PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Malachi Leatherwood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Holden Ballinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Leatherwood
vs
Ballinger

193 cm
34
245 lbs
14 - 6 - 1

199 cm
28
225 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Malachi Leatherwood!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Holden Ballinger!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksandr Martynov and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballinger defending well as Leatherwood loads up on a big left hand.
Ballinger looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ballinger scores with a jab to the jaw.

Leatherwood lands a big head kick that sends Ballinger tumbling to the mat! Leatherwood takes a step backwards and waves Ballinger back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Holden Ballinger has been cut.
Ballinger lets loose with a powerful body kick. Leatherwood will feel that in the morning.
Ballinger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Leatherwood is looking to counter punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ballinger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Leatherwood keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Leatherwood swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Leatherwood misses with a looping right.
Nice shot by Leatherwood.
Ballinger lands the left hand.

Ballinger gets tackled into the cage by Leatherwood. Leatherwood maintains the clinch.
Leatherwood throws a knee to the head but misses.
Leatherwood looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ballinger tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Leatherwood's elbow.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ballinger breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Leatherwood.
Leatherwood throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've been hearing reports that Leatherwood has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Leatherwood defending well as Ballinger loads up on a big left hand.
Leatherwood drops down looking for a counter takedown but Ballinger sprawls and moves away.
Leatherwood avoids the head kick by Ballinger.
Ballinger tries a head kick but it misses.
Leatherwood is looking for a counter combo.
Good exchange - Ballinger coming out on top.
Leatherwood throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ballinger cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ballinger connects with a body shot.
Leatherwood ducks under a wild hook from Ballinger.
A left lands for Ballinger.
A big left from Ballinger misses.
Ballinger has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
The crowd cheers as Ballinger lands an impressive looking overhand right. Leatherwood doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ballinger misses with a head kick.
It looked like Leatherwood wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Leatherwood takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Leatherwood takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ballinger connects with a good right hand that stumbles Leatherwood. Leatherwood circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A big left from Leatherwood misses.
Leatherwood loads up on a big right hand but Ballinger slips the punch.
Ballinger now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Ballinger takes a swing at Leatherwood's ribcage but misses.
Ballinger takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ballinger is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Leatherwood had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Ballinger fails to land with a series of punches.
Leatherwood attempts a counter takedown but Ballinger avoids it well and moves away.
Ballinger swinging wildly here.
Leatherwood throws a sloppy head kick and Ballinger moves out of range easily.
Leatherwood bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Holden Ballinger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leatherwood takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Ballinger throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ballinger swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Leatherwood lands a big head kick that sends Ballinger tumbling to the mat! Leatherwood takes a step backwards and waves Ballinger back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Ballinger is rocked!
Ballinger tries to get into range but Leatherwood steps to the side and lands a beautiful hook that drops Ballinger! He's faceplanted into the mat, ass in the air... he's out cold! That's an image he won't want to show his grandkids when he gets older! Leatherwood scores the big KO victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Malachi Leatherwood!
Malachi Leatherwood thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Holden Ballinger spoke after the fight, saying 'You must defeat Sheng Long to stand a chance!'.