PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zakir Jumayev (ranked 1952 p4p, 1174 weight class) and Maxim Ward (ranked 255 p4p, 156 weight class). Jumayev comes to the cage accompanied by Side to Side. Ward has chosen ERA - Ameno as his entrance music. 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.

Jumayev
vs
Ward

182 cm
36
177
23 - 20 - 0

185 cm
37
172
22 - 12 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Conviction

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 23 - 20 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Zakir Jumayev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Maxim Ward!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Radbod Blank and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jumayev throws a shot to the body.

Jumayev tries to sprawl but Ward drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Jumayev on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Jumayev pushes Ward off looking to stand but Ward dives back in and keeps control.
Ward is taking a breather. Jumayev 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.
Jumayev wants to stand back up but Ward manages to pass into side control.
A lull in the action here.
Ward has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Jumayev is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ward is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward controlling the position from side mount.
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.
Ward's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jumayev is pushing Ward's head away, looking to escape. Ward manages to hold on to the position though.
Jumayev trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Jumayev is looking to get back to his feet here but Ward is keeping cool and he's managed to take Jumayev's back.
Ward controlling the position well here. Jumayev rolled but Ward kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Jumayev trying to get back to his feet but Ward is in full control for now.
Well, with Ward on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Jumayev is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
Jumayev is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Ward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jumayev manages to get to his feet, escaping the difficult position.
Ward scores with a nice strike.
Jumayev has been working on his boxing with his coaches at St Petersburg MMA Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Jumayev lands with a cross.
Ward throws an off balance right hand
letting Jumayev counter with a right hand.

Ward scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jumayev is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Ward just content to control the position.
Jumayev wants to get back to his feet.
Jumayev takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Jumayev is trying to buck Ward off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jumayev dodges the ground and pound from Ward.
Jumayev is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Ward is controlling him well.
Jumayev seems a little lost for a moment, as Ward dominates the positioning.
Jumayev is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ward asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ward remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Check out the look on Ward's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ward happy to just control the position for now.
Jumayev tries to escape but Ward is in control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jumayev is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Ward controls the position.
Jumayev wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jumayev throws the left hand but Ward avoids the punch easily.
Jumayev tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Ward dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jumayev swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Jumayev lands a nice looking body shot.
Ward throws a nice looking combination but Jumayev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jumayev looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Maxim Ward is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jumayev missing with a left hand there. Ward was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jumayev connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ward momentarily.
Ward looks to land a left hand but Jumayev moved out of range nicely.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ward.
Jumayev is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Ward just content to control the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jumayev is trying to buck Ward off.
Ward in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Jumayev tries to escape but Ward is in control.
The referee asks Ward politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Ward prefers to stall for the moment though.
Ward prevents Jumayev from escaping the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Jumayev throws a big shot that misses.
Jumayev takes a swing at Ward's ribcage but misses.
Jumayev throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice defenses there by Ward.
Ward is looking to slow Jumayev down with leg kicks.
Maxim Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ward lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Jumayev circles away quickly and effectively.
Jumayev gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward throws a series of punches but Jumayev moves out of range.
Jumayev blocks a head kick by Ward.
Jumayev defending well as Ward loads up on a big left hand.
Jumayev lands a head shot.
Ward has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Jumayev slips under a jab.
Jumayev ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ward moves away.
Ward misses with a lunging right hand
enabling Jumayev to counter with a crisp jab.
Ward slips under a jab.
Ward slips a straight right by Jumayev.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ward on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ward works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Jumayev misses the shot to the body.
Ward shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jumayev as he jumps to the side.
Ward gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Zakir Jumayev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jumayev digs a good hook to Ward's body.
Jumayev throws a looping overhand right but Ward ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward throws a hook but Jumayev blocks it.
Jumayev lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Ward looks to land a left hand but Jumayev moved out of range nicely.
Ward lands with an uppercut that bounces Jumayev off the cage and back into range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ward.
Ward throws a left and a right that both miss
and Ward takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jumayev throws the left hand but Ward avoids the punch easily.
Ward plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Jumayev lands with an overhand left.
Ward shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Jumayev as he jumps to the side.
Ward uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Jumayev.
Ward throws out a counter right but Jumayev avoids it with no problem.
Ward looks to throw a body kick
and Jumayev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Jumayev uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ward.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jumayev. Ward does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ward misses with an uppercut. Jumayev saw that one coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ward does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Jumayev misses the jab.
Ward throws a big shot that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jumayev throws a hook to the side of Ward's head but Ward sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A looping hook to the body misses from Jumayev. Ward does a little dance to reset his feet.
Jumayev scores with a nice strike.
Ward rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Jumayev moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Zakir Jumayev is winning the standup battle so far.
Jumayev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Jumayev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A swing and a miss from Ward.
A little feinted left hand from Jumayev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Ward with a hook.
Ward throws a combination that misses
and Ward takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ward throws a hook to the side of Jumayev's head but Jumayev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ward lands a jab to the head.
Jumayev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ward throws a head kick but Jumayev moves out of range.
Ward throws a right hand that misses
and Jumayev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ward thinking.
Jumayev lands a nice looking body shot.
A big right from Jumayev misses.
Ward is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Jumayev with a body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Ward. Those never looked like landing.
A telegraphed right hand from Ward misses the target.
Jumayev chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ward can pounce on him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Zakir Jumayev will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Ward.
Ward has his takedown stuffed
and Jumayev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ward misses with a wild body shot.
Ward misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ward throws a sloppy head kick
and Jumayev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
An inside leg kick lands from Ward.
Ward throws a hook but Jumayev blocks it.
Ward misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ward bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ward tries to bum rush Jumayev with a series of wild strikes but Jumayev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jumayev displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ward throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jumayev throws a hook but Ward blocks it.
Jumayev scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ward in his tracks.

