Play by Play - Fighter's Fight Commentary

Event: NYF 43: Simons vs St Claire
Date: Nov 25, 2023

#R1#
Balopoulos misses with a wild body shot.
Balopoulos has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Balopoulos there as he acknowledges the shot.
Garcia displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Balopoulos throws out the jab.
A little jabbing left from Garcia on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Balopoulos takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A swing and a miss from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Balopoulos there as he acknowledges the shot.
Balopoulos throws a right and a left that both miss.
Garcia avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Balopoulos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Garcia was well out of range. Poor timing from Balopoulos.
Garcia steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos misses with a shot to the body
and Garcia counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Garcia stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Balopoulos takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balopoulos takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.#ROC2#Balopoulos is rocked!
Good shot there by Garcia.
Oh Balopoulos is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Balopoulos misses with a straight left.
Balopoulos seems to have got his legs back now.
Garcia lands with a cross. #T1#
Garcia throws a good cross that connects.
Garcia avoids a punch combination nicely.
Balopoulos takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Garcia stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Balopoulos misses with a hook
and Garcia counters with a left to the body.
Balopoulos takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Balopoulos fails with a takedown attempt. #KD2#
Garcia sends Balopoulos crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Garcia is motioning to the referee to let Balopoulos up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!#CL#
Balopoulos closes the distance and clinches.
Balopoulos tries for a takedown. No joy.
Garcia is pressed up against the cage. Balopoulos has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Garcia down to the mat. Garcia 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 Nikos Balopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Balopoulos's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Garcia connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Balopoulos scrambles back to his feet.
Balopoulos is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Garcia's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Balopoulos fails in his attempt to clinch. #T2#
Jab from Garcia.#KD2#
Garcia cracks Balopoulos with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Garcia has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Balopoulos to stand back up!#KD2#
Garcia sends Balopoulos crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Garcia is motioning to the referee to let Balopoulos up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
Garcia ducks down and throws a big overhand right - it lands flush on the jaw, knocking Balopoulos out cold! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:18 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Leonardo Pancho Garcia!

Event: NYF 41: Babcock vs Kakuzo 2
Date: Nov 04, 2023

#R1#
Traumen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Balopoulos.
Traumen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Traumen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Traumen wants it to stay on the feet.
Traumen tries to bum rush Balopoulos with a series of wild strikes but Balopoulos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Balopoulos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Traumen.
Balopoulos throws a right and a left that Traumen avoids nicely.
Traumen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Traumen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Traumen thuds his right hand into Balopoulos's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Traumen scores with a push kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balopoulos takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Traumen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.#ROC#Balopoulos is rocked!
We've been told by Traumen's head coaches at Champion Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Balopoulos scores with a crisp jab that stopped Traumen in his tracks. #CL2#
Traumen gets tackled into the cage by Balopoulos. Balopoulos maintains the clinch.
Balopoulos goes for a takedown in the clinch but Traumen prevents it.
Traumen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Balopouloss head.
Traumen cracks Balopoulos with a nice body shot.#T1##BC#
Traumen breaks the clinch.
Balopoulos throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Traumen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Lucas Traumen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balopoulos takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Traumen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Traumen connects with a jab.
Balopoulos throws a hook but Traumen avoids it easily.
As Balopoulos backs away, Traumen returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Traumen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Traumen blocks a jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Traumen misses the target.
Traumen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Balopoulos throws a lazy uppercut
and Traumen counters with a nice body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Traumen connects with a right hand. Balopoulos shakes it off.#KD#
Traumen lands a big right hand that sends Balopoulos crashing to the mat! Traumen stays standing though and waves Balopoulos back to his feet!
Balopoulos is still on wobbly legs! Can Traumen finish him?
Balopoulos misses with a left hand
and Traumen counters with a huge overhand right that connects right on the temple, sending him crumpling, face first to the floor! This one is all over! What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Lucas Traumen!
Lucas Traumen retains his lightweight title!
Lucas Traumen tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.

Event: NYF Fight Night 13
Date: Oct 06, 2023

#R1#
Balopoulos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Balopoulos takes a swing at Adams 's ribcage but misses. #CL#
Adams pushes Balopoulos up against the cage in a clinch.
Balopoulos takes a shot to the head.
Balopoulos wants to take the fight to the mat but Adams manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.#TD2#
Balopoulos wants the takedown. Adams is fighting it off but Balopoulos persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Adams 's guard against the cage.#SUB#
Adams looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Balopoulos has picked Adams up and slammed him! Adams can't keep hold of the triangle and Balopoulos manages to pass to side control!
Balopoulos landing strikes.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Balopoulos working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Adams is trying to get back to half guard.
Balopoulos is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Adams tries to bench press Balopoulos off him but Balopoulos keeps the position.
Balopoulos scores with a couple of short elbows.#T1#
You can see the frustration on Adams 's face as Balopoulos controls the position.
Balopoulos connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Adams some visible discomfort.
Adams 's coaches at Sprawl N Brawl have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Adams is looking for a sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Adams takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Balopoulos cracks Adams with a big right hand but Adams just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Adams looks to move to half guard but instead Balopoulos has passed into mount! Damn!
Balopoulos unloading with bombs!
Adams is wriggling around trying to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee warns Adams that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Adams really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Balopoulos lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent. #T2#
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balopoulos landing strikes from the mount.#ROC2#Adams is rocked!
Balopoulos tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Oh Adams is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Adams is trying to escape the mount.
Adams seems to have got his legs back now.
Balopoulos landing strikes from the mount and Adams is in trouble!
Adams tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Adams is working hard here to advance position.
Balopoulos has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Adams slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.#SUB#
Adams looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Balopoulos is keen to just control but Adams is a slippery customer.#SUB#
Adams looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Balopoulos working Adams over with strikes. #SUB#
Adams looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.#SUB#
Adams looking for submissions from an awkward position here.#T3#
Balopoulos controlling the action here.
Adams regains full guard. Nicely done. #SUB#
Adams is active off his back here, looking for submissions. #SUB#
Adams escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Balopoulos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Balopoulos slips nicely into half guard.
Adams is trying to get back to full guard.#T4##SUB#
Adams actively working from the bottom here.#SUB#
Adams looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Balopoulos scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Balopoulos is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Balopoulos scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Adams wants to improve his position but Balopoulos is controlling well. #SUB#
Adams looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Balopoulos slips a nice elbow through Adams 's hands, connecting with Adams 's forehead.
Adams has hold of Balopoulos's hands but Balopoulos slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Adams is staying active underneath Balopoulos, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Balopoulos is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!#R2#
Adams changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Balopoulos tries to avoid it but Adams manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Balopoulos to the ground. Balopoulos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Balopoulos throws a jab but it's blocked by Adams .
Balopoulos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Adams moves in looking to clinch but Balopoulos pushes him off.
Balopoulos takes a swing at Adams 's ribcage but misses.
Balopoulos waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Adams .
Adams doesn't manage to clinch there - Balopoulos circles away. #CL#
Adams forces Balopoulos back against the cage and clinches.#TD2#
Balopoulos has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Adams is trying to keep an underhook but Balopoulos manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Balopoulos is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position. #SUB#
Adams is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Balopoulos pulls his head out easily.
Balopoulos lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Adams is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Balopoulos jumps into side control!
Adams is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Balopoulos is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Adams is wriggling around trying to escape. #T1#
Balopoulos scoring with strikes but Adams is staying in there.
Balopoulos pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Balopoulos lands a big shot to the head and Adams winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:26 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Nikos Balopoulos!
Nikos Balopoulos managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Fantasy Threads, into his post fight interview.
Bruno Adams was interviewed post fight and said 'Aww geez'.

Event: NYF 34: Donal vs Tonioli
Date: Sep 16, 2023

#R1#
Balopoulos throws a jab but it's blocked by Case.
Case avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Balopoulos throws out a loose jab but Case uses good head movement to avoid it.
Case slips a straight right by Balopoulos.#TD2#
Balopoulos shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Balopoulos is keen to just control but Case is a slippery customer.#SUB#
Case is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Balopoulos pulls his head out easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balopoulos looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Case with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Case is pressing down on Balopoulos's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Case controls Balopoulos momentarily but Balopoulos frees himself.
Balopoulos with a nice head shot there.#T1##SUB#
Case escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Balopoulos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Balopoulos not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Balopoulos is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Case can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Balopoulos controls the pace.
Balopoulos postures up.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Balopoulos working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Balopoulos works over Case with some ground and pound from guard.#SUB#
Case throwing his legs up looking for a triangle. #T2##SUB#
Case looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Balopoulos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Case is keeping the position for now.
Balopoulos cracks Case with a solid left hand.
Balopoulos lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Case working a defensive guard here. #SUB#
Case throws his legs up looking for a submission but Balopoulos uses it to pass to side control.
Case is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Case slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.#T3#
Balopoulos trying to control but Case is working from the bottom.
Balopoulos lands a couple of digs.
Case not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Balopoulos trying to control but Case is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balopoulos is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Case is trying to hold Balopoulos in close to prevent damage but Balopoulos has managed to pass into half guard.
Case is looking for a sweep. Balopoulos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.#T4#
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Balopoulos lands a nice short elbow.
Case holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Case gets back to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Case is on top in guard. #REVR#
Case won't allow Balopoulos to sweep him here.
Case trying to control the position from guard on top but Balopoulos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Case trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balopoulos looking for a sweep. Not yet Balopoulos, not yet.
Case wants to pass the guard but Balopoulos is keeping the position.
Balopoulos working a defensive guard here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!#R2#
Case with a jab.
Case avoids the body shot from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos takes a swing at Case's ribcage but misses.
Balopoulos loads up on a big right hand but Case slips the punch.
Balopoulos throws a hook but Case avoids it easily.
Balopoulos misses with a straight right.
Balopoulos misses with an uppercut #TD#
and Case counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Case working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Case with a nice head shot there.
Balopoulos trying to keep a closed guard but Case is proving a slippery customer.
Case lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.#T1#
Balopoulos keeping moving, preventing Case from controlling successfully.
Case sitting in guard here, content to control.
Case wants to control from the top but Balopoulos keeps moving.
Nikos Balopoulos has got the better of the ground game so far.
Balopoulos is trying to control the position but Case postures up.
Balopoulos has Case pulled in close to control his posture.
Case stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Balopoulos swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Case trying to control but Balopoulos is working from the bottom. #REF3#
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.#T2#
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Balopoulos scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Balopoulos misses with a jab, cross combination.
Case uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balopoulos.
Case dives in for a single leg takedown but Balopoulos sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Balopoulos with the counter takedown but Case avoids it easily.#TD2#
Balopoulos has Case pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Balopoulos pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Case tumbling to the mat - Balopoulos dives into Case's guard.
Balopoulos postures up and lands some nice ground and pound. #SUB#
Case working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Balopoulos has passed into half guard! #SUB#
Case looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.#T3#
Balopoulos is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Case tries to get to full guard but Balopoulos has control of the leg.
Balopoulos looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Balopoulos lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Balopoulos content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Case is looking for a sweep. Balopoulos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.#T4#
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Case gets back to full guard.
Balopoulos scoring with punches to the head and body.
Case is adopting a defensive guard.
Case trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from! #SUB#
Case working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Balopoulos doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Balopoulos manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balopoulos is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Case wants to sweep but no luck.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Case's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!#R3#
Balopoulos throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Case appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Balopoulos blocks a leg kick.
Balopoulos misses with a double jab. #TD#
Case looking to score a takedown here. Balopoulos is defending well but Case drives through and ends up in Balopoulos's guard.
Balopoulos looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Case looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Balopoulos keeping moving, preventing Case from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balopoulos is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.#T1#
Case loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Balopoulos has his hands on Case's head, controlling the position.
Case wants to control from the top but Balopoulos keeps moving.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Case sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Balopoulos's guard.
Case is trying to control the action in half guard but Balopoulos is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Balopoulos is trying to maintain the position but Case is very close to passing his half guard.
Case seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Balopoulos does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back. #T2#
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Balopoulos is looking for a sweep. Case is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.#SUB#
Case seems to be looking for submissions.
Case wants to control but Balopoulos is keeping him busy. #REF3#
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Balopoulos misses with a looping left.
Case drops down looking for a counter takedown but Balopoulos sprawls and moves away.#TD2#
Balopoulos gets the takedown into side control.
Case struggling a bit here.
Case looks to move to half guard but instead Balopoulos has passed into mount! Damn!
Case is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Balopoulos lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Case hang on?#T3#
Balopoulos putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Balopoulos fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Case is wriggling around trying to escape.
Balopoulos landing shots from mount.
Balopoulos lands a couple of good shots and Case has given up his back, trying to escape the position!#ROC2#Case is rocked!
Case tries to roll but Balopoulos sticks to his back.
Case is working hard here to advance position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Case turns into Balopoulos and is now in his guard. #T4#
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Case sitting in guard here, content to control.
Balopoulos wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Balopoulos manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Case manages to get himself to full guard. #REVB#
Case lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.#REVR#
Nikos Balopoulos is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Balopoulos keeping moving, preventing Case from controlling successfully.
Justin Case has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikos Balopoulos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Balopoulos 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikos Balopoulos!
An out of breath and clearly excited Nikos Balopoulos thanked Fantasy Threads for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).

