PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between William Ward (ranked 3157 p4p, 2539 weight class) and Brian McFoy (ranked 336 p4p, 285 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Ward
vs
McFoy

173 cm
20
162
3 - 4 - 0

182 cm
22
161
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, William Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Brian McFoy!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Konstantin Menshow and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McFoy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Brian McFoy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McFoy is looking to clinch.

McFoy clinches with his opponent.
McFoy is working Ward over against the cage.
Ward has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McFoy after a bit of a struggle.
McFoy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like William Ward has been cut.
McFoy throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ward changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McFoy fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McFoy tries to clinch up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward tries for a takedown but McFoy circles away easily
and McFoy counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ward has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ward there as he acknowledges the shot.

McFoy closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McFoy misses with a body punch.
McFoy lands a nice shot to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, McFoy creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ward is trying to drag McFoy to the mat but McFoy just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
McFoy lands a knee to the body.
Ward is breathing heavily.
A hook to the body from McFoy.
Still in the clinch, McFoy scores with a nice short uppercut.
McFoy stalling against the cage.
McFoy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
McFoy with a knee to the head.

William Ward's cut is getting worse.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McFoy breaks from the clinch.
McFoy lands a right hook to the body.

McFoy pushes Ward up against the cage in a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

McFoy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ward looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

McFoy closes the distance and pushes Ward back into the cage.

McFoy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

McFoy pushes Ward up against the cage in a clinch.
McFoy is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ward is defending well for now.
Ward looking for a takedown.
McFoy misses with an elbow over the top.
Ward on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nice elbow from McFoy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward has McFoy pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Ward pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending McFoy tumbling to the mat - Ward dives into McFoy's guard.
Ward won't allow McFoy to get back to his feet.
Ward trying to control the position from guard on top but McFoy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
McFoy is looking to stand up but Ward isn't so interested in that idea.
Ward lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McFoy can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ward stops McFoy from standing up.
McFoy is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Ward dives into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward working the head and body with strikes.
Ward prevents McFoy from escaping the position.
Ward works to advance to full mount. McFoy defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Ward is in the full mount, landing strikes.
McFoy is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Ward 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 scoring with strikes but McFoy is staying in there.
Ward trying to control but he's not successful this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
You get the feeling that McFoy really doesn't like being in this position too much.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brian McFoy dominated that round.
The cut man is working on William Ward's cut.
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.

McFoy throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ward.
Ward attempts a counter takedown but McFoy avoids it well and moves away.
McFoy throws a head kick that misses

and Ward decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McFoy's guard.

McFoy manages to escape and get back to his feet.

McFoy closes the distance and clinches.
McFoy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McFoy with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
McFoy prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ward working hard to break the clinch.

McFoy pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ward lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good standup being displayed there by McFoy as he connects with a hook.
Nice sprawl there from McFoy as Ward shoots in.
McFoy jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McFoy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

McFoy clinches with his opponent.
McFoy lands a nice knee to the body.
A nice left hand lands by McFoy.

McFoy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
McFoy lands an overhand right.
Nice shot by McFoy.
McFoy displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ward throws out the jab.
McFoy unleashes a big counter combination but Ward bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
McFoy doesn't manage to clinch there - Ward circles away.
McFoy tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McFoy clinches up against the cage.
Ward tries for a takedown but McFoy manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ward stalling in the clinch but McFoy improves position.
A knee to the head by McFoy.
McFoy has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A nice left hand lands by McFoy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McFoy landing some nice looking knees to the body.

McFoy breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Ward tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
The referee calls for Ward to work.
Ward is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McFoy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McFoy utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
McFoy with a knee to the head.
McFoy lands an uppercut.

McFoy manages to break the clinch.
Ward circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nice uppercut there from McFoy.
Ward takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

William Ward's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
McFoy lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
McFoy connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A decent looking cross lands there for McFoy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice leg kick from McFoy, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McFoy looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

McFoy closes the distance and pushes Ward back into the cage.
McFoy lands a body shot in the clinch.
Ward misses with a punch on the inside.
McFoy prevents a takedown attempt there.

McFoy manages to break the clinch.
No luck for Ward with that takedown attempt.
A right-left combo lands from McFoy.

McFoy closes the distance and pushes Ward back into the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Brian McFoy showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on William Ward's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

McFoy tries to clinch there but Ward circles away.
McFoy lands a nice shot that snaps Ward's head back.
Ward avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ward circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ward half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ward with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling McFoy to score with a decent uppercut.

Ward closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming McFoy to the mat! McFoy manages to get full guard.

McFoy has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Ward is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Ward misses with a body punch.
Ward just leaning against McFoy, taking a breather.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

McFoy breaks the clinch.
Brian McFoy seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McFoy throws a series of punches but Ward moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McFoy is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

McFoy darts in and clinches Ward up against the cage.
Ward blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ward is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but McFoy is keeping busy.

McFoy breaks from the clinch.
McFoy moves in looking to clinch but Ward pushes him off.
Ward shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McFoy as he avoids it easily.

McFoy clinches up against the cage.
McFoy lands an elbow inside that Ward shrugs off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McFoy lands with a short shot to the head.
McFoy doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ward is struggling to control the position.
Ward has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McFoy after a bit of a struggle.
Ward is looking for a takedown up against the cage. McFoy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for William Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McFoy is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ward avoids the elbow strike from McFoy, against the cage.
Ward trying to control the position but instead, McFoy has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ward into the cage.

McFoy breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
McFoy has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Ward with a lazy takedown attempt
and McFoy counters with a series of strikes. Ward will be more careful next time no doubt.
William Ward has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

McFoy clinches.
Ward wants to take the fight to the mat but McFoy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ward misses with a body punch.
McFoy utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
McFoy leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ward has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by McFoy after a bit of a struggle.

McFoy manages to break the clinch.
Ward has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
McFoy tries to clinch up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McFoy doesn't manage to clinch there - Ward circles away.
McFoy comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

McFoy closes the distance and pushes Ward back into the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by McFoy.
McFoy lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ward backwards.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A head punch on the inside from Ward fails to land.
Ward wants a takedown but no success here.

McFoy escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

McFoy moves into the clinch.
Ward wants a takedown but no success here.
Ward wants to break free but McFoy has control.
McFoy is defending well against a takedown attempt.
McFoy is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Brian McFoy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ward tries to work over McFoy's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian McFoy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McFoy 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian McFoy!
In his post fight interview, Brian McFoy started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.