PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Renato Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hellson Ballswick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracie comes to the cage accompanied by Bring Da Ruckus. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gracie
vs
Ballswick

170 cm
41
158 lbs
35 - 23 - 0

175 cm
38
157 lbs
26 - 37 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Renato Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 37 - 1, fighting out of New York, Hellson Ballswick!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Reed Andrews and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballswick showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gracie.
Ballswick shoots in but Gracie avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Gracie looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Some bone on bone action there as Ballswick checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ballswick misses with a wild body shot.
Ballswick misses the shot to the body.
Gracie finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Gracie misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ballswick.
Hellson Ballswick seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick from Gracie lands but Ballswick takes it in his stride.

It looks like Hellson Ballswick has been cut.
Ballswick ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gracie moves away.
Ballswick works the jab nicely.
Gracie misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Gracie tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice body punch from Ballswick.
Gracie throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ballswick moves forwards but Gracie connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Gracie fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ballswick throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gracie stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gracie misses with a body kick.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Ballswick has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Gracie throws a right hand that misses
and Ballswick counters with a stiff right hand.
Renato Gracie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A punch combination from Gracie misses.
No luck for Ballswick with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballswick avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ballswick just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ballswick.
Gracie bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ballswick throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ballswick swings and misses with a hook to the body.
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!
Ballswick shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Gracie sprawls well. Gracie wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ballswick gets slowly back to his feet.
Renato Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hellson Ballswick.
Gracie throws a lazy right hand but Ballswick sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Ballswick ducks down to avoid it.
Ballswick thows a body shot but no joy.
Ballswick lands with an overhand left.
Ballswick connects with a good right hand that stumbles Gracie. Gracie circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Gracie closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Gracie takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Gracie lands with a straight right. Ballswick didn't see that one coming.
Gracie lands an uppercut out of nowhere! Ballswick falls backwards - clearly groggy! Gracie dives in and finishes the fight with more strikes for a TKO finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Renato Gracie!
Renato Gracie really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that TFP Graphics - Pit Inc logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.