PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sam Assad (ranked 1837 p4p, 227 weight class) and Wrecking Ball (ranked 3273 p4p, 389 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Assad
vs
Ball

189 cm
25
186 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

188 cm
24
185 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Organic Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sam Assad!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wrecking Ball!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Assad scores with a hook to the body. Ball takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Assad misses with a hook. Ball ducked under it nicely.
Ball ducks under a wild hook from Assad.
Assad misses the jab.
Assad misses with a hook. Ball ducked under it nicely.
Ball drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Assad defends it well.
Ball throws a hook but Assad avoids it easily.
Ball slips a jab from Assad.
Assad takes a swing at Ball's ribcage but misses.
Ball uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Assad.
Ball 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.
Assad misses with a body shot
and Assad takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ball uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Assad.
Assad bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ball's head.
Assad lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Jab from Assad.
Assad scores with a nice strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Assad checks a leg kick.
Ball keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Assad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ball misses with a low kick as Assad jumps back.
Assad looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ball throws a body punch but Assad moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Assad as he checks the leg kick.
Assad throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Ball to counter with a crisp jab.
Ball fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Assad looks to land a right hand but Ball moved out of range.
Assad on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sam Assad is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ball uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Assad.
Ball takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Assad just misses with a punch to the body.
Assad misses with an uppercut.
Ball catches Assad with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Assad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Assad connects with the punch.
Assad throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ball.
Ball takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Assad throws a hook but Ball avoids it easily.
Assad slips under a jab from Ball.
Assad keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ball.
Assad misses with a right hand
and Ball counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assad misses with a straight left.
Ball let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Assad works Ball's body with a nice hook.
Assad takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Assad throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ball throws out a counter right but Assad avoids it with no problem.
Ball ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A swing and a miss from Ball.
Sam Assad seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Assad throws a jab when Ball was well out of range.
Assad lands a slapping body shot.
Ball keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ball throws a right hand that Assad ducks under and follows up with a left that Assad also avoids with ease.
Assad misses with a body shot

and Ball counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Assad keeping moving, preventing Ball from controlling successfully.
Ball is stalling in the full guard.
Ball wants to pass the guard but Assad is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assad throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ball postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ball wants to pass the guard but Assad is keeping the position.
Ball with a nice head shot there.
Assad looking for a sweep. Not yet Assad, not yet.
Ball distracts Assad with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ball with a flurry of punches that miss.
Assad being controlled here, momentarily.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Assad is looking for a triangle but Ball pushes his legs off easily.

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.
Ball is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Assad uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ball has time to react.
Assad lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ball at a distance.
Assad takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Assad misses with a looping right.
Ball feints the counter takedown.
Ball is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Assad is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ball.
Assad misses with a straight right.
Good standup being displayed there by Assad as he connects with a hook.
Assad blocks a low kick nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Assad dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Assad takes a swing at Ball's ribcage but misses.
Ball defending well as Assad loads up on a big left hand.
Assad is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ball can do to turn this around?
Ball bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Assad dips to his left and cracks Ball with an uppercut!
Assad checks a leg kick nicely.
Assad was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Assad misses the shot to the body.
Ball misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Assad throwing a counter right hand but Ball manages to avoid it.
Ball drops his hands momentarily and Assad takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The crowd cheers as Assad lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ball doesn't seem phased though.
Assad lands with a hook. Ball tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Ball rushes Assad and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ball prevents a body shot from Assad.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ball avoiding damage.
Ball lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Assad backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good body shot from Assad.
Assad doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Stalling in the clinch from Ball.
Ball tries for a takedown but Assad manages to get underhooks.
Assad's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Assad lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ball backwards.
Assad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ball tries to work over Assad's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ball.
Assad misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ball works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Assad looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ball manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Assad working aggressively here.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ball can't get the takedown.

