PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vassago Ballardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Terry Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ballardo
vs
Smith

188 cm
24
219 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

190 cm
26
222 lbs
10 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vassago Ballardo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Terry Smith!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballardo throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Ballardo clinches with his opponent.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ballardo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smith struggles to land a body shot inside as Ballardo controls his hands.
Smith working hard to break the clinch.
Smith misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ballardo.

Ballardo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ballardo rushes Smith and presses him up against the cage.
Smith tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Smith tries to stall but Ballardo uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Smith is looking to break free of the clinch but Ballardo has double underhooks.
Smith trying to control the position but instead, Ballardo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Smith into the cage.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ballardo throws a punch but it's blocked by Smith.
Smith's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short uppercut from Ballardo.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ballardo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ballardo is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ballardo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ballardo.
Smith tries to work over Ballardo's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Ballardo.
Smith misses with a body punch.
Ballardo has Smith pressed against the cage, preventing Smith from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Smith lands an elbow inside.
Ballardo dodges an elbow strike from Smith.
Ballardo dodges an elbow strike from Smith.
Ballardo presses Smith against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ballardo scores with a shot to the side of Smith's head.
Smith pushes Ballardo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Smith throws an elbow that misses.
Ballardo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smith misses with an elbow over the top.
Smith is trying to force a seperation but Ballardo has the dominant position.
A shot in the inside from Ballardo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ballardo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ballardo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ballardo blocking some punches.

Ballardo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Smith tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Smith checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Ballardo.

Ballardo drives through and clinches with Smith against the cage.
Ballardo has a couple of punches blocked by Smith.
Smith blocks a body shot from Ballardo.
Ballardo dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Smith blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ballardo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ballardo's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Smith scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right from Smith on the inside.

Ballardo manages to break the clinch.

Ballardo tries to keep at a distance but Smith has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Smith lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A knee to the head by Smith.

It looks like Vassago Ballardo has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballardo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Smith's elbow.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ballardo.
Smith misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smith tries to break free but Ballardo pushes him back against the cage.
Come on Smith - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ballardo avoids the elbow strike from Smith, against the cage.
Smith comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Smith lands a hook that snaps the head of Ballardo backwards.
Smith prevents a body shot from Ballardo.
Smith misses with a knee strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smith.
Ballardo lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Smith backwards.

Smith is rocked!
A shot in the inside from Ballardo.
Smith is still on wobbly legs! Can Ballardo finish him?
Ballardo controlling the action here for a moment.
Smith goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ballardo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ballardo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ballardo dips a shoulder and cracks Smith with a mighty uppercut! Smith falls back against the cage and Ballardo unloads with a barrage of strikes! Smith is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Ballardo screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vassago Ballardo!
After winning the bout, Vassago Ballardo thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.