PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johnie Ballantine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenji Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akiyama has chosen Akiyama Theme Song (This Is My Life - Edward Maya) as his entrance music. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Ballantine
vs
Akiyama

188 cm
31
210 lbs
30 - 14 - 0

185 cm
27
220 lbs
20 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Diamond Nutrition 160q
160!

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 30 - 14 - 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 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Akiyama!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Bruno Hogan and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballantine wants to clinch up but Akiyama keeps it at a distance.
Some wild striking there from Ballantine.
Ballantine tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Akiyama paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Akiyama connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ballantine thuds his right hand into Akiyama's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Akiyama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ballantine misses with a jab, cross combination.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ballantine.
Akiyama takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ballantine checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ballantine uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Akiyama.
Ballantine tries to score with a low kick but Akiyama moves his leg out of the way.
Akiyama bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akiyama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ballantine was well out of range. Poor timing from Akiyama.
Ballantine cracks Akiyama with a right hand to the side of the head.
Ballantine is looking to clinch but Akiyama is avoiding it.
Akiyama jabs Ballantine right on the nose. Ballantine blinks but takes it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ballantine can pounce on him.
Akiyama swats away the attempt to clinch by Ballantine.

Ballantine gets a clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ballantine's brow.
The referee calls for Akiyama to work.
Ballantine tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Akiyama lands an elbow just above Ballantine 's eye.
Ballantine goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Akiyama.
Ballantine misses with a punch to the body.
Ballantine misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Come on Akiyama - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Ballantine has a couple of punches blocked by Akiyama.
Ballantine fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ballantine throws a head punch that misses.
Akiyama tries to work over Ballantine's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ballantine avoiding damage as Akiyama throws knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ballantine fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ballantine misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ballantine lands a left hand that snaps the head of Akiyama backwards.
A body shot lands from Ballantine.
Akiyama blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ballantine can't find room to land a body shot as Akiyama controls the action.
Ballantine goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Akiyama blocking some punches.
Ballantine misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short body shot lands from Ballantine as the two fighters clinch.
Ballantine holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Ballantine working aggressively here.
A short left from Ballantine.
Akiyama is looking to control Ballantine's arms but Ballantine gets an underhook and turns him. Now Akiyama has his back to the cage.
Ballantine tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ballantine scores with a hook to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ballantine presses Akiyama against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ballantine.
Akiyama throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short uppercut from Ballantine.
Ballantine lands a nice uppercut.
Ballantine scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A body shot lands from Ballantine.
Ballantine blocks the elbow strike.
Ballantine pressing his opponent against the cage.
Akiyama misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ballantine.
Ballantine avoids a wild elbow strike from Akiyama.
Akiyama misses with an elbow strike.
Akiyama looking to slow down the pace here.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Ballantine content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Ballantine.
Ballantine lands a left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ballantine misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with a punch to the body.
Ballantine prevents a body shot from Akiyama.
Akiyama is trying to maintain a safe position but Ballantine gets an underhook and turns Akiyama into the cage.
Ballantine misses with a body punch.
Akiyama missing with knees to the body.
Ballantine tries to throw a body punch but Akiyama avoids it by throwing Ballantine back against the cage.
Ballantine lands a shoulder strike.
Ballantine lands with a right to the head.
Akiyama lands a damaging elbow.
Ballantine avoids a wild elbow strike from Akiyama.
Ballantine misses with a body punch.
Ballantine goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Akiyama pushes Ballantine back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Akiyama slows down the pace here.
Ballantine tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Akiyama is leaning against Ballantine and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ballantine lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Ballantine blocks the elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnie Ballantine dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ballantine connects with a jab.
Johnie Ballantine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akiyama throws a push kick but Ballantine slaps the foot to one side.
Akiyama tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ballantine was well out of range. Poor timing from Akiyama.
Johnie Ballantine is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Akiyama. Ballantine does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ballantine swinging wildly here.
Ballantine thows a body shot but no joy.
Ballantine lands a nice shot that snaps Akiyama's head back.
Ballantine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Akiyama misses with an uppercut. Ballantine saw that one coming.
A head kick misses from Akiyama.
Akiyama throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akiyama walks into a left hand.
Ballantine scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Akiyama doesn't seem bothered though.
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!
Akiyama circles away from the clinch attempt.
Akiyama connects with an inside leg kick.
Ballantine avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine scores with a jab. Akiyama acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ballantine scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Ballantine lands a slapping body shot.
Ballantine scores with a body shot.
Ballantine is looking to wear down Akiyama with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Akiyama is breathing heavily.
Ballantine on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Akiyama - that will leave a mark!
Akiyama throws a chopping leg kick but Ballantine manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Akiyama drives through and clinches with Ballantine against the cage.
Akiyama lands a knee to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice body punch from Akiyama - that landed with a thud.
