PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Ward (ranked 4899 p4p, 235 weight class) and Jason Tolevski (ranked 5210 p4p, 251 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Ward
vs
Tolevski

178 cm
27
148 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

180 cm
27
147 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gabriel Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jason Tolevski!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Matheus Silva and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Ward misses.
Tolevski now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

Tolevski clinches up with Ward and pushes him back against the cage.
Ward tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tolevski smiles and moves away.
Tolevski misses with a body kick.
Ward looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Tolevski closes the distance and clinches.
Ward tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gabriel Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ward tries to pull guard but Tolevski won't allow it.

Tolevski is trying to trip Ward. He has hold of a leg but Ward is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Tolevski persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Tolevski decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Tolevski shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Ward is trying to defend but Tolevski finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ward looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tolevski is taking a breather. Ward says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Ward wants to improve his position but Tolevski is controlling well.

Ward looking for submissions off his back.
Tolevski keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Tolevski stands up from half guard.
Ward falls off balance throwing a combination

so Tolevski counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tolevski engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Tolevski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tolevski content to stall in guard here.

Ward is working an open guard so Tolevski takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Tolevski throws a head kick but Ward moves out of range.
Ward misses with a two punch combination.
Tolevski on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ward stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

Tolevski moves into the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tolevski lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Tolevski just stands there and leans against the cage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Tolevski controlling the action here for a moment.
Tolevski displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ward up against the cage.
Ward tries to pull guard but Tolevski won't allow it.
Stalling in the clinch from Tolevski.
Ward tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Tolevski smiles and moves away.
The crowd cheers as Ward lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tolevski doesn't seem phased though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward lands a jab-cross combination.
Ward lands a nice hook to Tolevski's body. Tolevski takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Tolevski darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Tolevski scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Tolevski stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Ward to get to his feet.
Ward throws a one two combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ward lands a jab to the nose.
Ward lands a nice shot to the body.

Tolevski changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ward looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ward is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Tolevski dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tolevski gets the takedown into side control.
Ward tries to buck Tolevski off but Tolevski is having none of it.
Tolevski lands a few punches from side control.
You can see the frustration on Ward's face as Tolevski controls the position.
Ward tries to bench press Tolevski off him but Tolevski keeps the position.
Tolevski in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Tolevski decides to stand back up.

Tolevski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Tolevski is trying to trip Ward. He has hold of a leg but Ward is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Tolevski persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ward is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Tolevski is stalling in the full guard.
Tolevski passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward is looking for a sweep. Tolevski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tolevski is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Tolevski not doing much here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tolevski passes into side control, despite Ward's attempt to control the position.
Ward is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Tolevski working the head with strikes.
Ward is trying to control Tolevski's posture but Tolevski avoids it.
Tolevski controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward taking punishment in the form of punches.
Tolevski taking a breather here.
Ward tries to buck Tolevski off but Tolevski is having none of it.
Jason Tolevski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tolevski is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Ward will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Tolevski works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.

Tolevski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ward gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolevski not doing much here.
Ward tries to roll over but Tolevski keeps him under control.
Tolevski content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Tolevski wants to pass to mount but Ward is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ward makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ward.

Ward working for submissions but it's allowed Tolevski to get to half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Tolevski lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Tolevski is controlling the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Ward actively working from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Tolevski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Ward swings for the body but Tolevski moves out of range.
Ward connects with a body shot that sends Tolevski's belly button to the back.
Ward connects with a body shot that sends Tolevski's belly button to the back.

Ward tries to sprawl but Tolevski drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Tolevski is working for a submission of some sort.
Ward wants to get back to full guard.
Tolevski perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ward looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tolevski takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tolevski is trying to work for a kimura but Ward is defending well.
Tolevski is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Tolevski wants to pass the guard but Ward is defending well.

Tolevski seems to be looking for submissions.
Tolevski is taking a breather. Ward says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Ward looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tolevski uses his free foot to push down on Ward's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Ward.
Tolevski controlling the pace for now.
Ward is trying desperately to improve position.
Tolevski controlling from mount.
Ward is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolevski takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Tolevski with a couple of short strikes.
Ward tries to control the position but Tolevski now has his back.
Ward is taking damage to the body and head.

Tolevski is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Ward has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Tolevski is working for a rear naked choke. Ward is not defending it well and Tolevski has tightened it up quickly! This could be all over! Ward refuses to tap and goes to sleep, forcing the referee to intervene. A little trickle of blood came out of Ward's nose as his head slumped to the floor. That is naaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Jason Tolevski!