PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shawn Cupido (ranked 4695 p4p, 6631 weight class) and Carl Ballin (ranked 513 p4p, 595 weight class). Carl Ballin 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!

Cupido
vs
Ballin

190 cm
25
190
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
190
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Shawn Cupido!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Carl Ballin!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballin tries to close the distance and clinch but Cupido swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ballin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Ballin scores with a shot to the side of Cupido's head.
Ballin pushes Cupido back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Cupido wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ballin has him pressed against the cage.
Cupido takes a shot to the head.
A hook to the body from Ballin.
Cupido is trying to break the clinch but Ballin has him pressed against the cage.
Ballin tries a body shot but Cupido blocks it.
Cupido wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ballin tries to work over Cupido's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ballin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Cupido's efforts to push away.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ballin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cupido tries to break free but Ballin pushes him back against the cage.
Ballin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Ballin has Cupido pressed against the cage, preventing Cupido from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ballin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ballin has Cupido pressed against the cage, preventing Cupido from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cupido wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ballin has him pressed against the cage.
Cupido tries to circle away but Ballin has him pinned against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Ballin.
Ballin cracks Cupido with a nice body shot.
Ballin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ballin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right handed body shot lands from Ballin.
A short body shot lands from Ballin as the two fighters clinch.
Ballin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Cupido is trying to push Ballin away but Ballin has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Cupido wants to break the clinch but can't.
Cupido takes a shot to the head.
Ballin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ballin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Cupido is breathing heavily.
Ballin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ballin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ballin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ballin scores with a shot to the side of Cupido's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ballin lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Ballin.
Ballin prevents Cupido from breaking the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ballin.
Ballin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ballin lands an uppercut.
Ballin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ballin struggles to land a body shot inside as Cupido controls his hands.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Ballin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short right from Ballin on the inside.
Ballin lands a nice shot to the body.
Ballin scores with a shoulder strike.
Ballin digs a right hand underneath Cupido's ribcage. Cupido let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Ballin scores with a shot to the side of Cupido's head.
Good body shot from Ballin.
Ballin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ballin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ballin struggles to land a body shot inside as Cupido controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Ballin.
Ballin lands an uppercut.
Still in the clinch, Ballin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Cupido has had enough of the clinch but Ballin keeps him there for the moment.
A right hand to the body from Ballin.
Ballin lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right from Ballin.
A short right from Ballin on the inside.
Cupido prevents a body shot from Ballin.
Ballin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A short right from Ballin on the inside.
Ballin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ballin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ballin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Ballin tries to work over Cupido's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ballin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Ballin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cupidos head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ballin lands a shoulder strike.
Ballin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Cupido tries to break free but Ballin pushes him back against the cage.
Ballin lands with a light punch inside.
Ballin lands with a light punch inside.
Ballin keeps control of Cupido as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Cupido has had enough of the clinch but Ballin keeps him there for the moment.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ballin.
Cupido tries to break free but Ballin pushes him back against the cage.
Ballin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ballin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Cupido is trying to break the clinch but Ballin is controlling him.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ballin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ballin.
A nice left hand lands by Ballin.
Ballin tries to work over Cupido's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Ballin dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Cupido swats away the attempt to clinch by Ballin.
Ballin tries to clinch but Cupido moves out of range.

Ballin has Cupido up against the cage in a clinch.
Ballin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Ballin lands a shot to the body.
Ballin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ballin digs a right hand into Cupido's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cupido's gas tank.
Ballin scores with a hook to the body.
Ballin lands a left hand.
A short right from Ballin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ballin.
Ballin tries a body shot but Cupido blocks it.
Ballin can't find room to land a body shot as Cupido controls the action.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ballin lands a hook to the side of the head.
A hook to the body from Ballin.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ballin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cupido or not.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballin presses Cupido against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ballin throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ballin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Ballin gets through Cupido's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ballin lands a nice shot to the body.
Ballin is leaning against Cupido and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ballin throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ballin lands a left hand.
A right handed body shot lands from Ballin.
A short right from Ballin.
Nice body punch from Ballin.
A hook to the body from Ballin.
Ballin is leaning against Cupido and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Ballin digs a right hand into Cupido's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Cupido's gas tank.
A short right from Ballin on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ballin lands a body shot.
Ballin scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballin lands a hook that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Ballin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ballin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Ballin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cupido.
Ballin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cupido.
Ballin scores with a hook to the body.
Ballin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Carl Ballin seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ballin.
Ballin lands with a right to the head.
Ballin lands a hook that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Cupido is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A left hand lands to the body for Ballin.
Ballin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ballin throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ballin lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Cupido takes a shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Ballin.
Ballin gets through Cupido's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ballin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Ballin lands a shot to the body.
Cupido takes a shot to the head.
Ballin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Ballin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ballin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cupido or not.
Ballin digs a right hand underneath Cupido's ribcage. Cupido let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A left hand lands to the body for Ballin.
Ballin lands a shoulder strike.
A short right from Ballin.
A nice left hand lands by Ballin.
Ballin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ballin gets through Cupido's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Ballin - that landed with a thud.
Ballin scores with a shot to the side of Cupido's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Cupido or not.
Ballin works on Cupido's body with a couple of short punches.
Ballin lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Ballin.
A short uppercut from Ballin.
Ballin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cupidos head.
Ballin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ballin pushes Cupido back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ballin lands a left hand.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ballin.
Ballin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ballin scores with a hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ballin lands a nice shot to the body.
Ballin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Ballin struggles to land a body shot inside as Cupido controls his hands.
A right hook to the body lands for Ballin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carl Ballin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ballin moves into the clinch successfully.
Ballin misses with a body punch.
Ballin pushes Cupido back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ballin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Ballin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Ballin has Cupido pressed against the cage, preventing Cupido from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Ballin scores with a shoulder strike.
Ballin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ballin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
Cupido has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Ballin lands a hook to the side of the head.

Cupido is rocked!
Ballin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Cupido has had enough of the clinch but Ballin keeps him there for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cupido prevents a body shot from Ballin.
A body shot lands from Ballin.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ballin can't find room to land a body shot as Cupido controls the action.
A hook to the body from Ballin.
Ballin presses Cupido against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Ballin.
Nice body punch from Ballin - that landed with a thud.
Ballin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A right handed body shot lands from Ballin.
Ballin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
A hook to the body from Ballin.
Ballin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A left hand lands to the body for Ballin.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ballin.
Oh Cupido is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ballin lands a body shot.
Cupido seems to have got his legs back now.
Ballin lands with a left to the head.
Ballin lands a hook that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Ballin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ballin lands with a left to the head.
Ballin struggles to land a body shot inside as Cupido controls his hands.
Ballin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Cupido backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cupido.
Nice body punch from Ballin - that landed with a thud.
Ballin gets through Cupido's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ballin scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ballin lands a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Ballin.
Ballin lands an uppercut in the clinch that drops Cupido to his knees! Ballin keeps firing more shots against his stricken opponent and the referee jumps in to save him!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Carl Ballin!