Event: NYF 32: Traumen vs Adams
Date: Sep 02, 2023

#R1#
Germic tries to clinch but Balopoulos moves out of range.
Balopoulos showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Germic.
A jab lands there for Germic.
Balopoulos throws a right hand that misses
and Germic counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Balopoulos thinking.
A punch lands to the side of Balopoulos 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Balopoulos throws a body punch but Germic moves out of range.
Balopoulos takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.#TD#
Balopoulos shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Germic manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
We've been hearing that Balopoulos has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Balopoulos is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Balopoulos connects with a couple of short punches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balopoulos sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Germic's guard.
Germic is trying to get back to full guard.#T1#
Balopoulos controlling the pace.
Balopoulos missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Balopoulos not doing much here.
Germic wants to improve his position but Balopoulos is controlling well.
Germic blocking the ground and pound attempt from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man. #T2#
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Balopoulos throwing shots but Germic is blocking nicely.
Balopoulos not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Balopoulos looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Germic keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Balopoulos lands with a punch from half guard.
Balopoulos has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Balopoulos performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Germic has hold of Balopoulos's hands but Balopoulos slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.#T3#
Balopoulos working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Balopoulos content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Balopoulos throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Germic really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Balopoulos. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Balopoulos trying to control the pace.
Balopoulos lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Balopoulos slips a nice elbow through Germic's hands, connecting with Germic's forehead.
Balopoulos throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Balopoulos throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage. #T4#
Balopoulos working the head and body with strikes.
Balopoulos missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Balopoulos lands strikes from half guard.
Balopoulos winds up and cracks Germic with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Balopoulos missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Balopoulos lands strikes from half guard.
Balopoulos throwing shots but Germic is blocking nicely.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Balopoulos wants to pass to mount but Germic is defending the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balopoulos lands with a punch from half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!#R2#
Balopoulos misses with an uppercut. Germic saw that one coming.
Germic lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Germic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Germic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos throws a shot from downtown. Germic moves away and avoids it.
Balopoulos takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Germic moves out of range as Balopoulos strikes.
Germic is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Balopoulos misses with a wild body shot.
Germic moves out of range of the strikes.
Germic scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Balopoulos throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balopoulos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Germic was well out of range. Poor timing from Balopoulos.
Germic tries to clinch there but Balopoulos circles away. #CL#
Balopoulos pushes Germic up against the cage in a clinch.#BC2#
Germic breaks from the clinch.
Asim Germic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Germic avoids the clinch attempt nicely. #T1#
Germic tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Balopoulos appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Balopoulos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big left from Balopoulos misses.
Balopoulos throws out a loose jab but Germic uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice combination there by Germic.
Balopoulos missing with a left hand there. Germic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Balopoulos throws a sloppy body shot
and Germic counters with a series of strikes. Balopoulos will be more careful next time no doubt.
Balopoulos showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Germic.
Balopoulos is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Germic can do to turn this around?
Balopoulos swinging wildly here.
Germic looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Germic wants to clinch up but Balopoulos keeps it at a distance.
Balopoulos swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Balopoulos.
Despite the aggression on Germic's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.#T2#
Germic is looking to clinch but Balopoulos is avoiding it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Balopoulos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Germic was well out of range. Poor timing from Balopoulos.
The fight stays on the outside here - Germic looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Balopoulos changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Balopoulos throws a right hand that misses
and Germic counters with a left and a right that stings Balopoulos.
A right-left combo lands from Germic.
Balopoulos throws an off balance right hand
and Germic counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Balopoulos takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Germic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Germic cracks a nice hook into Balopoulos's ribs.
Germic goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Balopoulos looks to throw the jab but Germic is out of range.
Nikos Balopoulos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Balopoulos showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Germic. #T3#
A cross from Germic lands.
Germic looks to land a combination but Balopoulos avoids it well.
Balopoulos just misses with a punch to the body.
Germic is looking for the big counter here.
Germic misses with the combination.
Asim Germic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Germic lands with a nice combination. Balopoulos backs away looking to recover.
A looping hook to the body misses from Balopoulos. Germic does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balopoulos looks to throw the jab but Germic is out of range. #CL#
Balopoulos has Germic up against the cage in a clinch.
Balopoulos is trying to drag Germic to the mat but Germic just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.#BC2#
Germic manages to break the clinch. #T4#
Germic lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Balopoulos fails in his attempt to clinch.
Germic throws a counter combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Germic throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Balopoulos tries for a takedown but Germic circles away easily
and Germic counters with a three punch combo that has Balopoulos backing up. Balopoulos nods at Germic to acknowledge the strikes.
Germic sizes up Balopoulos with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Balopoulos takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Balopoulos pushing out the jab but it's not landing. #CL#
Balopoulos clinches up with Germic and pushes him back against the cage.
Germic pushes Balopoulos back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Germic prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikos Balopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Germic working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Asim Germic 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! And we move into the final round!#R3#
Germic slips under a jab.
Balopoulos throws a body punch but Germic moves out of range.
Balopoulos throws a hook to the side of Germic's head but Germic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Germic is looking to clinch.
Balopoulos takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Germic throws a series of punches but Balopoulos moves out of range.
Asim Germic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Germic stalks Balopoulos and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Balopoulos's face. Balopoulos staggers backwards, shaken.
Germic thumps Balopoulos with a low kick.
A shot to the body from Balopoulos misses
and Germic counters with a right hand to the body.
That kick from Germic tenderised Balopoulos's leg. Balopoulos is trying to keep his angry face on.
Germic throws a one two combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Germic throws a two punch combo that lands nicely. #TD#
Excellent takedown into side control there by Balopoulos.
Balopoulos working the head with strikes. #T1#
Balopoulos is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Germic will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Balopoulos in side control, throwing shots but Germic defends.
Balopoulos fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Balopoulos in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Germic takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The ground and pound from Balopoulos seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Balopoulos controlling the position.
Balopoulos misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards. #T2#
Germic wants to get back to his feet but Balopoulos is dominant here and he's now got Germic's back!
Balopoulos lands shots from the back.
Balopoulos biding his time, controlling Germic.
Balopoulos has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Germic grimaces as he takes a shot to the body. #T3#
Balopoulos lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Balopoulos is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Balopoulos is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Germic up.
Balopoulos scores with strikes from the back.
Balopoulos misses with punches from the back.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Balopoulos. #ROC#Germic is rocked!
Germic is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Balopoulos.
Germic is still in real trouble! Can Balopoulos finish him?
Balopoulos struggling to land strikes to the head as Germic covers up.
Germic seems to have recovered his senses.#T4#
Balopoulos thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Balopoulos is landing with strikes. Germic can't take much more of this.
Balopoulos lands punches and elbows.
Balopoulos lands punches and elbows.
Balopoulos really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Germic.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Balopoulos.
Balopoulos connects with a couple of big shots that have Germic covering up! Oh, this looks bad for Germic! Balopoulos fires away with several more unanswered shots and the referee has no choice but to step in! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nikos Balopoulos!
An out of breath and clearly excited Nikos Balopoulos thanked Fantasy Threads for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).

Event: NYF 26: McCoy vs Dujardin
Date: Jul 15, 2023

#R1#
Balopoulos misses the body punch
and Alvarez counters with a three punch combo that has Balopoulos backing up. Balopoulos nods at Alvarez to acknowledge the strikes.
Balopoulos swings widly with a right hand
and Alvarez counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Balopoulos throws a hook to the side of Alvarez's head but Alvarez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Alvarez darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A big left from Balopoulos misses. #CL#
Balopoulos drives through and clinches with Alvarez against the cage. #TD#
Balopoulos tightens his grip and picks Alvarez up, before dumping him to the ground. Alvarez manages to land in guard. #SUB2#
Alvarez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alvarez is trying to keep Balopoulos in close.
Alvarez seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balopoulos stays in close to Alvarez's body and controls the position. #T1#
Balopoulos lands a couple of digs.
Balopoulos stands and throws Alvarez's legs to the side, diving into side control.
We've been hearing good reports from Balopoulos's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Balopoulos works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Alvarez regains half guard.
Balopoulos working over Alvarez with some ground and pound. Alvarez looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Balopoulos is pressing down on Alvarez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Alvarez is holding on for now.
Balopoulos has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Balopoulos not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Balopoulos winds up and cracks Alvarez with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Alvarez wants to improve his position but Balopoulos is controlling well. #T2#
Alvarez trying to control here.
Balopoulos missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Balopoulos is keen to just control but Alvarez is a slippery customer.
Alvarez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Balopoulos wants to take a breather but Alvarez is having none of it.
Balopoulos lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Balopoulos working Alvarez over with strikes.
Alvarez felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Alvarez is trying to stand back up but Balopoulos is controlling him
Balopoulos slows the pace down in half guard. #T3#
Alvarez is staying active underneath Balopoulos, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Alvarez wants to control but Balopoulos is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Alvarez wants to improve his position but Balopoulos is controlling well.
Balopoulos lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Balopoulos controlling the action here. #T4#
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Alvarez is pressing down on Balopoulos's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Alvarez looking for a sweep. Not yet Alvarez, not yet.
Balopoulos connects with a couple of short punches.
Balopoulos keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Alvarez's head.
Alvarez looking for a sweep. Not yet Alvarez, not yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balopoulos trying to control the position from guard on top but Alvarez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balopoulos is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!#R2#
Alvarez showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Balopoulos.
Alvarez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balopoulos.
Balopoulos with a jab.
A jab from Alvarez finds it's way through Balopoulos's defenses.
Balopoulos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Alvarez moves away.
Balopoulos misses with an uppercut.
Alvarez uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Balopoulos.
As Balopoulos backs off Alvarez throws a huge counter combo but Balopoulos manages to avoid it all.
Alvarez misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.#CL#
Balopoulos clinches up against the cage.#BC2#
Alvarez escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Balopoulos misses with a left hand
and Balopoulos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Balopoulos misses with a takedown attempt
and Alvarez counters with a stiff right hand. #T1#
Balopoulos misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Alvarez.
Balopoulos takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Balopoulos is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alvarez can do to turn this around?
Alvarez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Alvarez wants it to stay on the feet.
Balopoulos throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Alvarez counter with a right hand.
Balopoulos misses with a hook
and Alvarez counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Balopoulos throws a poor cross that misses
and Alvarez counters with a series of strikes. Balopoulos will be more careful next time no doubt.
Alvarez lands a two punch combo.
Alvarez scores with a jab.
Ricky Alvarez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balopoulos looks to land a left hand but Alvarez moved out of range nicely.
Alvarez has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Balopoulos misses with an uppercut
and Alvarez makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Balopoulos really felt that one!
Balopoulos 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.
Balopoulos takes a body punch but keeps moving. #T2#
Balopoulos misses with the combination.
Balopoulos looks to land a right hand but Alvarez moved out of range.
Alvarez lands with an overhand left.
Alvarez is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.#CL#
Balopoulos forces Alvarez back against the cage and clinches.
Alvarez lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Alvarez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time. #TD#
Balopoulos gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Alvarez is looking for a sweep. Balopoulos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Balopoulos is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Balopoulos has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.#T3#
Balopoulos seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Balopoulos lands with a punch from half guard.
Balopoulos working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Well, if Balopoulos is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Alvarez manages to get to full guard.
Alvarez has Balopoulos pulled in close to control his posture. #T4#
Alvarez is continuing to stall.
Alvarez controls Balopoulos momentarily but Balopoulos frees himself. #SUB2#
Alvarez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Balopoulos passes into half guard.
Alvarez is trying to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Alvarez 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! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!#R3##CL#
Balopoulos drives through and clinches with Alvarez against the cage.
Knees to the body from Alvarez.
Balopoulos is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.#BC2#
Alvarez's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Balopoulos fails with the takedown
and Alvarez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Alvarez scores with a three punch combo!
Balopoulos misses with a looping left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balopoulos looks to land a combination but Alvarez avoids it well.
A little jabbing left from Alvarez on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Alvarez jabs at Balopoulos's body.
Balopoulos misses with a left hand
letting Alvarez counter with a right hand.
A shot to the body from Balopoulos misses
and Alvarez cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.#T1#
Balopoulos misses with a takedown
and Alvarez counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Balopoulos thinking.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikos Balopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Balopoulos misses the body punch
and Alvarez counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Alvarez connects with the punch.
Balopoulos with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Alvarez to score with a decent uppercut.
Alvarez moves out of range as Balopoulos strikes.
Nikos Balopoulos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alvarez thumps Balopoulos with a low kick.
Balopoulos misses with a jab to the body
and Alvarez counters with a lovely straight right hand!#CL#
Balopoulos instigates a clinch.
Alvarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Balopoulos blocks it with crossed arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Alvarez.
Balopoulos is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Alvarez is defending well.#T2#
Balopoulos tries to score a body lock takedown but Alvarez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Balopoulos avoids it.
Alvarez tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Balopoulos avoids it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balopoulos has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Alvarez is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Alvarez with a knee to the head. #TD#
Balopoulos has Alvarez pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Balopoulos pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Alvarez tumbling to the mat - Balopoulos dives into Alvarez's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Alvarez looking to control.
Balopoulos landing with the ground and pound.
Alvarez wants to get back to his feet but Balopoulos is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balopoulos throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent. #T3#
Alvarez wants to stand and escape but Balopoulos is having none of it.
Balopoulos wants to control from the top but Alvarez keeps moving.
Balopoulos sitting in guard here, content to control. #REF3#
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.#CL#
Balopoulos clinches up with Alvarez and pushes him back against the cage.
Balopoulos is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Alvarez pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Balopoulos drops down looking for an ankle pick but Alvarez pulls his leg out and moves away.
A shot to the body from Balopoulos misses
and Balopoulos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Balopoulos fails with the takedown
and Alvarez counters with a left to the body. #T4#
Balopoulos tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Alvarez counters with a lovely shot to the body.#CL#
Balopoulos moves into the clinch.
Alvarez scores with a knee to the head.
Balopoulos looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Balopoulos wants to take the fight to the mat but Alvarez manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Balopoulos is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Alvarez's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Alvarez misses with a knee strike.
Alvarez throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Balopoulos blocks it with crossed arms.
Ricky Alvarez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Balopoulos is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Balopoulos blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.#BC2#
Alvarez pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Balopoulos throws an off balance right hand
and Alvarez counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Balopoulos looks to clinch
and Balopoulos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A slow jab from Balopoulos misses its intended target.
Alvarez looks like he wants to counter punch here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Alvarez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Alvarez 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Alvarez!

