PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Burt Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerry Butler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Ward
vs
Butler

180 cm
19
192 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

182 cm
23
191 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Burt Ward!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Gerry Butler!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Sam Margolis and Donald Grub.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Butler with a nice cross.
Ward will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Burt Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ward takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Nice sprawl there from Butler as Ward shoots in.
Butler throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
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 shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Burt Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Butler wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ward is breathing heavily.
Butler throws a series of punches but Ward avoids them all with ease.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Ward. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Butler moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ward closes this distance looking for a takedown but Butler circles away.
Butler waves his right hand out infront of him, looking to distract Ward. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Ward to the canvas! Can he finish him!?
Butler wants to pass the guard but Ward is keeping the position.
Butler wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.
Butler is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Butler gets to his feet. Ward looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Butler pinned against the cage. Butler gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Butler throws a quick inside leg kick.
Butler scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ward takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Butler lands a nice shot that snaps Ward's head back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ward will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Butler drops Ward with a left right combo! Butler follows him down to the ground into side control.

Ward is rocked!
Ward taking a bit of punishment here - Butler scoring with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Butler decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Butler lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Ward sprawling to the canvas. Butler follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Ward hang on?
Oh Ward is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Butler wants to take a breather but Ward is having none of it.
Ward seems to have got his legs back now.
Butler is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward is looking for a sweep. Butler is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Butler landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Butler is tying to control. Ward wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward wants to get back to full guard.
Butler keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Ward gets back to full guard.
Butler working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Ward looking for a guillotine here but Butler defends easily.
Butler lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Ward tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Ward working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Butler doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Butler manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Butler passes into half guard.
Butler seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ward does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Ward looking for submissions off his back.

Ward looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Butler is keen to just control but Ward is a slippery customer.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Butler in particular looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Butler wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ward keeps working.

Ward looking for submissions off his back.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ward will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Butler scoring well with a low kick there.
Ward walks into a stiff left hand from Butler.
Butler scores with a jab to the body.
Ward takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Butler cracks the inside of Ward's front leg.
Butler throws a series of strikes that have Ward backpedaling.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Butler moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Gerry Butler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Butler misses with a jab, cross combination.
Butler connects with a solid leg kick.
No joy there for Butler, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerry Butler dominated that round.
That's time! Ward's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ward on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ward closes this distance looking for a takedown but Butler circles away.
Ward misses with a combination
and Butler counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Butler lands a nice shot that snaps Ward's head back.
Butler moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Butler closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Jab by Butler.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Butler scores with a sloppy right hand. Ward should have avoided that one.
Butler sizes up Ward with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A right-left combo lands from Butler.
Ward takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Ward shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Butler counters with a two punch combo.

Ward is rocked!
Butler has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A nice leg kick lands there from Butler.
Ward looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ward shoots and misses
and Butler counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Burt Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Butler.
Butler misses with a wild combination.

Butler gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ward postures up.
Ward stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Butler swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Butler seems keen to control Ward's posture.
Butler working a defensive guard here.
Ward forces his way into half guard.

Ward is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ward wants to work for an arm triangle but Butler is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Ward is working for a submission of some sort.
Butler is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ward's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ward's back!

Butler working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Will Butler go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butler doesn't have the hooks in and Ward manages to turn into his guard.
Butler working a defensive guard here.
Butler can't keep his opponent in guard - Ward advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Ward wants to work for an arm triangle but Butler is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ward passes to side control.

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

Ward is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Butler is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ward working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Butler wants to control but Ward postures up.

Ward tries for a kimura but Butler is defending well.
Butler manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ward's best efforts.

Ward is looking for a kimura but Butler is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ward to get the leverage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Butler is doing well to control the position and prevent Ward from advancing to side control.

Ward looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Butler makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Butler.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ward closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Ward is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Butler is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Ward working away.
Butler is looking for a sweep.
Burt Ward overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Ward working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Butler manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Ward is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Butler is just riding it out for now. Ward eventually gives up the hold.
Butler works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butler is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Butler looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Butler throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Butler 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.

Ward is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Ward drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ward jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Butler looking to control.

That's two 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.

Ward drops back looking for a leg! Butler is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Butler manages to kick Ward off! Ward jumps back into Butler's guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Danga de danga de dang - Butler scores with a four punch combination!
Ward with a poor takedown
and Butler counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Butler connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ward's hands.
A combination from Butler does no damage.
Gerry Butler seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Ward gets the takedown into side control.

