PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Gracie Allen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jeff Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Allen
vs
Ward

170 cm
18
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gracie Allen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jeff Ward!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Thiago Cunha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Allen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ward, pushing him back against the cage.

Allen breaks from the clinch.
Allen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ward moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jeff Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ward doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Allen moves into the clinch.
Ward is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Allen is defending well.
Ward has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Allen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Gracie Allen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Ward.
The referee is keeping an eye on Allen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ward.
Ward has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Allen after a bit of a struggle.
Ward changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Allen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
A leg kick checked by Ward.
Ward has his takedown stuffed

and Allen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ward wants to take the fight to the mat but Allen manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Allen has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Ward clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Allen controlling from the back.
Allen controlling well, preventing Ward from escaping the position.
Allen is not going to allow Ward to sit and survive in this position.

Ward is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Allen gets his way!
Allen controlling well, preventing Ward from escaping the position.
Ward is still trying to improve position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Allen biding his time, controlling Ward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Allen doesn't have the hooks in and Ward manages to turn into his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Allen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Allen is controlling the pace.
Allen is looking to advance position but Ward won't allow it.

Allen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Allen tries to pass to full mount but Ward defends it.

Ward looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Well, if Allen is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Allen trying to control the action but Ward is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Allen trying to pass the guard but Ward defending well.
Allen slips a nice elbow through Ward's hands, connecting with Ward's forehead.
Allen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Allen works his way into full mount!
Ward is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ward sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Ward is trying to control but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gracie Allen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Allen just misses with a punch to the body.
Ward shoots and misses

and Allen counters by moving into the clinch.
Ward goes for a takedown in the clinch but Allen prevents it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ward.
Ward has Allen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Allen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Gracie Allen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Ward.
With the fighters up against the cage, Allen throws an elbow but misses.
Ward drops down looking for an ankle pick but Allen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ward tries for a takedown but Allen circles away easily

and Allen counters by moving into the clinch.

Allen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed right hand from Allen misses the target.
Gracie Allen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ward has his takedown stuffed

and Allen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Ward is looking for a triangle but Allen pushes his legs off easily.
Allen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ward on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Allen controlling from the top position.
Gracie Allen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ward is breathing heavily.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ward is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ward looking for a sweep. Not yet Ward, not yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Gracie Allen just wasn't active enough.
Allen misses with a wild body shot.
Allen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ward doesn't seem bothered though.
Allen swings for the body but Ward moves out of range.
Ward tries for a takedown but Allen circles away easily

and Allen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Allen displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ward up against the cage.
Ward is working for takedown but Allen is calmly controlling the position for now.
Allen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Allen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Allen has Ward pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Allen pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Ward tumbling to the mat - Allen dives into Ward's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Allen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ward is trying to control the position but Allen postures up.
Allen content to stall in guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Gracie Allen.
Ward with a lazy takedown attempt

and Allen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ward's guard.
Allen passes Ward's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Ward wants to get back to full guard.
Allen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Ward looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Allen pushes past his half guard into mount!

Allen is working for a guillotine from mount but Ward frees his head quite easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Allen avoids the attempt from Ward to control.
Allen controlling from mount.
Ward takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Ward is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Ward takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Allen lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Allen controlling the pace for now.
Allen breaks from Ward's wrist control and lands an elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gracie Allen dominated that second 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. And we move into the final round!

Allen loads up on a big right hand but Ward slips the punch.
Ward shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Allen pinned against the cage. Allen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ward doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Allen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Allen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Allen.
A swing and a miss from Allen.
Allen ducks under a wild hook from Ward.
A big left from Allen misses.
Ward shoots and misses

and Allen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Gracie Allen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jeff Ward.

Ward is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Allen is aware though and is defending well.
Allen wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.

Ward is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Allen is aware though and is defending well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Allen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ward throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Allen escapes and throws Ward's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Ward takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Allen is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Allen scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ward to see if he's OK.
Allen trying to control the position but Ward is working away.
Allen content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Allen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ward can do to turn this around?
Ward tries to control but Allen manages to take his back.
Jeff Ward has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie Allen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Allen controlling the positon.
Allen has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Allen not allowing Ward to control his hands.
Allen is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gracie Allen wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Allen stuffs the takedown attempt from Ward. Ward gets slowly back to his feet.
Ward tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Allen was well out of range. Poor timing from Ward.

Allen pushes Ward up against the cage in a clinch.
Ward has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Allen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Allen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Allen misses with the head strike.
Ward drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Allen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Ward changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Allen fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Allen swings for the body but Ward moves out of range.
Ward misses with a takedown

and Allen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Allen.

Allen manages to break the clinch.

Allen takes the fight into the clinch.

Allen turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Allen manages to end up in side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Allen moves into full mount!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ward is working to get back to half guard.
Ward flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gracie Allen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Allen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight for Gracie Allen!
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Gracie Allen!
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight for Gracie Allen!

Gracie Allen wins by unanimous decision!