PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Woods (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Ballinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ballinger has chosen A Scottish Soldier by Andy Stewart as his entrance music. Ryan Ballinger has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Woods
vs
Ballinger

190 cm
25
215 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

191 cm
26
222 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

5th Round Clothing

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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Woods!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryan Ballinger!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Reed Andrews and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Woods takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ballinger checks a leg kick.
Woods misses with the combination.
Woods lands with a shot to the body.
Ballinger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ballinger throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ballinger tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A solid leg kick lands there for Woods.
A big left from Ballinger misses.
Woods swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ballinger lands a nice shot to the body.
Woods takes a swing at Ballinger's ribcage but misses.
Ballinger misses with a two punch combination.
Ballinger tries to clinch but Woods is having none of it.
Woods throws a jab but it's blocked by Ballinger.
An inside leg kick lands from Woods.
Woods takes a swing at Ballinger's ribcage but misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Woods connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ballinger's hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Woods throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Woods throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ballinger.
Woods shoots for a takedown but Ballinger saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Woods throws a body punch but Ballinger moves out of range.
Woods shoots in and drives through. Ballinger sprawls well.
Ballinger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Woods crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Ballinger - the referee stops the clock and Woods gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Ballinger. Woods manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Ballinger lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ballinger lunges at Woods with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Woods's hand.

It looks like James Woods has been cut.
Woods takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ballinger throws the kick towards the body but Woods avoids it.
Ballinger throws a head kick that misses
and Woods counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice shot by Ballinger.
Ballinger with a nice cross.
Woods is looking to wear down Ballinger with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Ballinger uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Woods has time to react.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballinger misses with a two punch combination.
Ballinger stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Woods.
Woods with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Woods connects with an inside leg kick.
Woods motions for Ballinger to come forward. Woods throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ballinger tries a head kick but it misses.
Woods throws a leg kick
and Ballinger makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Woods really felt that one!
Woods uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ballinger.
Ballinger swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Woods throws a leg kick that misses.
Woods throws a looping overhand right but Ballinger ducks down to avoid it.
Woods throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ballinger counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ballinger throws a jab but it's blocked by Woods.
Woods closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ballinger rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Woods moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ballinger misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballinger checks the leg kick.
Ballinger misses with a head kick.
Ballinger throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Woods throws a hook to the side of Ballinger's head but Ballinger sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ballinger takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Woods keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ballinger will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ballinger keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ballinger throws a right and a left that Woods avoids nicely.
Some wild striking there from Woods.
Woods throws out a powerful jab.
Woods keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ballinger connects with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ballinger misses with the combination.
Woods keeps the fight on the outside.
Ballinger jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Woods connects with a body shot that sends Ballinger's belly button to the back.

Woods shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ballinger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ballinger looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Ballinger is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Woods is aware though and is defending well.
Woods is working Ballinger over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Woods preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Woods scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Woods distracts Ballinger with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Woods is pushing down on Ballinger's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ballinger is fighting to maintain full guard but Woods has managed to sneak the leg through.
Woods lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ryan Ballinger will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on James Woods's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A slow jab from Woods misses its intended target.
Woods throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ballinger sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Good exchange - Ballinger coming out on top.
Ballinger moves forwards but Woods connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Woods moves into range and connects with a jab.
Ballinger swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A cross from Ballinger lands.
Ballinger showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Woods.
Woods takes a swing at Ballinger's ribcage but misses.

Ballinger has closed the distance and engaged Woods in a clinch.
Woods throws a punch but it's blocked by Ballinger.
Woods misses with the head strike.

Woods gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Woods not doing much here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ballinger is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Woods wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ballinger keeps working.
Ballinger makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ballinger.
Woods lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Woods has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Woods pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ballinger is keeping the position for now.
Ballinger keeping moving, preventing Woods from controlling successfully.
Woods is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ballinger looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ballinger trying to keep a closed guard but Woods is proving a slippery customer.
Woods trying to control but Ballinger is working from the bottom.
Woods's corner is telling him to maintain position.

James Woods has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ballinger. Woods does a little dance to reset his feet.
Woods lands with a two punch combination before moving back 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!
Ballinger misses with a wild body shot.
Ballinger scores with a nice strike.
Ryan Ballinger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ballinger takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A jab from Woods misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Woods walks into a left hand.
Ballinger jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ballinger lands a jab.
Ballinger looks to score with a jab to the body but Woods is just out of range.
Woods throws an overhand right that lands on Ballinger's shoulder, as Ballinger tries to avoid the shot.
Ballinger throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Woods sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ballinger misses with a lunging right hand
and Woods counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Woods slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Ballinger misses with a straight right.
Ballinger misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Woods scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ballinger walks into a stiff left hand from Woods.
Ballinger connects with a good right hand that stumbles Woods. Woods circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Woods throws a jab but it's blocked by Ballinger.
Ballinger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Woods.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ballinger looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Woods tries for a takedown but Ballinger circles away easily
and Ballinger finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Woods avoids the head kick by Ballinger.
Woods attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Woods uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ballinger.
Ballinger moves forwards but Woods connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Woods throws a shot to the body.
Woods throws an overhand right that lands on Ballinger's shoulder, as Ballinger tries to avoid the shot.
Ballinger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ballinger on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Woods. Woods obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Woods throws a shot from downtown. Ballinger moves away and avoids it.
Woods will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Woods throws a low kick but Ballinger moves out of range easily.
Ballinger ducks right into an uppercut from Woods.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Woods dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on James Woods's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A head kick misses from Ballinger.
Woods uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ballinger.
Woods avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
An inside leg kick from Ballinger misses.
Woods pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ballinger back to the cage. Woods follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Woods looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ballinger throws a sloppy head kick
and Woods counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Woods tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ballinger scores with a jab to the head.
Ryan Ballinger seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice body punch from Ballinger.

Woods shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ballinger manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ballinger preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Woods stands up over Ballinger, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ballinger is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Woods lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballinger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Woods working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ballinger's head.
Woods trying to control the position from guard on top but Ballinger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Woods keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ballinger's head.
Woods throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ballinger works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ballinger not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ballinger wants to sweep here but Woods controlling him for the moment.
Woods postures up in Ballinger's guard and throws a big left but Ballinger blocks it.
Woods working some strikes from top position.
Ballinger is trying to control the position but Woods postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballinger keeping moving, preventing Woods from controlling successfully.

Ballinger has his foot on Woods's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Woods works his way back into a safe position though.
Ballinger keeping moving, preventing Woods from controlling successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Woods is really struggling to control Ballinger but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Woods stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ballinger swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Woods is working hard here to advance position.

Ballinger is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballinger is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Woods is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Woods has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ballinger is working away from the top position though.
Woods wants to improve his position but Ballinger is controlling well.

Ballinger is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ballinger prevents Woods from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Woods trying to control but Ballinger postures up.
Woods manages to get to full guard.
Woods working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ballinger.
Ballinger throws a strike but Woods rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ballinger is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Woods wants to control from the top but Ballinger keeps moving.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Woods showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Woods 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 29:28
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Woods!
Our winner, James Woods, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.