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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vassago Ballardo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Gotch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gotch has chosen Can't be touched as his entrance music. Frank Gotch told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!
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| 188 cm
21
219 lbs
4 - 3 - 0 |
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180 cm
30
210 lbs
9 - 5 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful |
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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
4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Vassago Ballardo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank Gotch!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Russell Pearce and Alyssa Summers.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballardo clinches up with Gotch and pushes him back against the cage.
Gotch is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Gotch is looking to take this one to the mat.
A short right from Ballardo.
Gotch is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ballardo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Vassago Ballardo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Gotch.
Gotch has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ballardo after a bit of a struggle.
Ballardo lands an uppercut.
Gotch changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ballardo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gotch chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ballardo can pounce on him.
A jab lands there for Ballardo.
Vassago Ballardo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ballardo lands a big head kick that sends Gotch tumbling to the mat! Ballardo takes a step backwards and waves Gotch back to his feet - he wants the finish!
Gotch is rocked!
It looks like Frank Gotch has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gotch shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ballardo manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Gotch is still in real trouble! Can Ballardo finish him?
Gotch in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gotch seems to have recovered his senses.
Ballardo controlling the position.
Gotch throws a big right hand that misses.
Ballardo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gotch throws an elbow that misses. Ballardo uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Gotch's guard. Nice move by Ballardo!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballardo is stalling in the full guard.
Gotch wants to improve his position but instead Ballardo has moved into half guard.
Ballardo trying to pass the guard but Gotch defending well.
Still in half guard, Ballardo seems content to control.
Gotch has a hand on Ballardo's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Ballardo takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
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.
Gotch has given up his back.
Ballardo slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Ballardo avoiding Gotch 's attempts to control his hands.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Gotch tries to break free.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballardo has good solid back control here.
Ballardo controlling well, preventing Gotch from escaping the position.
Gotch is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ballardo really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Gotch.
Ballardo is trying to stick to Gotch's back but Gotch is turning into Ballardo. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Ballardo's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Gotch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gotch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ballardo is keeping the position for now.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Vassago Ballardo.
Gotch looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Ballardo!
Ballardo holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Gotch tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Gotch throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Ballardo because Gotch loaded up on that one.
Gotch landing strikes, looking to finish!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gotch lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ballardo is wriggling around trying to escape.
Gotch throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Vassago Ballardo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Frank Gotch's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Ballardo leaves Gotch with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gotch tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ballardo was well out of range. Poor timing from Gotch.
Ballardo lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Gotch takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Ballardo connects with a leg kick. Gotch looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ballardo throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gotch's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ballardo instigates a clinch.
Ballardo lands a left hand.
Stalling in the clinch from Ballardo.
Gotch has Ballardo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ballardo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gotch has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ballardo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Vassago Ballardo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Gotch.
Good body shot from Ballardo.
Ballardo is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ballardo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Gotch up against the cage.
Gotch is looking to break free of the clinch but Ballardo has double underhooks.
Gotch wants a takedown.
Gotch has clasped his hands together around Ballardo's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Gotch is breathing heavily.
Gotch working the strikes but Ballardo uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Gotch missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ballardo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gotch.
Ballardo works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ballardo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Gotch is one step ahead there.
Gotch throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ballardo works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Gotch throws a big elbow that misses.
Ballardo keeping moving, preventing Gotch from controlling successfully.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gotch working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ballardo has Gotch pulled in close to control his posture.
Gotch makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ballardo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ballardo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gotch.
Gotch must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Gotch throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ballardo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballardo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gotch.
Ballardo has his hands on Gotch's head, controlling the position.
Ballardo working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Gotch.
Gotch looking to sit in guard and control but Ballardo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Gotch is looking to sweep but instead, Ballardo has passed into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gotch can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gotch tries to roll over but Ballardo keeps him under control.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gotch makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Gotch.
Ballardo preventing the sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ballardo content to stall in guard here.
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 Vassago Ballardo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Frank Gotch's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
A chopping leg kick lands by Ballardo.
Ballardo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ballardo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Gotch is trying to pull guard but Ballardo has him pressed against the cage.
Ballardo gets underhooks to prevent Gotch's takedown attempt.
Ballardo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gotch wants a takedown but no success here.
Vassago Ballardo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Gotch.
Good body shot from Ballardo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A short left from Ballardo.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Ballardo.
Ballardo lands a left hand that snaps the head of Gotch backwards.
Good body shot from Ballardo.
Ballardo scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ballardo gets through Gotch's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Gotch is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gotch takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ballardo scores with a hook to the body.
Ballardo lands a shoulder strike.
Ballardo gets underhooks to prevent Gotch's takedown attempt.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Ballardo.
Ballardo lands a body punch.
Ballardo holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Ballardo lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ballardo is leaning against Gotch and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ballardo just leaning against Gotch, taking a breather.
A short body shot lands from Ballardo as the two fighters clinch.
Ballardo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ballardo is pushing Gotch up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Ballardo scores with a shoulder strike.
Ballardo will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Gotch up against the cage.
Ballardo scores with a shot to the side of Gotch's head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ballardo.
Gotch is trying to pull guard but Ballardo turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Gotch changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ballardo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballardo instigates a clinch.
Ballardo displaying some good clinch control by pressing Gotch up against the cage.
Ballardo lands a shoulder strike.
A short body shot lands from Ballardo as the two fighters clinch.
Ballardo lands with a light punch inside.
Ballardo pushes Gotch back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ballardo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ballardo taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Vassago Ballardo has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Gotch is looking for a takedown.
Nice body punch from Ballardo.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Ballardo.
Gotch has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ballardo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ballardo lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A short uppercut from Ballardo.
Ballardo lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ballardo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gotch.
Ballardo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gotch.
Ballardo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ballardo lands a hook that snaps the head of Gotch backwards.
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!
Ballardo lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gotch.
Ballardo gets through Gotch's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ballardo controlling the action here for a moment.
Ballardo tries to stall but Gotch uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ballardo is working Gotch over against the cage.
Ballardo leaning his opponent against the cage.
A short left from Ballardo.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballardo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ballardo lands an uppercut.
Gotch has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ballardo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A short left from Ballardo.
Good body shot from Ballardo.
Ballardo lands a body punch.
Vassago Ballardo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nice body punch from Ballardo - that landed with a thud.
Gotch wants a takedown but no success here.
Ballardo slowing the pace effectively.
Ballardo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Gotch has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ballardo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ballardo lands a hook that snaps the head of Gotch backwards.
Frank Gotch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ballardo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gotch can do to turn this around?
Ballardo is defending well against a takedown attempt.
And that's the end of the fight!
Vassago Ballardo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ballardo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:26
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:26
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vassago Ballardo!
Our winner, Vassago Ballardo, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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