PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hagler Hearns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Ballinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ballinger has chosen A Scottish Soldier by Andy Stewart as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Hearns
vs
Ballinger

182 cm
24
206 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

191 cm
28
222 lbs
16 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hagler Hearns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Ryan Ballinger!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ballinger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hearns looks to score with a jab to the body but Ballinger is just out of range.
Ballinger ducks under a wild hook from Hearns.
Hearns tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ballinger was well out of range. Poor timing from Hearns.
Ballinger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hearns.
Ballinger walks into a straight right hand from Hearns.
A cross from Hearns lands.
Hearns feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ballingers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hearns is looking to chop away at Ballinger's legs.
Ballinger looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hearns throws a body punch but Ballinger moves out of range.

Ballinger looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Ballinger is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ballinger drops back, looking for a kneebar! Hearns looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Hearns looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Hearns!
Ballinger tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Hearns wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ballinger struggling a bit here.
Hearns trying to control the action but Ballinger is working from the bottom.
Ballinger can't do much from the bottom here.
Ballinger tries to bench press Hearns off him but Hearns keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ballinger wants to control but Hearns postures up.
Ballinger manages to get back to half guard.
Hearns content to control rather than advance.

Ballinger is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hearns pulls his head out easily.
Hearns is looking to advance position but Ballinger won't allow it.
Ballinger is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearns tries to pass to full mount but Ballinger defends it.
Hearns knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ballinger on the ground.
Hearns is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Ballinger wants to control but Hearns is keeping busy.
Hearns controlling the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Hagler Hearns wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Donk. Hearns catches Ballinger right on the button with a cross.
Hearns keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ballinger shoots in looking for a takedown. Hearns tries to sprawl out of it but Ballinger keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hearns manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hagler Hearns seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hearns looks to throw the jab but Ballinger is out of range.
Hearns fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ballinger is out of range.
Hearns looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ballinger dodges the punch combination from Hearns.
Hearns takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hearns throws a body punch but Ballinger moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ballinger misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ballinger bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Hearns misses with a hook. Ballinger ducked under it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hagler Hearns will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hearns throws a jab but it's blocked by Ballinger.
Hearns lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hearns lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ballinger staying out of range there.
Ballinger sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Ryan Ballinger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hearns misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Ballinger counters with a two punch combo.
Hearns jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ballinger moves out of range of the strikes.
Ballinger feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hearns's calf.
Hearns lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hearns displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hearns throws a leg kick but Ballinger moved away.
Hearns punishes Ballinger's body with a nice straight punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearns waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ballinger.
A slow jab from Hearns misses its intended target.
Hearns misses with a body shot.
Hearns throws a looping overhand right but Ballinger ducks down to avoid it.
Ballinger has a takedown stuffed.
Ballinger tries a head kick but it misses.
Ballinger misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hearns, right into the meat.
Hearns clobbers Ballinger with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ballinger lands a two punch combo.
Hearns dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearns fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ballinger manages to avoid it.
Ballinger throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hearns scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ballinger doesn't seem bothered though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hearns pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ballinger back to the cage. Hearns follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Hearns scores with a body shot.
Ballinger is breathing heavily.
Ballinger swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hearns misses with a body shot.
Hearns throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hearns avoids the head kick by Ballinger.
Hearns throws a body punch but Ballinger moves out of range.
Hearns feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ballingers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Hearns throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hearns lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ballinger's sensitive parts.
Hearns shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ballinger eats them both and turns towards Hearns to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Ballinger shoots in but no luck this time.
Hearns loads up on a big right hand but Ballinger slips the punch.
Ballinger moves forwards but Hearns connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hearns throws a combination that misses
and Ballinger counters with a nice low kick that buckles Hearns's knee momentarily.
Hearns throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ballinger.
Hearns throws a series of punches but Ballinger avoids them all with ease.
Hagler Hearns is winning the standup battle so far.
Hearns misses with a hook
and Ballinger counters with a one-two to the body.
Hearns throws a shot to the body.
Hearns jabs Ballinger right on the nose. Ballinger blinks but takes it well.
Hearns misses with a right hand
and Ballinger counters with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hearns just misses with a punch to the body.
Ballinger pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Hearns back to the cage. Ballinger follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Hearns misses with a straight left.
Nice body punch from Hearns.
Hearns throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ballinger sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hearns misses with a jab to the body

and Ballinger counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ballinger wants to stand but Hearns has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Ballinger postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hearns is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ballinger, into his guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hearns trying to control the position from guard on top but Ballinger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hagler Hearns dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ballinger pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ballinger misses with the combination.
Hearns misses with a leg kick
and Ballinger counters with a three punch combo that has Hearns backing up. Hearns nods at Ballinger to acknowledge the strikes.
Ballinger ducks under a wild hook from Hearns.
Ballinger checks the leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Hearns.
Ballinger uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hearns.
Ballinger swinging wildly here.
Ballinger ducks under a wild hook from Hearns.
Hearns smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hearns scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ballinger in his tracks.
Ballinger throws a head kick but Hearns moves out of range.
Ballinger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hearns.
Hearns fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ballinger manages to avoid it.
Hearns lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hearns thows a leg kick but Ballinger checks it
and Ballinger counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hearns throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ballinger counters with a left and a right that stings Hearns.
Hearns scores with a sloppy right hand. Ballinger should have avoided that one.
Hearns misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hearns slips a jab and a cross from Ballinger.
Hearns scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hearns misses with a body shot.
Ryan Ballinger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hagler Hearns is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hearns throws a big shot that misses.
Ballinger moves away from the strike by Hearns.
Ballinger checks the leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ballinger stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hearns.
Hearns looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hearns thows a leg kick but Ballinger checks it
and Ballinger counters with a stiff right hand.
Hearns misses the shot to the body.
Hearns misses with a straight left.
Ballinger closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hearns cracks the inside of Ballinger's front leg.
Hagler Hearns is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hearns throws an overhand right that lands on Ballinger's shoulder, as Ballinger tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Hearns.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hearns. That's going to slow Ballinger down.
Nice sprawl there from Hearns as Ballinger shoots in.
Hearns misses with a straight right.
Hearns fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ballinger looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Hearns takes a swing at Ballinger's ribcage but misses.
Ballinger on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ballinger has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Hearns lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ballinger at a distance.
Ballinger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ballinger fails with a takedown attempt.
Ballinger takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hearns jabs at Ballinger's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hearns lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hearns throws a good cross that connects.
Hearns lands a nice shot to the body.
Ballinger ducks under a wild hook from Hearns.
Hearns swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ballinger throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ballinger misses with the combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hearns pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ballinger back to the cage. Hearns follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Hearns is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ballinger can do to turn this around?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ballinger closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hagler Hearns showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hearns, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Peck scores the fight 30:27
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hagler Hearns!
Hagler Hearns was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.