PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mick Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Padze Grinder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mick Ward has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ward
vs
Grinder

178 cm
25
184 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
19
180 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Prefers standup

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mick Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Padze Grinder!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Daniel Franklin and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grinder doesn't manage to clinch there - Ward circles away.
Grinder lands an overhand right.
Ward tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Horrible takedown by Grinder or perhaps it was just good defense by Ward which made him look bad.
Grinder tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ward defends well and Grinder ends up having to push Ward into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Grinder is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ward pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Mick Ward has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Padze Grinder.
Grinder is working for takedown but Ward is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ward wants to get back to striking at distance but Grinder won't allow it.
A right hook to the body lands for Ward.
Ward has had enough of the clinch but Grinder keeps him there for the moment.
Grinder tries for a takedown but Ward manages to get underhooks.
Grinder looks winded!

Grinder escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ward tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Grinder manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ward tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Grinder manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Ward fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Grinder, pushing him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ward.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Grinder.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward wants to break the clinch but can't.

Grinder works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Ward tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ward trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Ward looking for a sweep. Not yet Ward, not yet.
Ward trying to strike off his back.
Grinder won't allow Ward to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward trying to strike off his back.
Ward lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Grinder!
Grinder really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ward cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ward lands a big shot there that rocks Grinder but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.

It looks like Padze Grinder has been cut.
Grinder is bucking up trying to escape but Ward cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Grinder is bucking up trying to escape but Ward cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Grinder is rocked!
Grinder really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ward. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Grinder is squirming around, avoiding Ward's attempts to control the action.
Grinder is still in real trouble! Can Ward finish him?
Ward loads up on a couple of big shots to the head that have Grinder scrambling to escape. He can't get free though and several more unanswered shots from Ward land to the head. The referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Ward stands and salutes the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mick Ward!
Mick Ward was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.