PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Kalashnikov (ranked 1904 p4p, 254 weight class) and Max Ward (ranked 2881 p4p, 358 weight class). Ward is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Spazz - Crush Kill Destroy. Max Ward has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Mikhail Kalashnikov's chin.

Kalashnikov
vs
Ward

187 cm
26
200 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

180 cm
23
193 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
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 13 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mikhail Kalashnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Max Ward!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kalashnikov gets the takedown into side control.
Kalashnikov is looking to take a break and control but Ward is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ward regains half guard, as Kalashnikov was trying to land strikes.

Kalashnikov is looking for a kimura but Ward is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kalashnikov to get the leverage.
Kalashnikov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ward's head.
Ward keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalashnikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Ward taking some punishment here, with Kalashnikov in his half guard.
Ward is trying to stand back up but Kalashnikov is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalashnikov working Ward over with strikes.
Kalashnikov is taking a breather. Ward says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Kalashnikov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kalashnikov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kalashnikov throwing shots but Ward is blocking nicely.
Kalashnikov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ground and pound from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kalashnikov wants to pass to mount but Ward is defending the position.
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.
Kalashnikov working Ward over with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Kalashnikov is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kalashnikov looks to land a strike but Ward avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kalashnikov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ward swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ward is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kalashnikov is controlling him.
Kalashnikov trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Kalashnikov is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Ward is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov throwing strikes from guard but Ward blocks nicely.
Kalashnikov slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kalashnikov trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Ward avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

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

Kalashnikov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ward manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ward keeping full guard, as Kalashnikov tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov throws an elbow that misses. Ward uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kalashnikov's guard. Nice move by Ward!

Ward throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kalashnikov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kalashnikov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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 is looking for a triangle but Ward pushes his legs off easily.
Ward trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ward chips away with some ground and pound.
Ward postures up and lands a big shot to Kalashnikov's brow.
Ward postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kalashnikov looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Kalashnikov dominated that round.
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.

Kalashnikov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ward manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kalashnikov connects with a couple of short punches.
Kalashnikov throws an elbow that misses. Ward uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kalashnikov's guard. Nice move by Ward!

Kalashnikov 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 loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ward landing with the ground and pound.

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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kalashnikov working for a triangle but Ward defends it easily.

Ward avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kalashnikov looking to control.

Kalashnikov looking for a guillotine here but Ward defends easily.
Ward postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Mikhail Kalashnikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kalashnikov wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Ward connects with a couple of short punches.

It looks like Mikhail Kalashnikov has been cut.
Kalashnikov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ward stands up over Kalashnikov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ward stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kalashnikov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ward lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's 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 active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ward must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ward's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Kalashnikov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ward lands a couple of digs.

Ward thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ward scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Kalashnikov looking for a guillotine here but Ward defends easily.
Ward postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ward chips away with some ground and pound.

Kalashnikov looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kalashnikov is looking for a triangle but Ward pushes his legs off easily.

Kalashnikov had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ward defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward lands a couple of digs.
Ward working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kalashnikov's head.

Kalashnikov throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ward is in close to Kalashnikov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ward lands a couple of elbows.

Kalashnikov is rocked!
Ward keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kalashnikov's head.
Oh Kalashnikov is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ward arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Kalashnikov's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Max Ward!
After winning the bout, Max Ward thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.