Event: NYF 22: Tonioli vs Ruiz 2
Date: Jun 10, 2023

#R1#
Lykaios looks to throw the jab but Balopoulos is out of range.
Lykaios misses with a left hand #TD#
and Balopoulos counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Balopoulos.
Balopoulos distracts Lykaios with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Lykaios is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Balopoulos is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Balopoulos lands a couple of decent looking shots.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balopoulos engaging in some classic timewasting tactics. #T1#
Balopoulos postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balopoulos is stalling in the full guard.
Balopoulos works over Lykaios with some ground and pound from guard.
Lykaios can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Balopoulos controls the pace.
Lykaios is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lykaios wants to sweep here but Balopoulos controlling him for the moment. #T2#
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Balopoulos slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Balopoulos's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Balopoulos connects with a couple of short punches.
Balopoulos postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Balopoulos is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Balopoulos lands a couple of elbows.
Balopoulos showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Balopoulos's corner. There ya go! There ya go! #T3#
Balopoulos is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Lykaios is looking to stand up but Balopoulos isn't so interested in that idea.
Balopoulos scoring with punches to the head and body.
Lykaios really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Balopoulos. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Balopoulos is in close to Lykaios's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Balopoulos showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Balopoulos is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Balopoulos showing good wrestling skills to control the position. #T4#
Lykaios has momentary wrist control but Balopoulos slips an elbow through the middle.
Balopoulos lands a couple of elbows.
Balopoulos stays in close to Lykaios's body and controls the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lykaios is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Balopoulos is controlling him.
Balopoulos controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.#R2#
Lykaios uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Balopoulos.
Lykaios is looking for the big counter here.
Balopoulos shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Lykaios cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Balopoulos throws a hook but Lykaios avoids it easily.
Bastian Lykaios is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lykaios connects with a jab.
Lykaios throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Balopoulos.
Balopoulos half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Lykaios throws a right hand that misses #TD#
and Balopoulos counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Balopoulos controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Balopoulos's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Balopoulos chips away with some ground and pound.
Balopoulos keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lykaios's head.
Nikos Balopoulos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Balopoulos slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.#T1#
Balopoulos scoring with punches from side control.
Lykaios is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Balopoulos working the head and body with strikes.
Balopoulos creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Balopoulos just content to control the position.
Lykaios takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Balopoulos has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Balopoulos grinds an elbow into Lykaios's temple.
Balopoulos scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Lykaios to see if he's OK.
Balopoulos landing strikes. #T2#
Lykaios takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well. #ROC#Lykaios is rocked!
Balopoulos lands a strong strike to the head of Lykaios. That's dazed him! Balopoulos looking to finish here. Lykaios is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Balopoulos lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nikos Balopoulos!
Nikos Balopoulos really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Fantasy Threads logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.

Event: NYF 19: Ribeiro vs Gracie
Date: May 20, 2023

#R1#
Cillian throws a nice inside leg kick.
Balopoulos just misses with a punch to the body.
A little jabbing left from Cillian on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Cillian scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cillian lands a jab-cross combination.
Cillian lands with a straight right. Balopoulos didn't see that one coming.
Cillian lands the left hand.
Cillian looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Balopoulos takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Balopoulos seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Cillian lands a glancing blow to the side of Balopoulos's head.
Balopoulos throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Cillian counters with a left and a right that stings Balopoulos.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balopoulos takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Balopoulos throws a hook but Cillian avoids it easily.
Balopoulos misses with a body punch
and Cillian counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Cillian takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Cillian lands a body shot.
Cillian comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.#T1#
Balopoulos takes one to the side of the head.
Cillian with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cillian slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Balopoulos misses with a lunging right hand
and Cillian counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Balopoulos looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cillian is fending him off so far but Balopoulos persists. Nope, Cillian circles away and we're back to standing.
Balopoulos swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Cillian counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Cillian lands with a hook. Balopoulos tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Balopoulos throws a poor cross that misses
letting Cillian counter with a right hand.
Jab from Cillian.#ROC2#Balopoulos is rocked!
Balopoulos closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Oh Balopoulos is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Cillian thuds his right hand into Balopoulos's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Cillian scores with a decent looking hook.
Cillian is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Balopoulos had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.#T2#
Cillian connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Balopoulos seems to have got his legs back now.
Balopoulos misses with a right hand
and Cillian counters with a straight right hand.
Cillian ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nice jab there from Cillian.
Cillian lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Balopoulos misses with a wild body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Balopoulos 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Brandon Cillian is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Balopoulos misses with a looping right.
Cillian swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Balopoulos.
Balopoulos throws a hook but Cillian blocks it.
Cillian lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Cillian thuds a left hand into Balopoulos's body.
Cillian feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Balopouloss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!#T3#
Cillian slips a jab from Balopoulos.
Cillian scores with a jab. Balopoulos acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Balopoulos misses with a hook
and Cillian counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Cillian swinging wildly here.
Balopoulos swings away with a body shot that misses
and Cillian counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Balopoulos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Balopoulos drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Cillian listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Cillian fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Balopoulos on the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!#KD2#
Cillian cracks Balopoulos with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Cillian has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Balopoulos to stand back up!
Cillian lands a glancing blow to the side of Balopoulos's head.#T4#
Balopoulos looks up at the clock. Bad move! Cillian lands a right hand from hell, dropping Balopoulos. Cillian pounces and finishes the fight with a flurry of punches and elbows.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:07 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Brandon Cillian!

Event: NYF Fight Night 2
Date: Apr 22, 2023

#R1#
Balopoulos steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tijhoff.#CL#
Balopoulos darts in and clinches Tijhoff up against the cage.
Balopoulos blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tijhoff is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Tijhoff looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Tijhoff stalling in the clinch.
Balopoulos blocking some punches.
Balopoulos has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Tijhoff is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Tijhoff has a couple of punches blocked by Balopoulos.
Balopoulos is looking for a takedown.#TD#
Balopoulos has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Tijhoff is trying to keep an underhook but Balopoulos manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Tijhoff is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balopoulos takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.#SUB2#
Tijhoff looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tijhoff manages to regain full guard. Nice work. #T1#
Tijhoff looking for a sweep. Not yet Tijhoff, not yet. #SUB2#
Tijhoff had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Balopoulos defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balopoulos stopping the sweep attempt from Tijhoff.
Tijhoff working a defensive guard here. #SUB2#
Tijhoff is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Balopoulos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Balopoulos is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Balopoulos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tijhoff is keeping the position for now. #T2#
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Tijhoff keeping moving, preventing Balopoulos from controlling successfully.
Tijhoff trying to keep a closed guard but Balopoulos is proving a slippery customer.
Tijhoff preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tijhoff has momentary wrist control but Balopoulos slips an elbow through the middle.#SUB2#
Tijhoff looking for a guillotine here but Balopoulos defends easily. #SUB2#
Tijhoff is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Balopoulos is aware though and is defending well.#T3#
Balopoulos slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Tijhoff looking for a sweep. Not yet Tijhoff, not yet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Balopoulos's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tijhoff not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Balopoulos is looking to work some ground and pound but Tijhoff has wrist control.#SUB2#
Tijhoff looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Balopoulos won't allow Tijhoff to sweep him here.
Balopoulos landing some decent shots from guard.
Balopoulos wants to control from the top but Tijhoff keeps moving.
Balopoulos throwing strikes but missing. #T4##SUB2#
Tijhoff looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Tijhoff is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Balopoulos wants to pass the guard but Tijhoff is keeping the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Balopoulos's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.#SUB2#
Tijhoff looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Balopoulos not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!#SUB2#
Tijhoff looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nikos Balopoulos will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!#R2#
Balopoulos cracks Tijhoff with a right hand to the side of the head.
The fighters circling - Tijhoff throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Balopoulos attempts a counter takedown but Tijhoff avoids it well and moves away.#TD#
Balopoulos throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Tijhoff was covering up waiting for the punch and Balopoulos finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Balopoulos makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Balopoulos postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Balopoulos postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tijhoff keeping full guard, as Balopoulos tries to pass.
Balopoulos is in close to Tijhoff's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Tijhoff controls Balopoulos momentarily but Balopoulos frees himself. #T1##SUB2#
Tijhoff throwing his legs up looking for a triangle. #SUB2#
Tijhoff looking for a guillotine here but Balopoulos defends easily. #SUB2#
Tijhoff is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tijhoff looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Balopoulos's corner. There ya go! There ya go! #T2#
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Balopoulos lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tijhoff is trying to keep Balopoulos in close. #SUB2#
Tijhoff is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Balopoulos is aware though and is defending well.
Balopoulos with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Balopoulos scoring with some ground and pound. #SUB2#
Tijhoff is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Balopoulos postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Balopoulos content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Balopoulos sitting in guard here, content to control.
Balopoulos preventing the sweep. #T3#
Balopoulos wants to control from the top but Tijhoff keeps moving.
Tijhoff is trying to control the position but Balopoulos postures up.
Balopoulos landing with the ground and pound.
Balopoulos working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tijhoff's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balopoulos trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Balopoulos stays in close to Tijhoff's body and controls the position.
Balopoulos lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Balopoulos scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Balopoulos landing with the ground and pound. #T4##SUB2#
Tijhoff escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Balopoulos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Balopoulos is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Tijhoff not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Balopoulos is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Balopoulos wants to control from the top but Tijhoff keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!#R3#
Tijhoff fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Balopoulos manages to avoid it.#CL#
Balopoulos closes the distance and pushes Tijhoff back into the cage.
Balopoulos has Tijhoff pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Tijhoff manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Tijhoff tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Balopoulos's elbow.
Balopoulos goes for a takedown in the clinch but Tijhoff prevents it.
Balopoulos drops down looking for an ankle pick but Tijhoff pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikos Balopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.#TD#
Balopoulos is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Tijhoff's half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balopoulos is trying to control the action in half guard but Tijhoff is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Tijhoff wants to control but Balopoulos is keeping busy.
Tijhoff has hold of Balopoulos's hands but Balopoulos slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nikos Balopoulos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.#T1#
Still in half guard, Balopoulos seems content to control.
Tijhoff has hold of Balopoulos's hands but Balopoulos slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Tijhoff is looking to control Balopoulos's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Tijhoff avoid being mounted?
Balopoulos drops an elbow to the side of Tijhoff's head.
Tijhoff is trying to control but can't.
Balopoulos scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Balopoulos controlling the action here.
Tijhoff is trying to control but can't. #T2#
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Balopoulos lands a nice short elbow.
Balopoulos lands strikes from half guard.
Balopoulos sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Balopoulos is thwarting Tijhoff's attempts to control the position.
Tijhoff is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though. #T3#
Tijhoff is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Balopoulos scores with a couple of nice shots.
Tijhoff is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Balopoulos scores with a couple of nice shots.
Balopoulos is keen to just control but Tijhoff is a slippery customer.
Tijhoff wants to control but Balopoulos is keeping busy.
Klaas Jan Tijhoff has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Balopoulos lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt. #SUB2#
Tijhoff looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Balopoulos landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent. #T4#
Balopoulos wants to free his trapped foot but Tijhoff is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Tijhoff has hold of Balopoulos's hands but Balopoulos slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Tijhoff wants to control but Balopoulos is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Balopoulos landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nikos Balopoulos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Balopoulos lands a nice short elbow.
Balopoulos keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!#SUB2#
Tijhoff looking for a kimura from the bottom but Balopoulos passes into side control!

