PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ratt Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wayne Ballantine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hughes comes into the arena with Country boy can survive blaring out of the sound system. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hughes
vs
Ballantine

181 cm
21
175 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

178 cm
20
181 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

Hell's Balls Fightwear

Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ratt Hughes!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Wayne Ballantine!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Ballantine both land. Nice combination.
Ballantine throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hughes.
Nice defenses there by Hughes.
Ballantine throws a jab when Hughes was well out of range.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown but Ballantine shows good takedown defense.
Good leg kick by Ballantine there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ballantine misses with a body shot.
Hughes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ballantine.
Hughes slips under a jab from Ballantine.

Hughes darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Ballantine wants to control but Hughes is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Ballantine is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hughes.
Ballantine avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hughes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hughes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ballantine won't allow Hughes to pass to mount.
Ballantine is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hughes scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hughes drops an elbow to the side of Ballantine's head.
Hughes 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.
Ballantine keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hughes is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ballantine wants to improve his position but Hughes is controlling well.
Hughes lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hughes is looking to advance position but Ballantine won't allow it.
Hughes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ballantine defending well though.
Hughes lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Hughes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hughes prevents Ballantine from improving his position.
Hughes scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ballantine wants to get back to full guard.
Hughes is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hughes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ballantine defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hughes.
Ballantine is looking to control Hughes's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ballantine avoid being mounted?
Ballantine avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hughes.
Ballantine is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hughes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ballantine tries to roll over but Hughes keeps him under control.
Hughes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ballantine takes a swing at Hughes's ribcage but misses.
Ballantine throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hughes tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ballantine swivels and escapes.

That's four 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.
Ballantine throws a shot from downtown. Hughes moves away and avoids it.
A swing and a miss from Ballantine.
Hughes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wayne Ballantine is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hughes is defended easily by Ballantine.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ratt Hughes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hughes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Some wild striking there from Ballantine.
Hughes avoids the body shot from Ballantine.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ballantine jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ballantine misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ballantine throws a hook but Hughes blocks it.
Ballantine throws a leg kick which misses Hughes's front leg but catches the back leg as Hughes tries to avoid it.
Hughes defending well as Ballantine loads up on a big left hand.
Hughes shoots in but no luck this time.
Hughes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hughes slips a jab and a cross from Ballantine.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballantine cracks Hughes with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Ballantine clobbers Hughes with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes takes one to the side of the head.
Hughes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Good shot there by Ballantine.
Hughes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ballantine.
Ballantine throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ballantine tries to bum rush Hughes with a series of wild strikes but Hughes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hughes dodges the punch combination from Ballantine.
Hughes moves forwards but Ballantine connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ballantine stuffs the takedown.
Hughes fails to land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine misses the shot to the body.
Ballantine throws a big shot that misses.
Hughes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ballantine.
Ballantine displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hughes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ratt Hughes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ballantine throws a jab but it's blocked by Hughes.
Ballantine throws a good cross that connects.
Hughes looks for a takedown but Ballantine sprawls well.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown but Ballantine shows good takedown defense.

Hughes drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hughes is one step ahead there.
Hughes throws a strike but Ballantine rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hughes keeping full guard, as Ballantine tries to pass.
Ballantine stays in close to Hughes's body and controls the position.
Hughes can't keep his opponent in guard - Ballantine advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ballantine prevents Hughes from improving his position.