Ward scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jumayev is looking to escape.
Maxim Ward has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jumayev is trying to escape back to his feet but Ward uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Ward working the ground and pound.
Jumayev is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Ward moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Jumayev is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ward has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Ward creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jumayev trying to remain calm as Ward controls from the top position.
Jumayev is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Ward has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Ward trying to control the position but Jumayev is working away.

Jumayev throws Ward to one side and escapes!
Jumayev tests Ward's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ward looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Jumayev is fending him off so far but Ward persists. Nope, Jumayev circles away and we're back to standing.
Zakir Jumayev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maxim Ward.
A punch combination from Ward misses.

Ward gets a takedown into half guard.
Ward has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Kaptajnernes Træningscenter. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ward stops Jumayev from getting back to his feet.

Jumayev kicks off Ward and gets to his feet.
Ward shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ward ducks under a wild hook from Jumayev.
Ward on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Jumayev paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jumayev moves forwards but Ward connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ward works over Jumayev's head and body with a nice combination.
Jumayev leaves Ward with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Jumayev misses with a body shot.
Jumayev clobbers Ward with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ward jabs Jumayev right on the nose. Jumayev blinks but takes it well.
Ward has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Ward slips a jab from Jumayev.
Ward changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Jumayev bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Jumayev misses with a body shot.
Ward walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Jumayev fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ward on the side of the head.
Ward throws a hook to the side of Jumayev's head but Jumayev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jumayev throws a shot to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ward.
Ward thows a leg kick but Jumayev checks it
and Jumayev counters with a stiff right hand.
Jumayev throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Ward!
Ward shoots in for a takedown but Jumayev shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Ward takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jab, jab by Jumayev - just one landing.
Jumayev lands a body shot.
Jumayev staying out of range there.
Ward takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A big left from Jumayev misses.
Ward takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ward misses with an uppercut. Jumayev saw that one coming.
Ward throws a head kick that misses
and Jumayev counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ward on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ward walks into a stiff left hand from Jumayev.
Nice shot lands for Jumayev.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ward dives in for a single leg takedown but Jumayev sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Ward moves out of range as Jumayev strikes.
Jumayev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jumayev wants it to stay on the feet.
Ward tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jumayev was well out of range. Poor timing from Ward.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zakir Jumayev showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Jumayev has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

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