PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Minotauro Nogueira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kerry Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nogueira's entrance music is The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter. A fine choice. Ward has chosen People are strange(The Doors) as his entrance music. Kerry Ward has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Nogueira
vs
Ward

192 cm
25
270 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

193 cm
20
263 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Minotauro Nogueira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kerry Ward!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Daniel Franklin and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nogueira looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nogueira shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ward defends it nicely.
Nogueira shoots in looking for a takedown. Ward tries to sprawl out of it but Nogueira keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ward manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Minotauro Nogueira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ward digs a good hook to Nogueira's body.

Ward moves into the clinch successfully.

Ward decides to pull guard.
Ward trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Ward escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nogueira gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Ward has his foot on Nogueira's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nogueira works his way back into a safe position though.
Ward tries to strike from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ward striking off his back but it's not causing Nogueira any problems.
Ward wants to stand and escape but Nogueira is having none of it.
Nogueira content to stall in guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ward shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Ward avoids the attempt from Nogueira to control.
Nogueira tries to reverse the position but Ward maintains control.
Nogueira is squirming around, avoiding Ward's attempts to control the action.

Ward looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Ward prevents Nogueira from getting the reversal.
Ward avoids the attempt from Nogueira to control.
Nogueira is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ward get's back to his feet.
Nogueira showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ward.
Nogueira gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Ward counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Nogueira's guard now.
Ward trying to control the position from guard on top but Nogueira is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ward is looking to stand up but Nogueira won't let him.
Ward won't allow Nogueira to sweep him here.
Nogueira trying to control the position.
Nogueira manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ward manages to get himself to full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nogueira trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Ward striking off his back but it's not causing Nogueira any problems.
Ward is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nogueira doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nogueira manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nogueira passes into half guard.

Nogueira is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ward defends it well.
Nogueira wants to pass the guard but Ward is defending well.
Nogueira trying to control from half guard but Ward is working away.
Ward tries to kick Nogueira off but Nogueira keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nogueira wants to take a breather but Ward is having none of it.

Nogueira is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ward really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nogueira. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Nogueira is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Nogueira is breathing heavily.
Nogueira looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Ward shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Nogueira is trying to get back to full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Ward is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nogueira is just riding it out for now. Ward eventually gives up the hold.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nogueira is pressing down on Ward's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kerry Ward dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nogueira gets a takedown into half guard.

Nogueira has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Ward defend it? Nogueira steps over the head and cranks it - Ward is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Nogueira!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:09 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Minotauro Nogueira!