PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jo Ballinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Felix Storm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ballinger might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Cheese Scones. Jo Ballinger has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ballinger
vs
Storm

168 cm
27
156 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

165 cm
26
157 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jo Ballinger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Felix Storm!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Valeri Chadov and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A swing and a miss from Ballinger.
Ballinger takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Storm with a nice cross.
Ballinger misses with a looping right.
Jab by Storm.
Storm takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Storm blocks a head kick by Ballinger.
Ballinger throws a jab but it's blocked by Storm.
Ballinger fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Storm on the side of the head.
Storm takes a swing at Ballinger's ribcage but misses.
Ballinger circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ballinger throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Storm scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Storm rushes Ballinger and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Storm swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Storm blocking some punches.
Storm throws a punch but it's blocked by Ballinger.
Ballinger trying to stall but Storm improves his position.

Ballinger pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donk. Storm catches Ballinger right on the button with a cross.
Storm slips a jab from Ballinger.
Ballinger lands a jab.
Ballinger cracks Storm with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Ballinger shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Storm kicks Ballinger off and gets to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ballinger walks into a left hand.
Jo Ballinger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ballinger throws a one two combo.
Storm smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ballinger works the jab nicely.
Storm uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ballinger.
Ballinger moves in looking to clinch but Storm pushes him off.
A left lands for Ballinger.
Ballinger is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Storm moves in looking to clinch but Ballinger pushes him off.
Storm steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ballinger.
Felix Storm is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Storm pushes Ballinger up against the cage in a clinch.

Ballinger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballinger keeps the fight on the outside.
Storm fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ballinger on the side of the head.
Storm is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Ballinger had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

Storm has closed the distance and engaged Ballinger in a clinch.
Storm swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ballinger controlling the action here for a moment.
Storm working aggressively here.
Ballinger takes a shot to the head.
Ballinger is trying to stall.
Storm lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Storm lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ballinger backwards.
Storm struggles to land a body shot inside as Ballinger controls his hands.
Ballinger wants to get back to striking at distance but Storm won't allow it.
Storm digs a right hand underneath Ballinger's ribcage. Ballinger let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A frustrated look appears on Ballinger's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nice body punch from Storm - that landed with a thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm working aggressively here.
Storm lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ballinger looking to stall.
Storm blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ballinger misses with the head strike.
Ballinger doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Storm swings wildly with an uppercut but Ballinger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ballinger wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ballinger is trying to break the clinch but Storm has him pressed against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Storm scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ballinger trying to stall but Storm improves his position.
Storm tries to work over Ballinger's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Storm lands a body punch.
Ballinger blocks an uppercut.
Storm digs a right hand into Ballinger's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ballinger's gas tank.
Ballinger is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Storm fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Storm blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Storm has a couple of punches blocked by Ballinger.
Storm lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ballinger backwards.
Ballinger misses with a punch on the inside.
Storm tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Storm working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Ballinger fails to land.
Storm blocking some punches.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ballinger working hard to break the clinch.
Storm lands a shoulder strike.
Storm scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ballinger tries to pull guard but Storm forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Storm lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ballinger lands a left hand that snaps the head of Storm backwards.
Nice body punch from Storm - that landed with a thud.
Ballinger swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felix Storm dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A punch lands to the side of Storm 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ballinger.

Ballinger tries to keep at a distance but Storm has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ballinger blocks a punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Storm lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Storm working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Storm lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Storm has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ballinger wants to get back to striking at distance but Storm won't allow it.
Ballinger misses with the head strike.
Storm is leaning against Ballinger and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Storm blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Storm makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ballinger tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ballinger swings away with an uppercut that misses.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Storm lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Storm scores with a shot to the side of Ballinger's head.
Ballinger misses with some punches.
Ballinger is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballinger throws a head punch that misses.

Ballinger manages to break the clinch.
Storm scores with a jab. Ballinger acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Storm cracks Ballinger with an open hand slap.
Ballinger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ballinger misses with a shot to the body
and Storm counters with a nice uppercut.
Storm tries to clinch but Ballinger is having none of it.
Jab by Storm.
Ballinger misses with a left hand
and Storm counters with a stiff right hand.
Jo Ballinger is winning the standup battle so far.
Ballinger connects with a crisp jab.
Storm connects with a nice looking jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ballinger connects with a looping right hand.
Storm defending well as Ballinger loads up on a big left hand.
Storm uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ballinger has time to react.
Storm uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ballinger.
Storm misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ballinger takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ballinger takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm tries to clinch but Ballinger moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Storm. No joy for Ballinger on that attempt.
Storm keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Storm avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Storm avoids the head kick by Ballinger.