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikos Balopoulos showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Balopoulos, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:26
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikos Balopoulos!
Nikos Balopoulos gave a mention to Fantasy Threads in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).

Event: NYF 14: Ferguson vs Donal
Date: Apr 01, 2023

#R1#
Pettaway Jr misses with a body shot.
Pettaway Jr misses with a body shot.
Balopoulos is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A big right from Balopoulos misses.
Pettaway Jr wants to counter with a clinch but Balopoulos pushes him away.
Sloppy strikes from Balopoulos. Those never looked like landing.
Pettaway Jr on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Balopoulos throws a big shot that misses.
Pettaway Jr drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Balopoulos defends it well.
Balopoulos missing with a left hand there. Pettaway Jr was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Balopoulos looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pettaway Jr throws an ugly left hook that misses #TD#
and Balopoulos decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pettaway Jr's guard.#SUB2#
Balopoulos avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Balopoulos postures up and lands some nice ground and pound. #T1#
Balopoulos content to stall in guard here.
We've been hearing good reports from Balopoulos's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Balopoulos with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Balopoulos with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Balopoulos showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Pettaway Jr has momentary wrist control but Balopoulos slips an elbow through the middle.
Pettaway Jr wants to sweep here but Balopoulos controlling him for the moment.
Balopoulos stands and throws Pettaway Jr's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Balopoulos lands some shots froms side control.#T2#
Pettaway Jr is letting Balopoulos control him for a moment.
Balopoulos creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Balopoulos cracks Pettaway Jr with a big right hand but Pettaway Jr just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go. #ROC#Pettaway Jr is rocked!
Pettaway Jr is trying to work for a sweep but Balopoulos has mounted him!
Pettaway Jr is still in real trouble! Can Balopoulos finish him?
Balopoulos lands a big shot to the head and Pettaway Jr winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Nikos Balopoulos!
Nikos Balopoulos managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Fantasy Threads, into his post fight interview.

Event: SFC 2 - Fallas vs. Quark
Date: Feb 04, 2023

#R1#
Dausz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Dausz counters with a low kick, right behind Balopoulos 's knee.
Balopoulos misses with a combination
and Dausz counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Dausz wants to clinch up but Balopoulos keeps it at a distance.
Dausz wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dausz tries to clinch #TD2#
and Balopoulos counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Balopoulos is working Dausz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Balopoulos prevents Dausz from getting back to his feet.
Dausz on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Dausz tries to get out of the position.#T1#
Balopoulos distracts Dausz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Balopoulos content to stall in guard here.
Balopoulos scoring with punches to the head and body. #ROC2#Dausz is rocked!
Balopoulos sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Oh Dausz is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Balopoulos lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Balopoulos postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Balopoulos is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Balopoulos postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Dausz covers up, he's hurt! Balopoulos keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Balopoulos and the ref steps in to end the fight! Balopoulos can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nikos Balopoulos!
Nikos Balopoulos really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Fantasy Threads (Laundry 15%) logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.

Event: Quick Fight Championship
Date: Jan 17, 2023

#R1##TD2#
Balopoulos gets a double leg takedown into Field's guard.

Field wriggles free and stands up.
A swing and a miss from Balopoulos.
Field fails to land the takedown.
Balopoulos feints the counter takedown.#CL2#
Balopoulos darts in and clinches Field up against the cage.
Field prevents a takedown attempt there.
Field wants a takedown but no success here. #TD2#
Balopoulos lands a takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Field wants to get back to his feet but Balopoulos is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Field definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Balopoulos wants to pass the guard but Field is keeping the position.
Balopoulos cracks Field with a solid left hand.#T1#
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Field is on top in guard. #REVR#
Field in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Field stands up out of Balopoulos's guard for a moment - Balopoulos manages to land a nice upkick.
Balopoulos looking for a sweep. Not yet Balopoulos, not yet.
Field stays in close to Balopoulos's body and controls the position.
Balopoulos pulls Field in close to prevent any damage.
Balopoulos looking for a sweep. Not yet Balopoulos, not yet. #T2#
Field wants to control from the top but Balopoulos keeps moving.
Field trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Field postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Field postures up in Balopoulos's guard and throws a big left but Balopoulos blocks it.
Field trying to control the position from guard on top but Balopoulos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balopoulos is looking to sweep but instead, Field has passed into half guard.
Balopoulos trying to hold on to Field's head to control him but Field postures up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Balopoulos wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Field throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage. #T3#
Balopoulos trying to control here.
Field has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Balopoulos is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Field has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Field avoids the attempt from Balopoulos to control.
Balopoulos manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Field is just content to waste time from the top position. Balopoulos takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Field throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Balopoulos works some decent striking defense from the bottom. #T4#
Balopoulos manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Field manages to get himself to full guard. #REVB#
Balopoulos is looking to work some ground and pound but Field has wrist control.
Balopoulos lands a couple of elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Field not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Balopoulos tries to free his leg and advance position but Field is retaining full guard.
Balopoulos landing with the ground and pound.
Field wants to sweep here but Balopoulos controlling him for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balopoulos postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Balopoulos throws an elbow that misses. Field uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Balopoulos's guard. Nice move by Field!#REVR#
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nikos Balopoulos will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!#R2#
Balopoulos takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Balopoulos takes a swing at Field's ribcage but misses.
Field tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Balopoulos manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Field shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Balopoulos but Balopoulos pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Balopoulos tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Balopoulos displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Field.
Field slips under a jab from Balopoulos.
We've been informed that Balopoulos has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Field keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Field ducks under a wild hook from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos moves out of range of the body kick.
Balopoulos tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Field fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Field wants to clinch#TD2#
and Balopoulos counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Field! #T1#
Balopoulos throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Field works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Field regains full guard. Nicely done.
Balopoulos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Field is keeping the position for now.
Field working a defensive guard here.
Field working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Balopoulos content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots. #T2#
Balopoulos postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Field wants to get back to his feet but Balopoulos is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Field preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Balopoulos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Field is keeping the position for now.
Balopoulos lands a couple of elbows.
Balopoulos preventing the sweep.
Balopoulos showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Field is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage. #T3#
Balopoulos sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Field's guard.
Field works his way to full guard. Good work.
Balopoulos advances position into side control!
Field tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Balopoulos wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Balopoulos in side control lands a decent elbow.
Field can't do much from the bottom here.
Field is looking for a sweep.
Balopoulos cracks Field with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Balopoulos lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Field down.
Balopoulos has been the more effective fighter overall so far.#T4#
Balopoulos wants to control but Field is keeping him busy.
Nikos Balopoulos has got the better of the ground game so far.
Balopoulos cracks Field with a big right hand but Field just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Field wants to get back to his feet.
Balopoulos working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Balopoulos creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Field sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Field struggling a bit here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Balopoulos connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Field some visible discomfort.
Balopoulos working the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!#R3#
Field keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Balopoulos.
Field throws a big counter combination but Balopoulos scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Field lands a jab-cross combination.
Field shoots in looking for a takedown. Balopoulos tries to sprawl out of it but Field keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Balopoulos manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And Balopoulos tries to counter it with a takedown but Field pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Field misses with a leg kick #TD2#
and Balopoulos decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Field's guard.

Field pushes Balopoulos off and scrambles back to his feet.
Field misses with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balopoulos avoids the body shot from Field.
Field is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Field connects with an inside leg kick.
Balopoulos throws a poor cross that misses
and Field counters with a nice body shot. #T1#
A left lands for Field.
Balopoulos swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Field counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Field.
Field tries to close the distance and clinch up but Balopoulos swats him away and circles back towards the center.
The fighters circling - Balopoulos throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Field is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos circles away from the clinch attempt.
Field throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Balopoulos feints the counter takedown.
Field tries to clinch #TD2#
and Balopoulos counters with a nice double leg into side control. Field won't be happy with that.
Field is not content to let Balopoulos control the position.
Balopoulos lands a decent elbow from side control.
Roger Field has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!#T2#
Balopoulos works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Field pushes Balopoulos away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Balopoulos gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Field tries to improve position but can't.
Balopoulos throws an elbow but Field slips to the side and avoids it well.
Balopoulos scores with a couple of short elbows.
Balopoulos taking a breather here.
Balopoulos trying to control the position but Field is working away.
Field regains half guard.#T3#
Balopoulos is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Balopoulos slows the pace down in half guard.
Balopoulos throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ground and pound from Balopoulos.
Balopoulos missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Balopoulos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Field keeps working.
Balopoulos looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Field with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Balopoulos looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Field with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position. #T4#
Field trying to control but Balopoulos postures up.
Field blocking the ground and pound attempt from Balopoulos.
Field is trying to get back to full guard.
Field is looking to control Balopoulos's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Field avoid being mounted?
Nikos Balopoulos is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Field is trying to get back to full guard.
Balopoulos content to control rather than advance.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nikos Balopoulos.
I've got Balopoulos 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Roger Field!
Roger Field thanked the fans post fight for their support.

