PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ross Gleeson (ranked 5550 p4p, 472 weight class) and Gabriel Ward (ranked 5157 p4p, 449 weight class). 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.

Gleeson
vs
Ward

179 cm
28
154 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

178 cm
25
148 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ross Gleeson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gabriel Ward!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Seu Braga and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Gleeson.
Gleeson swinging wildly here.
Ross Gleeson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gleeson defending well as Ward loads up on a big left hand.
That kick from Gleeson tenderised Ward's leg. Ward is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ward fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Gleeson manages to avoid it.
Gleeson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Ward misses with a body shot.
Ward misses with a two punch combination.
Gleeson chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Ward ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gleeson moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gleeson scoring well with a low kick there.
Gleeson misses with a series of wild punches.
Ward is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ward avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Gleeson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Good exchange - Ward coming out on top.
Ward defending well as Gleeson loads up on a big left hand.
Ward changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Gleeson!
Gleeson ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ward moves away.
An inside leg kick lands from Gleeson.
Ward looks to score with a jab to the body but Gleeson is just out of range.
Gleeson tests Ward's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Gleeson lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ward misses with a body shot.
Ward moves away from the strike by Gleeson.
Good leg kick by Gleeson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ward tries to bum rush Gleeson with a series of wild strikes but Gleeson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward swings for the body but Gleeson moves out of range.
Gleeson misses with the combination.
Gleeson throws a leg kick which misses Ward's front leg but catches the back leg as Ward tries to avoid it.
No joy there for Gleeson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ward fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ward is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Gleeson rather than just go for the knockout.
A combination from Gleeson does no damage.
Gleeson takes a swing at Ward's ribcage but misses.
Ward takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Gleeson swinging wildly here.
Gleeson blocks a jab.
Gleeson seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Gleeson throws a head kick but Ward moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Gleeson lands with a hook. Ward tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Gleeson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gleeson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ward.
Ward scores with a one two! Gleeson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ward's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gleeson with a hook.
Gleeson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ward.
Gleeson swinging wildly here.
Ward avoids the head kick by Gleeson.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Gleeson.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Gleeson throws a chopping leg kick but Ward manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Gleeson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gleeson throws a series of punches but Ward avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gleeson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gleeson connects with an inside leg kick.
Gleeson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ward throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A slow jab from Gleeson misses its intended target.
Gleeson loads up on a big right hand but Ward slips the punch.
Ward steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Gleeson. That one must have hurt.
The fighters circling - Ward throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ward getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ward goes for a double leg but Gleeson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gleeson continues to drive forward.
Ross Gleeson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Ward.
Ward displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gleeson throws out the jab.
Ward looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gleeson uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ward.
Ward throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gleeson counters with a nice leg kick.
Ward takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
That kick from Gleeson tenderised Ward's leg. Ward is trying to keep his angry face on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ross Gleeson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Gleeson connects with a leg kick. Ward looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ward blocks a head kick by Gleeson.
Gleeson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Gleeson looks for the body kick but Ward saw that one coming.
Ward tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Gleeson lands a head kick!
Gleeson's Muay Thai looks sharper than normal. He has obviously been working on it in the gym.
Gleeson buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gleeson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ward has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ward and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
An inside leg kick lands from Gleeson.
Gleeson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Gleeson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ward can do to turn this around?
Ward throws a combination that misses
and Gleeson makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gleeson throws a sloppy head kick and Ward moves out of range easily.
Ward chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gleeson can pounce on him.
Ward ducks under a wild hook from Gleeson.
Gleeson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ward.
Ross Gleeson is winning the standup battle so far.
Ward goes for a double leg but Gleeson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Gleeson continues to drive forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gleeson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gleeson scores with a push kick.
Gleeson lands a nice hook to Ward's body. Ward takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gleeson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Ward fails with a takedown attempt.
Ward takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ward avoids the head kick by Gleeson.
Gleeson fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ward.
Ward on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward throws a looping overhand right but Gleeson ducks down to avoid it.
Gleeson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ward. That did some damage!
Gleeson loads up on a big right hand but Ward slips the punch.
Ward lands a jab to Gleeson's midsection.
Ward fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
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!
Gleeson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ward moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ward with the counter takedown but Gleeson avoids it easily.