Storm closes the distance and clinches.
Storm misses with the head strike.
Ballinger tries to pull guard but Storm forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ballinger's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short left from Storm.
A short left from Storm.
Storm lands a hook that snaps the head of Ballinger backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Storm.
Ballinger stalling in the clinch but Storm improves position.
Storm doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ballinger lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ballinger effectively controlling the action here.
Storm lands with a light punch inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Storm keeps control of Ballinger as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Storm.
Storm prevents Ballinger from breaking the clinch.
Ballinger lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Storm creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Storm swings wildly with an uppercut but Ballinger uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Storm on the inside.
Ballinger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Storm scores with a shot to the side of Ballinger's head.
Storm lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Ballinger manages to break the clinch.
Storm scores with a hook.
Storm tries to clinch but Ballinger moves out of range.
Storm ducks under a wild hook from Ballinger.
Ballinger goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Storm pushes Ballinger up against the cage in a clinch.
Storm misses with a short punch on the inside.
Storm pushes Ballinger back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ballinger is looking to control Storm's arms but Storm gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ballinger has his back to the cage.
Felix Storm seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Storm lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ballinger backwards.
Storm tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ballinger's elbow.
A nice right hand lands inside from Storm.
Storm lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Storm lands a nice uppercut.
Storm lands with a short shot to the head.
Storm lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Storm.
Storm working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Ballinger is rocked!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ballinger is trying to break the clinch but Storm has him pressed against the cage.
Storm lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Oh Ballinger is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ballinger's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short left from Storm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felix Storm showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Storm throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ballinger stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ballinger seems to have got his legs back now.
Storm is looking to clinch.
Storm keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Storm with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Storm avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Storm darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Storm misses the jab.

Storm gets a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Storm creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Storm stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ballinger throws a head punch that misses.
Ballinger's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Storm swings wildly with an uppercut but Ballinger uses good head movement to avoid it.

Ballinger pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice defenses there by Storm.
Storm now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Some wild striking there from Storm.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Storm connects with a nice looking jab.
Ballinger takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Storm tries to clinch up.
Storm shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ballinger eats them both and turns towards Storm to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ballinger dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Storm. That did some damage!
Ballinger misses with a right hand

and Storm counters by clinching up.
Nice body punch from Storm.
Storm lands a body punch.
Ballinger working hard to break the clinch.
Ballinger goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ballinger blocks an uppercut.
Storm lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ballinger backwards.
Ballinger wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Storm pushes Ballinger back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Storm lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Storm gets through Ballinger's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Come on Storm - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Jo Ballinger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Storm.
Storm tries a body shot but Ballinger blocks it.
A body shot lands from Storm.
Ballinger has had enough of the clinch but Storm keeps him there for the moment.

Ballinger's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Storm tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ballinger just misses with a punch to the body.
Storm looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Storm lands with a nice body punch.

Ballinger gets tackled into the cage by Storm. Storm maintains the clinch.
Storm blocking some punches.

Ballinger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ballinger.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Storm! But no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Storm connects with a right hand. Ballinger shakes it off.
Ballinger takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Storm clinches up with Ballinger and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Storm.
Ballinger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Storm has him pressed against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Storm.
Storm gets through Ballinger's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Storm lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Storm blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ballinger blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ballinger tries to stall but Storm uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Felix Storm is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ballinger working hard to break the clinch.
Ballinger jumps guard but Storm turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Ballinger misses with a punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Ballinger.
Ballinger working aggressively here.
Storm has Ballinger pressed against the cage, preventing Ballinger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Storm makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Storm working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Storm lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short body shot lands from Storm as the two fighters clinch.
Storm scores with a shoulder strike.
Storm lands a left hand.
Storm lands a hook to the side of the head.
Storm blocking some punches.
Storm scores with a shoulder strike.
Ballinger wants to stall.
Storm working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ballinger tries to break the clinch but Storm is controlling the position.
Ballinger misses with the head strike.
Storm lands a shoulder strike.
Storm has Ballinger pressed against the cage, preventing Ballinger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A short body shot lands from Storm as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Storm lands a hook that snaps the head of Ballinger backwards.
Ballinger looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ballinger misses with a punch to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Felix Storm comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Storm 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Felix Storm!
Jo Ballinger was interviewed post fight and said 'You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance!'.