PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnie Ballantine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Ruanti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ballantine
vs
Ruanti

188 cm
29
210 lbs
26 - 11 - 0

187 cm
28
205 lbs
23 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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Zentrope Fighting Universe

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johnie Ballantine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Daniel Ruanti!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballantine scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Ruanti throws the kick towards the body but Ballantine avoids it.
Ballantine moves out of range of the body kick from Ruanti.

Ballantine darts in and clinches Ruanti up against the cage.
Ballantine digs a right hand into Ruanti's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Ruanti's gas tank.
Ballantine swings wildly with an uppercut but Ruanti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ruanti with a knee to the head.
Ruanti scores with a shot to the side of Ballantine's head.
Ballantine lands with a left to the head.
Ruanti goes for a takedown attempt but Ballantine pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ballantine's corner calls for a 1-2. Ballantine obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ballantine fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruanti manages to avoid it.
Ballantine swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Ruanti counters with a one-two to the body.
Ballantine lands a really nice looking cross but Ruanti seems unphased.
Ballantine throws a right hand that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ruanti tries a head kick but it misses.
Good exchange - Ballantine coming out on top.
Ruanti throws a right hand that misses
and Ballantine connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ballantine rushes Ruanti and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ballantine misses with some punches.
Ballantine fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Ruanti wants the takedown. Ballantine is fighting it off but Ruanti persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ballantine's guard against the cage.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Ballantine is trying to keep Ruanti in close.
Ruanti controlling from the top position.
Ruanti trying to control the position from guard on top but Ballantine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ruanti looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruanti trying to control but Ballantine is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Daniel Ruanti was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Ruanti steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ballantine.
Ruanti lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Johnie Ballantine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ruanti drops his hands momentarily and Ballantine takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ballantine takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ballantine tries to clinch up.
Ballantine misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruanti.
Ruanti misses with a kick to the body.
A clash of legs there as Ballantine blocks the low kick.
Ruanti keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ruanti scores with a spinning back kick!
Ballantine throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ruanti throws a sloppy head kick and Ballantine moves out of range easily.

Ballantine tries to sprawl but Ruanti drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ruanti wants to work for an arm triangle but Ballantine is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ruanti is trying to control the action in half guard but Ballantine is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ballantine wants to get back to full guard but Ruanti has passed into side control.

Ruanti is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ballantine knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Ruanti trying to control the action but Ballantine is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ruanti goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Ballantine rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Ruanti's guard! Nice work there by Ballantine!
Ballantine wants to stand but Ruanti has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Ballantine pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ruanti is keeping the position for now.
Ruanti looking to control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ruanti has a closed guard, preventing Ballantine from standing up.
Ballantine postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Daniel Ruanti will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ballantine thows a body shot but no joy.
Ballantine loads up on a big right hand but Ruanti slips the punch.
Ruanti shoots in but Ballantine avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ruanti misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ballantine lands a lovely overhand right.
Ruanti misses with a looping left.
Ballantine thumps Ruanti with a low kick.
Ruanti connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ballantine looks to throw the jab but Ruanti is out of range.
Ballantine blocks a low kick nicely.
Ballantine misses with the combination.
Ballantine lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ruanti circles away quickly and effectively.
Ballantine displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ruanti throws out the jab.
Ballantine throws the left hand but Ruanti avoids the punch easily.
Ballantine throws a sloppy body shot
and Ruanti makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ballantine blocks a leg kick.
Ruanti fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Johnie Ballantine is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ballantine is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ruanti will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Ruanti decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ruanti works his way into side control.
Ballantine manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Ballantine trying to control from the bottom.
Well, if Ruanti is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ruanti lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Ballantine trying to hold on to Ruanti's head to control him but Ruanti postures up.
Ballantine is refusing to be controlled, as Ruanti sits in half guard.

