PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Victor Ballsawash (ranked 25262 p4p, 5974 weight class) and Rick Hatton (ranked 595 p4p, 506 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ballsawash
vs
Hatton

183 cm
20
273
0 - 2 - 0

198 cm
17
261
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Voodoo Nutrition

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Victor Ballsawash!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rick Hatton!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Ben Hemmingworth and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hatton swinging wildly here.
Hatton digs a good hook to Ballsawash's body.
Hatton uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ballsawash.
Hatton looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hatton lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Hatton looks to land a left hand but Ballsawash moved out of range nicely.
It looked like Ballsawash was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Nice sprawl there from Hatton as Ballsawash shoots in.
Hatton scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Hatton checks a leg kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hatton swings for the body but Ballsawash moves out of range.
Ballsawash seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Hatton with a nice cross.
A left and a right from Ballsawash both land. Nice combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hatton fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ballsawash avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatton fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sloppy strikes from Hatton. Those never looked like landing.
Ballsawash rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hatton moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ballsawash has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hatton finds it's way round the side to connect with Ballsawash's head.
Hatton swinging wildly here.
As Hatton looks to move away, Ballsawash throws a big counter combo but Hatton just gets out of the way.
Hatton is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Ballsawash walks into a stiff left hand from Hatton.
Ballsawash throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hatton feints a jab promting Ballsawash to slip. Hatton then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ballsawash slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Victor Ballsawash has been cut.
Ballsawash misses with a jab, cross combination.
A big right from Hatton misses.
Ballsawash went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Hatton swings widly with a right hand
and Ballsawash counters with a left and a right that stings Hatton.
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!
A jab from Hatton misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ballsawash scores with a takedown into Hatton's guard.
Hatton looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ballsawash is one step ahead there.
Ballsawash postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ballsawash stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hatton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ballsawash postures up in Hatton's guard and throws a big left but Hatton blocks it.
Ballsawash slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Ballsawash tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Ballsawash throws a strike aimed at the side of Hatton's head but Hatton avoids it well.
We've been hearing good reports from Ballsawash's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ballsawash is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hatton is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hatton wants to control but Ballsawash postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ballsawash postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Hatton tries to improve position but can't.
Ballsawash taking a breather here.

Ballsawash tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Ballsawash has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hatton tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballsawash tries to move to mount but Hatton blocks the move with his legs.
Hatton struggling a bit here.
Hatton really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ballsawash. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ballsawash slows the pace down.
Hatton is trying to control Ballsawash's posture but Ballsawash avoids it.
Hatton tries to buck Ballsawash off but Ballsawash is having none of it.
Ballsawash throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Hatton is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rick Hatton will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Victor Ballsawash'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.

