PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jami Balkan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toshi Matoshin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matoshin is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Mortal Kombat theme. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Balkan
vs
Matoshin

177 cm
29
162 lbs
21 - 8 - 0

180 cm
31
158 lbs
26 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Pearson Specter Litt
DC Unrivaled

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jami Balkan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Toshi Matoshin!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Donald Grub and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balkan bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Matoshin scoring well with a low kick there.
Matoshin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Balkan.
Matoshin steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Balkan. That one must have hurt.
Balkan checks a leg kick.
Matoshin tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Balkan is able to avoid easily.
Balkan scoring well with a low kick there.
Balkan misses with a right hand
and Matoshin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Balkan moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Matoshin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Balkan ducks under a wild hook from Matoshin.
A little feinted left hand from Balkan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Balkan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Jami Balkan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balkan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Balkan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
It seemed like Matoshin was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nice uppercut lands for Balkan. That snapped Matoshin's head back.
Balkan lands with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan fakes the leg kick and cracks Matoshin in the body.
Balkan lands with a good body shot.
Matoshin thuds a left hand into Balkan's body.
Balkan misses with an uppercut. Matoshin saw that one coming.
Balkan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Matoshin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Matoshin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little jabbing left from Matoshin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Balkan lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Matoshin has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Matoshin and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Balkan jabs Matoshin right on the nose. Matoshin blinks but takes it well.
Matoshin slips a straight right by Balkan.
Matoshin checks the leg kick nicely there.
Matoshin bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Balkan's head backwards.
Balkan seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Matoshin avoids the body shot from Balkan.
Matoshin with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Balkan to score with a decent uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan throws a body shot but no joy.
Matoshin misses with an uppercut. Balkan saw that one coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balkan. Matoshin does a little dance to reset his feet.
A lazy left from Balkan finds it's target.
A good leg kick by Balkan.
Matoshin misses with a leg kick.
Balkan dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Balkan throws a leg kick which misses Matoshin's front leg but catches the back leg as Matoshin tries to avoid it.
Balkan fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Matoshin is out of range.
Matoshin looks to land a left hand but Balkan moved out of range nicely.
Balkan ducks under a wild hook from Matoshin.
Balkan takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Matoshin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balkan.
Matoshin looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin is looking to slow Balkan down with leg kicks.
Balkan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matoshin.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matoshin. Balkan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balkan looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Matoshin stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Balkan.
Balkan misses with a low kick.
Matoshin throws a nice outside leg kick.
Matoshin has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Matoshin there as he acknowledges the shot.
Balkan blocks a leg kick.
Matoshin pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Balkan misses with a body kick.
Matoshin misses with a leg kick
and Balkan counters with a low kick, right behind Matoshin 's knee.
Balkan lands with a good body shot.
Matoshin throws a looping overhand right but Balkan ducks down to avoid it.
A shot to the liver by Matoshin. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Matoshin darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balkan connects with an inside leg kick.
Balkan drops his hands momentarily and Matoshin takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Matoshin needs to keep his hands up - Balkan had a free shot at his head there.
Matoshin throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Matoshin moves out of range of the leg kick from Balkan.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Balkan.
Balkan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Matoshin slips under a jab from Balkan.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Balkan.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balkan works the jab nicely.
Balkan attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Matoshin throws a hook but Balkan avoids it easily.
Balkan half committed to a counter leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jami Balkan dominated that 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.

Balkan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matoshin.
Balkan scores with a jab to the head.
Balkan on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Matoshin throws a jab when Balkan was well out of range.
Matoshin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matoshin lands a head shot.
Balkan lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Matoshin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balkan.
Balkan misses the shot to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Balkan as he connects with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matoshin looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Matoshin lands a body shot.
Matoshin blocks a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Matoshin checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matoshin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Balkan.
Matoshin throws a poor cross that misses
and Balkan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Balkan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matoshin sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matoshin staying out of range there.
Balkan rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Matoshin counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A leg kick checked by Matoshin.
Matoshin lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

