PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mophaf Bungradidoa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Ballantine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bungradidoa
vs
Ballantine

178 cm
24
250 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

195 cm
27
230 lbs
6 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mophaf Bungradidoa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bill Ballantine!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shigeki Sano and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballantine slips under a jab from Bungradidoa.
Ballantine misses with a double jab.
Bungradidoa misses with a takedown attempt - Ballantine sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ballantine. Bungradidoa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ballantine throws the kick towards the body but Bungradidoa avoids it.
Bungradidoa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ballantine throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Ballantine lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Bungradidoa wants to clinch but Ballantine slips to the side
and Ballantine counters with a right hand to the body.
Ballantine dodges the punch combination from Bungradidoa.
Ballantine is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Ballantine fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Bungradidoa on the side of the head.
Ballantine scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ballantine fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ballantine misses with a low kick.
Bungradidoa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bungradidoa with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ballantine counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Ballantine.
Ballantine throws a counter combo.
Ballantine throws a head kick that misses.
Bungradidoa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ballantine throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ballantine scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bungradidoa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ballantine moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bungradidoa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Ballantine has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Ballantine misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bungradidoa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ballantine throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bungradidoa.
Bill Ballantine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ballantine feints a jab promting Bungradidoa to slip. Ballantine then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Bungradidoa slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ballantine takes a swing at Bungradidoa's ribcage but misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bungradidoa shoots in and drives through. Ballantine sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mophaf Bungradidoa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bungradidoa takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bungradidoa is breathing heavily.

Bungradidoa darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
It looks like Bungradidoa is going to stand back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bungradidoa trying to control from Ballantine's half guard. Ballantine has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Ballantine keeping full guard, as Bungradidoa tries to pass.
Bungradidoa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Ballantine pulls Bungradidoa in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bungradidoa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ballantine trying to keep a closed guard but Bungradidoa is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bungradidoa clinches up with Ballantine and pushes him back against the cage.
Ballantine is pressed up against the cage. Bungradidoa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ballantine down to the mat. Ballantine avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Bungradidoa tries to clinch up but Ballantine circles away and keeps his distance.
Ballantine feints a counter leg kick.
Bungradidoa tries for a takedown but Ballantine sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ballantine lands a slapping body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bungradidoa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ballantine lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Ballantine looks to land a combination but Bungradidoa avoids it well.
Ballantine lands a two punch combo.

It looks like Mophaf Bungradidoa has been cut.
Bungradidoa avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bungradidoa blocks a head kick by Ballantine.
Bungradidoa tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Ballantine manages to circle out of the way.
Ballantine stuffs the takedown attempt from Bungradidoa. Bungradidoa gets slowly back to his feet.
Bill Ballantine is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ballantine throws a body kick that misses.
Bungradidoa attempts a counter takedown but Ballantine avoids it well and moves away.
Ballantine misses with a two punch combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bungradidoa walks into a stiff left hand from Ballantine.
Bungradidoa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ballantine.
Ballantine is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Bungradidoa rather than just go for the knockout.
Ballantine throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Bungradidoa drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bungradidoa is looking to pass into half guard but Ballantine pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ballantine is in guard.

Ballantine chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Ballantine dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mophaf Bungradidoa's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Bungradidoa tries to clinch but Ballantine moves out of range.

Bungradidoa closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bungradidoa working hard to break the clinch.
Ballantine is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bungradidoa is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ballantine gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ballantine has had enough of the clinch but Bungradidoa keeps him there for the moment.
Bungradidoa has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ballantine avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ballantine wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bungradidoa has him pressed against the cage.
Bungradidoa can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mophaf Bungradidoa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bungradidoa drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ballantine gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ballantine is pressed up against the cage. Bungradidoa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ballantine down to the mat. Ballantine avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballantine throws out a powerful jab.
A combination from Ballantine does no damage.