Ball's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ball takes one to the side of the head.
Assad scores with a jab. Ball acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ball misses with an uppercut. Assad saw that one coming.
Assad has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Assad there as he acknowledges the shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Assad takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A big right from Ball misses.
Ball catches Assad with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Assad stalks Ball and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ball's face. Ball staggers backwards, shaken.
Ball misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assad moves out of range of the strikes.
Ball throws a jab when Assad was well out of range.
Ball lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ball uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Assad throws a right hand that misses
letting Ball counter with a right hand.
Assad scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ball connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Assad throws a series of strikes that have Ball backpedaling.
Assad lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ball ducks under a wild hook from Assad.
Ball throws out a counter right but Assad avoids it with no problem.
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!
Assad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Assad scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ball.
Assad lands with a nice body punch.
Assad stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Assad throws a body shot but no joy.
Ball slips under a jab from Assad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Assad does it's job there.
Ball scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Assad lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ball at a distance.
Assad throws a looping overhand right but Ball ducks down to avoid it.
Assad throws a hook to the side of Ball's head but Ball sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ball steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Assad.
Ball throws a shot from downtown. Assad moves away and avoids it.
It looked like Assad wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Assad avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A little feinted left hand from Assad on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ball shoots in looking for a takedown but Assad manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ball's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sam Assad has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wrecking Ball.
Ball slips under a jab.
Assad throws a hook but Ball avoids it easily.
Assad looks to throw the jab but Ball is out of range.
Sam Assad is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Assad. Ball does a little dance to reset his feet.
Assad misses with an uppercut.
Assad throws a jab when Ball was well out of range.
Assad throws the left hand but Ball avoids the punch easily.
The crowd cheers as Assad lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ball doesn't seem phased though.
Assad tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Assad dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ball drops his hands momentarily and Assad takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ball lands a nice hook to Assad's body. Assad takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Assad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Assad throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ball doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Assad throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice body punch from Assad.
Assad waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ball.
Assad throws a body shot but no joy.
Ball lands a nice leg kick that just misses Assad's sensitive parts.
Assad displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ball throws out the jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ball.
Assad throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ball stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Assad throws a hook but Ball blocks it.
Assad pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ball! But no joy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Assad misses with a looping right.
Assad throws a shot from downtown. Ball moves away and avoids it.
Assad throws a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Assad just misses with a punch to the body.
Ball moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Assad ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Assad misses the shot to the body.
Ball throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ball blocks a jab.
Donk. Ball catches Assad right on the button with a cross.
Assad swats away the attempt to clinch by Ball.
Ball steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Assad.
Ball dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Assad. That did some damage!
Assad misses with a straight right.
A swing and a miss from Assad.
Ball ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Assad tries to move into range but Ball moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ball is looking to chop away at Assad's legs.
Ball lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ball swings for the body but Assad moves out of range.
Assad throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Assad throws a lazy uppercut
and Ball counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ball has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nice shot by Assad.
Ball lands with a thumping leg kick.
Assad avoids the body shot from Ball.
Assad misses with a wild body shot.
Assad throws the left hand but Ball avoids the punch easily.
The fighters circling - Ball throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ball swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ball stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ball staying out of range there.
Ball uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Assad throws a lazy right hand but Ball sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ball walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Assad checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Assad is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Assad scores with a nice right hand.
Assad fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Ball misses.
A slow jab from Assad misses its intended target.
Assad uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ball has time to react.
Assad jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ball shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ball moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Assad uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ball.
Ball takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ball misses the shot to the body.
Assad throws a body punch but Ball moves out of range.
Ball throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Ball lands a really nice looking cross but Assad seems unphased.
Wrecking Ball has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ball slips under a jab.
Assad looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Assad missing with a left hand there. Ball was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Assad connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Assad lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ball swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice straight punches there by Ball. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ball.
Assad on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ball connects with a solid leg kick.
Ball slips under a jab from Assad.
Assad throws a series of punches but Ball moves out of range.
Ball uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Assad.
Ball lands a nice shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Assad misses the target.
Assad listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Assad lands a glancing blow to the side of Ball's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ball throws a solid leg kick but Assad takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ball.
Ball lands with a good body shot.
Ball displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Assad throws out the jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Ball misses the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Wrecking Ball.
I think Assad 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Assad!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Sam Assad waved his t-shirt featuring Organic Nutrition's logo in front of the cameras.