Event: Quick Fight Championship
Date: Dec 15, 2022

#R1#
Nucombe dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Balopoulos has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Balopoulos thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nucombe takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Balopoulos throws a jab but it's blocked by Nucombe.
Nucombe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Balopoulos doesn't seem bothered though. #TD2#
Balopoulos drives through with a takedown into Nucombe's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Balopoulos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Balopoulos trying to control the position from guard on top but Nucombe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balopoulos throwing strikes but missing.
Balopoulos has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Balopoulos throws a big elbow that misses.
Nucombe is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Balopoulos throws a strike but Nucombe rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top. #REVR##T1#
Nucombe trying to stand up but can't free himself from Balopoulos's guard.
Balopoulos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nucombe is one step ahead there.
Balopoulos is trying to keep Nucombe in close.
Nucombe is looking to stand up but Balopoulos won't let him.
Balopoulos trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Nucombe might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nucombe wanted to stand there but Balopoulos had control of the position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.#T2#
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.
Balopoulos has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall. #REF3#
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nucombe has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Tappelukerho in the buildup to the fight.
Nucombe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Balopoulos stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nucombe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Balopoulos doesn't seem bothered though.
Balopoulos takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nucombe scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Balopoulos doesn't seem bothered though.
Nice shot by Nucombe.
Nucombe lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nucombe scores with a punch to the head.
Nucombe is looking to wear down Balopoulos with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Nucombe lands with a good body shot.
Nucombe bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
The fighters circling - Balopoulos throws out the jab but it was never going to land. #T3#
Balopoulos pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nucombe seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nucombe lands a slapping body shot.
Nucombe dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Balopoulos on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Balopoulos fails with the takedown#CL#
and Nucombe counters by moving into the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Nucombe.
Nucombe lands a knee to the head.
Nucombe scores with a shot to the side of Balopoulos's head.
Nucombe lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Balopoulos goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nucombe prevents it. #TD2#
Balopoulos gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Nucombe manages to escape and get back to his feet!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nucombe with a jab.#T4#
Balopoulos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Neil Nucombe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nucombe with a nice cross.
Nucombe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Balopoulos looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Balopoulos throws an overhand right that lands on Nucombe's shoulder, as Nucombe tries to avoid the shot.
Nucombe scores with a punch to the head.
Nucombe works Balopoulos's body with a nice hook.
Balopoulos throws a body shot but no joy.
Nucombe ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nucombe with a nice cross.
Nucombe uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Balopoulos.
Balopoulos moves in looking to clinch but Nucombe pushes him off.
Nucombe lands with a shot to the body.
Nucombe lands an overhand right.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Neil Nucombe dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!#R2#
Nice shot by Nucombe.
Nucombe ducks under a wild hook from Balopoulos.
Nucombe lands a nice looking body shot.
Balopoulos takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nucombe connects with a right hand. Balopoulos shakes it off.
Nucombe works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Balopoulos on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nucombe connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Balopoulos's hands.#ROC#Balopoulos is rocked!
Nucombe lands a body shot. #KD#
Nucombe drops Balopoulos with a big left hand and mounts him. Balopoulos is in big trouble!
Balopoulos is still in real trouble! Can Nucombe finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.#SU#
Nucombe is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Nucombe scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.#KD#
Nucombe drops his shoulder and cracks Balopoulos with a huge uppercut! Balopoulos goes down! Can Nucombe finish him?
Nucombe wanted to stand there but Balopoulos had control of the position. #T1#
Balopoulos trying to strike off his back. #SU#
Nucombe stands up from Balopoulos's guard - Nucombe perhaps looking for a knockout.
Balopoulos seems to have recovered his senses.
Balopoulos gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Good exchange - Nucombe coming out on top.
Nucombe slips a straight right by Balopoulos.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Balopoulos and move into the clinch.
Nucombe lands a jab to Balopoulos's midsection.
Nucombe cracks Balopoulos with a good jab.
Balopoulos takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nucombe fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Balopoulos ducks right into an uppercut from Nucombe. #T2#
Balopoulos throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nucombe's waist but Nucombe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Balopoulos off to one side.
Balopoulos is breathing heavily.
Nucombe jabs at Balopoulos's body.
Neil Nucombe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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!
Balopoulos fails with a takedown attempt.
Nucombe stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nucombe scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nucombe lands a nice shot to the body.
Nucombe lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Balopoulos at a distance.
Nucombe works Balopoulos's body with a nice hook.
Balopoulos has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.#KD#
Nucombe moves into range and throws a big uppercut. OH! Balopoulos goes down! Can Nucombe finish him!?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.#SU#
Nucombe decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Balopoulos, up you get!
Nucombe darts in and out, connecting with a jab. #T3#
Nucombe ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
BOOM! Nucombe lands a beautiful left hook that drops Balopoulos. Balopoulos tries to recover but Nucombe is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and Balopoulos lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:14 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Neil Nucombe!
Neil Nucombe bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.

Event: Stepping Stone 69
Date: Nov 20, 2022

164 cm
26 yrs
141 lbs

178 cm
25 yrs
164 lbs

White

Balopoulos

This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of London, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 8 losses; Ray White! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 3 wins and 5 losses; Nikos Balopoulos!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Trevor Gratis and Ian Loll.

Let's get this grappling contest under way! Who will be victorious?#CL2#
Balopoulos clinches with his opponent.
White stops a takedown attempt from Balopoulos.
White tries to pull guard but Balopoulos forces him back to his feet, against the cage.#TD2#
Balopoulos gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, White regains guard.
Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: White (0) vs (2) Balopoulos
White keeping moving, preventing Balopoulos from controlling successfully.
White has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
White is trying to control the position from the bottom.
White might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Balopoulos looking to pass the guard.
Balopoulos is looking to advance position but White has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: White (4) vs (2) Balopoulos
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
White controlling from the full mount.
White fails to take his opponent's back. #T1#
Balopoulos is trying to escape the mount. #SUB#
White looking for a guillotine from mount but Balopoulos is having none of it.
White tries to control but Balopoulos wriggling away.
Balopoulos is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Balopoulos can do anything to dispel that myth.
Balopoulos tries to get back to half guard but can't.
White trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Balopoulos is trying to reverse the position but instead White has taken his back - oops!
Score +3 for taking back: White (7) vs (2) Balopoulos
Balopoulos is really stuck here. #T2#
Balopoulos trying to control the hands but White won't let him.
Balopoulos prevents White from getting a body triangle.
Balopoulos is in bad spot here. #SUB#
White is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Balopoulos defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Balopoulos tries to roll but White sticks to his back.
Balopoulos trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble. #SUB#
Balopoulos is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent. #T3#
White keeps control of the position as Balopoulos tries to break free. #SUB#
White tightening his grip on Balopoulos, looking for the choke. #SUB#
Balopoulos is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
White controlling well, preventing Balopoulos from escaping the position. #T4##SUB#
Balopoulos is trying to defend against the choke here but White has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. White Tightens the hold and Balopoulos taps out furiously! White displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Ray White!
Ray White decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.

Event: Stepping Stone 64
Date: Nov 13, 2022

178 cm
25 yrs
164 lbs

165 cm
18 yrs
140 lbs

Balopoulos

Dong

This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 3 wins and 4 losses; Nikos Balopoulos! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Los Angeles, with a TWGC record of 10 wins and 9 losses; Wang Dong!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Columbo Gatti and Franklyn Lucas.

The official calls the fighters to the middle and the contest is under way.#TD2#
Dong bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Score +4 for clean takedown past guard: Balopoulos (0) vs (4) Dong
Balopoulos is trying to improve his position.
Balopoulos knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dong on the ground.
Dong trying to control the position but Balopoulos is working away.
Dong is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Balopoulos is looking for a sweep.
Balopoulos is trying to control Dong's posture but Dong avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.#SUB2#
Dong looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Dong trying to control the position but Balopoulos is working away.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.#T1#
Balopoulos is trying to get back to half guard.
Dong working away.#SUB2#
Dong is trying to get an arm triangle but Balopoulos is defending well.
Balopoulos is trying to work for a sweep but Dong has mounted him!
Score +2 for reaching mount: Balopoulos (0) vs (6) Dong
Dong wants to control the pace but Balopoulos is squirming around nicely.
Dong controlling the pace for now.
Balopoulos wants to control but Dong is having none of it.#T2#
Dong looking to control but Balopoulos is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Dong forces the positional change into back control.
Score +3 for taking back: Balopoulos (0) vs (9) Dong
You can see the frustration on Balopoulos's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Dong just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Balopoulos trying to control but not successfully. #T3#
Balopoulos looking very determined here, making life difficult for Dong.
Balopoulos tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Balopoulos holds on to Dong as tight as he can, avoiding damage.
Balopoulos looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Balopoulos tries to control the position but Dong now has his back.
Score +3 for taking back: Balopoulos (0) vs (12) Dong#SUB2#
Dong has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Balopoulos breaks Dong's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balopoulos (2) vs (12) Dong
Dong wants to sweep here but Balopoulos controlling him for the moment. #T4#
Balopoulos showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Dong working a defensive guard here.
Balopoulos trying to control but Dong is working from the bottom.
Dong is trying to keep Balopoulos in close. #SUB#
Balopoulos drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Dong manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Balopoulos has Dong in his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balopoulos (2) vs (14) Dong#T5#
Dong works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Balopoulos is in trouble now - Dong has advanced to mount!
Score +3 for passing guard: Balopoulos (2) vs (17) Dong
Balopoulos tries to hold on but Dong pushes him away. #SUB2#
Dong is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Balopoulos has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Balopoulos wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Score +3 for taking back: Balopoulos (2) vs (20) Dong#T6#
Balopoulos can't escape the position.
I would not like to be Balopoulos right now.
Dong not allowing Balopoulos to control his hands.
Dong struggling to keep hold of the position.
Dong slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish. #SUB2#
Dong has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Balopoulos has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Balopoulos rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Balopoulos is trying to get back to full guard.#T7#
Dong takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.#SUB2#
Balopoulos is defending against the submission attempts here by Dong.
Balopoulos trying to hold on to Dong's head to control him but Dong postures up.
Balopoulos moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Balopoulos has Dong pulled in close to control his posture. #T8##SUB#
Balopoulos working for a triangle but Dong defends it easily.
Dong sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Balopoulos is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control. #SUB#
Balopoulos looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Dong stopping the sweep attempt from Balopoulos.#T9##SUB#
Balopoulos is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dong defends well.
Dong pushing down on Balopoulos's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Dong is pressing down on Balopoulos's thigh, looking to free his foot. Balopoulos is holding on for now.
Dong content to control rather than advance.
Dong tries to pass to full mount but Balopoulos defends it. #T10#
Dong seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Balopoulos is trying to get back to full guard.
Balopoulos has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Dong is working away from the top position though.
Balopoulos trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Score +3 for passing guard: Balopoulos (2) vs (23) Dong
Dong controlling the pace for now. #T11#
Dong looking to control but Balopoulos is working nicely, looking to advance position himself. #SUB2#
Balopoulos tries to improve his position but Dong has taken his back! Dong has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Balopoulos tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Dong pushes Balopoulos away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 11:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Wang Dong!
A very excited looking Wang Dong made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.

Event: Stepping Stone 61
Date: Nov 06, 2022

208 cm
25 yrs
248 lbs

178 cm
25 yrs
164 lbs

Balopoulos

This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 9 losses; Gang ge! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 2 wins and 4 losses; Nikos Balopoulos!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Gregory Folan and William Peck.