Ruanti seems to be looking for submissions.
Ruanti stalling.
Ruanti thows a huge punch but Ballantine dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine wants to get back to his feet.
Ruanti sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ballantine gets back to full guard.
Ruanti postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruanti advances to half guard.
Ruanti keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ballantine is trying to stand.
Ballantine is refusing to be controlled, as Ruanti sits in half guard.
Ballantine slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ruanti trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruanti trying to control the position from guard on top but Ballantine is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Ruanti showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ballantine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ruanti fails with a takedown attempt.
Ballantine throws a body punch but Ruanti moves out of range.
Ruanti swats away the attempt to clinch by Ballantine.
Johnie Ballantine is winning the standup battle so far.
Ballantine misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruanti.
Ballantine bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ruanti is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ballantine.
Ballantine takes a swing at Ruanti's ribcage but misses.
Ruanti lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ruanti takes a swing at Ballantine's ribcage but misses.
Good leg kick by Ruanti there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ruanti displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ballantine throws out the jab.
No luck for Ruanti with that takedown attempt.
Ballantine checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Some wild striking there from Ballantine.
Ruanti pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ballantine throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Ballantine clinches up against the cage.
Ballantine scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ballantine tries to work over Ruanti's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ruanti working aggressively here.
Ballantine lands with a left to the head.

Ruanti breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ruanti throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Ballantine checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ballantine tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ruanti manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ruanti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ruanti throws a low kick, looking for Ballantine's leg but Ballantine calmly moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine checks a leg kick nicely.
Ballantine tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ruanti paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ballantine walks into a left hand.
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!
Ballantine throws a hook to the side of Ruanti's head but Ruanti sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ruanti misses with a kick to the body.

Ruanti shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ballantine is trying to defend but Ruanti finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ballantine regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Ruanti.

Ballantine uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Ballantine misses with a straight left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine throws a right and a left that Ruanti avoids nicely.
Ruanti feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ballantine's calf.
Ballantine loads up on a big right hand but Ruanti slips the punch.
Ruanti misses with a low kick as Ballantine jumps back.
Ballantine keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Johnie Ballantine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Ruanti.
No joy there for Ruanti, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ruanti looks to land a body kick but Ballantine moved away.
A bone on bone clash there as Ballantine blocks the leg kick.
Ballantine tries to clinch there but Ruanti circles away.
A combination from Ruanti does no damage.
Ballantine swings for the body but Ruanti moves out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Ballantine.
Ruanti defending well as Ballantine loads up on a big left hand.
Ruanti fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ballantine looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ballantine takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ballantine throws out a loose jab but Ruanti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ballantine on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ballantine fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ballantine is looking to clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ballantine tries to clinch but Ruanti is having none of it.
Ruanti swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ruanti.
Ruanti tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ballantine is able to avoid easily.
Ballantine lands with a hook. Ruanti tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Ruanti fails with a takedown attempt.
Ruanti has a takedown stuffed.
Ruanti takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ballantine rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ruanti moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Johnie Ballantine did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ruanti slips a straight right by Ballantine.
Ballantine lands with a right hand.
Ballantine misses the shot to the body.
Ruanti connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ballantine looks to land a left hand but Ruanti moved out of range nicely.
Ruanti goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ruanti jabs Ballantine to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ballantine looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ruanti is defended easily by Ballantine.
Ruanti tries a head kick but it misses.
Ballantine tries to close the distance and clinch but Ruanti swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ruanti throws a wild body kick that Ballantine sees coming a mile off.
Ruanti stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ruanti takes a jab right on the kisser.
Ballantine throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine wants to clinch up but Ruanti keeps it at a distance.
Ruanti checks a leg kick nicely.
Ruanti misses with a wild body shot.

