PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jack Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raimo Vassari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ward comes to the cage accompanied by Converge - No Heroes. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ward
vs
Vassari

165 cm
23
162 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

175 cm
19
165 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

ADCC Champion
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jack Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Raimo Vassari!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Tiny Johnson and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vassari drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Vassari wants to pass the guard but Ward is keeping the position.
Ward preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vassari pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vassari missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vassari throwing strikes but missing.
Vassari trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Vassari shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Vassari was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Poor strikes thrown by Vassari there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Ward's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Vassari throwing strikes here but Ward is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Vassari scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Ward?

Vassari goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Ward turns into him and now he's in Vassari's guard.
Ward is looking to stand up but Vassari won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Vassari is on top in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Vassari accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Vassari slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Vassari working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Ward defending against the ground and pound.
Vassari grinds an elbow into Ward's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Ward tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vassari lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Vassari cracks Ward with an open hand slap.
Ward is looking to clinch.
Vassari circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ward is looking to clinch.
Vassari takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A slow jab from Ward misses its intended target.

Ward gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Vassari to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Vassari wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.
Vassari throwing strikes from guard but Ward blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vassari working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Vassari missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vassari trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vassari loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vassari is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ward fails with an attempt to clinch.
A jab from Ward finds it's way through Vassari's defenses.
Ward looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ward gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Vassari to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Vassariis looking to pass into half guard but Ward pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Ward is in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimo Vassari dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Vassari throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ward was covering up waiting for the punch and Vassari finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Vassari postures up and lands a big shot to Ward's brow.
Vassari pushes down on Ward's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Vassari throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Vassari throwing shots but Ward is blocking nicely.
Vassari misses with a head shot. Ward uses the momentum to regain guard.
Ward preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vassari pushing down on Ward's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Vassari has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ward taking some punishment here, with Vassari in his half guard.

Vassari is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ward doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Vassari.
Ward blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vassari.
Vassari looks to land a strike but Ward avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Vassari landing some decent shots from guard.
Ward is looking to stand up but Vassari isn't so interested in that idea.
Vassari throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ward works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Vassari advances to half guard.
Vassari not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Vassari throwing shots but Ward is blocking nicely.
Vassari throwing shots but Ward is blocking nicely.
Ward is staying active underneath Vassari, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Vassari.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Vassari bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Vassari is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ward is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Vassari is breathing heavily.
Vassari trying to control the position but Ward is working away.
Ward is trying to get back to his feet.
Ward dodges the ground and pound from Vassari.
Ward is trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward is working to avoid the ground and pound but Vassari connects with a decent elbow.
Vassari lands a nice forearm strike.
An elbow from Vassari crashes against the mat.
Vassari is trying to ground and pound but Ward uses the momentary lack of control by Vassari to regain half guard.
Raimo Vassari has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vassari throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ward wants to get back to his feet.
Vassari with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raimo Vassari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ward gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Vassari missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vassari postures up in Ward's guard and throws a big left but Ward blocks it.
Vassari trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Ward manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Vassari tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Ward avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vassari has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Ward has passed into side control.
Vassari takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ward wants to stand but Vassari has him controlled and pulls him back into his guard.
Vassari wants to sweep here but Ward controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Ward got a little sloppy there for a moment and Vassari has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ward has managed to get both his arms back between Vassari's legs - danger averted.
Ward has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Vassari looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ward wants to stand but Vassari has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Vassari wants to sweep here but Ward controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Vassari.
Ward wants to clinch.
Ward connects with a nice looking jab.
Vassari connects with a good right hand that stumbles Ward. Ward circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Vassari scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Sloppy strikes there by Vassari.
Vassari tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Vassari misses with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vassari working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Ward is not content to let Vassari control the position.
Vassari working the head and body with strikes.
Raimo Vassari is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vassari controls the position from side control.
Ward is trying to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raimo Vassari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vassari 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raimo Vassari!