PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ballard Magnar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dmitry Petrenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Petrenko's choice of entrance music: Bro Hymm/ Pennywise. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Magnar
vs
Petrenko

174 cm
29
158 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

165 cm
30
167 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ballard Magnar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dmitry Petrenko!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Petrenko fails with a takedown attempt.
Magnar tries to clinch there but Petrenko circles away.
Petrenko tries for a takedown but Magnar sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
We've been told by Magnar's head coaches at Synergy Fight Team (ACME) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Petrenko shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Petrenko showed some decent athleticism there.
Petrenko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Petrenko working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Magnar's thigh. Magnar counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Magnar tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Petrenko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Petrenko loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Petrenko is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Magnar is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Magnar has escaped and now he's on top!
Petrenko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magnar pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Petrenko is keeping the position for now.

Magnar avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Petrenko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Magnar defends well.
Petrenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Petrenko managing to control the position.
Petrenko working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Magnar showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Magnar is looking to stand up but Petrenko won't let him.
Magnar trying to control but Petrenko is working from the bottom.
Magnar has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Ballard Magnar.
Petrenko slips a straight right by Magnar.
Petrenko tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Petrenko is looking to score with low kicks.
Magnar rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Petrenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ballard Magnar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Petrenko feints and as Magnar raises his hands in defense, Petrenko changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Petrenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Petrenko passes Magnar's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Petrenko works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrenko working the strikes but Magnar uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Petrenko working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Magnar avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Petrenko.
Petrenko wants to pass the guard but Magnar is defending well.

Magnar is defending against the submission attempts here by Petrenko.
Magnar trying to control but Petrenko postures up.

Petrenko is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Magnar has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrenko throwing shots but Magnar is blocking nicely.
Petrenko not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Magnar regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Petrenko.
Magnar is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Petrenko throws a strike but Magnar rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Petrenko is trying to keep Magnar in close.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitry Petrenko dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Magnar jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Magnar misses with a looping right.
Petrenko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Magnar as he jumps to the side.
Magnar lands a leg kick that knocks Petrenko off balance momentarily.
Dmitry Petrenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Magnar pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Petrenko back to the cage. Magnar follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Magnar connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Petrenko drives through with a takedown into guard.
Petrenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Petrenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Petrenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Magnar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Petrenko throwing strikes from guard but Magnar blocks nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Petrenko with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Petrenko throws a big elbow that misses.
Petrenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Petrenko throws a strike but Magnar rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Petrenko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Petrenko is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Petrenko keeping full guard, as Magnar tries to pass.
Petrenko trying to control the position here.
Magnar tries to free his leg and advance position but Petrenko is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Petrenko is controlling Magnar's posture.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Dmitry Petrenko wasn't active enough on the ground.
Petrenko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Magnar.
Magnar scores with a jab.

Petrenko throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Magnar was covering up waiting for the punch and Petrenko finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Petrenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Petrenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Magnar controls Petrenko momentarily but Petrenko frees himself.
Petrenko throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrenko postures up and lands a big shot to Magnar's brow.
Petrenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Magnar looking for a sweep. Not yet Magnar, not yet.
Magnar avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Petrenko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dmitry Petrenko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Petrenko throws a strike but Magnar rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Petrenko looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Magnar passes into half guard.
Petrenko works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Petrenko has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Magnar is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Petrenko.
Petrenko prevents Magnar from moving into mount.
Petrenko tries to buck Magnar off but Magnar is having none of it.
Petrenko keeps trying to improve his position.
Magnar moves into full mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Magnar stands up from mount. Strange move.
Magnar misses the jab.
Petrenko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Petrenko shoots in for a takedown but Magnar shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ballard Magnar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitry Petrenko.
Petrenko slips a straight right by Magnar.
Horrible takedown by Petrenko or perhaps it was just good defense by Magnar which made him look bad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dmitry Petrenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Petrenko walks into a jab.
Magnar scores with a jab.
A low kick from Petrenko is predictable there
and Magnar counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Petrenko darts in looking for a takedown but Magnar gets double underhooks and turns Petrenko into the cage.
Magnar misses with some punches.
Petrenko takes a shot to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Petrenko's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Magnar with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Magnar is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Magnar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Petrenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Magnar lands a right hook to the body.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Petrenko can't break the clinch.
Magnar misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Magnar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Petrenko is trying to push Magnar away but Magnar has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Magnar escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Petrenko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Petrenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Magnar moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Magnar lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Magnar misses with a hook. Petrenko ducked under it nicely.
Nice uppercut there from Magnar.
Magnar throws a lazy uppercut
and Petrenko counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Magnar is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Magnar swinging wildly here.
Magnar connects with a body shot.
Petrenko fails to land the takedown.
Ballard Magnar has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dmitry Petrenko.
The fighters circling - Magnar throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Petrenko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Magnar is fending him off so far but Petrenko persists. Nope, Magnar circles away and we're back to standing.
Petrenko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Petrenko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Magnar gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A short left from Magnar.
A right handed body shot lands from Magnar.
Petrenko being controlled against the cage.
Petrenko tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Magnar avoids it.
Magnar dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Magnar blocks an elbow strike.
Petrenko is looking for a takedown.
Magnar lands a left hand that snaps the head of Petrenko backwards.
Petrenko lands with a short shot to the head.
Petrenko tries to score a body lock takedown but Magnar shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Magnar stalling the fight.
Magnar lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Petrenko misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Magnar.
Magnar lands with a right to the head.
Petrenko wants to get back to striking at distance but Magnar won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Petrenko tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Magnar's elbow.
Magnar softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Magnar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A slow jab from Magnar misses its intended target.
Magnar scores with a jab to the head.
Magnar fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Petrenko misses with a takedown attempt - Magnar sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Petrenko slips a jab and a cross from Magnar.
Ballard Magnar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Magnar throws a front kick that sends Petrenko stumbling back into the cage.
Magnar scores with a jab to the head.
Magnar looks to land a body kick but Petrenko moved away.

Petrenko throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Magnar tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Petrenko is in Magnar's guard.
Magnar looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Petrenko throws an elbow that misses. Magnar uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Petrenko's guard. Nice move by Magnar!
Dmitry Petrenko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Petrenko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Magnar trying to control but Petrenko is working from the bottom.
Magnar has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Petrenko is proving hard to escape from.
Petrenko pulls Magnar in close to his closed guard and prevents Magnar from doing any damage or advancing position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Petrenko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Magnar sprawls well. Magnar wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Petrenko gets slowly back to his feet.
Magnar connects with a leg kick. Petrenko looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ballard Magnar showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Petrenko 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dmitry Petrenko!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Dmitry Petrenko made sure he mentioned [JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition, along with how happy he was to win his fight.