PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Liam Minard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Batts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Minard's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Walk. Batts comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Pro-pain - Make war (not love) kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Minard
vs
Batts

183 cm
31
215 lbs
27 - 13 - 0

186 cm
30
208 lbs
21 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)
Convicted Trap House

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 27 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liam Minard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Billy Batts!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Reed Andrews and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Batts misses with a hook. Minard ducked under it nicely.
Minard lands a jab to the head.
Batts lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Batts wants to clinch.
Minard tries a head kick but it misses.
Batts avoids the body shot from Minard.
Minard throws a lazy head kick
and Batts counters with a slapping leg kick.
Batts throws a push kick but Minard slaps the foot to one side.
Minard ducks under a wild hook from Batts.
Batts on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Batts throws a solid leg kick but Minard takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Batts.
Minard listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
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!
Batts doesn't manage to clinch there - Minard circles away.
Batts scores with a shot to the body.
Batts checks a leg kick.
Minard misses with a low kick as Batts jumps back.
Batts tries to clinch but Minard moves out of range.
Minard lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minard throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Batts lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Liam Minard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Batts throws a leg kick but Minard sees it coming and moves out of range.
Minard throws a jab but it's blocked by Batts.
Minard throws a jab but it's blocked by Batts.
Minard fails with a takedown attempt.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Minard.
Minard shoots for a double leg takedown but Batts sprawls well. He's pushed Minard's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Billy Batts is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Minard slips a straight right by Batts.
Batts misses with a low kick.
Batts throws a head kick but Minard moves out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Batts.
Batts bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Minard feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
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!
Minard throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minard postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Minard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Batts is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Batts is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Minard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Batts has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Minard connects with a couple of short punches.
Minard throwing strikes from guard but Batts blocks nicely.
Batts is pulling down on Minard's head. It's preventing any offense from Minard, at least for the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Minard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batts preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Minard trying to control the position from guard on top but Batts is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Batts looking to control.
Batts utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Minard wants to pass the guard but Batts is keeping the position.
Minard trying to control the position from guard on top but Batts is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Minard ducks under a wild hook from Batts.
Minard misses with an uppercut
and Batts makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Minard chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Minard avoids the body shot from Batts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batts lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
A left lands for Minard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Batts misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Minard misses with a hook. Batts ducked under it nicely.
Minard is looking to slow Batts down with leg kicks.
Minard missing with a left hand there. Batts was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Minard swings widly with a right hand
and Batts counters with a low kick, right behind Minard 's knee.
Minard swinging wildly here.
Minard throws a leg kick
and Batts counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Batts fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Minard throws a front kick aimed at Batts's knee but Batts avoids it well.
Batts scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Minard doesn't seem bothered though.
Minard tries to land a front kick but Batts steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Minard is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Batts.
Batts throws a shot to the body.
Minard is breathing heavily.
Batts loads up on a big right hand but Minard slips the punch.
Batts takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Billy Batts will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Batts scores with a body shot.
Batts lands with a thumping leg kick.
Minard stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Batts.
Minard has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Minard there as he acknowledges the shot.
Batts lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Batts swings for the body but Minard moves out of range.
Batts misses with a double jab.
Batts throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Batts. Minard shrugs it off though.

Minard gets tackled into the cage by Batts. Batts maintains the clinch.
Minard goes for a takedown attempt but Batts pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Batts fails with an attempt to clinch.
Batts slips under a jab from Minard.
Batts missing with a left hand there. Minard was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Batts looks to land a left hand but Minard moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batts slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Batts blocks a leg kick.
Minard takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Minard on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Minard keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Batts tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Minard paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Minard swats away the attempt to clinch by Batts.
Minard takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
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!
Minard has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Batts.

Batts takes the fight into the clinch.
Batts lands an elbow that stopped Minard in his tracks for a moment.
A short right from Batts on the inside.

