.
Thomas jumps guard but Balboa stands there with Thomas around his waist. Thomas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Balboa is pressed up against the cage. Thomas has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Balboa down to the mat. Balboa avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Thomas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thomas misses with a wild body shot.
Balboa throws a nice looking combination but Thomas bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Balboa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Thomas.
Thomas shoots in looking for a takedown but Balboa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Thomas's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Thomas slips a straight right by Balboa.
Thomas stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Balboa.
Thomas looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Thomas shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Balboa defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Balboa.

Balboa clinches up with Thomas and pushes him back against the cage.
Thomas wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Thomas manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Balboa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Thomas is working an open guard so Balboa takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Balboa shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balboa trying to control the action but Thomas is working from the bottom.
Rick Thomas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rocco Balboa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rocco Balboa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Balboa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

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