Ward is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Butler has escaped the position, nice work there.

Ward is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Butler is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Ward tries for a kimura but Butler is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Butler sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Butler gets back to full guard.

Butler throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Butler wants to sweep here but Ward controlling him for the moment.
Ward trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Butler looking for a sweep. Not yet Butler, not yet.

Ward is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ward tries to free his leg and advance position but Butler is retaining full guard.

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

Ward scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Butler punching from the bottom.

Ward is working for a submission of some sort.

Ward is looking for a kimura here.
Ward looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Burt Ward clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ward moves into the clinch successfully.
Butler lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Ward drops down looking for an ankle pick but Butler pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ward takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Butler swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ward takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Butler misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Ward instigates a clinch.
Butler wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ward drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ward prevents Butler from breaking the clinch.
Butler wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ward content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butler is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Ward prevents Butler from breaking the clinch.
Ward tries a knee to the head but Butler blocks it.
A nice left hand lands by Butler.
A short uppercut from Butler.

Butler breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ward has his takedown stuffed
and Butler counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Burt Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Butler lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Ward misses with a takedown attempt
and Butler counters with a stiff right hand.
Ward misses with a takedown attempt
and Butler makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ward has his takedown stuffed
and Butler counters with a series of strikes. Ward will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ward with a lazy takedown attempt
and Butler counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ward gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Butler counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward fails with the takedown
and Butler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Butler connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Ward takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Ward fails with the takedown
and Butler counters with a straight right hand.
Ward tries to clinch up but Butler circles away and keeps his distance.
Butler swings for the body but Ward moves out of range.
Ward fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Butler as Ward shoots in.
Ward slips a jab and a cross from Butler.
Ward has his takedown stuffed
and Butler counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Ward looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Ward thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward is pushing down on Butler's leg trying to pass to half guard. Butler is fighting to maintain full guard but Ward has managed to sneak the leg through.

Ward is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Butler slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ward tries to free his leg and advance position but Butler is retaining full guard.

Ward postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Butler is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ward, into his guard.

Ward has his foot on Butler's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Butler works his way back into a safe position though.
Butler is pushing down on Ward's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ward is fighting to maintain full guard but Butler has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
It looks like Butler is going to stand back up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ward manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Ward working for submissions but it's allowed Butler to get to half guard.
Ward is trying to get back to full guard.

Butler seems to be working for a kimura but Ward defends the submission attempt.

Ward looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Ward looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Butler sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerry Butler dominated that fourth round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Ward tries for a takedown but Butler circles away easily
and Butler counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Butler scores with a one two! Ward had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Butler works Ward's body with a nice hook.
Butler connects with a solid leg kick.
Ward showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Butler.
Butler lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Butler scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Butler buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ward fails with the takedown
and Butler counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
No joy there for Butler, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Butler fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ward checks it well.

Ward shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ward trying to mount his opponent but Butler defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Butler punching from the bottom.
Butler is trying to maintain the position but Ward is very close to passing his half guard.

Ward is trying to work for a kimura but Butler is defending well.

Ward is working for a submission of some sort.

Ward looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Butler is looking to control Ward's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Butler avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Butler is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ward misses with a takedown
and Butler counters with a good low kick that Ward was not able to check.
Gerry Butler is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Burt Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ward with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Butler to counter with a crisp jab.
Butler lands with a kick to the temple. Ward shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Butler with a nice cross.
Ward misses with a takedown
and Butler counters with a one-two to the body.
Nice shot by Butler.
Ward takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Butler throws out the jab.
Ward has his takedown stuffed
and Butler counters with a stiff right hand.
Ward tries to clinch up
and Butler counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ward tries for a takedown but Butler circles away easily
and Butler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ward needs to keep his hands up - Butler had a free shot at his head there.
Ward shoots and misses
and Butler counters with a series of strikes. Ward will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ward gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Butler counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ward's knee momentarily.
Ward with a poor takedown
and Butler counters with a straight right hand.
Ward with a poor takedown
and Butler connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Ward gets a takedown into half guard.
Butler works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Butler controls Ward momentarily but Ward frees himself.

Ward is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Ward wants to pass the guard but Butler is keeping the position.

Ward thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Butler is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Butler is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerry Butler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Butler 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 Steven Brown scores the fight for Gerry Butler!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Gerry Butler!
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight for Gerry Butler!

Gerry Butler wins by unanimous decision! Gerry Butler retains his middleweight title!