PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iwan Matwijenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Balboa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Matwijenko's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, RANDORI!. Matwijenko has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Matwijenko
vs
Balboa

192 cm
44
218 lbs
29 - 11 - 0

182 cm
26
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iwan Matwijenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Diego Balboa!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Chad Campbell and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Balboa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Matwijenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Matwijenko moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Balboa misses with the combination.
Balboa throws a series of punches but Matwijenko moves out of range.
Balboa misses with a straight left.
Balboa throws a right and a left that Matwijenko avoids nicely.
Matwijenko throws a hook to the side of Balboa's head but Balboa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Balboa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balboa is looking for the big counter here.
Matwijenko is breathing heavily.
Balboa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Matwijenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Matwijenko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Balboa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matwijenko.
Balboa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Balboa misses with a combination
and Matwijenko counters with a nice low kick that buckles Balboa's knee momentarily.
Balboa throws a series of punches but Matwijenko avoids them all with ease.
Matwijenko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Balboa throws out the jab.
Balboa throws a right and a left that Matwijenko avoids nicely.
Matwijenko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matwijenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa throws an off balance right hand
enabling Matwijenko to counter with a crisp jab.
Matwijenko dodges the punch combination from Balboa.
Balboa misses with a two punch combination.
Balboa misses with a combination
and Matwijenko counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Balboa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Matwijenko. Matwijenko obviously looking to wear him down.
Balboa misses with a few strikes there.
Balboa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matwijenko.
Balboa tries to bum rush Matwijenko with a series of wild strikes but Matwijenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Diego Balboa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balboa throws a right hand that Matwijenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Matwijenko also avoids with ease.
Matwijenko lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Balboa misses with a wild combination.
Balboa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matwijenko.
Sloppy strikes from Balboa. Those never looked like landing.
Balboa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Balboa throws a nice looking combination but Matwijenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matwijenko swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Balboa pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Matwijenko back to the cage. Balboa follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Balboa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Balboa fails to land with a series of punches.
A swing and a miss from Matwijenko.
Matwijenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Balboa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A little feinted left hand from Matwijenko on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Balboa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Matwijenko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Balboa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A nice combination there by Balboa.
Balboa throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Matwijenko keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Balboa throws a series of punches but Matwijenko moves out of range.
Balboa misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Balboa misses.
Balboa misses with a two punch combination.
Matwijenko dodges the punch combination from Balboa.
A jab lands there for Matwijenko.
Balboa throws a series of punches but Matwijenko moves out of range.
Matwijenko misses with an uppercut. Balboa saw that one coming.
Balboa lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Matwijenko misses with a straight left.
Balboa throws a shot from downtown. Matwijenko moves away and avoids it.
A punch combination from Balboa misses.
Balboa swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Matwijenko counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Matwijenko throws a hook to the side of Balboa's head but Balboa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A combination from Balboa does no damage.
Balboa throws a right hand that Matwijenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Matwijenko also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 fails to land with a series of punches.
Balboa throws an overhand right that lands on Matwijenko's shoulder, as Matwijenko tries to avoid the shot.
Matwijenko is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Balboa looks to land a combination but Matwijenko avoids it well.
Matwijenko looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Matwijenko connects with a jab.
Balboa takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Matwijenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Balboa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matwijenko misses with a two punch combination.
Balboa throws an overhand right that lands on Matwijenko's shoulder, as Matwijenko tries to avoid the shot.
Matwijenko throwing a counter right hand but Balboa manages to avoid it.
Matwijenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Balboa is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balboa connects with a crisp jab.
Balboa misses with a double jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Balboa dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Balboa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Balboa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diego Balboa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Balboa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Balboa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Matwijenko missing with a left hand there. Balboa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Matwijenko might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Matwijenko listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Balboa falls off balance throwing a combination
and Matwijenko counters with a series of strikes. Balboa will be more careful next time no doubt.
Balboa swinging wildly here.
Diego Balboa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Balboa works the jab nicely.
Balboa falls off balance throwing a combination
letting Matwijenko counter with a right hand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balboa throws a series of punches but Matwijenko moves out of range.
Balboa misses with a wild combination.
Matwijenko throws a big shot that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa connects with a nice looking jab.
A right-left combo lands from Balboa.
Matwijenko pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Balboa lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Balboa swinging wildly here.
Balboa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Balboa looks to land a combination but Matwijenko avoids it well.
Matwijenko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Balboa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Matwijenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Matwijenko lands with a straight right. Balboa didn't see that one coming.
