PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Jennings (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jemichael Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Antonio Jennings has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Jennings
vs
Ward

180 cm
20
130 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

165 cm
25
141 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Antonio Jennings!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jemichael Ward!
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, John Kavanagh and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jennings keeps the fight on the outside.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Jennings.
Ward fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jennings keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Jennings shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ward pinned against the cage. Ward gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Ward shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ward accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Jennings really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Jennings can't keep his opponent in guard - Ward advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Ward is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Jennings has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ward thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jennings's head.
Ward thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Jennings's head.

Ward is looking for a kimura but Jennings is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ward to get the leverage.
Jennings avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ward.
Jennings wants to control but Ward is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jennings gets full guard.
Jennings working a defensive guard here.
Jennings keeping moving, preventing Ward from controlling successfully.

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

Ward shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Jennings is trying desperately to improve position.

Ward goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Jennings is on top in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward looks gassed!
Jennings tries to free his leg and advance position but Ward is retaining full guard.
Ward working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Jennings.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jennings pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.

Ward is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Jennings is aware though and is defending well.
Jennings thows a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ward has a closed guard, preventing Jennings from standing up.
Jennings advances position into side control!

Jennings is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ward knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Jennings has hold of Ward's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Ward tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Jennings cranks the arm and Ward screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Ward, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Antonio Jennings!