PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jackson Spinks (ranked 1148 p4p, 148 weight class) and Garegin Balayan (ranked 715 p4p, 94 weight class). Balayan has chosen Troika as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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?

Spinks
vs
Balayan

190 cm
25
175 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

180 cm
26
176 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jackson Spinks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Garegin Balayan!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Alan Glass and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spinks looks for a takedown but Balayan sprawls well.
Spinks lands a nice hook to Balayan's body. Balayan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Spinks takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Balayan checks a leg kick.
Balayan let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Balayan throws a leg kick which misses Spinks's front leg but catches the back leg as Spinks tries to avoid it.
Spinks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balayan.
A punch combination from Spinks misses.
Balayan lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Balayan lands a glancing blow to the side of Spinks's head.
Nice jab there from Balayan.
Balayan connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Spinks momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Balayan throws a shot from downtown. Spinks moves away and avoids it.
Spinks comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Balayan misses with a double jab.
Balayan scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balayan lands a leg kick that knocks Spinks off balance momentarily.
Balayan throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Spinks counters with a nice uppercut.
Spinks is looking to chop away at Balayan's legs.

Spinks looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Balayan is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Spinks trying to control the position from guard on top but Balayan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spinks throws a strike but Balayan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Balayan is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Spinks keeping moving, preventing Balayan from controlling successfully.
Balayan won't allow Spinks to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spinks is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Spinks looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Balayan passes into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spinks trying to remain calm as Balayan controls from the top position.
Balayan working away.
Balayan taking a breather here.
Spinks tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Spinks regains half guard there - taking advantage of Balayan's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan prevents Spinks from improving his position.
Balayan not doing much here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.

Spinks is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Balayan pulls his head out easily.
Balayan prevents Spinks from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Still in half guard, Balayan seems content to control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Spinks manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Balayan sitting in guard here, content to control.
Spinks striking from the bottom here.
Spinks is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Balayan throwing strikes but missing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Spinks instigates a clinch.
Spinks working Balayan over with knees to the body.
Balayan has a couple of punches blocked by Spinks.
Balayan misses with some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garegin Balayan dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Balayan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Spinks.
Balayan appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Balayan lands a nice shot to the body.
Balayan throws a leg kick
and Spinks counters with a nice body kick.
Spinks pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Balayan misses with a wild body shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Spinks blocks the leg kick.
A big left from Balayan misses.
Balayan takes a swing at Spinks's ribcage but misses.
Spinks cracks Balayan with a right hand to the side of the head.
Balayan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Spinks.
Balayan connects with a leg kick. Spinks looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spinks throws a body shot but no joy.
Balayan throws a leg kick

and Spinks counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Spinks.
The referee calls for Balayan to work.
Spinks throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Balayan lands a hook that snaps the head of Spinks backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balayan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Spinks throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Balayan misses with a short punch on the inside.
Balayan misses with some punches.
Balayan tries to throw a body punch but Spinks avoids it by throwing Balayan back against the cage.
Balayan scores with a shot to the side of Spinks's head.
Spinks swings wildly with an uppercut but Balayan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Spinks prevents a body shot from Balayan.
Balayan blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Spinks misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Balayan.
Spinks missing with knees to the body.

