PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Somjit Devyarman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Micky Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Devyarman
vs
Ward

169 cm
18
146 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
145 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Vitality

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Somjit Devyarman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Micky Ward!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Devyarman scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ward swats away the attempt to clinch by Devyarman.

Ward closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Devyarman did well to prevent Ward getting side control.
Ward content to control rather than advance.
Ward's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Devyarman is trying to stand back up but Ward is controlling him
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Devyarman makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Devyarman.
Ward won't allow Devyarman to get back to his feet.
Ward pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Devyarman is keeping the position for now.

Ward stands and steps away. Devyarman gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ward is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Devyarman's half guard.
Ward perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Ward stands up and beckons Devyarman to join him on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ward feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ward's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Devyarman wants to stand but Ward is controlling the position.
Ward must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ward stays in close to Devyarman's body and controls the position.
Devyarman is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ward is controlling him.
Ward preventing the sweep.

Micky Ward has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Devyarman moves in looking to clinch but Ward pushes him off.
Devyarman darts in trying to clinch

and Ward moves into the clinch.

Ward pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ward is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Devyarman's half guard.
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!
Ward wants to free his trapped foot but Devyarman is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Ward stands up out of the half guard.
Devyarman bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
No joy there for Devyarman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Ward scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Devyarman tries to bench press Ward off him but Ward keeps the position.
Devyarman taking punishment in the form of punches.
Devyarman is trying to get back to half guard.
Ward working away.
Ward landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ward decides to stand back up. Ward steps back and let's Devyarman get back to his feet.
Devyarman shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Ward eats them both and turns towards Devyarman to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Devyarman doesn't manage to clinch there - Ward circles away.
Some wild striking there from Devyarman.
Devyarman is breathing heavily.
Devyarman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Somjit Devyarman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ward closes the distance and clinches.

Ward breaks the clinch.

Ward shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Ward sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ward wants to pass the guard but Devyarman is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ward stops Devyarman from getting back to his feet.

Ward is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Devyarman doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Ward.
Devyarman avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ward.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ward stands up out of the half guard.
Devyarman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Devyarman misses with a two punch combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Devyarman tries to clinch but Ward moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Devyarman looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ward takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Devyarman throws a right hand that Ward ducks under and follows up with a left that Ward also avoids with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Micky Ward dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Devyarman is looking to land body kicks.
Devyarman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ward looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Devyarman!
Devyarman is pushing Ward's head away, looking to escape. Ward manages to hold on to the position though.
Ward landing strikes.
Ward tries to move into full mount but can't pass Devyarman's legs.
Devyarman tries to improve position but can't.

Ward has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Devyarman wants to clinch

and Ward counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Micky Ward has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward is pressing down on Devyarman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Devyarman is holding on for now.
Devyarman trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Ward manages to pass to mount!
Devyarman'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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward lands with some strikes.
Devyarman tries to lock up and control but Ward gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Devyarman tries to buck Ward off but he can't manage it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ward postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Devyarman looks a forlorn figure.
Devyarman tries to hold on but Ward pushes him away.
Ward controlling from the full mount.
Ward unloading with bombs!
Ward looking to finish Devyarman with some ground and pound. This is bad for Devyarman!
Ward looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Devyarman wants to hold on but Ward pushes him away.
Devyarman gets back to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ward winds up and cracks Devyarman with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Ward controlling the action here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Ward lands a nice short elbow.
Ward looks to land a strike but Devyarman avoids it nicely and regains full guard.

Ward has gone for a leg lock! Devyarman slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ward's guard.

Ward has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Devyarman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Devyarman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Devyarman wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.
Ward wants to sweep but no luck.
Devyarman trying to move into half guard but instead Ward has managed to sweep!
Devyarman wants to stand but Ward is controlling the position.
Ward controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Devyarman looking for a sweep. Not yet Devyarman, not yet.
Ward pushing down on Devyarman's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ward tries to pass to full mount but Devyarman defends it.
Ward prevents Devyarman from standing back up.
Ward is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ward seems to be looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Micky Ward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Devyarman tries to close the distance and clinch but Ward swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Ward decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ward is looking to take a break and control but Devyarman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Devyarman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ward is thwarting Devyarman's attempts to control the position.
Ward stops Devyarman from getting back to his feet.

Ward is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Devyarman has managed to free his arm - good work.
Devyarman is refusing to be controlled, as Ward sits in half guard.
Devyarman wants to control but Ward is keeping busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Ward prevents Devyarman from getting the reversal.

Ward working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Devyarman squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ward raining down shots from the mount!
Devyarman tries to hold on but Ward postures up.
Ward content just to control the position here.
Ward lands a nice shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Devyarman is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Ward landing strikes from the mount.

Ward goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Devyarman is on top in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward is adopting a defensive guard.
Ward preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Devyarman works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Devyarman looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Devyarman wants to stand up but Ward manages to regain full guard.
Ward has a closed guard, preventing Devyarman from standing up.
Ward has Devyarman pulled in close to control his posture.

Ward working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Devyarman doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Devyarman manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Micky Ward is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Ward holds on and takes a little breather.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ward can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward keeping moving, preventing Devyarman from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Somjit Devyarman wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Devyarman tries to close the distance and clinch but Ward swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Somjit Devyarman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Devyarman misses with a few strikes there.

Ward shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Devyarman's guard.
Ward controlling from the top position.
Ward stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Devyarman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ward trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Micky Ward comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ward 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Micky Ward!