PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Oliver Queen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jo Ballinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ballinger is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Cheese Scones. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Queen
vs
Ballinger

186 cm
26
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

168 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Oliver Queen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jo Ballinger!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, John Roberts and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Queen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ballinger manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Ballinger working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Queen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Queen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Queen throwing strikes but missing.
Ballinger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Queen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Queen lands a couple of elbows.
Queen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Ballinger has his foot on Queen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Queen works his way back into a safe position though.

Ballinger is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Queen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Ballinger is looking for a triangle but Queen pushes his legs off easily.

Ballinger is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ballinger looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Queen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Queen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Queen stands up over Ballinger, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Ballinger has his foot on Queen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Queen works his way back into a safe position though.
Queen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Queen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ballinger wants to sweep but no luck.
Ballinger has momentary wrist control but Queen slips an elbow through the middle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Queen lands a couple of digs.

Ballinger is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Queen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Queen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Queen scoring with punches to the head and body.

Queen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Queen is looking to pass into half guard but Ballinger pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ballinger is in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Queen can't keep his opponent in guard - Ballinger advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Queen is staying active underneath Ballinger, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Queen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Queen keeping full guard, as Ballinger tries to pass.
Queen keeping moving, preventing Ballinger from controlling successfully.
Ballinger preventing the sweep.

Queen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ballinger gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Queen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Queen is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballinger trying to control but Queen is working from the bottom.
Ballinger throws a big elbow that misses.
Ballinger wants to control from the top but Queen keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Queen looking for a sweep. Not yet Queen, not yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Queen holds on and takes a little breather.
Ballinger trying to control the position from guard on top but Queen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ballinger works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Ballinger seems to be working for a kimura but Queen defends the submission attempt.
Ballinger trying to mount his opponent but Queen defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Queen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Ballinger looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Ballinger is trying to control. Queen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Queen is trying to control but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Queen tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Ballinger has advanced to mount. Uh oh.

Queen defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Ballinger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jo Ballinger will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ballinger gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Queen to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Queen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ballinger is trying to control the position but Queen postures up.
Queen working some strikes from top position.
Queen is working Ballinger over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Queen is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Ballinger has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Queen is looking to defend but Ballinger has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Queen! Ballinger pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Queen taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Jo Ballinger!
A very excited looking Jo Ballinger made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.