PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jesus Sakes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Palmer Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Sakes might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Rock Me Sexy Jesus -Jesus Himself. 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.

Sakes
vs
Ward

200 cm
29
240 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

215 cm
25
309 lbs
6 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jesus Sakes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Palmer Ward!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ward rushes Sakes and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Sakes is trying to drag Ward to the mat but Ward just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Ward breaks the clinch.
Sakes dives in and grabs Ward's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ward pushes down on Sakes's head and hops out.
Sakes has his takedown stuffed

and Ward holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesus Sakes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ward is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Sakes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ward's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Sakes tries for a takedown but Ward sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Sakes moves into the clinch.
Sakes is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ward tries to break the clinch but Sakes is controlling the position.
Sakes wants to break free but Ward has control.

Sakes pulls guard effortlessly.
Ward must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Sakes is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ward defends well.
Sakes might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward trying to stand up but can't free himself from Sakes's guard.
Sakes trying to keep a closed guard but Ward is proving a slippery customer.
Ward really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sakes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Sakes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ward pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakes is keeping the position for now.
Ward controls from within his opponent's guard.

Sakes working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ward doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ward manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ward works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ward seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sakes actively working from the bottom here.
Sakes works his way to full guard. Good work.

Sakes looking for a guillotine here but Ward defends easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Ward pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sakes is keeping the position for now.
Sakes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ward manages to get himself to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Sakes drops back looking for a leg! Ward is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ward manages to kick Sakes off! Sakes jumps back into Ward's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sakes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward kicks Sakes off and gets to his feet.
Sakes shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ward but Ward pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sakes shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ward pinned against the cage. Ward gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Ward takes the fight into the clinch.
Ward is trying to break free.
Ward trying to land knees to the body.
Ward trying to land knees to the body.
Sakes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Ward is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sakes is defending well for now.
Sakes drops down looking for an ankle pick but Ward pulls his leg out and moves away.
Sakes dives in and grabs Ward's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ward pushes down on Sakes's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakes has his takedown stuffed
and Ward counters with a nice uppercut.
Sakes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ward defends it nicely.
Ward misses with a two punch combination.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Ward takes the fight into the clinch.
Sakes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sakes managing to block the knees to the body from Ward.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ward stops a takedown attempt from Sakes.
Ward tries to land knees in the clinch but Sakes avoids the damage to the body.
Sakes is working for takedown but Ward is calmly controlling the position for now.
Sakes avoiding damage as Ward throws knees to the body.

Ward pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Palmer Ward will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Sakes throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ward's waist but Ward gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sakes off to one side.
Sakes tries for a takedown but Ward sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ward lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ward.
Sakes misses with a takedown attempt - Ward sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesus Sakes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Ward. No joy for Sakes on that attempt.
Jesus Sakes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sakes shoots in for a double leg but Ward sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Ward closes the distance and pushes Sakes back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ward just stands there and leans against the cage.

Ward breaks from the clinch.

Ward gets a clinch.
Sakes blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ward breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakes checks a leg kick.
Ward throws a series of strikes that have Sakes backpedaling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Sakes or perhaps it was just good defense by Ward which made him look bad.

Ward closes the distance and clinches.
Ward trying to land knees to the body.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ward is pressed up against the cage. Sakes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ward down to the mat. Ward avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Sakes gets a clinch.
Ward missing with knees to the body.
Ward has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Sakes looking for a takedown.

Ward breaks the clinch.
Ward connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ward lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ward clinches with his opponent.
Ward is trying to force a seperation but Sakes has the dominant position.
Ward is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sakes is defending well for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakes is working for takedown but Ward is calmly controlling the position for now.

Ward breaks from the clinch.
Sakes misses with a takedown attempt - Ward sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ward stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Ward wants it to stay on the feet.

Ward rushes Sakes and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Ward breaks from the clinch.
A bone on bone clash there as Sakes blocks the leg kick.

Ward has closed the distance and engaged Sakes in a clinch.
Ward tries to land knees in the clinch but Sakes avoids the damage to the body.
Sakes keeps control of Ward as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Ward tries to land knees in the clinch but Sakes avoids the damage to the body.

Ward manages to break the clinch.
Sakes gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ward counters with an outside leg kick.
Palmer Ward is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sakes gets tackled into the cage by Ward. Ward maintains the clinch.
Sakes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Ward breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sakes fails with the takedown
and Sakes takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ward fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Palmer Ward seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A clash of legs there as Sakes blocks the low kick.
Ward with a hook.
Sakes shoots in looking for a takedown but Ward manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Sakes's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Sakes walks into a straight right hand from Ward.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sakes misses with a takedown
and Sakes takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward throws a low kick but Sakes avoids it.

Ward forces Sakes back against the cage and clinches.
Ward tries to land a knee to the head but Sakes blocks with his arms.
Palmer Ward seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Ward tries to land knees in the clinch but Sakes avoids the damage to the body.
Sakes looking for a takedown.
Sakes goes for a takedown attempt but Ward pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sakes takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Ward clinches up against the cage.
Sakes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ward just stands there and leans against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sakes avoiding damage as Ward throws knees to the body.
Sakes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ward just stands there and leans against the cage.

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

Sakes gets tackled into the cage by Ward. Ward maintains the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Palmer Ward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Sakes shoots in and drives through. Ward sprawls well.
Nice sprawl there from Ward as Sakes shoots in.
Ward is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Ward swats away the attempt to clinch by Sakes.

Ward pushes Sakes up against the cage in a clinch.
Ward has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ward prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jesus Sakes. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Ward pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ward closes the distance and clinches.

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

Ward has managed to clinch.
Sakes blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A frustrated look appears on Ward's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Sakes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ward is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sakes tries to pull guard but Ward won't allow it.
Ward tries to land knees in the clinch but Sakes avoids the damage to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sakes wants a takedown but no success here.
Ward tries to land knees in the clinch but Sakes avoids the damage to the body.
Ward tries to land knees in the clinch but Sakes avoids the damage to the body.

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

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Ward has had enough of the clinch but Sakes keeps him there for the moment.

Ward's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ward has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ward throws a poor cross that misses

and Sakes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ward's guard.
Sakes passes easily into side control. Nice work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ward is holding Sakes down, trying to stall.
Sakes wants to control but Ward is keeping him busy.
Jesus Sakes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Ward's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ward tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ground and pound from Sakes seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Ward is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Sakes is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ward knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Sakes wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ward, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward is trying to get back to half guard.
Sakes misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Ward is trying to buck Sakes off.
Ward struggling a bit here.
Ward regains half guard.

Sakes seems to be working for a kimura but Ward defends the submission attempt.

Sakes is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ward is just riding it out for now. Sakes eventually gives up the hold.
Sakes working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Ward's thigh. Ward counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sakes thows a big elbow that misses.
Sakes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ward works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Sakes postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ward is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Sakes, into his guard.
Jesus Sakes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Ward avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Palmer Ward is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sakes doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Jesus Sakes.
I think Ward has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 George Francis scores the fight 28:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Palmer Ward!