The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
ge swats away the attempt to clinch by Balopoulos.
ge is trying hard to land a takedown here. Balopoulos sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
ge fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
ge closes this distance looking for a takedown but Balopoulos circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gang ge. That's going to take a lot out of him.#TD#
ge shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. ge showed some decent athleticism there.
Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: ge (2) vs (0) Balopoulos
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Balopoulos has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. ge is working away from the top position though.#SUB2#
Balopoulos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.#SUB2#
Balopoulos looking for submissions off his back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.#SUB#
ge is trying to work for a kimura but Balopoulos is defending well.
Balopoulos moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.#T1##SUB2#
Balopoulos is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle. #SUB2#
Balopoulos throwing his legs up looking for a triangle. #SUB#
ge has gone for a leg lock! Balopoulos slips out almost immediately though and dives into ge's guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: ge (2) vs (2) Balopoulos
Balopoulos wants to pass the guard but ge is keeping the position.#SUB#
ge escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Balopoulos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
ge keeping moving, preventing Balopoulos from controlling successfully.
ge will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.#SUB#
ge looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Balopoulos has picked ge up and slammed him! ge can't keep hold of the triangle and Balopoulos manages to pass to side control!
Score +3 for passing guard: ge (2) vs (5) Balopoulos#T2#
ge is looking for a sweep.
ge is breathing heavily.
Balopoulos works to advance to full mount. ge defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Score +2 for reaching mount: ge (2) vs (7) Balopoulos
Balopoulos trying to control but ge is having none of it.
ge is wriggling around trying to escape.
ge is working hard here to advance position.#SUB2#
Balopoulos looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Balopoulos trying to control but ge is having none of it. #SUB2#
Balopoulos with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter. #T3#
ge is looking to get to half guard.#SUB2#
Balopoulos looking to secure an arm triangle but ge defends it well.
ge is trying desperately to improve position.#SUB2#
Balopoulos has control of ge's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and ge regains control of the situation pretty easily. #SUB2#
Balopoulos with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Balopoulos prevents ge from getting the reversal.#SUB2#
Balopoulos has hold of ge's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and ge manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger. #T4#
Balopoulos trying to control but ge is having none of it. #SUB2#
Balopoulos looking for a guillotine from mount but ge is having none of it.
ge manages to regain half guard. Good work.
ge is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Canucks Combat Club that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.#SUB#
ge actively working from the bottom here.
Balopoulos wants to control but ge is keeping him busy.
ge is looking for a sweep. Balopoulos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Balopoulos passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for ge!
Score +3 for passing guard: ge (2) vs (10) Balopoulos
Balopoulos looking to control but ge is working nicely, looking to advance position himself. #T5##SUB2#
Balopoulos is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but ge is surviving well by controlling Balopoulos's body position as best he can.
ge is trying to escape the mount.
Balopoulos can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as ge is looking to escape. #SUB2#
Balopoulos working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet. #SUB2#
Balopoulos is going oldschool here, as he tries to force ge to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so ge shrugs it off.
ge is looking to get to half guard.#SUB2#
Balopoulos is going oldschool here, as he tries to force ge to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so ge shrugs it off.
We've been informed that Balopoulos has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Balopoulos controlling from the full mount. #T6##SUB2#
ge defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Balopoulos. #SUB2#
Balopoulos looking to secure an arm triangle but ge defends it well. #SUB2#
Balopoulos jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but ge manages to avoid the submission attempt.
ge is looking to reverse the position.#SUB2#
Balopoulos working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
ge tries to improve position but can't. #T7##SUB2#
Balopoulos tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
ge is trying to work for a sweep but Balopoulos has mounted him!
Score +2 for reaching mount: ge (2) vs (12) Balopoulos
ge is in all sorts of trouble here.
ge bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: ge (4) vs (12) Balopoulos#SUB#
ge drops back, looking for a kneebar! Balopoulos looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Balopoulos looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Balopoulos!
Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: ge (4) vs (16) Balopoulos
ge looking for a sweep but Balopoulos has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Score +2 for reaching mount: ge (4) vs (18) Balopoulos
Balopoulos content just to control the position here.
ge sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.#T8#
Balopoulos is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.#SUB2#
Balopoulos is sneakily working for an arm triangle but ge sees it coming and defends easily.#SUB2#
Balopoulos is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there. #SUB#
ge is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Balopoulos pulls his head out easily. #SUB2#
Balopoulos is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Balopoulos slows the pace down in half guard. #T9#
Balopoulos has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Score +3 for passing guard: ge (4) vs (21) Balopoulos
ge is looking to improve his position but Balopoulos isn't that keen on the idea.
ge on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if ge tries to get out of the position.#SUB2#
Balopoulos looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead. #SUB2#
Balopoulos working for a guillotine from mount but ge is in no mood to give up.
ge is squirming around, avoiding Balopoulos's attempts to control the action. #SUB2#
Balopoulos looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.#SUB2#
Balopoulos with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter. #T10#
Balopoulos looking to control and managing it successfully.
ge tries to reverse the position but Balopoulos maintains control.
Balopoulos wants to control the pace but ge is squirming around nicely.
ge can't escape the position. #SUB2#
Balopoulos is going oldschool here, as he tries to force ge to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so ge shrugs it off. #SUB2#
Balopoulos is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but ge is surviving well by controlling Balopoulos's body position as best he can.
ge is squirming around, avoiding Balopoulos's attempts to control the action.
ge really trying hard to get back to half guard here. #T11#
Balopoulos looking to control and managing it successfully.
ge is trying to escape the mount. #SUB2#
Balopoulos is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, ge has managed to escape the submission attempt. #SUB2#
Balopoulos has hold of ge's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and ge manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
ge regains half guard.
Balopoulos is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for ge!
Score +3 for passing guard: ge (4) vs (24) Balopoulos
ge sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.#T12##SUB#
ge has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Balopoulos escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Balopoulos!
Score +3 for passing guard: ge (4) vs (27) Balopoulos
ge is looking to reverse the position.
Balopoulos has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for ge!
Score +2 for reaching mount: ge (4) vs (29) Balopoulos#SUB2#
Balopoulos looking for a guillotine from mount but ge is having none of it. #SUB2#
Balopoulos is working for a guillotine from mount but ge frees his head quite easily.
Balopoulos trying to control but ge is having none of it.
ge is looking to improve his position but Balopoulos isn't that keen on the idea.
Balopoulos tries to control but ge wriggling away. #T13#
Balopoulos might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control ge haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.#SUB2#
Balopoulos with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
ge is working to get back to half guard.
Balopoulos content just to control the position here.
ge is trying desperately to improve position.#T14##SUB2#
Balopoulos working for a submission but ge is keeping him at bay.
ge is wriggling around trying to escape.
Balopoulos trying to control but he's not successful this time. #SUB2#
Balopoulos looking to secure an arm triangle but ge defends it well.
ge is looking to get to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
ge is squirming around, avoiding Balopoulos's attempts to control the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Balopoulos wins on points by 29 to 4.
After the big win, Nikos Balopoulos made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Fantasy Threads and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.

Event: Stepping Stone 55
Date: Oct 23, 2022

178 cm
25 yrs
164 lbs

168 cm
19 yrs
135 lbs

Balopoulos

Choo Oi

Event: Stepping Stone 48
Date: Oct 16, 2022

178 cm
25 yrs
164 lbs

183 cm
18 yrs
190 lbs

Balopoulos

Cerqueira

This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 2 wins and 2 losses; Nikos Balopoulos! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Amsterdam, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 4 losses; Vinicius Yoshimura Cerqueira!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Russell Pearce and Anthony Taglia.

The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.#CL#
Balopoulos darts in and clinches Cerqueira up against the cage.#TD#
Cerqueira is fighting off a takedown attempt but Balopoulos is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Cerqueira to the mat. Cerqueira regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Balopoulos (2) vs (0) Cerqueira
Cerqueira keeping moving, preventing Balopoulos from controlling successfully.
Balopoulos postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.#SUB#
Balopoulos drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Balopoulos jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Cerqueira is on top in guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balopoulos (2) vs (2) Cerqueira
Cerqueira looking to pass the guard. #SUB#
Balopoulos looking for a guillotine here but Cerqueira defends easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cerqueira won't allow Balopoulos to sweep him here. #T1##SUB#
Balopoulos escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Cerqueira gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Cerqueira trying to control the position from guard on top but Balopoulos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balopoulos being controlled here, momentarily.
Cerqueira pushing down on Balopoulos's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Cerqueira trying to mount his opponent but Balopoulos defends it. #SUB#
Balopoulos looking for submissions from an awkward position here.#T2##SUB2#
Cerqueira is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Cerqueira is looking to advance position but Balopoulos won't allow it.
Balopoulos tries to get to full guard but Cerqueira has control of the leg.
Balopoulos looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Cerqueira is controlling the pace.
Balopoulos on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Balopoulos tries to get out of the position.
Balopoulos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though. #T3#
Cerqueira trying to control from half guard but Balopoulos is working away.
Balopoulos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Balopoulos wants to control but Cerqueira is keeping busy. #SUB2#
Cerqueira is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Balopoulos is just riding it out for now. Cerqueira eventually gives up the hold.
Cerqueira has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Score +3 for passing guard: Balopoulos (2) vs (5) Cerqueira#T4#
Balopoulos is looking to improve his position but Cerqueira isn't that keen on the idea.
Cerqueira wants to take Balopoulos's back but he can't do it this time.
Balopoulos is desperately trying to improve his position but Cerqueira has a good base and remains in mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cerqueira wants to control the pace but Balopoulos is squirming around nicely.
Balopoulos really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Balopoulos tries to hold on but Cerqueira postures up.#T5#
Cerqueira controlling from mount.
Balopoulos is trying to escape the mount. #SUB2#
Cerqueira is working for a guillotine from mount but Balopoulos frees his head quite easily. #SUB2#
Cerqueira is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Balopoulos has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Balopoulos tries to reverse the position but Cerqueira maintains control.#SUB2#
Cerqueira swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Balopoulos is now in Cerqueira's guard. A big mistake from Cerqueira there, giving up the dominant position!
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balopoulos (4) vs (5) Cerqueira#T6#
Balopoulos is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Cerqueira working a defensive guard here.
Balopoulos is stalling in the full guard.
Balopoulos trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cerqueira tries to land a sweep but no joy. #SUB2#
Balopoulos avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Cerqueira looking to control. #T7#
Cerqueira keeping moving, preventing Balopoulos from controlling successfully.
Balopoulos is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Cerqueira is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.#SUB2#
Cerqueira has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Balopoulos can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Balopoulos stays in close to Cerqueira's body and controls the position.
Cerqueira trying to control the position. #T8#
Cerqueira keeping moving, preventing Balopoulos from controlling successfully.
Cerqueira is trying to control the position from the bottom. #SUB#
Balopoulos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Balopoulos trying to control but Cerqueira is working from the bottom.
Cerqueira is trying to keep Balopoulos in close. #T9##SUB2#
Cerqueira had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Balopoulos defends it easily.#SUB2#
Cerqueira had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Balopoulos defends it easily.#SUB2#
Cerqueira has his foot on Balopoulos's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Balopoulos works his way back into a safe position though.
Balopoulos trying to control the position from guard on top but Cerqueira is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cerqueira is trying to keep Balopoulos in close. #T10#
Balopoulos controls the pace of the fight for a moment.#SUB2#
Cerqueira throwing his legs up looking for a triangle. #SUB2#
Cerqueira throws his legs up looking for a submission but Balopoulos uses it to pass to side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Balopoulos (7) vs (5) Cerqueira#SUB#
Balopoulos is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Cerqueira is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now. #SUB#
Balopoulos tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though. #SUB#
Balopoulos working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it. #T11#
Cerqueira holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Cerqueira tries to improve position but can't.
Balopoulos trying to control the position but Cerqueira is working away. #T12#
Cerqueira manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balopoulos (7) vs (7) Cerqueira
Balopoulos gets back to full guard.
Cerqueira is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Cerqueira preventing the sweep.
Cerqueira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Balopoulos is keeping the position for now.
Cerqueira trying to control but Balopoulos is working from the bottom. #T13#
Cerqueira looking to pass the guard.
Cerqueira not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up. #SUB#
Balopoulos is looking for a triangle but Cerqueira pushes his legs off easily.
Balopoulos keeping moving, preventing Cerqueira from controlling successfully.
Cerqueira controlling from the top position.
Cerqueira slips nicely into half guard.#T14#
Balopoulos trying to control here.
Balopoulos is not content to let Cerqueira control the position.
Balopoulos is looking for a sweep. Cerqueira is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Cerqueira wants to free his trapped foot but Balopoulos is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Balopoulos tries to get to full guard but Cerqueira has control of the leg.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Cerqueira passes to full mount!
Score +3 for passing guard: Balopoulos (7) vs (10) Cerqueira
Balopoulos tries to hold on but Cerqueira postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cerqueira wins on points by 10 to 7.
Vinicius Yoshimura Cerqueira decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.

Event: Stepping Stone 46
Date: Oct 09, 2022

178 cm
25 yrs
164 lbs

179 cm
19 yrs
165 lbs

Balopoulos

Harged

This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 2 losses; Nikos Balopoulos! And in the blue corner, fighting out of London, with a TWGC record of 2 wins and 10 losses; Darren Harged!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Daniel Franklin.

