PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Elijah Ballard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ballard
vs
Smith

174 cm
19
158 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

171 cm
19
155 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Elijah Ballard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ben Smith!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballard walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Smith takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Smith throws a shot from downtown. Ballard moves away and avoids it.
Ballard dodges the punch combination from Smith.
Smith lands a jab to the nose.
Smith cracks Ballard with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ballard with a nice cross.
Ballard tries to score with a low kick but Smith moves his leg out of the way.
Ballard walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ballard missing with a left hand there. Smith was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ballard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ballard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Smith.
Ballard with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Smith lands a jab to the nose.
Ballard goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ballard misses with a kick to the body.
Smith slips a jab from Ballard.
Ballard ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ballard connects with a right hand. Smith shakes it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Smith scores with a shot to the body.
Ballard throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Smith takes a swing at Ballard's ribcage but misses.
Smith avoids the body shot from Ballard.
Smith misses the shot to the body.
Smith throws a leg kick that misses.
Ballard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Smith lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Smith fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Smith connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ballard's hands.
Ballard throws a looping overhand right but Smith ducks down to avoid it.
Ballard keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Smith throws a right and a left that Ballard avoids nicely.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ballard.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Ballard connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Smith's hands.
Ballard misses with a kick to the body.
Ballard misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ballard was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
A low kick from Smith misses
and Ballard counters with a left and a right that stings Smith.
Smith scores with a jab to the jaw.
Smith looks to land a left hand but Ballard moved out of range nicely.
Ballard has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smith finds it's way round the side to connect with Ballard's head.
Ballard throws the left hand but Smith avoids the punch easily.
Smith takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ballard checks a low kick from Smith.
Smith is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ballard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ballard shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Ballard avoids a kick to the body.
Smith moves away from the strike by Ballard.
Smith moves into range and connects with a jab.
Smith jabs Ballard right on the nose. Ballard blinks but takes it well.
Ballard takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ballard tries to bum rush Smith with a series of wild strikes but Smith uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Smith misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ballard counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballard throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and moves out of range.
A left and a right from Smith both land. Nice combination.
The fighters circling - Ballard throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Smith changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ballard throws a lazy right hand but Smith sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Good exchange - Smith coming out on top.
Smith uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ballard.
Ballard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith throws a solid leg kick but Ballard takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Smith.
Smith ducks under a wild hook from Ballard.
Ballard avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ballard ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Smith misses with a looping left.
A bone on bone clash there as Smith blocks the leg kick.
Smith's corner calls for a 1-2. Smith obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ballard is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Smith.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ballard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Smith throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Smith misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ballard makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Smith connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ballard momentarily.
Smith is looking to chop away at Ballard's legs.
Ben Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ballard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Smith moves away.
Smith throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ballard keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Smith.
Ballard on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Smith scores with a four punch combination!
A jab lands there for Smith.
Smith throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ballard misses with a body shot.
Smith cracks a nice hook into Ballard's ribs.
Ballard defending well as Smith loads up on a big left hand.
Smith is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Ballard had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Smith cracks Ballard with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Smith throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smith cracks Ballard with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Ballard will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Smith lands a nice hook to Ballard's body. Ballard takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Elijah Ballard will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ballard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ballard.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith with a nice cross.
A decent looking cross lands there for Smith.
Smith avoids a kick to the body.
Ballard lands a nice looking body shot.
Ballard throws a lazy right hand but Smith sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smith misses with a body shot.
Smith misses with a straight right.
Smith scores with a one two! Ballard had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ballard takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The fighters circle momentarily. Smith darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ballard misses with a jab to the body
letting Smith counter with a right hand.
Ballard moves out of range of the strikes.
Ballard connects with a leg kick. Smith looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Smith looks to land a left hand but Ballard moved out of range nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Smith misses the target.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Smith!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith thows a leg kick but Ballard checks it
and Ballard counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Smith keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ballard looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ballard fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Smith looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A jab from Smith does it's job there.
Ballard misses the body punch
and Smith counters with a right hand to the body.
Ballard is looking to wear down Smith with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ballard throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Smith throws a series of punches but Ballard avoids them all with ease.
Smith misses with a hook to the body
and Ballard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith tries to score with a low kick but Ballard moves his leg out of the way.
Ballard moves away from the strike by Smith.
Ballard takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ballard misses the shot to the body.
Smith tries to work over Ballard's front leg with a kick but Ballard checks it.
Ballard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Smith's sensitive parts.
Ballard lands with a good body shot.
Smith lands an overhand right.
Ballard throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
Ballard goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Smith lands with a straight right. Ballard didn't see that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballard blocks a low kick nicely.
