PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rob Ford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrew Wood (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rob Ford had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Ford
vs
Wood

195 cm
24
215 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

195 cm
22
217 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rob Ford!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andrew Wood!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wood lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ford.
Nice defenses there by Wood.
Rob Ford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Ford.
Ford scores with a sloppy right hand. Wood should have avoided that one.
Wood dives in and grabs Ford's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ford pushes down on Wood's head and hops out.
Sloppy strikes from Ford. Those never looked like landing.
Ford throws a body shot but no joy.
Ford looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ford moves out of range of the strikes.
As Wood tries to get set, Ford tries to push him back and clinch up but Wood manages to avoid the attempt.

Ford moves into range and clinches up with Wood.
Wood stalling in the clinch but Ford improves position.
Ford fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ford digs a right hand into Wood's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Wood's gas tank.
Ford comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ford creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ford working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ford.
Ford with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Wood drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ford gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Wood working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wood is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rob Ford has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrew Wood.
Wood blocks an uppercut.
Ford misses with a punch on the inside.
Wood is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ford gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ford with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A short right from Wood on the inside.
Ford pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ford pushes off an throws an elbow but Wood leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Wood blocks an elbow strike from Ford.
Ford tries to throw a body punch but Wood avoids it by throwing Ford back against the cage.
Ford lands an elbow inside that Wood shrugs off.
Wood working aggressively here.
Ford lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ford lands an elbow just above Wood 's eye.
Wood blocks the elbow strike.
Ford lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Wood blocks the elbow strike.
A head punch on the inside from Wood fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ford using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wood has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wood takes an elbow to the temple.
Ford comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nice elbow from Ford.
Ford scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right from Ford.
Wood tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wood tries to score a body lock takedown but Ford shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ford.
Ford creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Wood has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ford uses from the top position.
Ford trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wood keeping moving, preventing Ford from controlling successfully.
Wood pulls Ford in close to prevent any damage.
Wood working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ford.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ford is one step ahead there.
Ford sitting in guard here, content to control.
Ford lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Wood seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Ford has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ford throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wood works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Ford thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ford trying to control but Wood is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ford is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Wood is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ford looking to pass the guard.
Wood is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Wood is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Wood is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ford trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Wood working for a triangle but Ford defends it easily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Wood is on top in guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Ford dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A jab from Wood misses.
Ford swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Wood slips a jab from Ford.
Wood throws out a counter right but Ford avoids it with no problem.
Ford throws out a powerful jab.
Wood scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ford doesn't seem bothered though.
Ford feints and then cracks Wood's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Wood down.
Ford misses with a looping right.
Ford misses with a double jab

and Wood counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Ford looking for submissions off his back.
Ford tries to get to full guard but Wood has control of the leg.
Wood lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Ford wants to improve his position but Wood is controlling well.
Ford is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Wood scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ford has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Wood is working away from the top position though.
Nice strikes from Wood there.
Ford regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ford keeping moving, preventing Wood from controlling successfully.
Wood scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Wood looking to pass the guard.
Wood is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Ford has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wood can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Ford is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Wood is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wood advances position into side control!
Ford looking for a sweep but Wood has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Ford slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Well, if Wood 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.

Ford is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Wood pulls his head out easily.
Wood working over Ford with some ground and pound. Ford looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Wood slows the pace down in half guard.

Ford looking for submissions off his back.

Wood is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood prevents Ford from standing back up.
Wood trying to mount his opponent but Ford defends it.
Ford is trying to control but can't.
Ford is looking to improve his position.

Ford is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Wood pulls his head out easily.
Ford trying to control but Wood postures up.
Wood winds up and cracks Ford with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Wood wants to take a breather but Ford is having none of it.

Ford looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Ford is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Wood pulls his head out easily.
Ford trying to control from the bottom.
Wood working the head and body with strikes.

Ford looking for submissions off his back.
Ford pushes Wood off looking to stand but Wood dives back in and keeps control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ford looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ford wants to control but Wood is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Wood showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Ford comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Wood paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ford throws a body shot but no joy.
Wood moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Ford tries to clinch up but Wood circles away and keeps his distance.
Wood swats away the attempt to clinch by Ford.
Ford takes one to the side of the head.
Ford digs a good body shot into Wood's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wood tries to move into range but Ford moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Wood uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ford.
Ford tries to clinch up but Wood circles away and keeps his distance.
Ford wants to clinch
and Wood connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ford scores with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wood walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A shot to the body from Ford misses
and Wood counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ford throws a jab when Wood was well out of range.
Ford throws a body punch but Wood moves out of range.
Wood looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ford pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Wood back to the cage. Ford follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Wood scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ford in his tracks.
A slow jab from Ford misses its intended target.
Ford darts in trying to clinch
and Ford takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wood has a takedown stuffed.
Wood slips a jab from Ford.
A jab from Ford misses.
It seemed like Wood was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ford throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Wood sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A jab from Ford misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ford bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ford throws a low kick but Wood avoids it.
Wood avoids the body shot from Ford.
Ford fails to land with a series of punches.
Nice uppercut lands for Wood. That snapped Ford's head back.
Ford defending well as Wood loads up on a big left hand.
A slow jab from Ford misses its intended target.
Wood is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ford scores with a jab to the body.
Ford throws a head kick that misses.
Wood uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ford.
Wood scores with a jab.
Wood might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Ford throws a shot from downtown. Wood moves away and avoids it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ford.
Ford connects with a leg kick. Wood looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Wood.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wood showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ford.
Rob Ford is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ford avoids the body shot from Wood.
Ford jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Wood drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ford defends it well.
Ford swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A nice side step and Wood releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Left hook, right uppercut from Ford.
Ford throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A lazy left from Ford finds it's target.
Ford connects with a looping right hand.
Wood lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ford thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ford is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wood can do to turn this around?
Ford swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ford throws a leg kick but Wood sees it coming and moves out of range.
A slow jab from Ford misses its intended target.
Ford lands a two punch combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ford tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ford connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Wood momentarily.
Ford walks forward, straight into a front kick from Wood.
Rob Ford is winning the standup battle so far.
Wood punishes Ford's body with a nice straight punch.
Wood lands a nice looking body shot.
Wood lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Ford circles away quickly and effectively.
Wood will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Wood feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Fords jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ford on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ford looks to land a combination but Wood avoids it well.
Ford gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ford tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wood was well out of range. Poor timing from Ford.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Wood! But no joy.
Ford misses with a wild body shot.
Wood blocks the body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rob Ford showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ford 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

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