PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Monte Ball (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donald Sutherland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Ball
vs
Sutherland

195 cm
25
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

194 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Voodoo Nutrition
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Monte Ball!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Donald Sutherland!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Alyssa Summers and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ball closes the distance and pushes Sutherland back into the cage.
Sutherland throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ball blocks it with crossed arms.
A short uppercut from Sutherland.
Ball stalling.
Ball misses with a punch to the body.
Ball doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ball swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sutherland missing with knees to the body.
Sutherland has Ball pressed against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Ball.
Sutherland jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ball walks away with a smile on his face. Sutherland gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Sutherland closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ball stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Sutherland successfully pulls guard.
Sutherland controlling Ball's posture.
Ball pushing down on Sutherland's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Sutherland is trying to maintain the position but Ball is very close to passing his half guard.
Ball prevents Sutherland from improving his position.
Sutherland is still trying to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Sutherland gets back to full guard.

Sutherland is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ball is aware though and is defending well.
Sutherland looking to control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Sutherland can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ball is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ball scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sutherland shoots in for a double leg but Ball sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Sutherland moves into range and clinches up with Ball.
Sutherland softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sutherland is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ball gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Monte Ball has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald Sutherland.
Sutherland is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ball gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ball scores with a shoulder strike.
Ball lands with a left to the head.
Ball misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sutherland fails to pull guard.
Ball goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ball blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ball is trying to pull guard but Sutherland has him pressed against the cage.
Ball misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ball throws a head punch that misses.
Ball swings wildly with an uppercut but Sutherland uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sutherland blocks a body shot from Ball.
Sutherland wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ball has him pressed against the cage.
Sutherland tries to pull guard but Ball won't allow it.
Ball misses with a punch to the body.
Ball stops a takedown attempt from Sutherland.
Ball has a couple of punches blocked by Sutherland.
Sutherland blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sutherland blocks a body shot from Ball.
Sutherland tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ball smiles and moves away.
Monte Ball is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sutherland shoots for a double leg takedown but Ball sprawls well. He's pushed Sutherland's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sutherland tries to clinch but Ball moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ball jabs at Sutherland's body.
Sutherland looks winded!
Sutherland shoots in but no luck this time.

Ball clinches up with Sutherland and pushes him back against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Ball dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ball instigates a clinch.
Sutherland drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ball looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Ball stops a takedown attempt from Sutherland.
Sutherland tries to pull guard but Ball won't allow it.
Monte Ball has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Donald Sutherland.
Ball is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ball lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Sutherland blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ball lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ball creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ball misses with some punches.
Ball fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right from Ball.

Ball's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sutherland tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ball swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ball darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Sutherland closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ball circles away.
Sutherland walks into a left hand.

Sutherland gets tackled into the cage by Ball. Ball maintains the clinch.
Ball scores with a shot to the side of Sutherland's head.
Sutherland tries to break the clinch but Ball is controlling the position.
Ball lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ball as Sutherland tries to tie him up.
Sutherland can't get the takedown.
Ball is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sutherland can do to turn this around?
Sutherland is breathing heavily.
Sutherland tries to pull guard but Ball holds him up against the cage and eventually Sutherland drops back down to his feet.
Ball is leaning against Sutherland and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Monte Ball has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sutherland blocking some punches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Sutherland wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ball tries to throw a body punch but Sutherland avoids it by throwing Ball back against the cage.
Ball lands a body punch.
Ball softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sutherland is trying to pull guard but Ball has him pressed against the cage.
Ball lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
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!
Ball lands a shot to the body.
Ball tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Ball - that landed with a thud.
Ball tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sutherland's elbow.
Sutherland being controlled against the cage.
Ball tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Sutherland jumps guard but Ball stands there with Sutherland around his waist. Sutherland gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ball.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ball is working Sutherland over against the cage.
Sutherland is trying to break free.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ball.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ball.
Ball lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Sutherland backwards.
Ball lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ball misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ball lands a right hand that snaps the head of Sutherland backwards.
Ball just leaning against Sutherland, taking a breather.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ball.
Ball lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sutherland jumps guard but Ball stands there with Sutherland around his waist. Sutherland gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ball lands with a short shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sutherland prevents a body shot from Ball.
Ball goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sutherland prevents it.
Stalling in the clinch from Ball.
Ball can't find room to land a body shot as Sutherland controls the action.
Ball swings wildly with an uppercut but Sutherland uses good head movement to avoid it.

Ball breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ball doesn't manage to clinch there - Sutherland circles away.
Donald Sutherland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sutherland circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sutherland unleashes a big counter combination but Ball bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ball with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A punch combination from Sutherland misses.
Ball seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Ball tries to clinch there but Sutherland circles away.
Ball moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ball lands with an uppercut that bounces Sutherland off the cage and back into range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Monte Ball dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sutherland is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Ball clinches up against the cage.
Ball lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Sutherland gets control of Ball's arms and successfully pulls guard. Sutherland will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Ball slips nicely into half guard.
Sutherland pushes Ball off looking to stand but Ball dives back in and keeps control.
Ball wants to free his trapped foot but Sutherland is holding on for dear life with his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ball works his way into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sutherland is trying to get back to half guard.
Ball just content to control the position.
Sutherland pushes Ball away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ball gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Sutherland is looking for a sweep.
Ball happy to just control the position for now.
Sutherland tries to buck Ball off but Ball is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sutherland holding on.
Sutherland is trying to get back to half guard.
Sutherland is trying to control Ball's posture but Ball avoids it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Sutherland lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Ball backs up against the cage.

It looks like Monte Ball has been cut.

Ball has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ball throws a punch but it's blocked by Sutherland.
Ball tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ball throws a punch but it's blocked by Sutherland.
A short body shot lands from Ball as the two fighters clinch.
Sutherland takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sutherland wants to get back to striking at distance but Ball won't allow it.
Ball lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Ball manages to break the clinch.
Monte Ball is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Ball has managed to clinch.
Sutherland wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Sutherland is trying to push Ball away but Ball has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Sutherland has had enough of the clinch but Ball keeps him there for the moment.
Ball lands a hook that snaps the head of Sutherland backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sutherland changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ball fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ball digs a good body shot into Sutherland's ribs.
Sutherland fails to land with a series of punches.
Sutherland keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And Sutherland tries to counter it with a takedown but Ball pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Ball rushes Sutherland and presses him up against the cage.
Ball is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Sutherland takes a shot to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sutherland looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Donald Sutherland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
Ball lands with a left to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Monte 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:26
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:26

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