PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pako Laine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seve Ballesteros (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laine comes to the cage accompanied by Nikke Ankara - Värifilmi. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Laine
vs
Ballesteros

174 cm
30
149 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

175 cm
32
154 lbs
19 - 3 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

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 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pako Laine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Seve Ballesteros!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laine takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Ballesteros cracks Laine with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Laine is looking to slow Ballesteros down with leg kicks.
Laine misses with an uppercut
and Ballesteros makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Laine tries to clinch but Ballesteros is having none of it.
Laine misses with a straight left.

Laine has closed the distance and engaged Ballesteros in a clinch.
Laine softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ballesteros softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Ballesteros lands a hook that snaps the head of Laine backwards.
Ballesteros lands a hook that snaps the head of Laine backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ballesteros breaks from the clinch.
Laine throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ballesteros tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Laine shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ballesteros as he avoids it easily.
Laine throws a body kick that misses.
Laine swings for the body but Ballesteros moves out of range.
It seemed like Ballesteros was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Laine moves in looking to clinch but Ballesteros pushes him off.
Ballesteros misses with a wild body shot.
Laine throws out a leg kick but Ballesteros moves out of range and Laine only half commits.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laine misses with a lunging right hand
and Ballesteros counters with a slapping leg kick.
Ballesteros uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Laine.
Ballesteros takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Laine.
A slapping body kick lands there for Ballesteros.
Ballesteros checks a leg kick nicely.
Laine throws a poor cross that misses
and Ballesteros counters with a straight right hand.
Laine misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ballesteros goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Laine darts in trying to clinch
letting Ballesteros counter with a right hand.
Ballesteros fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Laine manages to avoid it.
Ballesteros pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Laine is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ballesteros.
Ballesteros moves out of range of the strikes.
Laine scores with a body shot.
Ballesteros scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ballesteros scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Laine fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pako Laine. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Laine takes the fight into the clinch.
Laine scores a nice knee to the body.
Ballesteros missing with knees to the body.
Ballesteros pressing his opponent against the cage.
Laine swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Laine scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Ballesteros breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ballesteros uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Laine.
Seve Ballesteros is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ballesteros scores with a punch to the head.

Ballesteros gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Laine to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ballesteros wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Laine manages to pass to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ballesteros manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Laine keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Ballesteros lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ballesteros lands with a left to the head.
Ballesteros on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ballesteros softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Ballesteros breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Laine throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Laine slips under a jab.
Laine connects with a nice looking jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ballesteros pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laine tries to clinch up
and Ballesteros counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Laine moves out of range of the leg kick from Ballesteros.
Ballesteros goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Pako Laine has been cut.
Ballesteros slips under a jab.
Laine swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Laine throws a low kick but Ballesteros moves out of range easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ballesteros.
Ballesteros connects with a solid leg kick.
Laine cracks Ballesteros with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Pako Laine seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ballesteros has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ballesteros there as he acknowledges the shot.
Ballesteros waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Laine.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nice body kick from Laine.
Laine scores with a jab to the head.
Laine misses with a straight left.
Ballesteros ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ballesteros takes one on the chin but seems OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Seve Ballesteros will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Pako Laine's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Laine. Ballesteros does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little jabbing left from Ballesteros on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Laine pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A nice side step and Ballesteros releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ballesteros tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Laine is looking to clinch but Ballesteros is avoiding it.
Laine wants to clinch.
Ballesteros ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Laine, as that shot connected.
Laine pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Laine blocks a head kick by Ballesteros.
Ballesteros jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballesteros throws a quick inside leg kick.
Laine misses with a takedown attempt
and Ballesteros counters with a head kick.
Ballesteros misses with an uppercut. Laine saw that one coming.

Ballesteros tries to sprawl but Laine drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ballesteros is not content to let Laine control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballesteros wants to get back to his feet.

Ballesteros kicks off Laine and gets to his feet.
Seve Ballesteros seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ballesteros connects with a solid leg kick.
Laine lunges at Ballesteros with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Ballesteros's hand.
Laine looks for a takedown but Ballesteros sprawls well.
Ballesteros scores with a leg kick.
Ballesteros avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ballesteros cracks Laine with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Laine tries to clinch up.

Laine moves into the clinch.
Laine on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballesteros is trying to maintain a safe position but Laine gets an underhook and turns Ballesteros into the cage.
Ballesteros trying to stall but Laine improves his position.
Laine is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ballesteros is defending well for now.
Laine blocks an uppercut.
Laine misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ballesteros working aggressively here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ballesteros blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Laine digs a right hand underneath Ballesteros's ribcage. Ballesteros let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Laine tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ballesteros avoids it.
Laine using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ballesteros has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Laine.
Ballesteros avoiding damage as Laine throws knees to the body.