It looks like Jami Balkan has been cut.
Balkan throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Matoshin to counter with a crisp jab.
Balkan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Balkan lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Balkan gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Matoshin.
Matoshin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matoshin scores with a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balkan misses with a body kick.
Matoshin's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan throws a wild body kick that Matoshin sees coming a mile off.
Matoshin misses with a looping right.
An attempted straight right counter from Balkan misses the target.
Balkan is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Matoshin can do to turn this around?
Balkan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Matoshin flicks out a counter leg kick but Balkan steps away.
Good leg kick by Balkan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Matoshin moves out of range of the strikes.
Balkan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Matoshin.
Matoshin tried to score with a low kick but Balkan checks it.
Matoshin ducks under a wild hook from Balkan.
Matoshin avoids the body shot from Balkan.
Matoshin only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Balkan missing with a left hand there. Matoshin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Balkan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Matoshin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Balkan misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Matoshin displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Balkan throws out the jab.
Balkan swings for the body but Matoshin moves out of range.
Balkan misses with a low kick as Matoshin jumps back.
Matoshin scores with a sloppy right hand. Balkan should have avoided that one.
Balkan takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Balkan - that will leave a mark!
Matoshin ducks under a wild hook from Balkan.
A little jabbing left from Matoshin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Matoshin moves out of range of the strikes.
Matoshin looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Matoshin has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Balkan throws a leg kick but Matoshin sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Matoshin follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Balkan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Matoshin takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Balkan fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matoshin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Matoshin misses with a takedown attempt
and Balkan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matoshin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balkan walks into a stiff left hand from Matoshin.
Matoshin throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matoshin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Balkan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Matoshin throws a leg kick that misses.
A lazy left from Balkan finds it's target.
Balkan looks to land a body kick but Matoshin moved away.
Balkan lands a right hook to the body.
Balkan checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matoshin avoids a kick to the body.
Matoshin misses with a right hand
letting Balkan counter with a right hand.
Matoshin throws the kick towards the body but Balkan avoids it.
Balkan misses the jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jami Balkan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jami Balkan's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Balkan lands with a thumping leg kick.
Matoshin throws an overhand right that lands on Balkan's shoulder, as Balkan tries to avoid the shot.
Matoshin moves out of range as Balkan strikes.
Balkan tried to score with a low kick but Matoshin checks it.
A low kick from Balkan is predictable there
and Matoshin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Balkan walks into a left hand.
Balkan moves away from the strike by Matoshin.
Matoshin misses with a straight right.
A slow jab from Balkan misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matoshin throws a hook but Balkan avoids it easily.
Balkan moves out of range of the strikes.
Balkan jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Balkan wants to land a leg kick but Matoshin is out of range.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Matoshin with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Matoshin might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Balkan has got the better of the exchanges.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matoshin tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Balkan thinks about countering with a body kick.
Balkan fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matoshin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Matoshin scores with a jab. Balkan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Balkan fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Matoshin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Balkan moves out of range as Matoshin strikes.
Balkan bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Matoshin's head.
Balkan throws a quick inside leg kick.
Balkan takes a swing at Matoshin's ribcage but misses.
Matoshin is looking for the big counter here.
Balkan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balkan. Matoshin does a little dance to reset his feet.
Matoshin swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Balkan lands with a good body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Matoshin. Balkan does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan misses with an uppercut.
Matoshin flicks out a counter leg kick but Balkan steps away.
Balkan tries to move into range but Matoshin moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matoshin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balkan moves away.
Matoshin blocks a jab.
Matoshin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Balkan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Balkan takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Matoshin takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Matoshin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Balkan.
Matoshin is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Balkan looks to score with a jab to the body but Matoshin is just out of range.
Matoshin throws out a counter right but Balkan avoids it with no problem.
Matoshin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Balkan pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matoshin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Balkan, right into the meat.
Matoshin checks the leg kick.
A lazy left from Matoshin finds it's target.
Matoshin looks to land a right hand but Balkan moved out of range.
Balkan looks to score with a jab to the body but Matoshin is just out of range.
Matoshin lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Matoshin lands a jab.
Matoshin tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matoshin throws a leg kick that is checked
and Balkan counters with a nice uppercut.
An inside leg kick from Matoshin misses.
Matoshin misses with a looping right.
Balkan tried to counter with a leg kick but Matoshin avoided it.
Matoshin tries a head kick but it misses.
Matoshin moves away from the strike by Balkan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan lands with a thumping leg kick.
Balkan slips a straight right by Matoshin.
Matoshin scores with a jab. Balkan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matoshin misses with a head kick.
Matoshin throws a head kick but Balkan moves out of range.
Balkan lands a leg kick that knocks Matoshin off balance momentarily.
Balkan lands a nice shot to the body.
Balkan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Matoshin tries a low kick but Balkan avoids it.
Balkan throws a solid leg kick but Matoshin takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Balkan.
Balkan motions for Matoshin to come forward. Balkan throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Matoshin checks a leg kick.
Balkan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jami Balkan did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Jami Balkan's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Balkan looks to land a left hand but Matoshin moved out of range nicely.
