PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vlaimir Cuschenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chad Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cuschenko kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is T.A.T.U - Prostye Dvizhen'ya. The crowd seem to be enjoying Ward's choice of entrance music: Linkin Park - One Step Closer. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Cuschenko
vs
Ward

178 cm
23
192 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

200 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Nemesis Cage Clothing
Nemesis Cage Clothing

Nemesis Cage Clothing

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vlaimir Cuschenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Chad Ward!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Alec Ball and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cuschenko looks to score with a jab to the body but Ward is just out of range.
Cuschenko is looking to score with low kicks.
Cuschenko misses with a takedown attempt - Ward sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cuschenko throws a body punch but Ward moves out of range.

Cuschenko shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ward's guard.
Ward wants to get back to his feet but Cuschenko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ward is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Ward utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Cuschenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ward swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Cuschenko won't allow Ward to get back to his feet.
Cuschenko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Cuschenko might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Cuschenko throwing strikes from guard but Ward blocks nicely.
Ward is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cuschenko is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cuschenko tries to clinch up.
Ward rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cuschenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cuschenko wants to clinch up but Ward keeps it at a distance.
Cuschenko shoots for a takedown but Ward saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cuschenko shoots for a takedown but Ward saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vlaimir Cuschenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cuschenko throws and low kick but Ward moves out of range easily.
Chad Ward is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ward swinging wilding here.
Ward fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cuschenko lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ward's sensitive parts.
Cuschenko moves in looking to clinch but Ward pushes him off.
Cuschenko dodges the punch combination from Ward.
A punch combination from Ward misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Cuschenko looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ward is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Cuschenko drops back looking for a leg! Ward is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ward manages to kick Cuschenko off! Cuschenko jumps back into Ward's guard.
Ward is looking to stand up but Cuschenko isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cuschenko.
Cuschenko throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cuschenko tries to clinch up.
Ward checks the leg kick nicely there.
A head kick misses from Cuschenko.
Ward lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Cuschenko backs up against the cage.
Ward checks a low kick from Cuschenko.

Cuschenko closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Cuschenko throws a strike but Ward avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Cuschenko chips away with some ground and pound.
Cuschenko is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Ward can't keep his opponent in guard - Cuschenko advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cuschenko working Ward over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Cuschenko is looking for a kimura but Ward is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Cuschenko to get the leverage.
Cuschenko passes to full mount!
Cuschenko is breathing heavily.
Cuschenko trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ward is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cuschenko with shots to the head and body - Ward looks very uncomfortable down there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cuschenko lands with a nice body kick.
Cuschenko is looking to clinch but Ward is avoiding it.

Cuschenko 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.
Cuschenko wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.
Cuschenko throws a big right hand that misses.
Cuschenko showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Ward really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Cuschenko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Cuschenko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cuschenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cuschenko trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cuschenko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cuschenko makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Cuschenko looking to pass the guard.
Cuschenko lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cuschenko looking to pass the guard.

Cuschenko 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.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cuschenko trying to control the position from guard on top but Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cuschenko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ward swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Cuschenko thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Cuschenko stops Ward from standing up.
Ward avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ward wants to stand but Cuschenko is controlling the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Cuschenko tries for a takedown but Ward sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
No joy there for Ward, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ward fails to land with a series of punches.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cuschenko.
Cuschenko misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vlaimir Cuschenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward fails to land with a series of punches.
Vlaimir Cuschenko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from Ward does no damage.
Ward throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A right-left combo lands from Ward.
Ward rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cuschenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Cuschenko is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Ward.
Ward misses with a few strikes there.
Cuschenko fails with the takedown.
Ward throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ward lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
No joy there for Ward, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Cuschenko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ward but Ward pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cuschenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ward.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ward!
Some wild striking there from Ward.
Ward throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ward throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ward swats away the attempt to clinch by Cuschenko.
Ward misses with a series of wild punches.
Ward misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cuschenko wants to slow Ward down by chopping away at his legs.
Cuschenko has a takedown stuffed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vlaimir Cuschenko dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Cuschenko throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ward.
Ward throws a series of punches but Cuschenko avoids them all with ease.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ward checks a leg kick.
Ward is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Cuschenko misses the shot to the body.
Ward checks a leg kick nicely.
Ward throws a right and a left that Cuschenko avoids nicely.
Cuschenko is looking to clinch.
Ward looks to land a combination but Cuschenko avoids it well.
A head kick misses from Cuschenko.
Cuschenko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ward is fending him off so far but Cuschenko persists. Nope, Ward circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward scores with a nice strike.
Cuschenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
A nice inside leg kick there by Cuschenko. That's going to slow Ward down.
Cuschenko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cuschenko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Cuschenko scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Cuschenko throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Cuschenko wants to control but Ward is keeping him busy.
Cuschenko working the body and head with strikes.

Cuschenko tries for a kimura but Ward is defending well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Cuschenko goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Ward has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Cuschenko but great work by Ward.

Ward stands up.
Chad Ward has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cuschenko changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ward tries to avoid it but Cuschenko manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ward to the ground. Ward escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ward looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Cuschenko dodges the punch combination from Ward.
Ward throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ward tries to bum rush Cuschenko with a series of wild strikes but Cuschenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Cuschenko feints and as Ward raises his hands in defense, Cuschenko changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Ward pushes Cuschenko off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Ward keeps the fight on the outside.
Ward misses with a jab, cross combination.
Horrible takedown by Cuschenko or perhaps it was just good defense by Ward which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vlaimir Cuschenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ward tries to bum rush Cuschenko with a series of wild strikes but Cuschenko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No joy there for Ward, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ward throws a right hand that Cuschenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Cuschenko also avoids with ease.
Cuschenko slips a jab and a cross from Ward.
Ward misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cuschenko dodges the punch combination from Ward.
Cuschenko shoots in but no luck this time.
Ward misses with a wild combination.
Cuschenko closes the distance and clinches up with Ward, looking for a takedown. Cuschenko pushes Ward against the cage but Ward circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ward throws a right and a left that both miss.
Cuschenko tries for a takedown but Ward sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Vlaimir Cuschenko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vlaimir Cuschenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Horrible takedown by Cuschenko or perhaps it was just good defense by Ward which made him look bad.
Ward checks a low kick from Cuschenko.
Cuschenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ward manages to avoid it.
Ward throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ward throws a one two combo.
Ward lands with a nice combination. Cuschenko backs away looking to recover.
Cuschenko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Ward rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cuschenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ward throws a nice looking combination but Cuschenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A combination from Ward does no damage.
A right-left combo lands from Ward.
Cuschenko fails with the takedown.
Ward misses with a wild combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Chad Ward.
I think Cuschenko has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vlaimir Cuschenko!