Ballsawash displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hatton throws out the jab.
Hatton looks to score with a jab to the body but Ballsawash is just out of range.
Ballsawash appears to be looking for a big counter.
Ballsawash shoots for a takedown but Hatton saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ballsawash.
Ballsawash shoots in looking for a takedown. Hatton tries to sprawl out of it but Ballsawash keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hatton manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ballsawash throws out a leg kick but Hatton moves out of range and Ballsawash only half commits.
Hatton rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Ballsawash counters with a two punch combo.
Ballsawash avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hatton misses with a hook. Ballsawash ducked under it nicely.
Hatton throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hatton swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballsawash shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hatton pinned against the cage. Hatton gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hatton lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Ballsawash. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hatton throws a nice looking combination but Ballsawash bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ballsawash went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A slow jab from Hatton misses its intended target.
Rick Hatton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hatton misses the shot to the body.
Hatton throws a nice looking combination but Ballsawash bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hatton misses with an uppercut.
As Hatton looks to move away, Ballsawash throws a big counter combo but Hatton just gets out of the way.
Victor Ballsawash is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ballsawash misses with the combination.
Donk. Hatton catches Ballsawash right on the button with a cross.
Hatton connects with a right hand. Ballsawash shakes it off.
Ballsawash swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hatton fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ballsawash drops down looking for a counter takedown but Hatton sprawls and moves away.
Hatton thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hatton goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hatton, as that shot connected.
Ballsawash showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hatton.
A combination from Hatton does no damage.
Ballsawash showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hatton.
Nice body punch from Hatton.
Ballsawash misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hatton. Ballsawash does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ballsawash looks for a takedown but Hatton sprawls well.
Hatton has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ballsawash misses with a takedown attempt - Hatton sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hatton misses with an uppercut. Ballsawash saw that one coming.
Ballsawash is looking for a counter combo.
A combination from Ballsawash does no damage.
Hatton just misses with a punch to the body.
As Hatton looks to move away, Ballsawash throws a big counter combo but Hatton just gets out of the way.
Hatton works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ballsawash takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ballsawash uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hatton.
It looked like Ballsawash was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Ballsawash tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hatton defends well and Ballsawash ends up having to push Hatton into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hatton.
Hatton misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hatton swings for the body but Ballsawash moves out of range.
Ballsawash dives in and grabs Hatton's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hatton pushes down on Ballsawash's head and hops out.
Ballsawash shoots in looking for a takedown but Hatton manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ballsawash's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ballsawash misses with the combination.
Ballsawash slips a straight right by Hatton.
Ballsawash appears to be looking for a big counter.
A cross from Hatton lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ballsawash lands with a right hand.
Hatton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hatton dodges the punch combination from Ballsawash.
Hatton misses with a double jab.
Ballsawash fails with a takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Hatton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Victor Ballsawash's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Hatton misses with a few strikes there.
Ballsawash swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ballsawash shoots in but no luck this time.
Ballsawash tries to bum rush Hatton with a series of wild strikes but Hatton uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ballsawash takes one on the button.
Sloppy strikes from Hatton. Those never looked like landing.
Hatton showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ballsawash.
Hatton lands a glancing blow to the side of Ballsawash's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ballsawash goes for a double leg but Hatton avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hatton continues to drive forward.
Ballsawash throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hatton's waist but Hatton gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ballsawash off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Victor Ballsawash. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hatton throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Ballsawash counter with a right hand.
Hatton looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ballsawash takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A swing and a miss from Hatton.
Ballsawash shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ballsawash is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hatton sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A jab from Hatton does it's job there.
Hatton throws a nice looking combination but Ballsawash bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
As Hatton looks to move away, Ballsawash throws a big counter combo but Hatton just gets out of the way.
Ballsawash moves out of range as Hatton strikes.
Hatton throws a body shot but no joy.
Hatton throws a right hand that Ballsawash ducks under and follows up with a left that Ballsawash also avoids with ease.
Hatton scores with a punch to the head.
Rick Hatton seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hatton punishes Ballsawash's body with a nice straight punch.
Hatton throws a right and a left that Ballsawash avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hatton misses with a shot to the body
and Ballsawash counters with a three punch combo that has Hatton backing up. Hatton nods at Ballsawash to acknowledge the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ballsawash keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As Hatton looks to move away, Ballsawash throws a big counter combo but Hatton just gets out of the way.
Ballsawash shoots for a takedown but Hatton saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hatton misses with a looping left.
Ballsawash throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ballsawash ducks under a wild hook from Hatton.
Hatton scores with a jab to the head.
Ballsawash looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ballsawash takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Hatton misses with a two punch combination.
Ballsawash changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hatton tries to avoid it but Ballsawash manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hatton to the ground. Hatton escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hatton looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Danga de danga de dang - Hatton scores with a four punch combination!
Hatton moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Victor Ballsawash has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatton looks to land a right hand but Ballsawash moved out of range.
No joy there for Hatton, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hatton takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ballsawash displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hatton throws out the jab.
Ballsawash shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hatton but Hatton pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A nice side step and Hatton releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Ballsawash shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hatton pinned against the cage. Hatton gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Rick Hatton is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hatton with a nice cross.
Hatton throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hatton lands a jab to Ballsawash's midsection.
Ballsawash steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hatton.
Ballsawash looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Hatton shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ballsawash eats them both and turns towards Hatton to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Hatton cracks Ballsawash with an open hand slap.
Ballsawash doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
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!
Hatton throws a right and a left that Ballsawash avoids nicely.
A punch combination from Ballsawash misses.
Ballsawash throws a right and a left that Hatton avoids nicely.
A punch lands to the side of Ballsawash 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Ballsawash on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hatton displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Rick Hatton is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Ballsawash darts in and clinches Hatton up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Hatton comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hatton 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 Chris Dean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Hatton!