PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Elijah Ballard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ballard
vs
Jones

174 cm
19
158 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

171 cm
19
155 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Elijah Ballard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ben Jones!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ballard.
Ballard attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ballard.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ballard.
Ballard tests Jones's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Jones checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Jones digs a good body shot into Ballard's ribs.
Ballard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ballard chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ben Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
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!
Jones shoots in for a takedown but Ballard shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Jones ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ballard moves away.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ballard paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jones tries to clinch but Ballard moves out of range.
Ballard scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jones looks gassed!
Jones walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ballard.
A shot to the liver by Ballard. Beautiful body shot.
Ballard scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ballard throws a half hearted mid kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Ballard as he connects with a hook.
Jones on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ballard bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Jones's head backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballard lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Ballard swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ballard keeps Jones at a distance using the push kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Ballard.
A solid body kick from Ballard.
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!
Nice uppercut lands for Ballard. That snapped Jones's head back.
Ballard connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Jones's hands.
Ballard throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jones.
Ballard paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ballard - that will leave a mark!
Ballard connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ballard works the jab nicely.
Ballard cracks Jones with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ballard looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ballard scores with a leg kick.
Ballard lands with a cross.
Jones gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Ballard throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballard takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice jab there from Ballard.
Nice shot by Ballard.
Ballard fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Jones.
Jones slips a jab from Ballard.
Ballard jabs Jones to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ballard throws a nice outside leg kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ballard.
Ballard comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ballard cracks a nice hook into Jones's ribs.
Ballard lands a nice shot to the body.
Ballard thuds a left hand into Jones's body.
Jab from Ballard.
Ballard darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Jones wants to clinch.
Ballard chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Jones 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.
Jones on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ballard. Ballard obviously looking to wear him down.
Jones walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
An inside leg kick lands from Ballard.
Ballard cracks Jones with a good jab.
Ballard lands the left hand.
Ballard takes a swing at Jones's ribcage but misses.
Ballard thows a body shot but no joy.
Ballard tries to land a front kick but Jones steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Jones tries to clinch up but Ballard circles away and keeps his distance.
Jones uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ballard.
Jones is looking to clinch but Ballard is avoiding it.
Jones swings for the body but Ballard moves out of range.
Ballard fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Jones looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ballard feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Jones's calf.
Ballard pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ballard thows a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballard looks to land a body kick but Jones moved away.
Elijah Ballard is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jones throws a nice looking combination but Ballard bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ballard looks to land a combination but Jones avoids it well.
Jones tries for a takedown but Ballard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ballard moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ballard doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
That kick from Ballard tenderised Jones's leg. Jones is trying to keep his angry face on.
Jones does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Jones throws a right and a left that Ballard avoids nicely.
Ballard connects with a right hand. Jones shakes it off.
Jones has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Jones is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ballard catches Jones with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Jones misses with a body shot.
Jones misses the shot to the body.
Jones lands a nice looking body shot.
Ballard moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Ballard dominated that round.
That's time! Ballard's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ballard tests Jones's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ballard looks to score with a jab to the body but Jones is just out of range.
Ballard scores with a kick to the body.
Ballard feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Joness jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Jones is looking to clinch but Ballard is avoiding it.
Jones gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Ballard counters with a nice body kick.
Ballard lands a glancing blow to the side of Jones's head.
Jones takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Ballard connects with an inside leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ballard - that will leave a mark!
Jones swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jones has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Ballard.
Nice cross by Ballard.
Ballard lands a leg kick that knocks Jones off balance momentarily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jones takes a shot right to the bread basket.
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!
Nice jab there from Ballard.
A jab lands there for Ballard.
Ballard throws a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballard thumps Jones with a low kick.
Ballard dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Jones. That did some damage!
Ballard connects with a leg kick. Jones looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Jones takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Jones takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Ballard is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jones can do to turn this around?
A punch combination from Jones misses.
Jones closes the distance but Ballard moves to the side
enabling Ballard to counter with a crisp jab.
Jones's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ballard throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ballard moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ballard lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ballard misses with a head kick.
Ballard lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Jones takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A big right from Ballard misses.
Ballard connects with an inside leg kick.
Ballard clobbers Jones with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Elijah Ballard is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballard thuds a left hand into Jones's body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ballard.
Ballard lands a slapping body shot.
Ballard throws a shot to the body.
Jones stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ballard.
Jones chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ballard can pounce on him.