Matoshin feints a counter leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Balkan.
Balkan connects with an inside leg kick.
Balkan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Balkan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Balkan throws a low kick but it's checked well by Matoshin.
Balkan moves out of range of the strikes.
Matoshin misses with a straight right.
Jami Balkan is winning the standup battle so far.
Balkan throws a leg kick but Matoshin moved away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matoshin throws a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Matoshin misses the target.
Matoshin chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Balkan can pounce on him.
Nice defenses there by Balkan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Balkan blocks a leg kick.
Matoshin misses with a low kick.
Balkan dips to his left and cracks Matoshin with an uppercut!
Balkan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Matoshin can pounce on him.
Matoshin moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Balkan swats away the attempt to clinch by Matoshin.
Matoshin lands with a cross.
Matoshin avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Balkan scoring well with a low kick there.
Balkan throws the left hand but Matoshin avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matoshin cracks Balkan with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Balkan throws a leg kick
and Matoshin makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Balkan dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Matoshin. That did some damage!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Matoshin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Balkan.
Balkan lands a lovely overhand right.
Balkan swings for the body but Matoshin moves out of range.
Matoshin takes a swing at Balkan's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Balkan was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Matoshin.
Matoshin misses with a series of wild punches.
Matoshin throws a hook but Balkan avoids it easily.
Balkan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balkan throws a hook but Matoshin blocks it.
Matoshin digs a good hook to Balkan's body.
Matoshin misses with a hook.
Good leg kick by Balkan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Balkan is looking to score with low kicks.
Matoshin looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Balkan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Matoshin misses the jab.
Balkan misses with a left hand
and Matoshin counters with a nice leg kick.
Matoshin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Balkan.
Balkan thinks about countering with a body kick.
Balkan throws a body shot but no joy.
Matoshin doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Matoshin has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Balkan is looking to score with low kicks.
A nice inside leg kick there by Balkan. That's going to slow Matoshin down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan lands a jab to the head.
Matoshin misses with the combination.
Good work by Balkan as he checks the leg kick.
A jab lands there for Balkan.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matoshin misses with a hook. Balkan ducked under it nicely.
As Matoshin backs away, Balkan returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Matoshin misses the jab.
Balkan cracks Matoshin with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Matoshin.
Matoshin on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A good leg kick by Matoshin.
Balkan is looking to slow Matoshin down with leg kicks.
Balkan goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Matoshin is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jami Balkan had his way with Toshi Matoshin in that round.
The cut man is working on Jami Balkan's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Matoshin loads up on a big right hand but Balkan slips the punch.
Matoshin is still on wobbly legs! Can Balkan finish him?
Good work by Balkan as he checks the leg kick.
Matoshin seems to have recovered his senses.
A jab from Balkan misses.
Matoshin tries a quick counter leg kick but Balkan is wise to it.
Matoshin thumps Balkan with a low kick.
Matoshin staying out of range there.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matoshin! But no joy.
Balkan tries to bum rush Matoshin with a series of wild strikes but Matoshin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Balkan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Matoshin tries a low kick but Balkan avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matoshin throws an overhand right that lands on Balkan's shoulder, as Balkan tries to avoid the shot.
Balkan defending well as Matoshin loads up on a big left hand.
Balkan throws a lazy right hand but Matoshin sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matoshin tests Balkan's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balkan throws a body punch but Matoshin moves out of range.
Balkan scores with a jab to the jaw.
Balkan throws a wild body kick that Matoshin sees coming a mile off.
Balkan lands with a good body shot.
Matoshin throws out a loose jab but Balkan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Balkan stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matoshin takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Balkan throws a body shot but no joy.
A good leg kick by Balkan.
Matoshin throws the kick towards the body but Balkan avoids it.
Balkan misses with a hook. Matoshin ducked under it nicely.
Balkan dips to his left and cracks Matoshin with an uppercut!
Toshi Matoshin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balkan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matoshin.
Matoshin lands with a right hand.
You can see that Matoshin has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Balkan lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Matoshin thows a left - swing and a miss!
A big left from Matoshin misses.
Matoshin throws a jab when Balkan was well out of range.
A slow jab from Matoshin misses its intended target.
Balkan lands a nice looking body shot.
Balkan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Matoshin takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Balkan throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Matoshin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Balkan.
Matoshin moves into range and connects with a jab.
Matoshin throws a leg kick which misses Balkan's front leg but catches the back leg as Balkan tries to avoid it.
Balkan fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Matoshin.
Balkan blocks a head kick by Matoshin.
An inside leg kick lands from Balkan.
Matoshin misses with a wild body shot.
Matoshin throws a leg kick but Balkan sees it coming and moves out of range.
Balkan throws a jab when Matoshin was well out of range.
Matoshin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Matoshin tries to clinch up.
Balkan paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balkan tries a head kick but it misses.
Balkan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Matoshin checks it well.
Matoshin looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Balkan lands a head kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matoshin throws a head kick but Balkan moves out of range.
Matoshin lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Balkan drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Balkan's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Matoshin connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Balkan scrambles back to his feet.
Balkan takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Balkan misses with a hook.
Matoshin avoids the body shot from Balkan.
Matoshin lands a jab to Balkan's midsection.
Good standup being displayed there by Matoshin as he connects with a hook.

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 Jami Balkan.
Well Balkan 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 50:45
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 50:45
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jami Balkan!
Jami Balkan retains his lightweight title!
Jami Balkan thanked the fans post fight for their support.