PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Pierre Laprise (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mr Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mr Ward has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Pierre Laprise's chin.

Laprise
vs
Ward

150 cm
32
130 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

165 cm
22
143 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

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 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Pierre Laprise!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mr Ward!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Gregory Folan and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Laprise drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ward not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Laprise is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at Always Clean Double Elite that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
Ward wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Laprise 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.
Laprise throws a big right hand that misses.
Laprise pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ward is on top in guard.

Laprise is pulling down on Ward's head. It's preventing any offense from Ward, at least for the moment.
My spies in Strong like Butterfly inform me that Ward has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laprise not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward looking to pass the guard.
Ward trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Laprise manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Ward pulls Laprise in close to his closed guard and prevents Laprise from doing any damage or advancing position.
Laprise trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Laprise is working hard here to advance position.

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.
Ward working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Laprise.
Laprise throws a big elbow that misses.
Ward managing to control the position.
Ward bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Laprise's guard.

Laprise seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Laprise is on top in guard.

Laprise passes into half guard.
Ward gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laprise postures up.
Laprise looking to pass the guard.
Ward keeping moving, preventing Laprise from controlling successfully.
Ward is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Laprise is looking to work some ground and pound but Ward has wrist control.
Laprise loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Laprise throws an elbow that misses. Ward uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Laprise's guard. Nice move by Ward!
Ward connects with a couple of short punches.

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.
Ward looking to sit in guard and control but Laprise gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ward controlling the position.

Ward is looking for a triangle but Laprise pushes his legs off easily.
Ward looking to control.
Ward can't keep his opponent in guard - Laprise advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Laprise is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Laprise is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pierre Laprise dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ward throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A head kick misses from Ward.

Laprise moves into range and clinches up with Ward.

Laprise tightens his grip and picks Ward up, before dumping him to the ground. Ward manages to land in guard.

Ward is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Laprise defends well.
Laprise trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ward keeping moving, preventing Laprise from controlling successfully.

Laprise drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Ward manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Laprise has Ward in his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laprise wants to sweep here but Ward controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward stands up over Laprise, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ward advances to half guard.

Laprise is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ward pulls his head out easily.

Ward seems to be working for a kimura but Laprise defends the submission attempt.
Ward not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Laprise moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Laprise is trying to control the position but Ward postures up.
Pierre Laprise overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ward trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ward works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ward works his foot free and advances to mount.
Ward is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Laprise is looking to escape.

Ward goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Laprise is on top in guard.
Ward keeping full guard, as Laprise tries to pass.
Ward manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Laprise manages to get himself to full guard.

Ward stands up over Laprise, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ward looking to sit in guard and control but Laprise gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Laprise pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ward working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Laprise.
Ward seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Laprise stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ward swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mr Ward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Ward clinches.
Laprise tries to land knees in the clinch but Ward avoids the damage to the body.

Laprise wants the takedown. Ward is fighting it off but Laprise persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Ward's guard against the cage.
Laprise wants to pass the guard but Ward is keeping the position.
Ward looking to control.
Ward manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Laprise manages to get himself to full guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laprise is trying to control the position but Ward postures up.
Laprise keeping full guard, as Ward tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward wants to control from the top but Laprise keeps moving.
Laprise might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Laprise not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ward tries to free his leg and advance position but Laprise is retaining full guard.

Laprise working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ward doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ward manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ward slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Laprise manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ward's best efforts.
Ward is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Ward tries to free his leg and advance position but Laprise is retaining full guard.
Ward scoring with punches to the head and body.
Laprise trying to keep a closed guard but Ward is proving a slippery customer.
Ward loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward throws an elbow that misses. Laprise uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ward's guard. Nice move by Laprise!
Ward keeping full guard, as Laprise tries to pass.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Laprise fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ward to the ground. Laprise is now in Ward's guard.
Laprise throws an elbow that misses. Ward uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Laprise's guard. Nice move by Ward!
Ward tries to free his leg and advance position but Laprise is retaining full guard.
Ward is stalling in the full guard.

Ward drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Laprise manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Ward has Laprise in his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Ward keeping full guard, as Laprise tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ward controlling Laprise's posture.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ward trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Pierre Laprise.
I think Laprise 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pierre Laprise!
A relieved looking Pierre Laprise thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.