PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jr StClair (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kasey Ballard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ballard has chosen Eye of the Tiger as his entrance music. Jr StClair has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

StClair
vs
Ballard

188 cm
18
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

193 cm
18
215 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Nature's Edge Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jr StClair!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kasey Ballard!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Winston Howard and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
StClair shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ballard eats them both and turns towards StClair to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
StClair throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
No luck with that takedown attempt from StClair.
StClair swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No joy there for StClair, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
StClair throws a nice looking combination but Ballard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
StClair connects with a nice looking jab.
Ballard fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but StClair avoids it really well and circles away.
Ballard tries to bum rush StClair with a series of wild strikes but StClair uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

StClair gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
StClair wants to stand but Ballard is controlling the position.
StClair is breathing heavily.
StClair keeping moving, preventing Ballard from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballard prevents StClair from getting back to his feet.
Ballard controls from within his opponent's guard.
StClair keeping full guard, as Ballard tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kasey Ballard was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ballard dodges the punch combination from StClair.
StClair displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ballard.
StClair throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ballard's waist but Ballard gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing StClair off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
StClair throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ballard.
Ballard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from StClair.
StClair misses with a two punch combination.
Ballard shoots in looking for a takedown but StClair manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ballard's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jr StClair has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kasey Ballard.

Ballard shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ballard showed some decent athleticism there.
StClair tries to kick Ballard off but Ballard keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ballard is trying to control. StClair wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Ballard decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ballard tries for a takedown but StClair sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ballard fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
StClair will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ballard misses with a jab, cross combination.
StClair throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Ballard on the side of the head.
Ballard tries to close the distance and clinch but StClair swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
StClair stuffs the takedown attempt from Ballard. Ballard gets slowly back to his feet.

Ballard changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. StClair looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
StClair tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
StClair in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Ballard controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
StClair in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Ballard with a couple of short strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Ballard jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… StClair is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by StClair and Ballard has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Ballard wants to control but StClair is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ballard prevents StClair from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasey Ballard dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ballard shoots in looking for a takedown but StClair manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ballard's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
StClair shoots in but Ballard avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jr StClair seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ballard gets the takedown into side control.
StClair taking a bit of punishment here - Ballard scoring with strikes.
StClair is not content to let Ballard control the position.
StClair wants to get back to his feet but Ballard drags him back down.

Ballard working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
StClair wants to get back to his feet but Ballard drags him back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
StClair bucks up and tries to throw Ballard off but instead Ballard has got his back!

Ballard working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
StClair is trying to get back to his feet but Ballard has full control of the position and if anything, StClair has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballard struggling to keep hold of the position.
StClair has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

Ballard has got his arm under StClair's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! StClair has spun round into Ballard's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
StClair stopping the sweep attempt from Ballard.
Ballard utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ballard pulls StClair in to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballard wants to sweep but no luck.
Ballard pulls StClair in close to prevent any damage.
StClair postures up in Ballard's guard and throws a big left but Ballard blocks it.
Ballard doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Ballard working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from StClair.
StClair being controlled here momentarily.
StClair is looking to stand up but Ballard won't let him.

Kasey Ballard has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
StClair shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ballard as he avoids it easily.
StClair stuffs the takedown.
Ballard shoots in but StClair avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Jr StClair has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kasey Ballard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
StClair avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jr StClair is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
StClair will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
StClair tries to clinch but Ballard moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ballard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ballard fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but StClair avoids it really well and circles away.
StClair throws a series of punches but Ballard moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ballard wants to clinch up but StClair keeps it at a distance.
Ballard avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ballard fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasey Ballard 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. This is the final round!

StClair wants to clinch up but Ballard keeps it at a distance.
A combination from StClair does no damage.
StClair throws a right and a left that Ballard avoids nicely.
StClair shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ballard pinned against the cage. Ballard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A combination from StClair does no damage.

Ballard closes the distance and clinches.
StClair working hard to break the clinch.

Ballard manages to break the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
StClair fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Ballard fails to land the takedown.
Ballard lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Jr StClair has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ballard gets a takedown into half guard.
StClair looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ballard is trying to control the action in half guard but StClair is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
StClair tries to kick Ballard off but Ballard keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballard is keen to just control but StClair is a slippery customer.
StClair looks like he's trying to stand up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kasey Ballard wasn't active enough on the ground.

Ballard moves into the clinch.

Ballard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
StClair throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ballard.

Ballard shoots in and gets a takedown into StClair's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
StClair is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
StClair being controlled here, momentarily.

Ballard drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ballard jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballard is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Ballard must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kasey Ballard.
Ballard dodges the punch combination from StClair.

StClair gets caught flat footed, as Ballard shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

StClair pushes Ballard off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ballard closes the distance and clinches.
StClair avoiding damage as Ballard throws knees to the body.
Ballard tries to pull guard but StClair won't allow it.

Ballard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Some wild striking there from StClair.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ballard.
StClair keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ballard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ballard looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
StClair throws a nice looking combination but Ballard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kasey Ballard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ballard 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kasey Ballard!
After the big win, Kasey Ballard made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Nature's Edge Nutrition and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.