PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frederick Wordsworth Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malcolm Reynolds (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reynolds has chosen Ballad Of Serenity as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Wordsworth Ward
vs
Reynolds

179 cm
30
218 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

185 cm
22
218 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Good low kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Frederick Wordsworth Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Malcolm Reynolds!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wordsworth Ward fails to land the takedown.
Reynolds drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Wordsworth Ward bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Wordsworth Ward has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Reynolds takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nice defenses there by Wordsworth Ward.
Reynolds keeps Wordsworth Ward at a distance using the push kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wordsworth Ward swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Wordsworth Ward scores with a jab to the head.
Wordsworth Ward swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Reynolds is defended easily by Wordsworth Ward.
Wordsworth Ward throws an off balance right hand
and Reynolds counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A right-left combo lands from Reynolds.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Wordsworth Ward is defended easily by Reynolds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Reynolds.
Reynolds on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Reynolds moves out of range as Wordsworth Ward strikes.
Reynolds misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Wordsworth Ward pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Wordsworth Ward shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Reynolds looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frederick Wordsworth Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reynolds lands a high kick!
Reynolds avoids the body shot from Wordsworth Ward.
Wordsworth Ward stuffs the takedown.
Good standup being displayed there by Wordsworth Ward as he connects with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reynolds chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Reynolds slips a straight right by Wordsworth Ward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wordsworth Ward closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Reynolds tries to buck Wordsworth Ward off but Wordsworth Ward is having none of it.
Wordsworth Ward wants to stand but Reynolds has his arm trapped.
Reynolds tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Wordsworth Ward tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Reynolds tries to improve position but can't.
Reynolds manages to get back to half guard.
Reynolds trying to hold on to Wordsworth Ward's head to control him but Wordsworth Ward postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wordsworth Ward tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Reynolds.
Reynolds tries to roll over but Wordsworth Ward keeps him under control.
Reynolds is trying to control but can't.
Reynolds tries to roll over but Wordsworth Ward keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds works his way to full guard. Good work.
Wordsworth Ward wants to get up but he can't break Reynolds's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Reynolds is on top in guard.
Reynolds pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wordsworth Ward is keeping the position for now.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Reynolds trying to control the position from guard on top but Wordsworth Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Malcolm Reynolds will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Reynolds lands a head kick. Wordsworth Ward smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Reynolds dodges the punch combination from Wordsworth Ward.
Reynolds bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Wordsworth Ward's head backwards.
Wordsworth Ward connects with a single shot there.
Wordsworth Ward takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Wordsworth Ward swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wordsworth Ward throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Reynolds.
Wordsworth Ward misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Reynolds catches Wordsworth Ward with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Malcolm Reynolds seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice uppercut lands for Reynolds. That snapped Wordsworth Ward's head back.

Wordsworth Ward gets caught napping as Reynolds dives in and scores a takedown. Wordsworth Ward manages to retain guard.
Reynolds looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reynolds throwing strikes from guard but Wordsworth Ward blocks nicely.
Reynolds with a flurry of punches that miss.
Reynolds trying to control but Wordsworth Ward is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Reynolds stands and throws Wordsworth Ward's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds wants to control but Wordsworth Ward is keeping him busy.
Reynolds might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Wordsworth Ward haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Reynolds working the strikes but Wordsworth Ward uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reynolds seems to be looking for submissions.
Wordsworth Ward blocking the ground and pound attempt from Reynolds.
Reynolds throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Reynolds tries to pass to full mount but Wordsworth Ward defends it.
Reynolds not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wordsworth Ward is trying to stand.
Wordsworth Ward avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Reynolds.
Reynolds tries to pass the half guard into mount. Wordsworth Ward knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Reynolds is looking to take a break and control but Wordsworth Ward is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Wordsworth Ward avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Reynolds.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Reynolds wants to work for an arm triangle but Wordsworth Ward is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malcolm Reynolds showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Wordsworth Ward throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Reynolds fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wordsworth Ward manages to avoid it.
Wordsworth Ward goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Wordsworth Ward lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Reynolds with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Wordsworth Ward to score with a decent uppercut.
Horrible takedown by Reynolds or perhaps it was just good defense by Wordsworth Ward which made him look bad.
Wordsworth Ward will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Reynolds goes for a double leg but Wordsworth Ward avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Wordsworth Ward continues to drive forward.

Reynolds jumps into guard, dragging Wordsworth Ward to the mat.