Minard manages to break the clinch.
Batts looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Minard misses its intended target.
Minard walks into a left hand.
A lazy left from Batts finds it's target.
Batts scores with a jab. Minard acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Minard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Billy Batts seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Minard gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Batts to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Batts showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Batts has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Minard is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Batts got a little sloppy there for a moment and Minard has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Batts has managed to get both his arms back between Minard's legs - danger averted.

Batts gets to his feet. Minard looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Minard loads up on a big right hand but Batts slips the punch.

Minard scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Batts on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Batts trying to control here.
Minard thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Batts's head.
Batts holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Let's hope that Batts has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batts is looking to improve his position.
Liam Minard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Billy Batts wasn't active enough on the ground.
Batts thows a body shot but no joy.
Batts fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Minard is out of range.
A punch combination from Batts misses.
Some wild striking there from Batts.
Minard is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Minard shoots in looking for a takedown but Batts manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Minard's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Minard with a hook.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Minard throws a leg kick but Batts sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Minard tries to score a power double leg takedown but Batts sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Minard somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Minard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Batts looks to throw the jab but Minard is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Batts 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!

Minard takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Batts throws a body punch but Minard moves out of range.
Batts misses with a looping left.
A chopping leg kick lands by Minard.
Minard throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Batts tries to move into range but Minard moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Minard scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Batts throws a looping overhand right but Minard ducks down to avoid it.
Minard tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Batts is able to avoid easily.
A jab from Batts does it's job there.
Minard lands a body shot.

Batts clinches with his opponent.
Batts keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Minard's efforts to push away.
Batts is leaning against Minard and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Minard drops down looking for an ankle pick but Batts pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Batts blocks a jab.
Batts keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Minard.
A nice leg kick lands there from Minard.
Minard swats away the attempt to clinch by Batts.
Minard throws a hook but Batts avoids it easily.
Batts tries to clinch but Minard is having none of it.
Minard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Batts.
Batts connects with a leg kick. Minard looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Minard. Batts does a little dance to reset his feet.
Batts punishes Minard's body with a nice straight punch.
A slow jab from Minard misses its intended target.
Batts checks a leg kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Minard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Batts lands a nice leg kick that just misses Minard's sensitive parts.
Minard scores with a shot to the body.
Minard lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Batts throws a nice inside leg kick.
Batts lands a right hook to the body.
Minard takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Batts scores with a jab to the body.
Batts throws a quick inside leg kick.
Batts lands a nice looking body kick.
Batts feints and then cracks Minard's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Minard down.
Batts's jab looks to have found its range, popping Minard under the eye.
Batts scores with a shot to the body.
Batts misses with a body kick.
Batts tries to clinch but Minard moves out of range.
Batts moves out of range of the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Batts tries to close the distance and clinch but Minard swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Batts connects with a leg kick. Minard looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Batts buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Batts lands with a kick to the ribs.
Batts has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Batts is looking to clinch but Minard is avoiding it.
Batts tries to land a front kick but Minard steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Batts connects with a crisp jab.
Batts ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Liam Minard has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Batts moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Batts displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Minard throws out the jab.

Batts forces Minard back against the cage and clinches.
Batts working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Minard has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Batts avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Batts scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Batts lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Batts gets through Minard's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Batts throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Minard blocks it with crossed arms.
Batts lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Minard is trying to pull guard but Batts turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Liam Minard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A frustrated look appears on Minard's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Minard drops down looking for an ankle pick but Batts pulls his leg out and moves away.
Minard throws a poor cross that misses
and Batts counters with an outside leg kick.
Batts throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Batts misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Batts lands a slapping body shot.

Batts rushes Minard and presses him up against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Batts works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Minard fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Batts lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Minard or not.

And that's the end of the fight!
Billy Batts comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Batts 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 Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy Batts!
As Billy Batts got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Aye, aye - back in New York n glad ta be here with Empire. Chuck and the guys have treated us good, and for that, I wont feed them their teeth. Batter up.'.