PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Bashor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ward is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Irigy Hónaljmirigy - Rúgj Chuck Norris (Chuck Norris parody by Hungarians) . Jesse Bashor has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bashor
vs
Ward

172 cm
32
172 lbs
18 - 15 - 2

175 cm
28
186 lbs
18 - 12 - 1

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

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 18 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jesse Bashor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 12 - 1, fighting out of London, Tommy Ward!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Sam Margolis and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Bashor counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ward wants to get back to his feet but Bashor is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Ward trying to control the position.
Bashor with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Bashor preventing the sweep.
Ward is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ward is looking for a kimura here.

Bashor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bashor wants to improve his position but Ward is controlling well.

Ward is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bashor is just riding it out for now. Ward eventually gives up the hold.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ward working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Ward thows a huge punch but Bashor dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashor is trying to get back to full guard.

Ward is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Ward looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ward slips a nice elbow through Bashor's hands, connecting with Bashor's forehead.
Ward lands strikes from half guard.

Bashor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ward looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Bashor avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ward.
Ward is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Bashor manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward lands strikes from half guard.

Ward seems to be looking for submissions.

Bashor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ward pulls his head out easily.
Bashor on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Bashor is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ward pulls his head out easily.
Bashor tries to roll over but Ward keeps him under control.
Ground and pound from Ward.
Ward landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Ward seems to be working for a kimura but Bashor defends the submission attempt.
Ground and pound from Ward.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bashor looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashor gets back to full guard.
Ward wants to stand but Bashor has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Ward stopping the sweep attempt from Bashor.
Ward pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bashor is keeping the position for now.
Ward must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Ward drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ward jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward distracts Bashor with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ward is in close to Bashor's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Bashor is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ward is aware though and is defending well.
Ward lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Ward avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Bashor looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bashor's guard.
Bashor makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bashor.
Bashor can't keep his opponent in guard - Ward advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ward tries to pass to full mount but Bashor defends it.
Bashor tries to roll over but Ward keeps him under control.
Ward wants to take a breather but Bashor is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nice strikes from Ward there.

Ward is trying to work for a kimura but Bashor is defending well.

Bashor looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Ward is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ward closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Bashor's guard.

Bashor working for a triangle but Ward defends it easily.

Bashor is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Ward pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bashor is keeping the position for now.
Ward postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward lands a couple of digs.
Ward throwing strikes but missing.
Ward working some strikes from top position.

Bashor is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ward defends well.
Ward tries to free his leg and advance position but Bashor is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ward got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bashor has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ward has managed to get both his arms back between Bashor's legs - danger averted.
Ward working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bashor's head.

Ward drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ward jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Bashor has his feet on Ward's thighs here. He's pushed Ward off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Ward screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Jesse Bashor!
Tommy Ward spoke after the fight, saying 'best 2 of 3?'.