PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Elliot Ball (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hank Virgo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Virgo is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Edguy - Defenders Of The Crown. Elliot Ball has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Ball
vs
Virgo

196 cm
24
140 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

165 cm
24
137 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

EVOLUTION Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Elliot Ball!
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, Hank Virgo!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ball gets caught flat footed, as Virgo shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ball striking off his back.
Virgo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ball swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ball will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Virgo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ball looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ball looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ball!

Virgo struggling a bit here.
Virgo is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Ball is staying active.
Virgo tries to buck Ball off but Ball is having none of it.
Ball in side control, throwing shots but Virgo defends.
Virgo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Ball wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ball is putting a hurting on Virgo here, landing some big shots from side control.
Virgo tries to bench press Ball off him but Ball keeps the position.
Ball is chipping away with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Virgo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ball's best efforts.

Virgo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ball pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Virgo looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ball scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Virgo is trying to get back to full guard.
Ball wants to take a breather but Virgo is having none of it.
Virgo taking some punishment here, with Ball in his half guard.
Ball really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Nice strikes from Ball there.
Ball working over Virgo with some ground and pound. Virgo looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ball slips a nice elbow through Virgo's hands, connecting with Virgo's forehead.
Ball is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ball is thwarting Virgo's attempts to control the position.
Ball is nestled in close to Virgo, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ball winds up and cracks Virgo with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Ball there.
Ball slips a nice elbow through Virgo's hands, connecting with Virgo's forehead.
Virgo is looking to control Ball's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Virgo avoid being mounted?
Ball lands with a punch from half guard.
Ball lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Ball is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Virgo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ball pulls his head out easily.
Virgo trying to control here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ball lands a nice short elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ball is nestled in close to Virgo, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ball is thwarting Virgo's attempts to control the position.
Virgo is looking to improve his position.
Ball drops an elbow to the side of Virgo's head.

Virgo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ball pulls his head out easily.
Virgo throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Ball stops Virgo from getting back to his feet.
Virgo wants to control but Ball is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ball slips a nice elbow through Virgo's hands, connecting with Virgo's forehead.
Virgo trying to control here.
Virgo works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ball scoring with some ground and pound.
Ball working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Virgo's head.
Ball is working Virgo over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Virgo trying to control the position.

Virgo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Virgo looks winded!

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

Virgo working for a triangle but Ball defends it easily.
Ball postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Ball lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ball scoring with punches to the head and body.

Virgo has his foot on Ball's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ball works his way back into a safe position though.
Ball lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Ball cracks Virgo with a solid left hand.
Ball landing with the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elliot Ball dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Virgo misses with a takedown
and Ball counters with a three punch combo that has Virgo backing up. Virgo nods at Ball to acknowledge the strikes.
Ball throws a low kick but it's checked well by Virgo.
Virgo with the counter takedown but Ball avoids it easily.
Ball stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ball wants it to stay on the feet.
Virgo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ball as he avoids it easily.
Elliot Ball has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hank Virgo.
Virgo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ball pinned against the cage. Ball gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hank Virgo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Virgo is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Virgo wants to clinch
and Ball counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ball shoots in and drives through. Virgo sprawls well.
Virgo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ball counters with a nice uppercut.
Ball keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ball throws a big counter combination but Virgo scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Virgo shoots and misses
and Ball counters with a stiff right hand.
Ball throws a body kick that misses

and Virgo counters with a single leg into guard. Ball didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ball pulls Virgo in close to his closed guard and prevents Virgo from doing any damage or advancing position.
Ball tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ball has Virgo pulled in close to control his posture.
Virgo wants to pass the guard but Ball is keeping the position.
Virgo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Virgo has gone for a leg lock! Ball slips out almost immediately though and dives into Virgo's guard.

Ball has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Virgo has momentary wrist control but Ball slips an elbow through the middle.
Ball working some strikes from top position.
Ball lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Virgo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ball doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ball manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ball scoring with some ground and pound.
Virgo is trying to control the position but Ball postures up.

Virgo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ball can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ball working some strikes from top position.
Virgo keeping moving, preventing Ball from controlling successfully.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ball's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ball gets to his feet. Virgo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A good leg kick by Ball.
Virgo doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ball counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Virgo closes the distance but Ball moves to the side
and Ball counters with a straight right hand.
Hank Virgo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Virgo misses with the body kick
and Ball counters with a left and a right that stings Virgo.
Virgo shoots in but Ball avoids the takedown attempt easily.
It appears Ball was looking to counter with a kick there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elliot Ball dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Virgo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ball as he jumps to the side.
Virgo misses with a double jab.

Virgo shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Virgo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ball regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ball looking to hit a scissor sweep but Virgo is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ball keeping moving, preventing Virgo from controlling successfully.
Elliot Ball overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Virgo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ball in side control lands a decent elbow.
Virgo wants to control but Ball postures up.
Ball scoring with punches from side control.
Virgo tries to escape but Ball is in control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Virgo is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Virgo trying to control but Ball postures up.
Ball working over Virgo with some ground and pound. Virgo looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Virgo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ball landing some decent shots from guard.
Virgo trying to keep a closed guard but Ball is proving a slippery customer.
Ball scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Virgo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ball gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ball landing some decent shots from guard.
Virgo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ball landing with the ground and pound.
Ball landing some decent shots from guard.
Ball working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Virgo's head.
Virgo is trying to control the position but Ball postures up.
Virgo wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Ball is now in half guard.

Virgo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ball pulls his head out easily.
Virgo is looking for a sweep. Ball is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ball landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ball working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Virgo trying to control but Ball postures up.

Ball is trying to work for a kimura but Virgo is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Ball.

Ball is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Virgo defends it well.
Virgo tries to get to full guard but Ball has control of the leg.

Virgo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ball pulls his head out easily.
Ball takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Hank Virgo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ball tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Virgo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Virgo is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elliot Ball showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ball has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge George Francis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elliot Ball!