With the fighters up against the cage, Akiyama throws an elbow but misses.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Akiyama in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Akiyama misses with a punch on the inside.
Ballantine misses with a punch to the body.
Akiyama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ballantine lands a nice uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with the head strike.
Akiyama lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Ballantine or not.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ballantine avoids it.
Ballantine goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Ballantine on the inside.
Johnie Ballantine has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Ballantine avoids the elbow strike from Akiyama, against the cage.
Ballantine being controlled against the cage.
Ballantine has a couple of punches blocked by Akiyama.
Akiyama lands a nice uppercut.
Akiyama misses with a punch to the body.
Ballantine throws a head punch that misses.
Ballantine tries to throw a body punch but Akiyama avoids it by throwing Ballantine back against the cage.
Akiyama misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ballantine takes an elbow to the forehead.
Akiyama blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Akiyama fails to land.
Akiyama blocking some punches.
Akiyama lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ballantine.
Akiyama blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ballantine misses with a punch on the inside.
Ballantine throws a punch but it's blocked by Akiyama.
Ballantine is trying to stall.
Ballantine misses with the head strike.
Ballantine fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Akiyama.
A short left from Ballantine.
Akiyama dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ballantine misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ballantine softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine managing to block the knees to the body from Akiyama.
Ballantine misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ballantine misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ballantine lands a left hand that snaps the head of Akiyama backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Akiyama prevents a body shot from Ballantine.
Ballantine blocks an elbow strike from Akiyama.
Ballantine swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Ballantine misses with a punch on the inside.
Ballantine dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ballantine swings wildly with an uppercut but Akiyama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Akiyama dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ballantine blocking some punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Akiyama lands an uppercut.
Ballantine throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Akiyamas head.
Ballantine tries to throw a body punch but Akiyama avoids it by throwing Ballantine back against the cage.
Akiyama is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ballantine is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Johnie Ballantine will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Akiyama scores with a jab.
Ballantine turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ballantine with a nice cross.
Ballantine tries to clinch but Akiyama is having none of it.
Ballantine checks a low kick from Akiyama.
Ballantine swings widly with a right hand
and Akiyama counters with a leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Ballantine. Those never looked like landing.
Ballantine lands a glancing blow to the side of Akiyama's head.
Akiyama with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ballantine swings for the body but Akiyama moves out of range.
Akiyama missing with a left hand there. Ballantine was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Akiyama throws a shot from downtown. Ballantine moves away and avoids it.
Akiyama will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ballantine bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine scores with a nice head shot.
Ballantine fails with an attempt to clinch.
Akiyama lands with a nice body kick.
Ballantine lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Akiyama backs up against the cage.
Akiyama scores with a leg kick.
Ballantine thows a body shot but no joy.
Akiyama avoids a punch combination nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A telegraphed right hand from Ballantine misses the target.
Akiyama fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ballantine manages to avoid it.
Ballantine connects with a body shot.
Akiyama misses with a head kick.
Akiyama connects with a body shot that sends Ballantine's belly button to the back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A low kick from Akiyama is predictable there
and Ballantine makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama swats away the attempt to clinch by Ballantine.
Ballantine walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Akiyama slips under a jab.
A jab from Akiyama misses.
Ballantine misses the shot to the body.
Akiyama throws a nice outside leg kick.
Johnie Ballantine is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Akiyama uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ballantine.
Ballantine misses with a straight right.
A punch combination from Ballantine misses.
Akiyama bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ballantine swings for the body but Akiyama moves out of range.
Ballantine checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ballantine throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Akiyama counters with a right hand to the body.
Kenji Akiyama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine moves away from the strike by Akiyama.
A good leg kick by Akiyama.
Ballantine misses with a hook. Akiyama ducked under it nicely.
Akiyama throws a lazy head kick
and Ballantine connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ballantine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ballantine dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Akiyama avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ballantine moves out of range of the strikes.
Ballantine fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A clash of legs there as Ballantine blocks the low kick.
Akiyama tries to land a front kick but Ballantine steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ballantine blocks a low kick nicely.
Ballantine throws out a loose jab but Akiyama uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ballantine throws a right and a left that both miss.
A jab lands there for Ballantine.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ballantine. Akiyama does a little dance to reset his feet.
Akiyama throws a leg kick that misses.
Ballantine tries to clinch up.
Akiyama thows a leg kick but Ballantine checks it
and Ballantine counters with a left to the body.
Akiyama swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Akiyama throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ballantine.
A punch combination from Ballantine misses.
Ballantine lands a nice shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left lands for Akiyama.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Akiyama throws a lazy body kick
and Ballantine counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Akiyama tries to keep at a distance but Ballantine has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ballantine can't find room to land a body shot as Akiyama controls the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Johnie Ballantine.
Well Ballantine 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:28
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Johnie Ballantine!
After winning the bout, Johnie Ballantine thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.