Balboa misses with a series of wild punches.
Balboa tries to bum rush Matwijenko with a series of wild strikes but Matwijenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matwijenko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matwijenko slips a jab and a cross from Balboa.
Balboa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Balboa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Matwijenko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Balboa.
Matwijenko on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Matwijenko throws a nice head kick!
Balboa misses with a few strikes there.
Matwijenko is looking to counter punch.
Danga de danga de dang - Balboa scores with a four punch combination!
Balboa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matwijenko appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Balboa tries to bum rush Matwijenko with a series of wild strikes but Matwijenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Matwijenko listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A bone on bone clash there as Balboa blocks the leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Balboa. Those never looked like landing.
Matwijenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Balboa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Matwijenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Balboa slips under a jab.
Balboa looks to land a combination but Matwijenko avoids it well.
Balboa throws a right hand that Matwijenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Matwijenko also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matwijenko throws a right and a left that Balboa avoids nicely.
Matwijenko dodges the punch combination from Balboa.
Matwijenko throws a body punch but Balboa moves out of range.
Balboa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matwijenko.
Matwijenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Matwijenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Matwijenko lands a nice shot to the body.
Matwijenko paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Balboa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matwijenko scores with a jab to the body.
A combination from Balboa does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matwijenko dodges the punch combination from Balboa.
Matwijenko lands with a cross.
Balboa misses with a few strikes there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balboa swings widly with a right hand
and Matwijenko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A punch combination from Balboa misses.
Balboa might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Balboa misses with a wild combination.
Balboa misses with a two punch combination.
Matwijenko is looking for a counter combo.
Balboa lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Matwijenko circles away quickly and effectively.
Matwijenko lands with an overhand left.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Matwijenko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Matwijenko slips a jab and a cross from Balboa.
Balboa misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Balboa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Matwijenko lands with a nice body punch.
Sloppy strikes from Matwijenko. Those never looked like landing.
Balboa misses with a wild combination.
Balboa scores with a one two! Matwijenko had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Balboa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Matwijenko.
Matwijenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matwijenko throws a low kick but Balboa moves out of range easily.
Balboa swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Balboa does no damage.
A combination from Balboa does no damage.
A little feinted left hand from Matwijenko on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A punch lands to the side of Balboa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Balboa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Balboa uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Matwijenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balboa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Balboa misses with the combination.
Matwijenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Balboa.
Balboa walks into a stiff left hand from Matwijenko.
Balboa throws a right and a left that Matwijenko avoids nicely.
Balboa drops his hands momentarily and Matwijenko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Balboa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Matwijenko slips a jab and a cross from Balboa.
Matwijenko throws a nice outside leg kick.
Balboa swinging wildly here.
Balboa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matwijenko's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Matwijenko duly obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matwijenko dodges the punch combination from Balboa.
Matwijenko slips a jab and a cross from Balboa.
Matwijenko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Sloppy strikes from Balboa. Those never looked like landing.
Balboa on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Matwijenko dips to his left and cracks Balboa with an uppercut!
Balboa misses with a series of wild punches.
Balboa stalks Matwijenko and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Matwijenko's face. Matwijenko staggers backwards, shaken.
Matwijenko lands a nice leg kick that just misses Balboa's sensitive parts.
Balboa goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Balboa misses with the combination.
Balboa needs to keep his hands up - Matwijenko had a free shot at his head there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Balboa does no damage.
Matwijenko slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Balboa!
Balboa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Matwijenko throwing a counter right hand but Balboa manages to avoid it.
Matwijenko darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Balboa throws a series of punches but Matwijenko avoids them all with ease.
Balboa has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Matwijenko dips to his left and cracks Balboa with an uppercut!
A combination from Balboa does no damage.
Matwijenko is looking for a counter combo.
Matwijenko sizes up Balboa with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Matwijenko looks to land a right hand but Balboa moved out of range.
A combination from Matwijenko does no damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balboa misses with a few strikes there.
Balboa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Matwijenko throws a hook but Balboa avoids it easily.
Balboa misses with a two punch combination.
An attempted straight right counter from Matwijenko misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balboa throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Balboa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Balboa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Balboa looks to land a combination but Matwijenko avoids it well.
Some wild striking there from Balboa.
Balboa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Balboa. Those never looked like landing.
Matwijenko throws a body punch but Balboa moves out of range.
Matwijenko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Some wild striking there from Balboa.
Iwan Matwijenko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Balboa throws a right and a left that Matwijenko avoids nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Balboa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Diego Balboa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Balboa tries to bum rush Matwijenko with a series of wild strikes but Matwijenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diego 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30

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