PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Micky Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vladimir Kunitskiy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Ward
vs
Kunitskiy

171 cm
25
148 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

173 cm
25
146 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Zipp Zapp
Cyclone Nutrition Company

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 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Micky Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Vladimir Kunitskiy!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Steve Montenegro and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward misses with a body shot.
Kunitskiy ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ward throws a right hand that misses

so Kunitskiy counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kunitskiy trying to control the position from guard on top but Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kunitskiy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kunitskiy throws a big right hand that misses.
Ward keeping full guard, as Kunitskiy tries to pass.
Ward keeping moving, preventing Kunitskiy from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Vladimir Kunitskiy was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Kunitskiy lands a jab to the nose.
Ward tries to clinch there but Kunitskiy circles away.
Ward keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kunitskiy throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kunitskiy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ward was well out of range. Poor timing from Kunitskiy.
A slow jab from Ward misses its intended target.
Kunitskiy looks to score with a jab to the body but Ward is just out of range.
Kunitskiy lands with a nice combination. Ward backs away looking to recover.
Kunitskiy dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ward. That did some damage!
Ward changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kunitskiy misses with a looping left.
Kunitskiy slips under a jab.
Ward bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kunitskiy's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kunitskiy. Ward does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward is looking to clinch.
Ward connects with a looping right hand.
Ward throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ward throws a leg kick but Kunitskiy checks it.
Kunitskiy goes for a double leg but Ward avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ward continues to drive forward.
Ward tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kunitskiy unloads a knee to the mid-section. Ward lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Ward is trying to break the clinch but Kunitskiy has him pressed against the cage.
Kunitskiy is looking for a takedown.
Kunitskiy tries to work over Ward's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kunitskiy lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Ward backwards.
Nice elbow from Kunitskiy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kunitskiy tries a body shot but Ward blocks it.
Kunitskiy throws a punch but it's blocked by Ward.
Ward is trying to push Kunitskiy away but Kunitskiy has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ward wants to break free but Kunitskiy has control.
Ward misses with the head strike.
Kunitskiy scores with a hook to the body.
Ward throws a punch but it's blocked by Kunitskiy.
Ward digs a right hand into Kunitskiy's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kunitskiy's gas tank.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ward.
Kunitskiy tries to work over Ward's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kunitskiy misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kunitskiy tries to throw a body punch but Ward avoids it by throwing Kunitskiy back against the cage.
Ward blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ward avoiding damage as Kunitskiy throws knees to the body.
Ward has a couple of punches blocked by Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ward's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Kunitskiy looking to score a takedown here. Ward is defending well but Kunitskiy drives through and ends up in Ward's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kunitskiy trying to control the position from guard on top but Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kunitskiy trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kunitskiy drops back looking for a leg! Ward is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ward manages to kick Kunitskiy off! Kunitskiy jumps back into Ward's guard.
Ward keeping full guard, as Kunitskiy tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kunitskiy dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kunitskiy moves out of range of the strikes.
Jab, jab by Ward - just one landing.
Kunitskiy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kunitskiy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ward.
Kunitskiy lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

Kunitskiy drives through with a takedown into Ward's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kunitskiy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.
Kunitskiy sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kunitskiy pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunitskiy keeps trying to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kunitskiy postures up in Ward's guard and throws a big left but Ward blocks it.
Kunitskiy forces his way into half guard.

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

Kunitskiy seems to be looking for submissions.
Vladimir Kunitskiy has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Kunitskiy is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ward doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kunitskiy.
Ward tries to roll over but Kunitskiy keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kunitskiy seems to be looking for submissions.
Ward is trying to stand.

Kunitskiy is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Ward as he works his way to full guard.
Ward keeping moving, preventing Kunitskiy from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kunitskiy is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ward is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ward has escaped and now he's on top!
Ward tries to stand but Kunitskiy is controlling from the bottom.
Kunitskiy wants to control the position but Ward says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kunitskiy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kunitskiy takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ward.
Kunitskiy connects with a right hand. Ward shakes it off.
Kunitskiy looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ward is fending him off so far but Kunitskiy persists. Nope, Ward circles away and we're back to standing.
Kunitskiy takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kunitskiy takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kunitskiy swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kunitskiy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ward misses with a kick to the body.
Ward tries to clinch but Kunitskiy moves out of range.
Ward jabs Kunitskiy right on the nose. Kunitskiy blinks but takes it well.
Ward takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kunitskiy throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice defenses there by Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy ducks under a wild hook from Ward.
Micky Ward is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Ward, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ward moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kunitskiy moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kunitskiy misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ward.
Kunitskiy shoots in looking for a takedown but Ward manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kunitskiy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Micky Ward has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vladimir Kunitskiy.
Ward misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Micky Ward is winning the standup battle so far.
A clash of legs there as Kunitskiy blocks the low kick.
Kunitskiy pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kunitskiy comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kunitskiy looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Ward connects with the punch.
Kunitskiy sizes up Ward with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Kunitskiy moves out of range of the body kick.
Kunitskiy misses with a looping left.
Micky Ward has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy dives in and grabs Ward's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ward pushes down on Kunitskiy's head and hops out.
Ward throws a hook but Kunitskiy avoids it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ward with a jab.
Kunitskiy closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ward circles away.
Ward works Kunitskiy's body with a nice hook.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sloppy strikes from Ward. Those never looked like landing.
Kunitskiy goes for a double leg but Ward avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ward continues to drive forward.
Ward tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kunitskiy's elbow.
Kunitskiy is working for takedown but Ward is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ward wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kunitskiy working aggressively here.
Kunitskiy lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward is trying to push Kunitskiy away but Kunitskiy has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Kunitskiy has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ward after a bit of a struggle.
Kunitskiy missing with knees to the body.
Ward blocks a body shot from Kunitskiy.

Ward pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ward connects with a looping right hand.
Kunitskiy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ward misses with a low kick.
Vladimir Kunitskiy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ward throws a lazy right hand but Kunitskiy sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kunitskiy tries to score a power double leg takedown but Ward sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kunitskiy somewhat.
Ward misses with an uppercut.
Ward misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ward throws a hook to the side of Kunitskiy's head but Kunitskiy sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kunitskiy misses with a wild body shot.
Kunitskiy lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kunitskiy closes the distance and clinches up with Ward, looking for a takedown. Kunitskiy pushes Ward against the cage but Ward circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kunitskiy tries for a takedown but Ward sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Ward lands a left and a right that send Kunitskiy crashing to the mat, dazed. Ward thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Kunitskiy is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kunitskiy shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ward but Ward pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kunitskiy is still on wobbly legs! Can Ward finish him?
A solid body kick from Ward.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ward swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kunitskiy.
Kunitskiy on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ward. Kunitskiy does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kunitskiy keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Micky Ward showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kunitskiy 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vladimir Kunitskiy!
Vladimir Kunitskiy took some time post fight to say the following; 'Big Shout out to Cyclone Nutrition and Zipp Zapp Clothing.'.