Jones tries to land a body kick
and Ballard counters with a nice low kick that buckles Jones's knee momentarily.
Jones takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ballard scores with a nice body kick.
Ballard lands with a hook. Jones tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ballard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jones.
Ballard slaps away a takedown attempt from Jones, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick from Ballard lands but Jones takes it in his stride.
Ballard connects with a right hand. Jones shakes it off.
Jones walks into a straight right hand from Ballard.
Ballard lands with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballard misses the shot to the body.
That kick from Ballard tenderised Jones's leg. Jones is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ballard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ballard takes a swing at Jones's ribcage but misses.
Ballard throws a lazy right hand but Jones sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jones swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ballard counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Jones thinking.
Jones moves out of range of the strikes.
Jones closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ballard counters with a nice uppercut.
Ballard misses with a looping right.
A punch combination from Jones misses.
Jones swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ballard thuds a left hand into Jones's body.
Jones staying out of range there.
Jones is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ballard rather than just go for the knockout.
Ballard checks a low kick from Jones.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ballard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big left from Jones misses.
Ballard throws a low kick but Jones moves out of range easily.
Ballard checks a leg kick nicely.
Ballard looks to score with a jab to the body but Jones is just out of range.
Ballard lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Jones fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ballard manages to avoid it.
Ballard throws a nice inside leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Jones.
Jones wants to clinch but Ballard slips to the side
letting Ballard counter with a right hand.
Jones ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ballard moves away.
Jones thows a body shot but no joy.
Ballard attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ballard scoring well with a low kick there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones misses with a takedown attempt
and Ballard counters with a nice body shot.
Jones shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ballard pinned against the cage. Ballard gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Elijah Ballard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Jones.
Ballard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Ballard dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Jones shoots in for a double leg but Ballard sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Ballard moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Jones shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Jones drops his hands momentarily and Ballard takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ballard jabs Jones to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ballard catches Jones with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Jones looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Jones tries to clinch up
and Ballard counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Jones misses with a takedown attempt
and Ballard counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ballard lands with an overhand left.
Jones chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ballard can pounce on him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ballard scores with a head kick. Jones tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Jones walks into a left hand.
Ballard scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Ballard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Jones's sensitive parts.
Ballard ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Ballard scores with a four punch combination!
Ballard scores with a nice right hand.
Jones slips a straight right by Ballard.
Jones fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ballard manages to avoid it.
Ballard throws a body punch but Jones moves out of range.
Ballard scores with a punch to the head.
Jones fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Elijah Ballard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ben Jones.
Ballard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ballard lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Jones at a distance.
Ballard moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice cross by Ballard.
Ballard scores with a jab. Jones acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ballard lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ballard scores with a leg kick.
Ballard looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Good standup being displayed there by Ballard as he connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ballard was well out of range. Poor timing from Jones.
A slapping leg kick lands for Ballard.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Jones might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Ballard has got the better of the exchanges.
A big right from Jones misses.
Ballard throws a leg kick but Jones checks it.
Ballard lands with a thumping leg kick.
Jones walks into a left hand.
Jones tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Ballard connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ballard lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ballard connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ballard throws a head kick that misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ballard. Jones does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Ballard. No joy for Jones on that attempt.
Ballard tests Jones's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ballard fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballard lands a jab to Jones's midsection.
Jones steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ballard. That one must have hurt.
Jones is trying desperately to land a takedown but Ballard is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Jones.
Ballard fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Jones has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jones uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ballard.
Ballard stuns Jones with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ballard misses with a wild body shot.
Ballard misses with a body shot.
Jones thows a body shot but no joy.
Decent striking displayed by Ballard there.
Jones tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ballard counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Ballard scores with a hook to the body. Jones takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ballard throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Ballard connects with a nice looking jab.
Jones on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Jones walks into a jab.
Ballard misses with a low kick as Jones jumps back.
Ballard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Jones's sensitive parts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Ballard finds it's way through Jones's defenses.
Jones shoots for a double leg takedown but Ballard sprawls well. He's pushed Jones's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jones 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.
Ballard throws the left hand but Jones avoids the punch easily.
Ballard fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ballard uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jones.
A good leg kick by Ballard.
Ballard just misses with a punch to the body.
Jones takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Jones stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ballard.
Ballard lands with a cross.
Ballard throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ballard sizes up Jones with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ballard ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jones moves away.
Jones 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.
Jones throws a leg kick but Ballard sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ben Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jones throws a leg kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elijah Ballard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ballard has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:24
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:24
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elijah Ballard!