Ballesteros breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Laine thows a leg kick but Ballesteros checks it
enabling Ballesteros to counter with a crisp jab.
Ballesteros takes one to the side of the head.
Ballesteros listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Laine looks to land a right hand but Ballesteros moved out of range.
Ballesteros fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laine takes a swing at Ballesteros's ribcage but misses.
A little jabbing left from Ballesteros on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ballesteros lands a body shot.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Laine.
Laine wants to clinch.
Laine tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Ballesteros tries a low kick but Laine avoids it.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ballesteros lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Laine has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Laine and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ballesteros throws a quick inside leg kick.
Laine misses with a left hand
and Ballesteros counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A jab from Laine misses.
Laine displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ballesteros throws out the jab.
Ballesteros misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laine tries to land a front kick but Ballesteros steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ballesteros avoids a kick to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Laine checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Laine throwing a counter right hand but Ballesteros manages to avoid it.
Laine connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ballesteros. Ballesteros circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A big right from Ballesteros misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Laine. Ballesteros does a little dance to reset his feet.
Laine moves out of range of the body kick.
Laine fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ballesteros is out of range.
Laine throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Laine misses with a looping left.
Laine tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ballesteros was well out of range. Poor timing from Laine.
Laine walks into a straight right hand from Ballesteros.
A slow jab from Laine misses its intended target.
Laine is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Laine looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Laine looks to land a right hand but Ballesteros moved out of range.
Ballesteros tries a head kick but it misses.
Ballesteros is looking to score with low kicks.
Laine is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seve Ballesteros showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pako Laine's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Laine closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ballesteros misses with some punches.
Laine scores with a shoulder strike.
Laine lands with a right to the head.
Laine avoiding damage as Ballesteros throws knees to the body.
Laine is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ballesteros is defending well for now.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Laine obliges.
Laine misses with a hook from the clinch.
Ballesteros misses with a punch on the inside.
Laine lands a body punch in the clinch.
Ballesteros struggles to land a body shot inside as Laine controls his hands.
Laine misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballesteros throws a punch but it's blocked by Laine.
A right hand to the body from Ballesteros.
Pako Laine has scored more points in the clinch so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Laine.
Ballesteros misses with a punch to the body.
A shot in the inside from Laine.
Ballesteros tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballesteros struggles to land a body shot inside as Laine controls his hands.
Laine tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Ballesteros avoids it.
A head punch on the inside from Ballesteros fails to land.
Laine landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ballesteros takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ballesteros tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Laine's elbow.
Laine blocking some punches.
Laine misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Ballesteros.
Laine with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Laine tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Laine blocking some punches.
Laine lands a body punch.
Ballesteros blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ballesteros pushes Laine back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ballesteros.
Laine blocking some punches.
Laine throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ballesteros blocks it with crossed arms.
Pako Laine has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Laine.
Laine lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Laine throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ballesteros blocks it with crossed arms.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Laine lands with a light punch inside.
Ballesteros's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Ballesteros landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Ballesteros fails to land.
Laine misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ballesteros.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Laine.
Ballesteros working aggressively here.
Ballesteros is trying to maintain a safe position but Laine gets an underhook and turns Ballesteros into the cage.
Laine misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ballesteros fails to land.
A head punch on the inside from Laine fails to land.
Laine misses with some punches.
Ballesteros goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Laine works on Ballesteros's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Laine.
Laine throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Ballesteross head.
Ballesteros blocking some punches.
Laine misses with some punches.
Ballesteros scores with a shot to the side of Laine's head.
Laine tries to throw a body punch but Ballesteros avoids it by throwing Laine back against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Laine obliges.
Ballesteros misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Laine fails to land.
Laine working aggressively here.
Ballesteros misses with a hook to the ribs.
Laine tries to land knees in the clinch but Ballesteros avoids the damage to the body.
Laine lands with a right to the head.
Laine fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Ballesteros pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ballesteros fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Laine misses with a looping right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laine throws a hook to the side of Ballesteros's head but Ballesteros sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ballesteros throws a predictable looking body shot
and Laine counters with a nice body kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ballesteros keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Laine misses with an uppercut. Ballesteros saw that one coming.
Ballesteros lands a nice shot to the body.
Ballesteros uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Laine.
Ballesteros scores with a leg kick.
Laine tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ballesteros paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Laine throws a leg kick which misses Ballesteros's front leg but catches the back leg as Ballesteros tries to avoid it.
Laine takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ballesteros keeps the fight on the outside.
Ballesteros buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Ballesteros.
Ballesteros throws out a counter right but Laine avoids it with no problem.
Ballesteros checks the leg kick.
Laine misses the shot to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ballesteros! But no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pako Laine showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ballesteros 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seve Ballesteros!
An out of breath Seve Ballesteros thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.