PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Kalashnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ward has chosen Spazz - Crush Kill Destroy as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Max Ward enters the cage!

Kalashnikov
vs
Ward

187 cm
25
200 lbs
12 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
193 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

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 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mikhail Kalashnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Max Ward!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ward gets caught napping as Kalashnikov dives in and scores a takedown. Ward manages to retain guard.
Kalashnikov trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Kalashnikov throwing strikes but missing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kalashnikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kalashnikov connects with a couple of short punches.
Kalashnikov wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.
Kalashnikov prevents Ward from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalashnikov throws a strike but Ward rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kalashnikov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ward is aware though and is defending well.
Ward must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ward distracts Kalashnikov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position here.
Ward lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Kalashnikov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kalashnikov controls Ward momentarily but Ward frees himself.

Ward drops back looking for a leg! Kalashnikov is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kalashnikov manages to kick Ward off! Ward jumps back into Kalashnikov's guard.

Ward avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kalashnikov has momentary wrist control but Ward slips an elbow through the middle.
Kalashnikov 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.
Ward with a flurry of punches that miss.

Ward got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kalashnikov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ward has managed to get both his arms back between Kalashnikov's legs - danger averted.

Kalashnikov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ward defends it easily.
Ward postures up in Kalashnikov's guard and throws a big left but Kalashnikov blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward scoring with some ground and pound.
Ward postures up and lands a big shot to Kalashnikov's brow.
Ward working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Kalashnikov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ward landing some decent shots from guard.
Kalashnikov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kalashnikov working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ward.

Kalashnikov has his foot on Ward's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ward works his way back into a safe position though.
Ward scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Ward avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ward with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalashnikov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ward cracks Kalashnikov with a solid left hand.
Ward works over Kalashnikov with some ground and pound from guard.
Ward is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Kalashnikov is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ward chips away with some ground and pound.

Kalashnikov is rocked!

Kalashnikov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Oh Kalashnikov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ward distracts Kalashnikov with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ward stands up over Kalashnikov, holding on to his feet. Ward throws the legs to one side and dives in with a huge shot that lands flush on the chin! Kalashnikov is out cold! Ward lands a couple more shots and the ref tackles him out of the way! What a brutal finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Max Ward!
An out of breath Max Ward thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.