PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matel Huchkov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jo Ballinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ballinger has chosen Cheese Scones as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Huchkov
vs
Ballinger

170 cm
25
143 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

168 cm
26
156 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Matel Huchkov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jo Ballinger!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Lou da Vinci and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballinger misses with an uppercut.

Huchkov clinches up with Ballinger and pushes him back against the cage.
Ballinger wants to break the clinch but can't.
A short right from Huchkov on the inside.
Huchkov lands a nice elbow.
Ballinger misses with a hook from the clinch.

Huchkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Huchkov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ballinger lands a nice looking body shot.
Ballinger lands with an uppercut that bounces Huchkov off the cage and back into range.

Huchkov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
I was talking to Huchkov's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Ballinger goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Huchkov lands a right hand.
Ballinger tries to circle away but Huchkov has him pinned against the cage.
Huchkov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Huchkov crunches a lovely knee into Ballinger's ribcage.
Ballinger is trying to break the clinch but Huchkov is controlling him.
Huchkov is leaning against Ballinger and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ballinger working hard to break the clinch.
Huchkov scores with a nice hook to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballinger swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Huchkov.
Ballinger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Huchkov lands an uppercut.
Huchkov avoiding damage.
Ballinger tries to throw a body punch but Huchkov avoids it by throwing Ballinger back against the cage.
Huchkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Huchkov softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Huchkov lands a damaging elbow.
Ballinger stalling.
Huchkov lands a damaging elbow.
Huchkov scores with a shoulder strike.
Huchkov lands a left hand.
Huchkov lands a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ballinger is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Huchkov to keep the fight standing.
Ballinger trying to control the position but instead, Huchkov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ballinger into the cage.

Huchkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov cracks Ballinger with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Huchkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ballinger pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Huchkov back to the cage. Ballinger follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Matel Huchkov has been cut.
Ballinger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Huchkov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ballinger, pushing him back against the cage.
Ballinger tries to break the clinch but Huchkov is controlling the position.
Huchkov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ballinger is trying to force a seperation but Huchkov has the dominant position.

Huchkov manages to break the clinch.

Huchkov pushes Ballinger up against the cage in a clinch.
Huchkov lands an uppercut.
Huchkov lands an elbow that stopped Ballinger in his tracks for a moment.
Ballinger scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Huchkov lands a hook to the side of the head.
Huchkov lands with a light punch inside.
Nice elbow from Huchkov.
Ballinger stalling.
A nice right hand lands inside from Huchkov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Huchkov.
Huchkov blocks an uppercut.
Ballinger lands a nice uppercut.
Ballinger lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ballinger looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Huchkov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Huchkov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Huchkov struggles to land a body shot inside as Ballinger controls his hands.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ballinger misses with the head strike.
Ballinger misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Huchkov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ballinger misses the jab.

Huchkov moves into range and clinches up with Ballinger.
Ballinger trying to control the position but instead, Huchkov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ballinger into the cage.
Huchkov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ballinger swings wildly with an uppercut but Huchkov uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov lands a nice knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ballinger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ballinger throws a head kick that misses.

Huchkov darts in and clinches Ballinger up against the cage.

Huchkov breaks from the clinch.
Huchkov tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ballinger manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ballinger misses with a right hand

and Huchkov counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Huchkov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Huchkov blocking some punches.
Huchkov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ballinger tries to circle away but Huchkov has him pinned against the cage.
Ballinger fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Huchkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ballinger swings for the body but Huchkov moves out of range.
Huchkov throws a quick counter head kick but Ballinger was just out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Huchkov wants to clinch.

Huchkov instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matel Huchkov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Matel Huchkov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ballinger looks to land a combination but Huchkov avoids it well.
Ballinger throws a sloppy body shot
and Huchkov counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Huchkov gets a clinch.
Ballinger goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ballinger tries to break the clinch but Huchkov is controlling the position.
Huchkov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ballinger.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Huchkov.
A short right from Huchkov.
Huchkov blocking some punches.
Ballinger swings wildly with an uppercut but Huchkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ballinger wants to break free but Huchkov has control.
Ballinger misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballinger doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Ballinger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ballinger misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Huchkov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Huchkov forces Ballinger back against the cage and clinches.
Ballinger swings wildly with an uppercut but Huchkov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Huchkov blocks a body shot from Ballinger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballinger scores with a nice hook to the head.
Huchkov lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ballinger or not.
Huchkov lands a right hand.
Ballinger is trying to break free.
Huchkov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Huchkov lands a right hand.
Huchkov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ballinger's face.
Huchkov lands a hook that snaps the head of Ballinger backwards.
Ballinger is trying to break the clinch but Huchkov is controlling him.
Huchkov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Huchkov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ballinger misses with some punches.
Huchkov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ballinger can do to turn this around?
Huchkov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Huchkov lands a hook that snaps the head of Ballinger backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ballinger misses with a hook from the clinch.

