PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Seth Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy ballard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Johnson
vs
ballard

189 cm
22
259 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
22
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Seth Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Billy ballard!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with ballard but ballard pushes him off and we're back to square one.

ballard darts in and clinches Johnson up against the cage.
Johnson goes for a takedown attempt but ballard pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A jab from Johnson misses.
Johnson throws a lazy right hand but ballard sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

ballard instigates a clinch.

Johnson breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Johnson lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

It looks like Billy ballard has been cut.
Johnson throws a right hand that ballard ducks under and follows up with a left that ballard also avoids with ease.
No joy there for Johnson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
ballard displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Johnson throws out the jab.
ballard misses with a looping left.
Seth Johnson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ballard wants to clinch up but Johnson keeps it at a distance.
ballard avoids the body shot from Johnson.
Johnson could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Johnson shoots in and drives through. ballard sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seth Johnson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
ballard throws a sloppy head kick and Johnson moves out of range easily.
Johnson looks to land a combination but ballard avoids it well.
ballard throws a body kick that misses.
ballard blocks a low kick nicely.
Johnson darts in trying to clinch
and ballard counters with a head kick.

ballard has taken the fight to the clinch.

Johnson breaks the clinch.

ballard fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Johnson, pushing him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but ballard pulls him back up using the underhooks.

ballard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
ballard throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like Seth Johnson has been cut.

ballard gets in close and instigates a clinch.
ballard can't get the takedown.
ballard using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Johnson has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Johnson breaks the clinch.
Johnson cracks the inside of ballard's front leg.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
ballard misses with a combination

so Johnson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
ballard controls Johnson momentarily but Johnson frees himself.

Johnson stands up from ballard's guard - Johnson perhaps looking for a knockout.
Johnson is breathing heavily.
Johnson swings and misses with a shot to the body

and ballard counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by ballard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is looking to break free of the clinch but ballard has double underhooks.
Johnson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

ballard turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Johnson struggling a bit here.
ballard is looking to take a break and control but Johnson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Johnson is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

ballard stands up and beckons Johnson to his feet.
Johnson misses with a body shot

and ballard moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

ballard escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Johnson throws a combination but it was largely blocked by ballard.
ballard closes the distance looking to clinch
and Johnson counters with a stiff right hand.
ballard fails with an attempt to clinch.
Johnson comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Johnson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. ballard sees it coming and avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Johnson with a lazy takedown attempt
and ballard counters with a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Billy ballard will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

ballard shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

ballard stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Johnson throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
ballard throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Johnson counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
ballard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
ballard moves in looking to clinch but Johnson pushes him off.
Johnson misses with a combination
and ballard counters with a body kick.
Johnson throws a combination that misses
and ballard counters with a nice kick to the body.
ballard throws a head kick that misses
and Johnson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Billy ballard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

ballard feints and as Johnson raises his hands in defense, ballard changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

ballard gets to his feet - Johnson follows without any prompting.
Johnson stalks ballard and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into ballard's face. ballard staggers backwards, shaken.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

ballard drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Johnson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Johnson being controlled here, momentarily.
Johnson wants to get back to his feet but ballard is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is trying to keep ballard in close.
ballard content to stall in guard here.

Johnson pushes ballard off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
ballard closes the distance and clinches up with Johnson, looking for a takedown. ballard pushes Johnson against the cage but Johnson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnson throws a combination. ballard tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Johnson is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Johnson gets a clinch.
Johnson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
ballard changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Johnson fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Johnson blocks a head kick by ballard.
Johnson throws a leg kick

and ballard counters by moving into the clinch.
Johnson keeps control of ballard as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Johnson wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but ballard has him pressed against the cage.
ballard tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Johnson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Seth Johnson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Billy ballard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ballard is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Johnson pulls him back up using the underhooks.

ballard breaks from the clinch.
Johnson thuds his shin into the meat of ballard's side.
Johnson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
ballard fails in his attempt to clinch.
Johnson misses with a two punch combination.
Johnson lands a two punch combo.
Seth Johnson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Johnson has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Johnson falls off balance throwing a combination
and ballard counters with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy ballard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Johnson misses with a shot to the body

and ballard decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Johnson's guard.
ballard stops Johnson from standing up.
ballard wants to get up but he can't break Johnson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Johnson has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Johnson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as ballard controls the pace.
Billy ballard has got the better of the ground game so far.

ballard stands and steps away. Johnson gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
ballard tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Johnson counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by ballard.
Nice shot lands for Johnson.
Johnson throws a left and a right that both miss

and ballard moves into the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Johnson wants to get back to striking at distance but ballard won't allow it.
ballard wants a takedown but no success here.
Johnson is trying to break free.
Johnson is trying to break free.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Johnson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
ballard moves forwards but Johnson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Johnson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and ballard moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

ballard breaks from the clinch.
ballard closes the distance but Johnson moves to the side

and Johnson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for ballard!
ballard just holding on.
ballard bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
ballard won't allow Johnson to get back to his feet.

ballard stands up from Johnson's guard - ballard perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ballard looks to clinch
and Johnson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

ballard gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
ballard unloads a knee to the mid-section. Johnson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Johnson manages to break the clinch.
Johnson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Johnson is looking to score with low kicks.

ballard shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than ballard was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
ballard pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Seth Johnson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson wants to try and get back to his feet.
Johnson is looking to get to half guard.
Johnson is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Johnson is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

ballard working for a guillotine from mount but Johnson is in no mood to give up.
Billy ballard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Johnson is looking to improve his position but ballard isn't that keen on the idea.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

ballard is standing up, even though he is in mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Billy 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Billy ballard!