PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ipad Apple (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conan Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Apple
vs
Balboa

150 cm
41
130 lbs
4 - 51 - 0

186 cm
42
93 lbs
36 - 42 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 4 - 51 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ipad Apple!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 42 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Conan Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot lands for Balboa.
Apple misses with a body shot.
Apple tries to score a power double leg takedown but Balboa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Apple somewhat.
Balboa wants to land a leg kick but Apple is out of range.
Balboa misses with a straight right.
Balboa throws out a leg kick but Apple moves out of range and Balboa only half commits.
Balboa fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Apple is out of range.
Balboa throws a solid leg kick but Apple takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Balboa.
A bone on bone clash there as Apple blocks the leg kick.
Apple throws a quick counter kick to the body but Balboa avoids it.
Apple checks the leg kick.

Apple drives through with a takedown into Balboa's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Apple prevents Balboa from getting back to his feet.
Apple knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Balboa on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apple sitting in guard here, content to control.
Apple stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Balboa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Apple is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Apple controls from within his opponent's guard.
Balboa wants to stand but Apple is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Apple stands up and waves to Balboa to follow him.
Apple tries a head kick but it misses.
Balboa tries to work over Apple's front leg with a kick but Apple checks it.
Apple checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Balboa tried to score with a low kick but Apple checks it.
Balboa turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Balboa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Conan Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some bone on bone action there as Apple checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Good work by Apple as he checks the leg kick.
Apple misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Balboa throws a leg kick that is checked
and Apple counters with a good, hard body kick but Balboa shrugs it off.
Apple throws a right and a left that Balboa avoids nicely.
Apple tries to score a power double leg takedown but Balboa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Apple somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ipad Apple. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apple has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Balboa finds it's way round the side to connect with Apple's head.
Balboa tries a low kick but Apple avoids it.
Balboa is looking to slow Apple down with leg kicks.
Apple fails with the takedown.
Apple shoots in looking for a takedown. Balboa tries to sprawl out of it but Apple keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Balboa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Balboa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Balboa throws a leg kick but Apple sees it coming and moves out of range.

Apple feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Apple slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Balboa wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Apple manages to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apple wants to pass to mount but Balboa is defending the position.
Apple prevents Balboa from standing back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Balboa throws a leg kick but Apple moved away.
Apple appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Ipad Apple is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Balboa scores with the left hand. Apple knows he should have avoided that one.
Balboa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Balboa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Balboa looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Apple checks a leg kick.
Apple shoots in for a takedown but Balboa shows good takedown defense.
Balboa appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Balboa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Balboa throws a low kick but Apple moves out of range easily.
Balboa is looking to score with low kicks.
Balboa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Apple closes the distance and clinches up with Balboa, looking for a takedown. Apple pushes Balboa against the cage but Balboa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ipad Apple. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Apple is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Apple closes this distance looking for a takedown but Balboa circles away.
Balboa with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Balboa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Apple is trying hard to land a takedown here. Balboa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Balboa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A combination from Balboa does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa throws a low kick but Apple moves out of range easily.
Apple fails with a takedown attempt.
Apple is trying hard to land a takedown here. Balboa sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Apple blocks a leg kick.
Balboa lands a jab.
Balboa misses with a leg kick

and Apple counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Balboa!

Apple is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Balboa has escaped the position, nice work there.
Balboa is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Apple asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Balboa is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apple scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Balboa to see if he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balboa wants to get back to his feet but Apple drags him back down.
Apple tries to move to mount but Balboa blocks the move with his legs.
Apple controls the position.
Balboa wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Ipad Apple overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Apple is trying to get an arm triangle but Balboa is defending well.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Balboa is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Balboa finds it's way through Apple's defenses.
Balboa misses with a leg kick.
Balboa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Apple is looking for a counter combo.
Balboa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Balboa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Apple feinted with a counter takedown.
Balboa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Balboa swats away the attempt to clinch by Apple.
Apple shoots in looking for a takedown. Balboa tries to sprawl out of it but Apple keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Balboa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Balboa lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Apple shoots in and drives through. Balboa sprawls well.
Apple goes for a double leg but Balboa avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Balboa continues to drive forward.
Apple checks a leg kick.
A low kick from Balboa is predictable there

so Apple counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Balboa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Apple is controlling him.
Apple controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Balboa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conan Balboa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Balboa tries to work over Apple's front leg with a kick but Apple checks it.
A clash of legs there as Apple blocks the low kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Apple.
Balboa wants to slow Apple down by chopping away at his legs.
Balboa throws a nice outside leg kick.
Good leg kick by Balboa there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Balboa throws a leg kick
and Apple connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Balboa with a hook.
Balboa is looking to score with low kicks.
As Balboa tries to get set, Apple tries to push him back and clinch up but Balboa manages to avoid the attempt.
Balboa fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Apple is out of range.
Apple changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Apple tries to clinch but Balboa is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balboa throws a leg kick

and Apple decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Balboa's guard.
Apple prevents Balboa from getting back to his feet.
Apple controlling from the top position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Apple's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apple stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Balboa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Apple cracks Balboa with a solid left hand.
Apple controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Apple stands and steps away. Balboa gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A leg kick checked by Apple.
Apple appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Conan Balboa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Balboa tries to work over Apple's front leg with a kick but Apple checks it.
Apple closes the distance and clinches up with Balboa, looking for a takedown. Apple pushes Balboa against the cage but Balboa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Balboa is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Balboa feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Apple's calf.
A leg kick checked by Apple.
Balboa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Apple on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Balboa. Balboa obviously looking to wear him down.
Balboa wants to land a leg kick but Apple is out of range.
Apple moves out of range of the leg kick from Balboa.
Apple checks the leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Balboa. No joy for Apple on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ipad Apple. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Apple lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Balboa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Apple shoots for a takedown but Balboa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Apple misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Balboa flicks out a counter leg kick but Apple steps away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apple checks the leg kick nicely there.

Apple closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Balboa's guard.
Apple prevents Balboa from getting back to his feet.
Apple stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Balboa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Apple advances position into side control!

Apple wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Balboa, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Apple postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Balboa looks a forlorn figure.
BOOM! Apple connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Conan Balboa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Balboa is trying to stand up.
Ipad Apple has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Apple working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Balboa is rocked!

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 Ipad Apple.
I think Balboa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29

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