PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mr Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sean Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ward
vs
Richards

165 cm
26
143 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

170 cm
27
146 lbs
21 - 12 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KnockOut

Bos Energy MMA159.4

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mr Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sean Richards!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richards getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Richards throws a push kick but Ward slaps the foot to one side.
Richards fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ward throws a big counter combination but Richards scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A head kick misses from Ward.
Richards connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Richards lands with a kick to the temple. Ward shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Richards takes a swing at Ward's ribcage but misses.
Richards scores with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward misses the jab.
Ward swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ward has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Ward throws a hook but Richards blocks it.
Richards misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ward shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Richards as he avoids it easily.
Richards has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Ward lands with a straight right. Richards didn't see that one coming.
Richards moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ward. Richards does a little dance to reset his feet.
Richards tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ward paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Richards.
Richards is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ward.
Richards steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ward.
Ward blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Richards scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A looping hook to the body misses from Richards. Ward does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ward swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Richards throws a body kick that misses
and Ward cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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 tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ward takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ward displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Richards throws out the jab.
Richards goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Ward misses with a left hand
and Richards counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Richards moves away from the strike by Ward.
Richards lands with a right hand.
Richards lands a really nice looking cross but Ward seems unphased.
Ward bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Richards's head backwards.
Richards keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ward sets himself, and Richards steps forward looking for the clinch! Ward avoids it this time.
Ward swats away the attempt to clinch by Richards.
Ward blocks a head kick by Richards.
Richards avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Richards throws out a counter right but Ward avoids it with no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Richards moves out of range of the body kick.
Richards throws a low kick but Ward avoids it.
Richards cracks Ward with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice defenses there by Ward.
Ward misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
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 misses with a straight right.
Richards tries to counter with a clinch but Ward shakes him off and moves away.
Richards defending well as Ward loads up on a big left hand.
Ward avoids the head kick by Richards.
Richards pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ward is out of range and Richards settles back down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Richards dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nice defenses there by Richards.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Richards - that will leave a mark!
A nice leg kick lands there from Richards.
Richards throws a front kick that sends Ward stumbling back into the cage.
Ward pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Richards scores with a nice right hand.
Richards throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Richards throws a front kick aimed at Ward's knee but Ward avoids it well.
Ward half committed to a counter leg kick.
Richards goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Richards misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Sean Richards seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Richards uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ward.
Ward moves out of range as Richards strikes.
Richards looks to throw the jab but Ward is out of range.
Ward tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice straight punches there by Richards. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Richards.
Richards throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ward looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Ward misses the jab.
Richards tries to counter with a clinch but Ward shakes him off and moves away.
Richards lets loose with a powerful body kick. Ward will feel that in the morning.
Richards defending well as Ward loads up on a big left hand.
Richards tries to counter with a clinch but Ward shakes him off and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Richards instigates a clinch.
Richards struggles to land a body shot inside as Ward controls his hands.
Richards tries a knee to the head but Ward blocks it.
Richards will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Ward up against the cage.
Ward can't get the takedown.
Richards gets through Ward's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Richards misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Richards swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Richards creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ward's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards lands with a left to the head.
Richards tries to throw a body punch but Ward avoids it by throwing Richards back against the cage.
Ward blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Richards lands an elbow inside that Ward shrugs off.
Richards is pressed up against the cage. Ward has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Richards down to the mat. Richards avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That kick from Richards tenderised Ward's leg. Ward is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ward drops his hands momentarily and Richards takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Richards throws a poor cross that misses
and Richards takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Richards has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A shot to the body from Richards misses
and Ward connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ward misses with the combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Richards moves out of range as Ward strikes.
Richards throws a leg kick but Ward sees it coming and moves out of range.
Richards misses with an uppercut. Ward saw that one coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big right from Richards misses.
Ward half committed to a counter leg kick.
Richards misses with a straight right.
Richards connects with the punch.
Ward pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sean Richards showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Richards thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ward is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Richards.
Richards avoids a kick to the body.
Richards fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ward misses with a right hand
and Richards counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ward drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ward shoots in for a takedown but Richards shows good takedown defense.
A jab from Richards does it's job there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Richards fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ward, pushing him back against the cage.
Richards misses with the head strike.
Ward has Richards pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Richards manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Richards controlling the action here for a moment.
Richards pushes off an throws an elbow but Ward leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Richards misses with a punch on the inside.
Richards has a couple of punches blocked by Ward.
Richards swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Richards lands a body shot in the clinch.
Richards misses with the head strike.
Ward is trying to drag Richards to the mat but Richards just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mr Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ward tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ward takes an elbow to the forehead.
Richards holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Richards misses with the head strike.
Richards pressing his opponent against the cage.
Ward has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Richards is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ward is trying to pull guard but Richards turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Sean Richards seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ward's elbow.
Richards lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Mr Ward has been cut.
Ward jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Richards walks away with a smile on his face. Ward gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Ward rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Richards makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sean Richards seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ward tries a low kick but Richards avoids it.
Mr Ward has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Good work by Ward as he checks the leg kick.
Ward looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Richards misses with a straight left.
Ward throws a quick counter head kick but Richards was just out of range.
Ward lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ward uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Richards.
Richards with a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Richards - that will leave a mark!
Richards lands with a kick to the temple. Ward shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ward is defended easily by Richards.
Richards connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sean Richards is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Richards avoids the head kick by Ward.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sean Richards comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Richards has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sean Richards!
Sean Richards seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.