Bungradidoa feints and as Ballantine raises his hands in defense, Bungradidoa changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bungradidoa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ballantine looking to control.
Bungradidoa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bungradidoa is looking to work some ground and pound but Ballantine has wrist control.
Bungradidoa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ballantine avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ballantine controls Bungradidoa momentarily but Bungradidoa frees himself.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bungradidoa is defended easily by Ballantine.
Ballantine unleashes a big counter combination but Bungradidoa bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ballantine has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A big left from Ballantine misses.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ballantine stalling in the clinch but Bungradidoa improves position.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
A frustrated look appears on Ballantine's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bungradidoa controlling the action here for a moment.
I was talking to Bungradidoa's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bungradidoa can't break the clinch.
Bungradidoa wants to break the clinch but can't.

Ballantine breaks the clinch.
Ballantine lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Ballantine.
Mophaf Bungradidoa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bungradidoa is looking to clinch.
Bungradidoa throws a right and a left that Ballantine avoids nicely.
Ballantine tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Bungradidoa is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ballantine.
Ballantine throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bungradidoa.
Ballantine connects with a single shot there.

Bungradidoa looking to score a takedown here. Ballantine is defending well but Bungradidoa drives through and ends up in Ballantine's guard.
Bungradidoa forces his way into half guard.

Bungradidoa is working for a kimura but Ballantine is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballantine blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bungradidoa.
Bungradidoa wants to control but Ballantine is keeping him busy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bungradidoa thows a huge punch but Ballantine dodges it nicely.
Bungradidoa is looking to stall here but Ballantine recovers full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bill Ballantine will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mophaf Bungradidoa's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ballantine avoids the body shot from Bungradidoa.
Ballantine looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ballantine throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ballantine has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ballantine tries to score with a low kick but Bungradidoa moves his leg out of the way.
Bungradidoa blocks a leg kick.

Ballantine gets caught flat footed, as Bungradidoa shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bungradidoa throws a big right hand that misses.
Bungradidoa throws a big right hand that misses.

Ballantine pushes Bungradidoa off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Bungradidoa misses with a takedown
and Ballantine counters with a right hand to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ballantine!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ballantine keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
As Bungradidoa backs off Ballantine throws a huge counter combo but Bungradidoa manages to avoid it all.

Bungradidoa shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ballantine's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bungradidoa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ballantine swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ballantine is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bungradidoa postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ballantine controlling Bungradidoa's posture.
Bungradidoa with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Bungradidoa throws a big elbow that misses.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Bungradidoa controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bungradidoa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ballantine.
No joy there for Ballantine, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bungradidoa went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Ballantine tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bungradidoa was well out of range. Poor timing from Ballantine.
Ballantine tries to land a leg kick but Bungradidoa saw it coming and moves away.
Ballantine throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Bungradidoa counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bungradidoa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ballantine counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mophaf Bungradidoa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bungradidoa throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bungradidoa lands with a nice body kick.

Bungradidoa dives in and scores a takedown into Ballantine's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bungradidoa working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bungradidoa throwing strikes from guard but Ballantine blocks nicely.
Bungradidoa throws an elbow that misses. Ballantine uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bungradidoa's guard. Nice move by Ballantine!

Bill Ballantine is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bungradidoa wants to get back to his feet but Ballantine is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Bungradidoa keeping moving, preventing Ballantine from controlling successfully.

Bungradidoa uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Mophaf Bungradidoa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bungradidoa misses with a jab, cross combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Bungradidoa.
As Bungradidoa backs off Ballantine throws a huge counter combo but Bungradidoa manages to avoid it all.
Bungradidoa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ballantine.
Bungradidoa misses with a takedown attempt - Ballantine sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bungradidoa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bungradidoa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ballantine manages to avoid it.
Ballantine throws a quick inside leg kick.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ballantine.
Ballantine dips down and scores with a jab 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!
Ballantine sizes up Bungradidoa with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ballantine lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bungradidoa throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ballantine counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Bill Ballantine.
I've got Ballantine winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bill Ballantine!
During a confident post fight interview, Bill Ballantine thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.