PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vassago Ballardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juancho Rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Juancho Rivera has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ballardo
vs
Rivera

188 cm
23
219 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

189 cm
33
216 lbs
19 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vassago Ballardo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 0, fighting out of New York, Juancho Rivera!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Bruno Lombardi and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballardo tries to clinch but Rivera moves away
and Ballardo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rivera looks to land a right hand but Ballardo moved out of range.
Ballardo swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ballardo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ballardo throws a chopping leg kick but Rivera manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ballardo.
Ballardo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Ballardo misses with a low kick.
Ballardo tries to close the distance and clinch but Rivera swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ballardo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rivera keeps the fight on the outside.
Ballardo walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rivera checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A clash of legs there as Ballardo blocks the low kick.
A head kick from Ballardo lands but Rivera takes it in his stride.
Ballardo throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Ballardo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ballardo is looking to score with low kicks.
Ballardo misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera checks a leg kick.
Rivera throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ballardo defending well as Rivera loads up on a big left hand.
Ballardo throws a front kick aimed at Rivera's knee but Rivera avoids it well.
Rivera tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Ballardo rushes Rivera and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rivera can't find room to land a body shot as Ballardo controls the action.
Ballardo scores with a shoulder strike.
Ballardo looking to stall.

Ballardo manages to break the clinch.
Ballardo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rivera.
Rivera just misses with a punch to the body.
Good work by Rivera as he checks the leg kick.
Jab by Ballardo.
Rivera has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ballardo.
Ballardo motions for Rivera to come forward. Ballardo throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rivera takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rivera walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ballardo.

Ballardo takes the fight into the clinch.
Ballardo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Ballardo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ballardo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A slow jab from Ballardo misses its intended target.
Rivera takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ballardo misses with a leg kick
enabling Rivera to counter with a crisp jab.
Ballardo blocks a jab.

Ballardo gets a clinch.
Rivera lands a shoulder strike.
Ballardo blocks a body shot from Rivera.
Ballardo lands an uppercut.
Ballardo lands a right hand.
Ballardo prevents a body shot from Rivera.
Rivera tries to break the clinch but Ballardo is controlling the position.
Ballardo avoiding damage.

Ballardo manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballardo tries a head kick but it misses.
Rivera throws a big shot that misses.
Rivera throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ballardo throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick by Ballardo misses
and Rivera counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ballardo throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ballardo avoids the body shot from Rivera.
Rivera on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ballardo. Ballardo obviously looking to wear him down.
Vassago Ballardo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ballardo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ballardo.
Rivera checks a low kick from Ballardo.
Ballardo fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rivera's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ballardo thumps Rivera with a low kick.
Ballardo tries to land a front kick but Rivera steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rivera takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballardo throws a leg kick
and Rivera counters with a one-two to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ballardo moves out of range of the body kick from Rivera.
Ballardo ducks under a wild hook from Rivera.
Ballardo swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Ballardo connects with an inside leg kick.
Ballardo fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rivera checks it well.
Ballardo tries to work over Rivera's front leg with a kick but Rivera checks it.
Ballardo throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rivera checks a leg kick.
Rivera just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Ballardo misses the target.
Rivera circles away from the clinch attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rivera moves out of range of the body kick from Ballardo.
Ballardo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ballardo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ballardo moves out of range as Rivera strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vassago Ballardo dominated that round.
That's time! Ballardo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

An inside leg kick from Ballardo misses.
Ballardo does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ballardo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ballardo is looking to clinch.
Rivera lands a jab.

Ballardo darts in and clinches Rivera up against the cage.

Ballardo breaks the clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ballardo.
Ballardo throws a sloppy head kick and Rivera moves out of range easily.
Ballardo tries to clinch there but Rivera circles away.
Ballardo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rivera.
A leg kick checked by Rivera.
Ballardo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rivera blocks a jab.
Ballardo moves in looking to clinch but Rivera pushes him off.
Ballardo defending well as Rivera loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rivera avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Rivera tries to keep at a distance but Ballardo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ballardo lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Ballardo - that landed with a thud.
Rivera is breathing heavily.
Ballardo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ballardo leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ballardo blocking some punches.
Ballardo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Riveras head.
Ballardo gets through Rivera's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
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!
Ballardo lands with a short shot to the head.
Rivera lands a nice shot to the body.