Gleeson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gleeson scores with a leg kick.
Gleeson scores with a nice body kick.
Gleeson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ward. That did some damage!
Gleeson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ward uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Gleeson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ward.
Gleeson wants to land a leg kick but Ward is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gleeson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ward swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Ward staying out of range there.
Gleeson throws a head kick that misses.
Ward throws a right hand that misses
and Gleeson connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gleeson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ross Gleeson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ward misses with a wild body shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Gleeson.
Gleeson throws a head kick but Ward moves out of range.
Ross Gleeson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Gleeson misses with a head kick.
Gleeson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ward.
Ward throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Gleeson.
Gleeson feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Gleeson throws a big shot that misses.
Ward blocks a head kick by Gleeson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ward fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gleeson fires out a quick counter leg kick but Ward just manages to avoid it.
Ross Gleeson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Ward.
Ward takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Gleeson lands with a nice body kick.
Gleeson throws an overhand right that lands on Ward's shoulder, as Ward tries to avoid the shot.
Gleeson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A head kick misses from Gleeson.
Ward moves out of range as Gleeson strikes.
Ward waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gleeson.
Gleeson connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ward cracks Gleeson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gleeson.
Ward misses with a few strikes there.
Gleeson cracks the inside of Ward's front leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ross Gleeson dominated that second round.
That's time! Gleeson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ward fails with the takedown.
Ward lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gleeson at a distance.
Gleeson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Gleeson connects with a leg kick. Ward looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Gleeson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ward on the side of the head.
Ward looks to score with a jab to the body but Gleeson is just out of range.
Ward blocks a head kick by Gleeson.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gleeson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ward has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ward and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gleeson misses with a two punch combination.
Gleeson misses with a low kick.
Ward swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gleeson counters with a solid body kick.
Gleeson misses with a few strikes there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gleeson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gleeson throws a head kick but Ward moves out of range.
Ward slips under a jab from Gleeson.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ward checks a leg kick.
Gleeson throws an overhand right that lands on Ward's shoulder, as Ward tries to avoid the shot.
Ward ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gleeson throws a head kick that misses.
Ward changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ward has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Gleeson.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Gleeson.
Ward is trying desperately to land a takedown but Gleeson is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Ward.
Ward scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Ross Gleeson has been cut.
Gleeson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Gleeson throws a series of punches but Ward moves out of range.
Ward ducks under a wild hook from Gleeson.
Gleeson dodges the punch combination from Ward.
Ward works the jab nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ward lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gleeson circles away quickly and effectively.
Gleeson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ward lands a right hook to the body.
A head kick misses from Gleeson.
Ward throws out a loose jab but Gleeson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gleeson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Gleeson wants it to stay on the feet.
Good work by Ward as he checks the leg kick.
Gleeson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Gleeson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ward missing with a left hand there. Gleeson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Gleeson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ward.
Gleeson tries to bum rush Ward with a series of wild strikes but Ward uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ward misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gleeson throws a body shot but no joy.
Ward avoids the head kick by Gleeson.
Ward feints the counter takedown.
Nice sprawl there from Gleeson as Ward shoots in.
As Ward backs away, Gleeson returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Ross Gleeson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gabriel Ward.
Ward scores with a one two! Gleeson had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Ward misses with a jab, cross combination.
Gleeson scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Gleeson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Gleeson feints and then cracks Ward's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ward down.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Gleeson lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ward has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ward and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Gleeson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Ward throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gleeson stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gleeson lands a leg kick that knocks Ward off balance momentarily.
Gleeson is looking to slow Ward down with leg kicks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gleeson misses with an uppercut. Ward saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Gleeson there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Gleeson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ward lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Gleeson backs up against the cage.
Gleeson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ward.
It looked like Gleeson was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Gleeson dodges the punch combination from Ward.
A chopping leg kick lands by Gleeson.
A head kick misses from Gleeson.
Ward changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ward throws an overhand right that lands on Gleeson's shoulder, as Gleeson tries to avoid the shot.
Some wild striking there from Gleeson.
Gabriel Ward has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gleeson scores with a one two! Ward had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ross Gleeson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Gleeson has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ross Gleeson!