PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ryszard Wojcik (ranked 196 p4p, 330 weight class) and Jake Bird (ranked 32 p4p, 50 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Jake Bird was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Wojcik
vs
Bird

177 cm
41
197
33 - 17 - 0

170 cm
32
195
23 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

SynCity Fightwear
PWNAGE Elite - $25 Tees

Voodoo Nutrition
Conviction

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 33 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ryszard Wojcik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jake Bird!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bird tries to close the distance and clinch but Wojcik swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jake Bird seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wojcik looks to land a right hand but Bird moved out of range.
Wojcik on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Bird throws a body punch but Wojcik moves out of range.
Bird throws a body punch but Wojcik moves out of range.
Bird wants to clinch but Wojcik slips to the side
and Wojcik counters with a right hand to the body.
Bird staying out of range there.
Bird is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Wojcik takes one on the button.
Bird misses with the combination.
Wojcik swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bird jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bird ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bird blocks a jab.
Bird connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Wojcik's hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bird fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ryszard Wojcik is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A big right from Bird misses.
Bird gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bird takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

It looks like Jake Bird has been cut.
Bird misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A little feinted left hand from Wojcik on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Bird with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Bird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wojcik.
Bird uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wojcik.
Bird throws a body punch but Wojcik moves out of range.
Wojcik swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Bird throws the left hand but Wojcik avoids the punch easily.
Nice uppercut there from Wojcik.

Bird throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Wojcik was covering up waiting for the punch and Bird finishes the takedown easily into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Wojcik has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Bird thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bird being controlled here momentarily.
Wojcik trying to control the position.

Bird drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bird jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Wojcik 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bird wants to control from the top but Wojcik keeps moving.
Bird tries to free his leg and advance position but Wojcik is retaining full guard.
Wojcik wants to sweep but no luck.
Bird wants to control from the top but Wojcik keeps moving.

Bird drops back looking for a leg! Wojcik is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Wojcik manages to kick Bird off! Bird jumps back into Wojcik's guard.
Wojcik controlling the position.
Wojcik lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Bird throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Bird throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Wojcik engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bird looking to control.
Wojcik trying to control the position from guard on top but Bird is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bird not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Wojcik is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Bird looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Wojcik slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Wojcik trying to control but Bird is working from the bottom.

Wojcik got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bird has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wojcik has managed to get both his arms back between Bird's legs - danger averted.
Wojcik showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Bird has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wojcik can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jake Bird will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jake Bird's cut.
That's time! Wojcik's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bird digs a good body shot into Wojcik's ribs.
Wojcik avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
It looked like Wojcik wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Bird uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wojcik.
Bird throws a right hand that Wojcik ducks under and follows up with a left that Wojcik also avoids with ease.
A counter left hand to the body from Wojcik misses its target.
Wojcik takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bird lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Bird misses with a looping left.
Jake Bird seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bird drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wojcik tries to buck Bird off but Bird is having none of it.

Bird is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Wojcik knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Wojcik is trying to control Bird's posture but Bird avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bird tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bird has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Bird working away.
Bird has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Zero Tolerance. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Bird tries for a kimura but Wojcik is defending well.
Wojcik tries to buck Bird off but Bird is having none of it.
Wojcik manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Wojcik content to control rather than advance.
Wojcik is keen to just control but Bird is a slippery customer.
We've been hearing good reports from Wojcik's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wojcik is taking a breather. Bird 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.
Bird moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bird is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Jake Bird has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bird looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Wojcik avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Wojcik's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wojcik continues to stall.
Bird trying to control the position.

Bird has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wojcik can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Wojcik tries to free his leg and advance position but Bird is retaining full guard.

Wojcik avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Bird 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.

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.
Wojcik controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Bird looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Wojcik passes Bird's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Wojcik is taking a breather. Bird 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.

Bird looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Wojcik is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wojcik seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bird does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Wojcik performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Bird showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jake Bird's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bird tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Wojcik was well out of range. Poor timing from Bird.
Bird swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bird fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bird scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Wojcik doesn't seem bothered though.
Wojcik ducks under a wild hook from Bird.
Wojcik swings away with a body shot that misses

and Bird counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bird tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Wojcik just stands there and leans against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bird tries to pull guard but Wojcik holds him up against the cage and eventually Bird drops back down to his feet.
Ryszard Wojcik has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Bird.
A frustrated look appears on Bird's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Bird manages to pull guard.

Bird has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Wojcik can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Wojcik is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wojcik has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Wojcik wants to pass the guard but Bird is keeping the position.
Bird has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Wojcik controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Bird looking to hit a scissor sweep but Wojcik is one step ahead there.
Wojcik trying to control but Bird is working from the bottom.

Bird looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Wojcik sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Wojcik's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Bird escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Wojcik gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bird wants to sweep here but Wojcik controlling him for the moment.
Wojcik is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Bird throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Wojcik on the side of the head.
A jab from Wojcik misses.
Bird misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wojcik.
Bird shoots in looking for a takedown. Wojcik tries to sprawl out of it but Bird keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Wojcik manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Wojcik throws a big shot that misses.
A jab lands there for Wojcik.
Wojcik takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Bird misses with a wild body shot.
Wojcik is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Bird.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wojcik looks to land a right hand but Bird moved out of range.
Wojcik throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ryszard Wojcik has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wojcik displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bird throws out the jab.
Wojcik needs to keep his hands up - Bird had a free shot at his head there.
Bird punishes Wojcik's body with a nice straight punch.
Bird just misses with a punch to the body.
Wojcik is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Bird.
Wojcik takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bird lands a nice shot to the body.
Bird misses with a wild body shot.
Wojcik is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Bird.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bird fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wojcik slips a jab and a cross from Bird.
Jake Bird is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bird throws an overhand right that lands on Wojcik's shoulder, as Wojcik tries to avoid the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Bird comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bird has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Bird!
After winning the bout, Jake Bird thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.