Balayan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Balayan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A leg kick checked by Balayan.
Balayan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Balayan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Spinks throws out the jab.
Balayan lands with a nice body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spinks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balayan.
Spinks throws a leg kick
letting Balayan counter with a right hand.
Balayan throws a front kick that sends Spinks stumbling back into the cage.
Spinks misses with an attempted mid kick.
Balayan raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Spinks looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Balayan misses with a straight right.
Spinks misses with a body shot.
Balayan throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Spinks counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Balayan misses with a double jab.
Spinks pushes Balayan away with a front kick.
Spinks looks to throw the jab but Balayan is out of range.
Balayan checks a low kick from Spinks.
Jab from Balayan.
Spinks tries to land a front kick but Balayan steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Balayan connects with a body shot that sends Spinks's belly button to the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balayan misses with a wild body shot.
Balayan lands with a shot to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Spinks.
Balayan throws out a counter right but Spinks avoids it with no problem.
Spinks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
It looked like Spinks wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Balayan misses with a looping left.
Spinks moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Spinks lands with a kick to the ribs.
Spinks tries to move into range but Balayan moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Balayan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Spinks misses with a knee strike.
Balayan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Balayan lands a left hand.
Balayan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Spinks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Spinks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Balayan - that landed with a thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Balayan makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balayan tries to work over Spinks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Balayan lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Balayan lands a body shot in the clinch.
Spinks throws an elbow that misses.
Balayan misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Balayan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Balayan throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Balayan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Spinks misses with a hook.
Balayan connects with an inside leg kick.
Spinks throws out a loose jab but Balayan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Balayan throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
As Balayan tries to get set, Spinks tries to push him back and clinch up but Balayan manages to avoid the attempt.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Balayan 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 Spinks has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Spinks and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Spinks displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Balayan throws out the jab.
Balayan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Spinks moves away.
Spinks throws a big counter combination but Balayan scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Balayan misses with an attempted mid kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Garegin Balayan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Spinks waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Balayan.
Spinks throws an overhand right that lands on Balayan's shoulder, as Balayan tries to avoid the shot.
Balayan swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Spinks.
A bone on bone clash there as Spinks blocks the leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Spinks misses the target.
Balayan ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Spinks misses with a wild body shot.
Garegin Balayan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Balayan throws out a loose jab but Spinks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Balayan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Balayan moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Balayan lands a nice shot that snaps Spinks's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balayan moves away from the strike by Spinks.
Balayan uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Spinks takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spinks throws a lazy right hand but Balayan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A big left from Spinks misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spinks thuds his shin into the meat of Balayan's side.
Balayan throws a body kick that misses.
Garegin Balayan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spinks swings for the body but Balayan moves out of range.
Balayan feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Spinks's calf.
Spinks lands a nice looking kick to the body. Balayan takes a step back to recover.
A bone on bone clash there as Balayan blocks the leg kick.
Balayan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Balayan has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Balayan throws a shot from downtown. Spinks moves away and avoids it.
Balayan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Spinks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Balayan looks to land a right hand but Spinks moved out of range.
Balayan with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Spinks fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Spinks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Balayan moves away.
Balayan scores with a shot to the body.
Jackson Spinks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spinks throws a good cross that connects.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spinks throws a head kick but Balayan moves out of range.
Balayan throws a head kick that misses.
That kick from Spinks tenderised Balayan's leg. Balayan is trying to keep his angry face on.
Spinks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Balayan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balayan lands with a thumping leg kick.
Balayan tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Spinks darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Balayan throws a leg kick which misses Spinks's front leg but catches the back leg as Spinks tries to avoid it.
Spinks shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Balayan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Balayan has Spinks up against the cage in a clinch.
Balayan struggles to land a body shot inside as Spinks controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Spinks.
Spinks jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Balayan walks away with a smile on his face. Spinks gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Spinks shoots in looking for a takedown but Balayan manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Spinks's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jackson Spinks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spinks looks to throw the jab but Balayan is out of range.
Spinks takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Spinks looks to throw the jab but Balayan is out of range.
Balayan on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Spinks. Spinks obviously looking to wear him down.
Balayan fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
An inside leg kick lands from Balayan.
Balayan moves out of range of the strikes.
Spinks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Balayan throws a head kick that misses.
Balayan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Balayan throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spinks takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spinks stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Balayan.
Spinks looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Balayan.
A punch lands to the side of Balayan 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Balayan cracks a nice hook into Spinks's ribs.
Balayan blocks the body kick.
Balayan throws the kick towards the body but Spinks avoids it.
Balayan looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Spinks slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Spinks misses with a body kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Spinks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Spinks on the wrong end of a nice hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Garegin Balayan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Balayan winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Garegin Balayan!
Our winner, Garegin Balayan, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.