Reynolds is looking for a triangle here but Wordsworth Ward uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Wordsworth Ward wants to stand but Reynolds has his arm trapped.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wordsworth Ward tries to stand but Reynolds controls the position and pulls Wordsworth Ward into his guard.
Malcolm Reynolds has got the better of the ground game so far.
Reynolds looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wordsworth Ward wants to stand but Reynolds is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Wordsworth Ward!
Reynolds thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Reynolds wants to control the pace but Wordsworth Ward is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wordsworth Ward trying desperately to get to his feet.
Reynolds thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Wordsworth Ward wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Reynolds.
Reynolds lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Reynolds thowing shots but they're missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds misses with a head shot.
Reynolds throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Reynolds throws some wild stikes that Wordsworth Ward manages to avoid easily.
Reynolds cracks Wordsworth Ward with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Reynolds looking to finish with strikes here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reynolds landing shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Malcolm Reynolds really dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Reynolds fails to land the takedown.
Wordsworth Ward throws a lazy right hand but Reynolds sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Reynolds missing with a left hand there. Wordsworth Ward was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Reynolds walks into a jab.
Reynolds throws a leg kick which misses Wordsworth Ward's front leg but catches the back leg as Wordsworth Ward tries to avoid it.
Nice cross by Wordsworth Ward.
Wordsworth Ward throws a right hand that Reynolds ducks under and follows up with a left that Reynolds also avoids with ease.
Reynolds lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Wordsworth Ward on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Reynolds. Reynolds obviously looking to wear him down.
Reynolds misses with a wild body shot.
Wordsworth Ward throws a hook but Reynolds avoids it easily.
Reynolds is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Wordsworth Ward works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wordsworth Ward dives in for a single leg takedown but Reynolds sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Reynolds breaks from the clinch.

Reynolds changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Wordsworth Ward looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Reynolds is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Wordsworth Ward knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Reynolds wants to control but Wordsworth Ward is keeping him busy.
Wordsworth Ward is trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reynolds is trying to get an arm triangle but Wordsworth Ward is defending well.
Reynolds in side control, throwing shots but Wordsworth Ward defends.
Reynolds trying to control the position but Wordsworth Ward is working away.
Reynolds working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Reynolds wants to take a breather but Wordsworth Ward manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Reynolds.
Reynolds trying to control the position from guard on top but Wordsworth Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Malcolm Reynolds.
Wordsworth Ward looks to score with a jab to the body but Reynolds is just out of range.
Wordsworth Ward displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Reynolds throws out the jab.
Wordsworth Ward swats away the attempt to clinch by Reynolds.
Wordsworth Ward cracks Reynolds with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Wordsworth Ward is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Wordsworth Ward misses with a looping right.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Wordsworth Ward drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wordsworth Ward is looking to stand up but Reynolds won't let him.
Reynolds is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Malcolm Reynolds will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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!

Reynolds keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Reynolds takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Wordsworth Ward takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Wordsworth Ward ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Reynolds moves away.
Wordsworth Ward misses with the combination.
Wordsworth Ward fails with the takedown.
Reynolds shoots in looking for a takedown but Wordsworth Ward manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Reynolds's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Wordsworth Ward misses with a series of wild punches.
A jab lands there for Wordsworth Ward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wordsworth Ward looks to throw the jab but Reynolds is out of range.
Reynolds fails to land the takedown.
The fighters circling - Wordsworth Ward throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Wordsworth Ward misses with a wild combination.

Wordsworth Ward scores with a takedown into Reynolds's guard.
Wordsworth Ward wanted to stand there but Reynolds had control of the position.
Wordsworth Ward won't allow Reynolds to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wordsworth Ward stands up and waves to Reynolds to follow him.
A lazy left from Wordsworth Ward finds it's target.
Reynolds moves away from the strike by Wordsworth Ward.
A solid leg kick lands there for Reynolds.
Frederick Wordsworth Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wordsworth Ward feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Reynoldss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wordsworth Ward throws a jab when Reynolds was well out of range.
Frederick Wordsworth Ward is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Reynolds avoids a punch combination nicely.

Wordsworth Ward throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Reynolds was covering up waiting for the punch and Wordsworth Ward finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds pulls Wordsworth Ward in close to prevent any damage.

Reynolds looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wordsworth Ward would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Reynolds is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reynolds is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wordsworth Ward wants to stand but Reynolds has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Reynolds has his foot on Wordsworth Ward's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wordsworth Ward works his way back into a safe position though.
Wordsworth Ward wants to stand and escape but instead Reynolds has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frederick Wordsworth Ward showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Reynolds has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Malcolm Reynolds!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Malcolm Reynolds!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Malcolm Reynolds!

Malcolm Reynolds wins by unanimous decision!
Our winner, Malcolm Reynolds, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.