Ballardo breaks the clinch.
An inside leg kick from Ballardo misses.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ballardo.
Ballardo lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ballardo connects with a high kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ballardo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Ballardo forces Rivera back against the cage and clinches.
Ballardo lands a nice shot to the body.
Ballardo lands a hook that snaps the head of Rivera backwards.
Ballardo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ballardo lands with a right to the head.
Vassago Ballardo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Ballardo stalling.
Rivera misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ballardo.
Ballardo lands a shot to the body.
Rivera throws a punch but it's blocked by Ballardo.
Ballardo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rivera can do to turn this around?
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ballardo.
Ballardo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ballardo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Riveras head.
Ballardo lands an uppercut.

Ballardo manages to break the clinch.

Ballardo clinches with his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rivera tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ballardo's elbow.
Ballardo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ballardo gets through Rivera's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ballardo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ballardo.

Ballardo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ballardo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ballardo tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ballardo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rivera.
Ballardo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Vassago Ballardo is winning the standup battle so far.
Ballardo fakes the leg kick and cracks Rivera in the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ballardo scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rivera on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ballardo. Ballardo obviously looking to wear him down.
Ballardo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ballardo lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ballardo throws a nice inside leg kick.

Ballardo moves into the clinch successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ballardo breaks from the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ballardo.
Good leg kick by Ballardo there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rivera takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Ballardo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rivera has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ballardo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ballardo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ballardo connects with an inside leg kick.
Ballardo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rivera. Rivera circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Ballardo moves into the clinch successfully.
Rivera's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ballardo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ballardo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ballardo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rivera has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ballardo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Ballardo closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vassago Ballardo dominated that second round.
That's time! Ballardo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ballardo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ballardo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ballardo, right into the meat.
That kick from Ballardo tenderised Rivera's leg. Rivera is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ballardo wants to clinch up but Rivera keeps it at a distance.
Ballardo tries a head kick but it misses.
Ballardo tried to score with a low kick but Rivera checks it.

Ballardo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ballardo.
Ballardo tries to throw a body punch but Rivera avoids it by throwing Ballardo back against the cage.
Ballardo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ballardo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ballardo lands a shot to the body.
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!
Ballardo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rivera tries to work over Ballardo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ballardo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ballardo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Riveras head.
Rivera takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ballardo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Ballardo as the two fighters clinch.

Ballardo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ballardo lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ballardo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ballardo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ballardo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rivera paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ballardo motions for Rivera to come forward. Ballardo throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rivera walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
That kick from Ballardo tenderised Rivera's leg. Rivera is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ballardo throws a leg kick but Rivera sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ballardo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rivera swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Rivera tries to keep at a distance but Ballardo has taken the fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rivera tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A shot in the inside from Ballardo.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ballardo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rivera wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ballardo has him pressed against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ballardo.
Ballardo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ballardo works on Rivera's body with a couple of short punches.
Ballardo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Riveras head.
Ballardo lands a shoulder strike.
Ballardo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ballardo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ballardo pushes Rivera back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from Ballardo.
Ballardo lands a body shot.
Ballardo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ballardo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ballardo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Ballardo lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ballardo lands a right hand.
Ballardo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ballardo lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Ballardo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballardo walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rivera checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ballardo throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Ballardo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ballardo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Riveras head.
Ballardo working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ballardo is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Rivera can't find room to land a body shot as Ballardo controls the action.
Juancho Rivera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ballardo.
Ballardo lands a body punch in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Ballardo.
A short right from Ballardo.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ballardo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ballardo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ballardo.
Ballardo tries to bum rush Rivera with a series of wild strikes but Rivera uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballardo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ballardo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Ballardo throws a nice head kick!
Ballardo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ballardo tries to close the distance and clinch but Rivera swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ballardo.
Vassago Ballardo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ballardo connects with an inside leg kick.
Rivera chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ballardo can pounce on him.
Ballardo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rivera swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ballardo lands a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ballardo darts in and clinches Rivera up against the cage.
Rivera misses with a hook to the ribs.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vassago Ballardo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ballardo 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:25
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:25
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vassago Ballardo!
A relieved looking Vassago Ballardo thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.