PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Patrick River (ranked 771 p4p, 905 weight class) and Maxim Ward (ranked 105 p4p, 123 weight class). River comes to the cage accompanied by Pantera - Walk. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

River
vs
Ward

188 cm
34
171
22 - 18 - 1

185 cm
31
172
14 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Brooklyn Apothecary

Urban Fighter
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 18 - 1, fighting out of New York, Patrick River!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Maxim Ward!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Steven Brown and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

River instigates a clinch.
Ward tries to throw a body punch but River avoids it by throwing Ward back against the cage.
River misses with a punch to the body.

Ward wants the takedown. River is fighting it off but Ward persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in River's guard against the cage.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
River has control of Ward's left arm, preventing Ward from doing any damage.

River escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ward gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
River trying to control the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward looking to pass the guard.
Ward trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward advances to half guard.
River is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
River keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
River desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Ward passes into side control, despite River's attempt to control the position.
River prevents Ward from improving position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
An elbow from Ward crashes against the mat.
River is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ward's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
River tries to get to full guard but Ward has control of the leg.
Ward content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Ward wants to free his trapped foot but River is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ward scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

River actively working from the bottom here.
Ward wants to control but River is keeping him busy.
Ward working River over with strikes.

River has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Ward escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Ward!
Ward controls the position from side control.
River tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Ward is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
River struggling a bit here.
Ward wants to control but River is keeping him busy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Ward dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

River circles away from the clinch attempt.
River throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ward.
River checks the leg kick.
A slow jab from Ward misses its intended target.
River misses with a low kick.
River dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ward. That did some damage!
Ward throws a leg kick but River sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ward has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
River throws a leg kick but Ward checks it.
Ward scores with a shot to the body.
Ward ducks under a wild hook from River.
Ward throws a lazy right hand but River sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ward cracks River with a good jab.
River lands a leg kick that knocks Ward off balance momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ward gets the takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ward is looking to take a break and control but River is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Ward's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Ward trying to mount his opponent but River defends it.
River is trying to get back to full guard.
River trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
River trying to control but Ward postures up.
Ward is trying to control. River wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ward trying to control from River's half guard. River has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Ward postures up.
Ward 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A chopping leg kick lands by River.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from River.
Ward misses with a wild body shot.
Ward scores with a nice strike.
River misses the jab.
Ward throws out a counter right but River avoids it with no problem.
River tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ward tries to clinch up but River circles away and keeps his distance.
Ward lands a straight punch to the body, keeping River at a distance.
River misses with a hook. Ward ducked under it nicely.
It seemed like Ward was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
River throws a front kick aimed at Ward's knee but Ward avoids it well.
Ward lands with a hook. River tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Maxim Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ward throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. River was covering up waiting for the punch and Ward finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Ward trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

River throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River working a defensive guard here.
River seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.

River is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ward is aware though and is defending well.
Ward passes River's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ward content to control rather than advance.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
River tries to roll over but Ward keeps him under control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Ward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ward throws out a leg kick but River moves out of range and Ward only half commits.
River takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Good exchange - River coming out on top.

Ward shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
River won't allow Ward to pass to mount.

Ward is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and River defends it well.

Ward is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
River is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River trying to control from the bottom.

Ward seems to be working for a kimura but River defends the submission attempt.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
River is looking for a sweep. Ward is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

River looking for a kimura from the bottom but Ward passes into side control!
Ward taking a breather here.
Maxim Ward is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
River tries to bench press Ward off him but Ward keeps the position.
Ward is looking to take a break and control but River is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
River keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ward throws out a powerful jab.
Patrick River has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward moves out of range as River strikes.
Maxim Ward seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ward throws a hook to the side of River's head but River sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ward misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ward misses with a straight right.
River throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ward lands with a right hand.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ward.
River tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ward swats him away and circles back towards the center.

River tries to sprawl but Ward drives through with a takedown into half guard.
River wants to get back to full guard.
Ward perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
River wants to improve his position but Ward is controlling well.

River looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward content to control rather than advance.
Let's hope that Ward has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
River is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ward's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ward's back!
Ward avoids the strikes from River.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
River somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

River working for a choke but Ward is defending well.
River throws strikes from the back but Ward rolls nicely and manages to end up in full guard. Nice work by Ward.

And that's the end of the fight!
Maxim Ward comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ward winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maxim Ward!
Maxim Ward seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.