PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Granville Ballard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lewis Heard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lewis Heard told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ballard
vs
Heard

190 cm
24
215 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

200 cm
25
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Granville Ballard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Lewis Heard!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Paul Gruel and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Ballard has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Heard is on him like a limpet, forcing Ballard back against the cage.

Ballard breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Heard cracks a nice hook into Ballard's ribs.
Ballard looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Some wild striking there from Heard.

Heard scores with a takedown into Ballard's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Heard is looking to work some ground and pound but Ballard has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballard controlling the position.

Ballard throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Heard won't allow Ballard to sweep him here.
Heard trying to control the position from guard on top but Ballard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ballard avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Ballard has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Heard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Heard stands and throws Ballard's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Heard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ballard keeps working.
Ballard is looking for a sweep.
Ballard sneaks back into half guard.
Heard prevents Ballard from improving his position.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Ballard manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Heard trying to control the position from guard on top but Ballard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ballard is on top in guard.

Heard not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Heard wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ballard controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ballard is looking to work some ground and pound but Heard has wrist control.
Ballard content to stall in guard here.
Ballard lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Heard is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Ballard controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ballard throwing strikes but missing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Heard shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ballard is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Heard's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Heard's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Granville Ballard will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ballard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Heard moves into the clinch.
Ballard tries to stall but Heard uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Heard wants to break free but Ballard has control.
Ballard tries to pull guard but Heard holds him up against the cage and eventually Ballard drops back down to his feet.
Heard throws a knee to the head but misses.

Heard gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Ballard is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ballard is staying active underneath Heard, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballard has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Heard is working away from the top position though.
Heard wants to control but Ballard is keeping him busy.
Ballard manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballard has Heard pulled in close to control his posture.
Granville Ballard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Heard content to stall in guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Heard trying to control the position from guard on top but Ballard is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ballard trying to control the position here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Heard closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Ballard to the mat! Ballard manages to get full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballard is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Heard controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ballard looking to control.
Ballard being controlled here, momentarily.
Heard trying to move into half guard but instead Ballard has managed to sweep!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Heard throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ballard stays in close to Heard's body and controls the position.
Heard is trying to keep Ballard in close.
Heard wants to sweep but no luck.
Ballard trying to control but Heard is working from the bottom.
Ballard wants to get up but he can't break Heard's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ballard lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ballard seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Ballard seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Heard for as long as he can get away with.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Heard drives through with a takedown into guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ballard has his hands on Heard's head, controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lewis Heard 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. This is the final round!

Heard moves into the clinch.

Ballard works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Ballard trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Heard tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Heard throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Heard thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ballard chips away with some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Heard looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Heard looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ballard stops Heard from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heard wants to sweep here but Ballard controlling him for the moment.
Ballard working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Heard's head.
Ballard is stalling in the full guard.
Ballard distracts Heard with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Heard looking for a sweep. Not yet Heard, not yet.
Ballard not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Heard lands with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Heard throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ballard was covering up waiting for the punch and Heard finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Ballard pushes Heard off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Heard takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Ballard shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Heard manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Heard manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Ballard is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Heard pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ballard jumps guard but Heard stands there with Ballard around his waist. Ballard gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ballard has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Heard is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Granville Ballard. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ballard pulls guard.

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

You can see the frustration on Heard's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ballard happy to just control the position for now.
Heard wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Ballard trying to control the action but Heard is working from the bottom.
Ballard is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Heard's shoulder. That is not cool.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballard continues to stall.
Heard tries to buck Ballard off but Ballard is having none of it.
Ballard is putting a hurting on Heard here, landing some big shots from side control.
Ballard trying to control the position but Heard is working away.
A lull in the action here.
Ballard scores with a couple of short elbows.
Ballard content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

And that's the end of the fight!
Granville Ballard showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ballard has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Josh West scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 29:29
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Granville Ballard!