The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Balopoulos keeps the fight on the outside.#TD#
Balopoulos throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Harged tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Balopoulos is in Harged's guard.
Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Balopoulos (2) vs (0) Harged
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harged controls Balopoulos momentarily but Balopoulos frees himself. #SUB#
Balopoulos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Harged looking to control.
Balopoulos slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Balopoulos looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harged looking to sweep here. No luck so far. #T1#
Balopoulos controlling from the top position.
Balopoulos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Balopoulos has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Balopoulos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Harged swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Balopoulos works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Balopoulos keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.#T2#
Harged trying to hold on to Balopoulos's head to control him but Balopoulos postures up. #SUB#
Balopoulos is working for a submission of some sort.
Harged is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Well, if Balopoulos is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait. #T3##SUB#
Balopoulos is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Harged is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Balopoulos passes the guard and advances to mount!
Score +3 for passing guard: Balopoulos (5) vs (0) Harged
Balopoulos sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Harged is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Balopoulos sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment. #T4#
Harged is desperately trying to improve his position but Balopoulos has a good base and remains in mount.#SUB#
Balopoulos looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Harged tries to hold on but Balopoulos pushes him away. #SUB#
Balopoulos working for a guillotine from mount but Harged is in no mood to give up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.#T5##SUB#
Balopoulos looking for a guillotine from mount but Harged is having none of it. #SUB#
Balopoulos moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Harged has worked his arm free - good work by Harged!
Balopoulos looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.#SUB#
Balopoulos is trying to get an arm triangle but Harged is defending well. #SUB#
Balopoulos tries for a kimura but Harged is defending well.
Harged is trying to control Balopoulos's posture but Balopoulos avoids it. #T6#
Harged prevents Balopoulos from moving into mount. #SUB#
Balopoulos working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Harged is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
A lull in the action here as Balopoulos stalls from top position.#T7#
Balopoulos working away.
Harged is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Balopoulos is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Score +2 for reaching mount: Balopoulos (7) vs (0) Harged
Harged is trying desperately to improve position.#SUB#
Balopoulos is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Harged has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Balopoulos tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position. #T8#
Harged keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard. #SUB#
Balopoulos has hold of Harged's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Harged manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Harged is trying desperately to improve position.#SUB#
Balopoulos has hold of Harged's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Harged manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Harged working to try and regain half guard. #T9#
Balopoulos controlling from mount.
Balopoulos avoids the attempt from Harged to control.
Harged working to try and regain half guard. #SUB#
Balopoulos working for a submission but Harged is keeping him at bay. #T10#
Balopoulos sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment. #SUB#
Balopoulos working for a submission but Harged is keeping him at bay.
Balopoulos controlling the position easily from mount.
Harged is desperately trying to improve his position but Balopoulos has a good base and remains in mount.
Balopoulos controlling from the full mount. #T11#
This is a sustained period of stalling by Balopoulos.
Harged is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Balopoulos looking to control and managing it successfully. #T12##SUB#
Balopoulos is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Harged to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Harged shrugs it off.
Balopoulos tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position. #SUB#
Balopoulos moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Harged has worked his arm free - good work by Harged! #SUB#
Balopoulos looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Balopoulos knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Harged on the ground.#SUB#
Balopoulos thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead. #T13##SUB#
Balopoulos is trying to get an arm triangle but Harged is defending well.
Harged stops Balopoulos from passing to mount.
Balopoulos controls the position. #SUB#
Balopoulos looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Harged trying to remain calm as Balopoulos controls from the top position.#T14##SUB#
Balopoulos tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Balopoulos has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Harged is trying to control Balopoulos's posture but Balopoulos avoids it. #SUB#
Balopoulos tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Balopoulos has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Harged gets back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!#SUB#
Harged is defending against the submission attempts here by Balopoulos.

And that's the end of the fight!
Balopoulos takes the fight on points by 7 to 0.
After the big win, Nikos Balopoulos made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Fantasy Threads and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.

Event: Stepping Stone 42
Date: Oct 02, 2022

178 cm
25 yrs
164 lbs

183 cm
18 yrs
170 lbs

Balopoulos

Peyton

This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 1 wins and 1 losses; Nikos Balopoulos! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Helsinki, with a TWGC record of 2 wins and 6 losses; Ricky Peyton!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Bruno Lombardi and Alyssa Summers.

The fighters bow as they face eachother in the middle of the mat and we are under way.
Balopoulos with a poor takedown #TD2#
and Peyton counters with a single leg into guard. Balopoulos didn't expect that.
Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Balopoulos (0) vs (2) Peyton
Balopoulos controlling the position.
Balopoulos trying to keep a closed guard but Peyton is proving a slippery customer. #SUB2#
Peyton drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Peyton jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position. #SUB#
Balopoulos working for a triangle but Peyton defends it easily.
Balopoulos trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Peyton trying to control but Balopoulos is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.#SUB2#
Peyton is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there. #SUB2#
Peyton is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Balopoulos is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Balopoulos has escaped and now he's on top!
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balopoulos (2) vs (2) Peyton#T1#
Balopoulos passes Peyton's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Balopoulos wants to pass to mount but Peyton is defending the position.
Balopoulos wants to control but Peyton is keeping him busy.
Balopoulos not doing much here.
Balopoulos works his way into full mount!
Score +3 for passing guard: Balopoulos (5) vs (2) Peyton#SUB#
Balopoulos looking to secure an arm triangle but Peyton defends it well.
Balopoulos looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.#T2##SUB#
Balopoulos looking for a guillotine from mount but Peyton is having none of it.
Peyton gets back to half guard.#SUB#
Balopoulos seems to be working for a kimura but Peyton defends the submission attempt.
Peyton is trying to get back to full guard.
Balopoulos is thwarting Peyton's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balopoulos knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Peyton on the ground.
Peyton is doing well to control the position and prevent Balopoulos from advancing to side control.#T3##SUB#
Balopoulos is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Peyton is looking to control Balopoulos's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Peyton avoid being mounted?
Peyton makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Peyton.
Balopoulos controlling from the top position.
Balopoulos preventing the sweep.
Balopoulos trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Peyton keeping moving, preventing Balopoulos from controlling successfully.
Balopoulos tries to free his leg and advance position but Peyton is retaining full guard. #T4#
Peyton working a defensive guard here.
Balopoulos wants to control from the top but Peyton keeps moving.
Peyton not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Balopoulos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.#SUB2#
Peyton throws his legs up looking for a submission but Balopoulos uses it to pass to side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Balopoulos (8) vs (2) Peyton
Balopoulos controlling from side mount. #SUB#
Balopoulos is trying to get an arm triangle but Peyton is defending well.
Peyton wants to control but Balopoulos postures up.#T5##SUB#
Balopoulos wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Peyton, who protects the arm well.
Peyton wants to control but Balopoulos postures up.
Peyton is not content to let Balopoulos control the position. #SUB#
Balopoulos working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Balopoulos is looking to take a break and control but Peyton is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Peyton has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Balopoulos is really struggling to control Peyton but he's trying to hold on to the position.#T6#
Balopoulos is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Peyton will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Balopoulos working away.
Peyton tries to buck Balopoulos off but Balopoulos is having none of it.
Peyton struggling a bit here.#SUB#
Balopoulos goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Peyton has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Balopoulos but great work by Peyton.
Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Balopoulos (8) vs (6) Peyton
Balopoulos is looking to regain half guard here but Peyton keeps moving and retains side control.
Peyton working away.
Balopoulos is looking to regain half guard here but Peyton keeps moving and retains side control.
Balopoulos is trying to control Peyton's posture but Peyton avoids it. #T7#
Balopoulos stops Peyton from passing to mount.
Balopoulos is looking to reverse the position.
Peyton trying to control the action but Balopoulos is working from the bottom. #SUB2#
Peyton is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Balopoulos is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now. #SUB2#
Peyton wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Balopoulos, who protects the arm well.
Balopoulos manages to get back to half guard.#SUB#
Balopoulos looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.#T8#
Balopoulos is controlling Peyton's position as best he can from this difficult position.#SUB2#
Balopoulos is defending against the submission attempts here by Peyton.
Peyton tries to pass the half guard into mount. Balopoulos knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Balopoulos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though. #SUB#
Balopoulos looking for submissions off his back.
Balopoulos wants to improve his position but Peyton is controlling well. #T9#
Balopoulos tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Peyton has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Score +3 for passing guard: Balopoulos (8) vs (9) Peyton
Balopoulos keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard. #SUB2#
Peyton looking to secure an arm triangle but Balopoulos defends it well.
Balopoulos tries to hold on but Peyton pushes him away.
Balopoulos is looking to improve his position but Peyton isn't that keen on the idea.#SUB2#
Peyton is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Balopoulos is surviving well by controlling Peyton's body position as best he can. #T10#
Balopoulos tries to reverse the position but Peyton maintains control.
Peyton manages to capitalize on a mistake by Balopoulos to take his back!
Score +3 for taking back: Balopoulos (8) vs (12) Peyton
Balopoulos is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Balopoulos trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble. #SUB2#
Balopoulos defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt. #SUB2#
Peyton is persistently looking for the submission but Balopoulos is defending it well.
Balopoulos tries to break free. #T11#
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Peyton's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Well, with Peyton on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Balopoulos is tapping out... Can he escape the position?#SUB2#
Peyton patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Will Peyton go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Balopoulos wants to escape the position.
Balopoulos is working hard here to advance position.#SUB2#
Peyton looking for the choke but no joy.
Peyton looks winded!
Balopoulos controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot. #T12#
Balopoulos tries to escape but Peyton has the hooks in and won't let him break free. #SUB2#
Peyton has his opponent's back and is working for the choke. #SUB2#
Peyton looking for the RNC.
Peyton doesn't have the hooks in and Balopoulos manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Balopoulos (10) vs (12) Peyton
Balopoulos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Peyton is keeping the position for now.
Balopoulos passes Peyton's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Balopoulos looking to pass the half guard. Not this time. #T13#
Peyton wants to control but Balopoulos is keeping busy and won't allow it. #SUB#
Balopoulos is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Peyton is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Balopoulos's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Balopoulos's back!
Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Balopoulos (10) vs (16) Peyton
You can see the frustration on Balopoulos's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Balopoulos trying to control the position but Peyton manages to sink in the hooks.
Balopoulos tries to escape the position. #SUB2#
Balopoulos is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Balopoulos rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done. #T14#
Balopoulos is not content to let Peyton control the position.
Balopoulos trying to control from the bottom. #SUB2#
Peyton is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Balopoulos defends it well.
Balopoulos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Peyton working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Balopoulos's thigh. Balopoulos counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Balopoulos is trying to control the position but Peyton postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Peyton wins on points by 16 to 10.

Event: Stepping Stone 39
Date: Sep 25, 2022

180 cm
18 yrs
180 lbs

178 cm
25 yrs
164 lbs

Hartwell

Balopoulos

Event: Stepping Stone 34
Date: Sep 18, 2022

180 cm
18 yrs
180 lbs

178 cm
25 yrs
164 lbs

Hartwell

Balopoulos

This TWGC bout is 1 fifteen minute round in the super heavyweight division. Introducing today's competitors. In the red corner, competing out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 0 losses; Olin Hartwell! And in the blue corner, fighting out of Montreal, with a TWGC record of 0 wins and 0 losses; Nikos Balopoulos!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Steve Smith and Elvis Blanc.