Huchkov breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov slips under a jab from Ballinger.
Huchkov went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A nice left hand lands by Huchkov.

Huchkov escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Huchkov darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Jo Ballinger seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ballinger jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Huchkov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Huchkov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Huchkov's corner calls for a 1-2. Huchkov obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ballinger throws a lazy right hand but Huchkov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ballinger misses with a wild body shot.
Matel Huchkov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ballinger throws a jab but it's blocked by Huchkov.
Ballinger takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Huchkov cracks Ballinger with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Huchkov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Huchkov lands a body punch in the clinch.
Huchkov lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballinger stalling in the clinch but Huchkov improves position.
Ballinger tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Huchkov's elbow.
Ballinger working hard to break the clinch.
Huchkov lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Huchkov taking a breather.
A short uppercut from Huchkov.
Huchkov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Huchkov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ballinger is trying to stall.
Ballinger working hard to break the clinch.
Huchkov throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ballinger swings wildly with an uppercut but Huchkov uses good head movement to avoid it.

Huchkov breaks the clinch.
Ballinger cracks Huchkov with a right hand to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov tries to clinch but Ballinger is having none of it.
Ballinger throws out a counter right but Huchkov avoids it with no problem.

Huchkov has Ballinger up against the cage in a clinch.
Huchkov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Huchkov lands with a left to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Huchkov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Huchkov has Ballinger pressed against the cage, preventing Ballinger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Huchkov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ballinger misses with a punch on the inside.
Huchkov lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Huchkov.
Ballinger is trying to break the clinch but Huchkov has him pressed against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Huchkov throws an elbow but misses.
Ballinger's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ballinger trying to control the position but instead, Huchkov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ballinger into the cage.
Huchkov blocks a body shot from Ballinger.
Ballinger goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matel Huchkov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Matel Huchkov's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Ballinger misses the target.
A quick step to the side and Huchkov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Huchkov wants to clinch.

Huchkov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Huchkov keeps control of Ballinger as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A hook to the body from Huchkov.
Ballinger swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Huchkov lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ballinger backwards.
Huchkov prevents a body shot from Ballinger.
Huchkov lands a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballinger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Huchkov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ballinger's defenses.
Huchkov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Huchkov manages to break the clinch.
Huchkov slips a straight right by Ballinger.
Ballinger swats away the attempt to clinch by Huchkov.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ballinger! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Huchkov rushes Ballinger and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Huchkov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Huchkov prevents Ballinger from breaking the clinch.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Matel Huchkov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Huchkov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ballinger avoids a wild elbow strike from Huchkov.
Ballinger takes an elbow to the temple.
Huchkov landing knees to the body.

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

Huchkov gets a clinch.
Huchkov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ballinger misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Huchkov on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Huchkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Jo Ballinger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Huchkov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Huchkov moves into range and clinches up with Ballinger.
Huchkov landing knees to the head.
Ballinger misses with a body punch.
Huchkov gets through Ballinger's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short body shot lands from Huchkov as the two fighters clinch.
Huchkov keeps control of Ballinger as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Huchkov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Huchkov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Huchkov lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ballinger.
Ballinger has Huchkov pushed against the cage.
Ballinger tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Huchkov crunches a lovely knee into Ballinger's ribcage.
Ballinger takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A head punch on the inside from Ballinger fails to land.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Huchkov blocking some punches.
Ballinger working hard to break the clinch.
Huchkov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ballinger's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Huchkov breaks from the clinch.
Ballinger swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Huchkov clinches up with Ballinger and pushes him back against the cage.
Ballinger stalling against the cage.

Huchkov breaks from the clinch.
Huchkov slips under a jab.
Huchkov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ballinger swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Huchkov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Huchkov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Huchkov tries to clinch up.
Huchkov is looking to clinch but Ballinger is avoiding it.
A nice side step and Ballinger releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ballinger throws a big shot that misses.
Huchkov lands a nice looking kick to the body. Ballinger takes a step back to recover.
Matel Huchkov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Huchkov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ballinger back to the cage. Huchkov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballinger swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Huchkov closes the distance and pushes Ballinger back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ballinger wants to break free but Huchkov has control.
Ballinger blocks an elbow strike from Huchkov.
Huchkov lands a nice uppercut.
Ballinger throws a punch but it's blocked by Huchkov.
Huchkov blocking some punches.
Ballinger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Huchkov has him pressed against the cage.
Ballinger is trying to break the clinch but Huchkov has him pressed against the cage.
Ballinger can't break the clinch.
Ballinger wants to break the clinch but can't.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ballinger misses with some punches.
Huchkov lands a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matel Huchkov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Huchkov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matel Huchkov!
An out of breath Matel Huchkov thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Jo Ballinger had this to say: 'You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance!'.