PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack LeBalls (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jamal Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Jones's choice of entrance music: Still D.R.E. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

LeBalls
vs
Jones

201 cm
26
255 lbs
12 - 8 - 1

186 cm
25
260 lbs
13 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Determined

Balco Boys - Hilo

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 12 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jack LeBalls!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jamal Jones!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Edson Gomes and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch but Jones swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Some wild striking there from Jones.
LeBalls is looking to clinch but Jones is avoiding it.
Jones displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from LeBalls.
Jones looks to score with a jab to the body but LeBalls is just out of range.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch but Jones swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
LeBalls changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
LeBalls tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.
LeBalls fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
LeBalls misses with a wild body shot.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jones paws at him with a jab and circles away.
LeBalls fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice cross by LeBalls.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBalls fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jones looks to land a left hand but LeBalls moved out of range nicely.
LeBalls is looking to clinch.
No joy there for LeBalls, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jones takes a swing at LeBalls's ribcage but misses.
LeBalls shoots for a takedown but Jones saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
LeBalls tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.
LeBalls shoots in for a takedown but Jones shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack LeBalls. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jones buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Jones misses with a low kick.
LeBalls tries to clinch there but Jones circles away.
A big right from LeBalls misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by LeBalls.

LeBalls drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Jones gets back to half guard.
LeBalls thows a huge punch but Jones dodges it nicely.
Jones is trying to get back to full guard.
Jones works his way to full guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
LeBalls throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones looking for a sweep. Not yet Jones, not yet.
LeBalls will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

LeBalls drops back looking for a leg! Jones is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Jones manages to kick LeBalls off! LeBalls jumps back into Jones's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
LeBalls tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.
Jones avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
LeBalls tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jones sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten LeBalls somewhat.
LeBalls tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
LeBalls fails in his attempt to clinch.
LeBalls tries to clinch up.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jones paws at him with a jab and circles away.
LeBalls tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
LeBalls throws a head kick that misses.
Jones lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

LeBalls gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
LeBalls throws a knee to the head but misses.
Jones jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as LeBalls walks away with a smile on his face. Jones gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
LeBalls is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Jones will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack LeBalls dominated that round.
That's time! LeBalls's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jones throws a series of punches but LeBalls avoids them all with ease.
LeBalls tries to clinch there but Jones circles away.
A punch combination from Jones misses.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch but Jones swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - LeBalls looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
LeBalls is looking to clinch but Jones is avoiding it.
Jones avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick from Jones misses.
LeBalls fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
LeBalls throws a half hearted mid kick.
LeBalls lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBalls tries to clinch up but Jones circles away and keeps his distance.

Jones gets caught flat footed, as LeBalls shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jones tries to land a sweep but no joy.
LeBalls looking to pass the guard.

Jones is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. LeBalls is aware though and is defending well.
LeBalls wants to pass the guard but Jones is keeping the position.
Jones keeping moving, preventing LeBalls from controlling successfully.

Jones is looking for a triangle but LeBalls pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeBalls won't allow Jones to sweep him here.
LeBalls wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
LeBalls wants to pass the guard but Jones is keeping the position.
LeBalls is working hard here to advance position.

LeBalls postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Jones is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of LeBalls, into his guard.
Jones missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones postures up.
Jones pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. LeBalls is keeping the position for now.
Jones passes LeBalls's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Nice strikes from Jones there.
Jones throws a strike but LeBalls avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
LeBalls pulls Jones in close to prevent any damage.

LeBalls looking for subs off his back but Jones has passed one foot through into half guard.
Jones not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jones looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Jones is sneakily working for an arm triangle but LeBalls sees it coming and defends easily.
Jones throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
LeBalls is looking to control Jones's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can LeBalls avoid being mounted?
Jones missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
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 Jack LeBalls will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - LeBalls looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jones throws a combination but it was largely blocked by LeBalls.
LeBalls ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
LeBalls tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Jack LeBalls seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
LeBalls lands an overhand right.
LeBalls moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
LeBalls moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
LeBalls fails with an attempt to clinch.
LeBalls paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Jones avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
LeBalls tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
LeBalls tries to clinch up.
LeBalls misses with a takedown attempt - Jones sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
LeBalls shoots for a double leg takedown but Jones sprawls well. He's pushed LeBalls's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jones keeps the fight on the outside.
No luck for LeBalls with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jack LeBalls. That's going to take a lot out of him.
LeBalls is looking to clinch but Jones is avoiding it.
Jones sizes up LeBalls with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The fight stays on the outside here - LeBalls looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
LeBalls checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
LeBalls moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
LeBalls on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Jones. Jones obviously looking to wear him down.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
LeBalls showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Jones.
LeBalls fails in his attempt to clinch.
Jones lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
LeBalls tries to clinch up.
Jones lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but LeBalls circles away quickly and effectively.
LeBalls is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Good shot there by LeBalls.
LeBalls tries to clinch but Jones is having none of it.
Jack LeBalls is winning the standup battle so far.
LeBalls tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
LeBalls ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jones throws out a powerful jab.
Jones circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jones tries to bum rush LeBalls with a series of wild strikes but LeBalls uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jones takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
LeBalls stuffs the takedown attempt from Jones. Jones gets slowly back to his feet.
LeBalls tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Jones swats away the attempt to clinch by LeBalls.
Jones throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jones throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
LeBalls tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jack LeBalls is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
LeBalls moves in looking to clinch but Jones pushes him off.
Jack LeBalls is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch but Jones swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jones swats him away and circles back towards the center.
LeBalls fails with an attempt to clinch.
LeBalls is looking to clinch but Jones is avoiding it.
LeBalls is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
LeBalls fails in his attempt to clinch.
LeBalls tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Jones paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Jones dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
LeBalls fails in his attempt to clinch.
A swing and a miss from Jones.
Jones misses with a few strikes there.
Jamal Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
LeBalls shoots in but no luck this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jamal Jones comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think LeBalls has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack LeBalls!