PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hoyce Graciano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Graciano
vs
Ward

184 cm
19
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

189 cm
19
195 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

King of Clothes

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hoyce Graciano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Aaron Ward!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Graciano changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ward tries to avoid it but Graciano 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 displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Graciano.
Graciano shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ward counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hoyce Graciano. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Graciano has his takedown stuffed
and Ward counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Graciano fails with the takedown.
Ward looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Graciano tries for a takedown but Ward circles away easily
and Ward connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Graciano seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Graciano doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Ward counters with a nice uppercut.
Graciano shoots in but no luck this time.
Graciano fails with the takedown

and Ward counters with a nice right hand that sends Graciano toppling to the canvas! Graciano scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Ward finish him?!

Graciano is rocked!

It looks like Hoyce Graciano has been cut.
Graciano misses with a takedown
and Ward counters with a right, left combo that wobbles Graciano badly! Ward follows up with a massive right hook, straight to the bridge of the nose that knocks Graciano out cold! Oh wow, what a finish! Very reminiscent of Koscheck vs Yoshida as Ward finished him against the cage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Aaron Ward!
A very excited looking Aaron Ward made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.