Ballantine has closed the distance and engaged Ruanti in a clinch.
Ruanti misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ballantine misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ruanti swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ballantine tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ballantine lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ruanti backwards.
Ruanti has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ballantine after a bit of a struggle.
Ballantine tries to work over Ruanti's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Ballantine.
Ballantine fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ballantine lands a hook that snaps the head of Ruanti backwards.
Ruanti digs a right hand underneath Ballantine's ribcage. Ballantine let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ballantine is working Ruanti over against the cage.
Ballantine misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Ballantine.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ballantine misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ruanti lands a body shot in the clinch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ruanti is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ballantine is defending well for now.
Ballantine lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ruanti backwards.
Ruanti can't find room to land a body shot as Ballantine controls the action.
Good body shot from Ballantine.
Ballantine misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ruanti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ruanti tries to throw a body punch but Ballantine avoids it by throwing Ruanti back against the cage.
Ruanti tries to circle away but Ballantine has him pinned against the cage.
Ballantine swings wildly with an uppercut but Ruanti uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ruanti lands a right hand.
Ruanti takes a shot to the head.
Ruanti can't find room to land a body shot as Ballantine controls the action.
Ruanti is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ballantine is keeping busy.
Ruanti lands a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ruanti pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Ballantine is predictable there
and Ruanti counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ballantine scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ballantine throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ballantine ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ruanti moves away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ruanti.
Ruanti lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nice body punch from Ballantine.
Ruanti misses with a leg kick.
Ballantine tries to bum rush Ruanti with a series of wild strikes but Ruanti uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ballantine misses with a series of wild punches.
Ballantine misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruanti.
Ballantine fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ruanti.
Ruanti throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ballantine moves out of range as Ruanti strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruanti avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ballantine tries to clinch up.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ruanti - that will leave a mark!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ruanti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ballantine.
Ruanti misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ballantine.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ruanti.
Ballantine avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ruanti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ballantine.
Ruanti throws a head kick that misses.
Ballantine lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ruanti works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ballantine throws a hook but Ruanti blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ballantine looks for the body kick but Ruanti saw that one coming.
Ruanti fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ballantine avoids it really well and circles away.
Johnie Ballantine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Ruanti.
Ruanti tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Daniel Ruanti will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ballantine on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Ruanti. Ruanti obviously looking to wear him down.
Decent striking displayed by Ballantine there.
Ballantine darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ruanti misses with a series of wild punches.
Ruanti is looking to chop away at Ballantine's legs.
Ruanti throws a head kick but Ballantine moves out of range.
Ruanti lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ruanti lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ballantine's sensitive parts.
Ballantine looks to land a combination but Ruanti avoids it well.
Ballantine misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ruanti counters with a leg kick.
Ballantine misses with a body shot.
Ruanti is looking to chop away at Ballantine's legs.
Ruanti throws a head kick but Ballantine moves out of range.
Ballantine lands a jab.
Ballantine misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine tries a low kick but Ruanti avoids it.
Ballantine throws a jab when Ruanti was well out of range.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ballantine enables Ruanti to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ballantine manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Ballantine utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Daniel Ruanti has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ruanti trying to control but Ballantine is working from the bottom.
Ruanti trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ruanti trying to control but Ballantine is working from the bottom.
Ruanti looking to pass the guard.
Johnie Ballantine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruanti's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Daniel Ruanti has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ballantine misses with a low kick as Ruanti jumps back.
Ballantine lands a glancing blow to the side of Ruanti's head.
Ruanti lands a head shot.
Ruanti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ballantine.
Ballantine fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ruanti closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ballantine circles away.
Ruanti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ballantine misses with a wild body shot.
Ballantine looks to score with a jab to the body but Ruanti is just out of range.
The fighters circling - Ballantine throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ruanti moves out of range of the strikes.
Ballantine is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruanti throws a leg kick but Ballantine sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ruanti slips a straight right by Ballantine.
Ruanti displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ballantine throws out the jab.
Nice body kick from Ruanti.
Ballantine looks to land a body kick but Ruanti moved away.
Ruanti thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Ballantine if he has to take too many more of those.
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 wild body shot.
Ballantine connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Good leg kick by Ruanti there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ruanti. Ballantine does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ruanti throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Ballantine.
Ruanti lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A lazy body kick from Ruanti
and Ballantine counters with a solid body kick.
Ballantine lands a nice hook to Ruanti's body. Ruanti takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ruanti cracks Ballantine with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ballantine tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ruanti was well out of range. Poor timing from Ballantine.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruanti lands the left hand.

Ballantine closes the distance and clinches.
Ballantine throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ruantis head.
Ruanti lands with a right to the head.
Ruanti tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ruanti misses with a knee to the head.
Ruanti is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ruanti is trying to drag Ballantine to the mat but Ballantine just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Johnie Ballantine has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Daniel Ruanti.
Ballantine working aggressively here.
Ballantine misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ballantine lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ballantine lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ruanti prevents a body shot from Ballantine.
Ruanti misses with a knee strike.
Ballantine doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ballantine scores with a shot to the side of Ruanti's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Daniel Ruanti.
I think Ruanti 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:48
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 46:49
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Daniel Ruanti!
Daniel Ruanti decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.