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.
Hughes striking from half guard on the bottom.
Hughes is looking to improve his position.
Ballantine blocks the strikes from Hughes.
Hughes is pressing down on Ballantine's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hughes throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Ballantine trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hughes keeping moving, preventing Ballantine from controlling successfully.
Ballantine content to stall in guard here.
Hughes wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wayne Ballantine showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ballantine keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Nice jab there from Hughes.
Wayne Ballantine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ballantine connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Wayne Ballantine is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ballantine tries to score with a low kick but Hughes moves his leg out of the way.
Hughes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hughes uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Ballantine has time to react.
Ballantine swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hughes shoots for a takedown but Ballantine saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
No luck for Hughes with that takedown attempt.
Ballantine ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine clobbers Hughes with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Hughes looks to land a left hand but Ballantine moved out of range nicely.
Ballantine shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ballantine thows a left - swing and a miss!
Wayne Ballantine seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A punch combination from Ballantine misses.
Ballantine fails to land with a series of punches.
Hughes fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ratt Hughes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed right hand from Ballantine misses the target.
Ballantine throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hughes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hughes takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine staying out of range there.
Ballantine throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hughes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ballantine throws a leg kick but Hughes sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hughes lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Hughes shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ballantine manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hughes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hughes working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ballantine's head.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hughes accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ballantine utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ballantine keeping full guard, as Hughes tries to pass.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hughes keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ballantine's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes won't allow Ballantine to get back to his feet.
Hughes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ballantine works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hughes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hughes stopping the sweep attempt from Ballantine.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Hughes closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Ballantine did well to prevent Hughes getting side control.

Hughes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ballantine is just riding it out for now. Hughes eventually gives up the hold.
Ballantine manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hughes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hughes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ballantine is keeping the position for now.
Hughes throwing strikes but missing.
Hughes won't allow Ballantine to sweep him here.
Hughes postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ratt Hughes clearly takes that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ballantine swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hughes misses with a series of wild punches.
Hughes misses with a straight left.

Hughes shoots in and bounces Ballantine off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ballantine working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hughes.
Hughes lands a couple of elbows.
Hughes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ballantine works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ballantine managing to control the position.
Hughes throws a strike but Ballantine rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hughes thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Hughes will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Ballantine passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Ballantine moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Hughes is looking for a sweep.
Ballantine tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

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.
Hughes is looking to regain half guard here but Ballantine keeps moving and retains side control.
Hughes gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Hughes flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ballantine loads up on a big right hand but Hughes slips the punch.
Ballantine misses with a series of wild punches.
Hughes walks into a stiff left hand from Ballantine.
Hughes dodges the punch combination from Ballantine.
Ballantine throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice takedown defense from Ballantine. No joy for Hughes on that attempt.
Ballantine waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Hughes.
Hughes fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ballantine looks to score with a jab to the body but Hughes is just out of range.
Hughes gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ballantine looks to score with a jab to the body but Hughes is just out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice defenses there by Hughes.
Ballantine swings for the body but Hughes moves out of range.
Ballantine cracks Hughes with a right hand to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Wayne Ballantine dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Ballantine misses with a body shot.
No joy there for Ballantine, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hughes slips a jab from Ballantine.
Ballantine lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ballantine scores with a nice right hand.
Ballantine scores with a one two! Hughes had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ballantine tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hughes was well out of range. Poor timing from Ballantine.
Ballantine swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ballantine lands with an overhand left.
The fighters circling - Ballantine throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hughes looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine cracks Hughes with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ballantine throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ballantine looks to score with a jab to the body but Hughes is just out of range.
Ballantine throws a big shot that misses.
Hughes is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nice sprawl there from Ballantine as Hughes shoots in.
A big left from Ballantine misses.
Ballantine swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Hughes counter with a right hand.
Ballantine thows a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine throws a lazy right hand but Hughes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hughes slips under a jab.
Ballantine throws a jab when Hughes was well out of range.
Ballantine throws a lazy right hand but Hughes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ballantine comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ballantine digs a good hook to Hughes's body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ballantine!
Hughes looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hughes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ballantine defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ratt Hughes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ballantine throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ballantine as he avoids it easily.
Hughes has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ballantine finds it's way round the side to connect with Hughes's head.
Ballantine lands a body shot.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Ballantine misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ballantine throws a hook but Hughes avoids it easily.
Ballantine lands a with a good body shot.
Ballantine fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hughes manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hughes moves out of range of the strikes.
Ballantine throws a left and a right that both miss

and Hughes counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ballantine won't be happy with that.
The strikes coming from Hughes are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Hughes tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Hughes goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ballantine rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Hughes's guard! Nice work there by Ballantine!
Ballantine is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ballantine forces his way into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Wayne Ballantine comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ballantine has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 47:48
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 47:48
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Wayne Ballantine! Wayne Ballantine retains his welterweight title!