PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ambrogio Ballestrazzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joaquin Fortunado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ballestrazzi might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Foxes - Holding Onto Heaven. Fortunado is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Stairway to Heaven. Ambrogio Ballestrazzi had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Ballestrazzi
vs
Fortunado

195 cm
36
220 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

191 cm
33
208 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition
Mohito Fightwear

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 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ambrogio Ballestrazzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joaquin Fortunado!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballestrazzi scores with a kick to the body.
Ambrogio Ballestrazzi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fortunado feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ballestrazzi's calf.
Ballestrazzi throws a body shot but no joy.
Ballestrazzi throws a hook but Fortunado blocks it.
Fortunado was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Fortunado walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ballestrazzi.
Ballestrazzi tries a low kick but Fortunado avoids it.
Fortunado moves out of range of the body kick from Ballestrazzi.
Fortunado scores with a jab. Ballestrazzi acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

It looks like Ambrogio Ballestrazzi has been cut.
Fortunado misses with a body kick.

Ballestrazzi shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Ballestrazzi was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An elbow from Ballestrazzi crashes against the mat.
Fortunado is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Fortunado struggling a bit here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fortunado regains half guard, as Ballestrazzi was trying to land strikes.
Ballestrazzi has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Ballestrazzi is thwarting Fortunado's attempts to control the position.
Ballestrazzi wants to pass the guard but Fortunado is defending well.
Ballestrazzi throwing shots but Fortunado is blocking nicely.
Fortunado is pressing down on Ballestrazzi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ballestrazzi throwing strikes but missing.
Ballestrazzi wants to control from the top but Fortunado keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fortunado working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ballestrazzi.
Ballestrazzi in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fortunado seems keen to control Ballestrazzi's posture.
Ballestrazzi trying to control the position from guard on top but Fortunado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fortunado working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ballestrazzi.
Ballestrazzi throwing strikes from guard but Fortunado blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ballestrazzi is pushing down on Fortunado's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fortunado is fighting to maintain full guard but Ballestrazzi has managed to sneak the leg through.
Fortunado felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Ballestrazzi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fortunado manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Fortunado working a defensive guard here.
Ballestrazzi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballestrazzi is fighting to break Fortunado's control of his arms but Fortunado is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fortunado controls Ballestrazzi momentarily but Ballestrazzi frees himself.
Ballestrazzi tries to free his leg and advance position but Fortunado is retaining full guard.
Ballestrazzi lands a couple of elbows.
Fortunado manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ballestrazzi manages to get himself to full guard.

Fortunado won't allow Ballestrazzi to sweep him here.
Ballestrazzi controls Fortunado momentarily but Fortunado frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fortunado wants to pass the guard but Ballestrazzi is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fortunado won't allow Ballestrazzi to sweep him here.
Fortunado stands and throws Ballestrazzi's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Fortunado working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Ballestrazzi is trying to get back to half guard.
Fortunado wants to control but Ballestrazzi is keeping him busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ballestrazzi is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ambrogio Ballestrazzi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ambrogio Ballestrazzi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fortunado takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ballestrazzi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fortunado throws a big counter head kick but Ballestrazzi avoids it with no problem.
Ballestrazzi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
An inside leg kick lands from Ballestrazzi.
Fortunado connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ballestrazzi. Ballestrazzi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fortunado's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Fortunado duly obliges.
Fortunado moves out of range of the body kick from Ballestrazzi.
Fortunado moves out of range as Ballestrazzi throws a body kick.
Fortunado looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ballestrazzi missing with a left hand there. Fortunado was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fortunado avoids the head kick by Ballestrazzi.
Ballestrazzi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fortunado.
Fortunado walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fortunado lands a big head kick that sends Ballestrazzi tumbling to the mat! Fortunado takes a step backwards and waves Ballestrazzi back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Joaquin Fortunado seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Fortunado drops Ballestrazzi with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Ballestrazzi looks back up at him and smiles so Fortunado waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Ballestrazzi is rocked!

Ambrogio Ballestrazzi's cut is getting worse.
Joaquin Fortunado is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fortunado feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ballestrazzi's calf.
Oh Ballestrazzi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fortunado looks to land a combination but Ballestrazzi avoids it well.
Ballestrazzi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ballestrazzi rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Fortunado counters with a nice body shot.
Ballestrazzi seems to have got his legs back now.
Fortunado misses the shot to the body.
Ballestrazzi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ballestrazzi misses with a wild combination.
Ballestrazzi swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Fortunado counters with a head kick that drops Ballestrazzi to the mat! Ballestrazzi scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
Fortunado uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ballestrazzi.
Ballestrazzi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Fortunado appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

Ballestrazzi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Fortunado looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballestrazzi is looking to take a break and control but Fortunado is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fortunado takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Fortunado struggling a bit here.
Ballestrazzi trying to control the action but Fortunado is working from the bottom.
Fortunado wants to control but Ballestrazzi postures up.
Ballestrazzi throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Fortunado works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fortunado has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ballestrazzi is working away from the top position though.
Ballestrazzi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fortunado's head.
Fortunado trying to hold on to Ballestrazzi's head to control him but Ballestrazzi postures up.
Fortunado keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ballestrazzi with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ballestrazzi sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fortunado defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Fortunado taking some punishment here, with Ballestrazzi in his half guard.
Ballestrazzi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ballestrazzi thows a huge punch but Fortunado dodges it nicely.
Ballestrazzi looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Fortunado with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ballestrazzi is trying to control. Fortunado wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fortunado is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ballestrazzi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ballestrazzi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fortunado's head.
Ballestrazzi not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ballestrazzi is keen to just control but Fortunado is a slippery customer.
Ballestrazzi lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ballestrazzi throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joaquin Fortunado showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ambrogio Ballestrazzi's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Fortunado scores with a jab to the jaw.
Fortunado takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Good work by Fortunado as he checks the leg kick.
Ballestrazzi scores with a punch to the head.

Ballestrazzi throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Fortunado was covering up waiting for the punch and Ballestrazzi finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ballestrazzi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ballestrazzi with a nice head shot there.
Fortunado utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ballestrazzi trying to control the position from guard on top but Fortunado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ballestrazzi postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballestrazzi postures up in Fortunado's guard and throws a big left but Fortunado blocks it.
Fortunado working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ballestrazzi.
Fortunado avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fortunado not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fortunado keeping moving, preventing Ballestrazzi from controlling successfully.
Ballestrazzi content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Fortunado looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fortunado preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ballestrazzi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ballestrazzi is fighting to break Fortunado's control of his arms but Fortunado is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Ballestrazzi throwing strikes from guard but Fortunado blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballestrazzi landing with the ground and pound.
Ballestrazzi postures up.
Ballestrazzi landing some decent shots from guard.
Ballestrazzi throwing strikes from guard but Fortunado blocks nicely.
Ballestrazzi trying to control but Fortunado is working from the bottom.
Ballestrazzi throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ballestrazzi makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ballestrazzi postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballestrazzi distracts Fortunado with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fortunado working a defensive guard here.
Ballestrazzi seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Fortunado pulls Ballestrazzi in close to his closed guard and prevents Ballestrazzi from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fortunado is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ballestrazzi missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Ballestrazzi stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Fortunado has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! Ballestrazzi manages to get his head free but now Fortunado has transitioned to an armbar! Ballestrazzi grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Fortunado! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Joaquin Fortunado!
In his post fight interview, Joaquin Fortunado started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.