The fighters connect hands in the middle of the mat and we are under way.#CL2#
Balopoulos closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hartwell has Balopoulos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Balopoulos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hartwell has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Balopoulos is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hartwell changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Balopoulos fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Olin Hartwell. That's going to take a lot out of him.#TD2#
Balopoulos closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Balopoulos lands in his opponent's guard.
Score +2 for takedown into guard / half guard: Hartwell (0) vs (2) Balopoulos
Hartwell seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.#SUB#
Balopoulos got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hartwell has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Balopoulos has managed to get both his arms back between Hartwell's legs - danger averted.
Balopoulos preventing the sweep.
Balopoulos looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balopoulos slips nicely into half guard.#T1#
Hartwell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hartwell works his way to full guard. Good work.#SUB#
Hartwell is active off his back here, looking for submissions. #SUB2#
Balopoulos drops back looking for a leg! Hartwell is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hartwell manages to kick Balopoulos off! Balopoulos jumps back into Hartwell's guard.
Hartwell looking to hit a scissor sweep but Balopoulos is one step ahead there.
Balopoulos is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long. #SUB#
Hartwell is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Balopoulos slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Score +3 for passing guard: Hartwell (0) vs (5) Balopoulos#T2#
Balopoulos advances to full mount.
Score +2 for reaching mount: Hartwell (0) vs (7) Balopoulos
Hartwell is looking to improve his position but Balopoulos isn't that keen on the idea.
Balopoulos sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Hartwell is wriggling around trying to escape. #SUB2#
Hartwell defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Balopoulos.
Hartwell tries to get back to half guard but can't. #SUB2#
Balopoulos has control of Hartwell's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Hartwell regains control of the situation pretty easily. #SUB2#
Balopoulos wants to finish this one by submission but Hartwell is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Balopoulos. #T3#
Hartwell is in all sorts of trouble here. #SUB2#
Balopoulos has hold of Hartwell's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Hartwell manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Hartwell is wriggling around trying to escape. #SUB2#
Balopoulos looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Hartwell bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Hartwell (2) vs (7) Balopoulos#SUB2#
Balopoulos working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hartwell doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hartwell manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem. #T4##SUB#
Hartwell drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Balopoulos manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hartwell has Balopoulos in his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Hartwell (2) vs (9) Balopoulos
Balopoulos stays in close to Hartwell's body and controls the position.
Balopoulos stands and throws Hartwell's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Hartwell (2) vs (12) Balopoulos
Balopoulos wants to control but Hartwell is keeping him busy.
Balopoulos taking a breather here. #T5#
Hartwell is trying to work for a sweep but Balopoulos has mounted him!
Score +2 for reaching mount: Hartwell (2) vs (14) Balopoulos#SUB2#
Balopoulos looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead. #SUB2#
Balopoulos looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Balopoulos takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Hartwell keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Hartwell knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Balopoulos on the ground.#SUB2#
Balopoulos has hold of Hartwell's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Hartwell manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
We've been informed that Balopoulos has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.#T6##SUB2#
Balopoulos looking for a guillotine from mount but Hartwell is having none of it.
Hartwell is squirming around, avoiding Balopoulos's attempts to control the action.
Balopoulos prevents Hartwell from getting the reversal.
Hartwell slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Hartwell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hartwell is working hard here to advance position.
Balopoulos performing his best blanket impression for a moment. #T7##SUB2#
Balopoulos is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hartwell is looking for a sweep. Balopoulos is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hartwell works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hartwell on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hartwell tries to get out of the position.
Hartwell is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Hartwell (4) vs (14) Balopoulos#SUB#
Balopoulos is defending against the submission attempts here by Hartwell. #SUB#
Hartwell is working for a submission of some sort.
Balopoulos wants to control the action here but instead Hartwell manages to pass to full mount!
Score +3 for passing guard: Hartwell (7) vs (14) Balopoulos#T8#
Balopoulos slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.#SUB#
Hartwell wants to work for an arm triangle but Balopoulos is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Balopoulos is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hartwell's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hartwell's back!
Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Hartwell (7) vs (18) Balopoulos#SUB2#
Balopoulos looking for the choke but no joy.
Hartwell rolls, trying to escape but Balopoulos keeps control of the position. #SUB2#
Balopoulos is persistently looking for the submission but Hartwell is defending it well. #T9#
Hartwell turns into Balopoulos and is now in his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Hartwell (9) vs (18) Balopoulos#SUB#
Hartwell drops back, looking for a kneebar! Balopoulos looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Balopoulos looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Balopoulos!
Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Hartwell (9) vs (22) Balopoulos
Balopoulos is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Hartwell will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Hartwell is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Balopoulos wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hartwell keeps working.
Hartwell is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hartwell regains half guard.
Hartwell is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though. #T10#
Balopoulos perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there. #SUB2#
Balopoulos is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Balopoulos trying to pass the guard but Hartwell defending well.
Hartwell is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Balopoulos's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Balopoulos's back!
Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Hartwell (13) vs (22) Balopoulos
Balopoulos breaks Hartwell's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Hartwell (13) vs (24) Balopoulos
Balopoulos sitting in guard, not really doing much. #SUB#
Hartwell throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Balopoulos escapes and throws Hartwell's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Score +3 for passing guard: Hartwell (13) vs (27) Balopoulos#T11##SUB2#
Balopoulos thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hartwell is looking for a sweep.
Balopoulos trying to control the action but Hartwell is working from the bottom.
Hartwell tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hartwell is letting Balopoulos control him for a moment. #T12#
Hartwell is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Balopoulos off and has taken his back!
Score +4 for clean sweep to past guard: Hartwell (17) vs (27) Balopoulos#SUB#
Hartwell working for the choke.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.#SUB#
Hartwell looking for the choke from the back.
Balopoulos trying to control the action but Hartwell just sinks the hooks in.
Hartwell keeps control of the position as Balopoulos tries to break free.
Hartwell doesn't have the hooks in and Balopoulos manages to turn into his guard.
Score +2 for sweep to guard / half guard: Hartwell (17) vs (29) Balopoulos
Balopoulos not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Balopoulos stopping the sweep attempt from Hartwell.#T13##SUB#
Hartwell has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Balopoulos can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Balopoulos stands and throws Hartwell's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Score +3 for passing guard: Hartwell (17) vs (32) Balopoulos
Hartwell is looking for a sweep.#SUB2#
Balopoulos tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though. #SUB2#
Balopoulos thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hartwell is looking for a sweep.#T14#
Hartwell trying to remain calm as Balopoulos controls from the top position.#SUB2#
Balopoulos thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hartwell tries to improve position but can't.
Balopoulos has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Score +2 for reaching mount: Hartwell (17) vs (34) Balopoulos
Hartwell is in all sorts of trouble here.
Balopoulos controlling his opponent. #SUB2#
Balopoulos looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Balopoulos sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Balopoulos wins on points by 34 to 17.
Nikos Balopoulos really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Fantasy Threads logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.

Event: Quick Fight Championship
Date: Sep 08, 2022

#R1#
Balopoulos misses the body punch
and Hart counters with a right hand to the body. #CL2#
Hart takes the fight into the clinch.
Balopoulos drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hart pulls his leg out and moves away.
Balopoulos misses the shot to the body.
Hart dives in for a single leg takedown but Balopoulos sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Balopoulos misses the shot to the body. #CL2#
Hart closes the distance and clinches. #BC2#
Hart escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Balopoulos throws an off balance right hand #CL2#
and Hart counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hart landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Balopoulos drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hart prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikos Balopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.#T1#
Balopoulos has Hart pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hart manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hart throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hart prevents a takedown attempt there.
Hart is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hart is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Balopoulos gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Hart has Balopoulos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Balopoulos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hart goes for a takedown attempt but Balopoulos pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hart changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Balopoulos tries to avoid it but Hart manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Balopoulos to the ground. Balopoulos escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Balopoulos feinted with a counter takedown.
Balopoulos tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hart was well out of range. Poor timing from Balopoulos.
Hart throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Balopoulos as Hart shoots in.
Balopoulos tries to counter with a takedown but Hart is quick to defend against it.#TD#
Balopoulos decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hart can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hart looks winded!#T2#
Hart on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Balopoulos takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Balopoulos content to control rather than advance.
Balopoulos seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Balopoulos slips a nice elbow through Hart's hands, connecting with Hart's forehead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hart is trying to control but can't.
Balopoulos lands with a punch from half guard.
Balopoulos has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Balopoulos is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hart taking some punishment here, with Balopoulos in his half guard.
Ground and pound from Balopoulos. #T3#
Balopoulos landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Balopoulos working the head and body with strikes.
Balopoulos drops an elbow to the side of Hart's head.
Hart really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Balopoulos. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hart on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Well, if Balopoulos is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Hart is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Balopoulos trying to control the pace. #T4#
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Balopoulos seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Hart for as long as he can get away with.
Balopoulos scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Balopoulos seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!#R2#
Hart shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Balopoulos pinned against the cage. Balopoulos gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hart shoots for a takedown but Balopoulos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hart fails to land the takedown.
Nikos Balopoulos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zayn Hart.
Balopoulos misses with a looping right.
Balopoulos throws a series of punches but Hart moves out of range.
Hart lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Balopoulos throws a combination that misses
and Hart counters with a one-two to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck for Hart with that takedown attempt.
Hart misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Balopoulos throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hart sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hart is breathing heavily.
A swing and a miss from Balopoulos.
Zayn Hart is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.#T1#
A looping hook to the body misses from Balopoulos. Hart does a little dance to reset his feet.
Balopoulos throws a nice looking combination but Hart bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hart follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Balopoulos throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hart feints the counter takedown.
A head kick misses from Hart.
Nikos Balopoulos is winning the standup battle so far.
Hart goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hart tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Balopoulos manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Balopoulos misses with a wild body shot.
Hart misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hart bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hart is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Balopoulos with a body shot.
Balopoulos throws a jab but it's blocked by Hart.
Balopoulos is looking to wear down Hart with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Balopoulos misses with a straight left.
A big right from Balopoulos misses. #T2#
Hart slips a jab from Balopoulos.#CL#
Balopoulos gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hart working Balopoulos over with knees to the body.
Balopoulos is working for takedown but Hart is calmly controlling the position for now.
Hart gets underhooks to prevent Balopoulos's takedown attempt.
Balopoulos has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hart avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hart lands an elbow inside.
Balopoulos tries for a takedown but Hart manages to get underhooks.
A short left from Hart.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balopoulos wants a takedown.
Hart jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Balopoulos walks away with a smile on his face. Hart gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hart fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hart defending well as Balopoulos loads up on a big left hand. #T3#
Balopoulos shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hart sprawls well. Hart wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Balopoulos gets slowly back to his feet.
Balopoulos misses the jab.
Hart keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Balopoulos throws a lazy uppercut
and Hart counters with a one-two to the body.
Balopoulos tries to clinch up.
Hart is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hart ducks under a wild hook from Balopoulos.
Hart staying out of range there.#T4##TD#
Balopoulos drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Balopoulos lands a couple of elbows.
Balopoulos with a nice head shot there.
Balopoulos connects with a couple of short punches.
Balopoulos sitting in guard here, content to control.
Balopoulos cracks Hart with a solid left hand.
Balopoulos showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hart has momentary wrist control but Balopoulos slips an elbow through the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Balopoulos is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nikos Balopoulos dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!#R3#
Balopoulos just misses with a punch to the body. #CL2#
Hart rushes Balopoulos and presses him up against the cage.
Balopoulos is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hart can do to turn this around?
Hart prevents a takedown attempt there.
Balopoulos drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hart gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Hart lands a left hand that snaps the head of Balopoulos backwards.
Balopoulos has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hart avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nikos Balopoulos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Balopoulos is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Zayn Hart seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hart tries for a takedown. No joy. #BC2#
Hart breaks the clinch.
Balopoulos throws a right and a left that Hart avoids nicely.
Hart tries for a takedown but Balopoulos sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hart takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.#T1#
Hart shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Balopoulos sprawls well. Balopoulos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hart gets slowly back to his feet.
Hart avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hart jabs at Balopoulos's body.
Balopoulos misses with a wild body shot.
Hart lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross. #CL#
Balopoulos clinches up with Hart and pushes him back against the cage.
Balopoulos tries for a takedown but Hart manages to get underhooks.
Hart tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Balopoulos just stands there and leans against the cage.#BC2#
Hart breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance. #TD#
Balopoulos gets the takedown into side control.
Hart wants to get back to his feet but Balopoulos is dominant here and he's now got Hart's back!#T2#
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Balopoulos controlling well, preventing Hart from escaping the position.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Balopoulos.
Hart tries to escape but Balopoulos has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Balopoulos connects with a big shot to the side of Hart's head.
Hart takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Balopoulos lands strikes to the head.
Balopoulos lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Nikos Balopoulos overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Balopoulos is looking to finish with some ground and pound!
Balopoulos lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Balopoulos punches Hart on the ear. #ROC#Hart is rocked!#T3#
Balopoulos lands punches and elbows.
Hart is still in real trouble! Can Balopoulos finish him?
Balopoulos lands strikes from the back and Hart isn't doing enough to escape the position. The referee steps in to end the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Nikos Balopoulos!
A relieved looking Nikos Balopoulos thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.

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