PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Graham Romero (ranked 5640 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Ward (ranked 5897 p4p, 0 weight class). Ward has chosen Nine Thou- Grant Mohrman Superstars Remix as his entrance music. Markus Ward will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Romero
vs
Ward

186 cm
18
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
187 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Inexperienced

BJJ White Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Graham Romero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Markus Ward!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Alec Ball and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Romero clinches.
Romero can't break the clinch.

Ward breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ward misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Romero.
Romero just misses with a punch to the body.
Ward lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Ward throws a combination that misses

so Romero counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ward not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Romero won't allow Ward to get back to his feet.
Romero is working Ward over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward is looking to stand up but Romero isn't so interested in that idea.
Ward really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Romero. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Romero postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Romero feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ward has momentary wrist control but Romero slips an elbow through the middle.
Ward wants to get back to his feet but Romero passes into half guard.
Romero drops an elbow to the side of Ward's head.

Romero is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Romero seems to be working for a kimura but Ward defends the submission attempt.
Ward is trying to stand up here but Romero is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward wants to improve his position but Romero is controlling well.
Ward is trying to maintain the position but Romero is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward blocking the ground and pound attempt from Romero.

Romero seems to be working for a kimura but Ward defends the submission attempt.
Ground and pound from Romero.

Romero is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Ward is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Graham Romero!
Markus Ward was interviewed post fight and said 'My opponent was just better than me tonight, what can I say? You never plan on coming out of the octagon with a loss, but you can bet that I'll be back in here looking to redeem myself.'.