Smith bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Smith with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A telegraphed right hand from Ballard misses the target.
Smith connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ballard throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Smith takes a swing at Ballard's ribcage but misses.
Smith throws a leg kick
and Ballard counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Smith looks to land a right hand but Ballard moved out of range.
Ballard takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Smith throws a body kick that misses.
Smith has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Smith throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Elijah Ballard is winning the standup battle so far.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ballard swings for the body but Smith moves out of range.
Good exchange - Smith coming out on top.
Smith falls off balance throwing a combination
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
and Ballard counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Smith.
A clash of legs there as Ballard blocks the low kick.
Good leg kick by Ballard there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Smith lands a jab to Ballard's midsection.
Ballard blocks a jab.
A shot to the liver by Smith. Beautiful body shot.
Smith misses with a wild combination.
Smith swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Ballard to counter with a crisp jab.
Ballard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith misses with a low kick as Ballard jumps back.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.
Ballard throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Smith will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Smith moves out of range of the strikes.
Ballard blocks a head kick by Smith.
Ballard swings away with a body shot that misses
and Smith counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Smith gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Ballard counters with a thumping low kick.
Smith pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ballard avoids the body shot from Smith.
Smith avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A right-left combo lands from Smith.
A big right from Ballard misses.
Smith checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Smith tries to land a front kick but Ballard steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Smith throws a combination. Ballard tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Nice body punch from Smith.
Ballard looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
A shot to the body from Ballard misses
enabling Smith to counter with a crisp jab.
Smith jabs Ballard right on the nose. Ballard blinks but takes it well.
Jab, jab by Smith - just one landing.
Smith lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ballard throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Smith lands with a shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Ballard does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Elijah Ballard will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ballard waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smith.
Smith throws a big shot that misses.
A slow jab from Smith misses its intended target.
Smith throws a hook but Ballard blocks it.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A head kick misses from Ballard.
Smith throws a nice looking combination but Ballard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ballard throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ballard takes one on the button.
Ballard throws a leg kick but Smith sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ballard, as that shot connected.
Smith moves out of range as Ballard strikes.
Ballard defending well as Smith loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
The fighters circling - Ballard throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A head kick by Smith misses
and Ballard counters with a low kick, right behind Smith 's knee.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ballard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ballard checks a leg kick.
Smith throws a one two combo.
Ballard has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Smith finds it's way round the side to connect with Ballard's head.
Smith misses with a head kick.
Ballard moves out of range as Smith throws a body kick.
Smith avoids the body shot from Ballard.
Ballard throws a body punch but Smith moves out of range.
Ballard takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Smith looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ballard tries to score with a low kick but Smith moves his leg out of the way.
Smith misses with a series of wild punches.
Ballard wants to slow Smith down by chopping away at his legs.
Smith thows a left - swing and a miss!
Smith dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ballard's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Smith connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ballard scrambles back to his feet.
Smith is looking to chop away at Ballard's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Smith throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ballard misses with an uppercut.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Smith lands a right hook to the body.
Ballard uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Smith.
Ballard throws a shot from downtown. Smith moves away and avoids it.
Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Ballard is just out of range.
Ballard throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ballard counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ben Smith has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nice straight punches there by Smith. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Smith.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Ballard connects with a solid leg kick.
Ballard slips a jab and a cross from Smith.
Smith sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Smith throws a head kick that misses.
Smith moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a body punch but Ballard moves out of range.
Ballard throws a solid leg kick but Smith takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ballard.
Smith tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ballard was well out of range. Poor timing from Smith.
Smith throws a series of punches but Ballard moves out of range.
Smith is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Smith on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Smith fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ballard drops his hands momentarily and Smith takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ballard ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ballard throws a wild body kick that Smith sees coming a mile off.
Smith misses with a low kick.
Ballard misses with a kick to the body.
Ballard lands with a shot to the body.
Ballard takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Smith throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Ballard finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Ballard throws a right and a left that Smith avoids nicely.
Ballard throws a jab when Smith was well out of range.
A jab from Ballard finds it's way through Smith's defenses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith connects with a crisp jab.
Smith throws a lazy body kick
and Ballard counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Smith throws a series of punches but Ballard moves out of range.
Ballard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
Ballard lands with a hook. Smith tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ballard gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Smith throws a hook to the side of Ballard's head but Ballard sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ballard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith works over Ballard's head and body with a nice combination.
Smith digs a good body shot into Ballard's ribs.
Smith bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ballard throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Smith takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Smith takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ballard ducks under a wild hook from Smith.
Smith misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ballard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Smith's sensitive parts.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elijah Ballard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ballard has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elijah Ballard!