PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jorge Goodman (ranked 5719 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joel Ward (ranked 5268 p4p, 0 weight class). Jorge Goodman has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Goodman
vs
Ward

196 cm
18
214 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
202 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jorge Goodman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Joel Ward!
The judges for this bout are Ian Loll, Elvis Blanc and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Goodman swivels and escapes.
Ward looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Goodman shoots in for a double leg but Ward sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Goodman dives in for a single leg takedown but Ward sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Goodman shoots for a double leg takedown but Ward sprawls well. He's pushed Goodman's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorge Goodman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goodman tries for a takedown but Ward circles away easily

and Ward moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Ward fails to land.

Goodman pulls Ward into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Goodman lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goodman trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ward's guard.
Ward avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Goodman is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Goodman trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ward's guard.

Ward has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Goodman can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ward should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Goodman decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ward, up you get!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Goodman feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Goodman trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Goodman throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Goodman wants to get up but he can't break Ward's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ward tries to strike from the bottom.

Goodman stands up from guard. Let's bang!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Goodman is defended easily by Ward.

Goodman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ward wants to get back to his feet but Goodman passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Goodman is looking for a kimura but Ward is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Goodman to get the leverage.

Goodman decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Goodman is defended easily by Ward.
Ward tries to counter by closing the distance.
Goodman shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ward defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ward fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Goodman, pushing him back against the cage.

Ward gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Goodman manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ward escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Goodman shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ward pinned against the cage. Ward gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Goodman dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Goodman is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ward sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ward takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Goodman blocks the body kick.
Ward tries to score a power double leg takedown but Goodman sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ward somewhat.
Goodman seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Goodman goes for a double leg but Ward avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ward continues to drive forward.
Goodman dives in and grabs Ward's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ward pushes down on Goodman's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorge Goodman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goodman shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Goodman moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromWard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Goodman shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Goodman looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ward is fending him off so far but Goodman persists. Nope, Ward circles away and we're back to standing.
Ward is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward misses with a few strikes there.
Decent striking displayed by Goodman there.

Ward has closed the distance and engaged Goodman in a clinch.
Ward wants to break free but Goodman has control.
Ward has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Goodman avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Goodman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jorge Goodman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ward has closed the distance and engaged Goodman in a clinch.
Goodman tries for a takedown but Ward manages to get underhooks.

Ward jumps into guard, dragging Goodman to the mat.
Ward looking to control.
Goodman will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Goodman drops back looking for a leg! Ward is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ward manages to kick Goodman off! Goodman jumps back into Ward's guard.

Ward is working an open guard so Goodman takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Goodman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ward as he avoids it easily.
Goodman fails with the takedown

and Ward moves into the clinch.

Goodman pulls guard successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goodman is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ward is controlling him.
Ward working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Goodman's head.
Jorge Goodman overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ward won't allow Goodman to get back to his feet.
Goodman trying to control the position.
Ward is looking to work some ground and pound but Goodman has wrist control.
Ward has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Montreal. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Ward prevents Goodman from getting back to his feet.
Goodman keeping moving, preventing Ward from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ward slaps away a takedown attempt from Goodman, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Goodman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ward as he avoids it easily.
Ward is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Goodman attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Goodman tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Ward defends well and Goodman ends up having to push Ward into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Ward is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Ward has taken the fight to the clinch.
Goodman changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ward fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Goodman defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ward.
Ward ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Goodman tries for a takedown but Ward sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ward is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ward shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Goodman sprawls well. Goodman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ward gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joel Ward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ward stuffs the takedown.

Goodman looking to score a takedown here. Ward is defending well but Goodman drives through and ends up in Ward's guard.

Goodman decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Ward, up you get!
Joel Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Goodman fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ward to the ground. Goodman is now in Ward's guard.
Ward wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Goodman manages to pass to side control.
Goodman wants to control but Ward is keeping him busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Goodman is looking for a kimura here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Goodman is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ward sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward pushes Goodman off looking to stand but Goodman dives back in and keeps control.
Goodman throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ward tries to get to full guard but Goodman has control of the leg.

Goodman 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. Goodman eventually gives up the hold.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Goodman seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Ward is concentrating on defense, preventing Goodman from advancing position.

Goodman is looking for a kimura here.
Goodman prevents Ward from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goodman thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ward pushes Goodman off looking to stand but Goodman dives back in and keeps control.
Ward tries to roll over but Goodman keeps him under control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Ward stuffs the takedown attempt from Goodman. Goodman gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ward throws a head kick but Goodman moves out of range.

Ward forces Goodman back against the cage and clinches.

Goodman manages to pull guard.
Goodman wants to stand but Ward is controlling the position.
Goodman trying to keep a closed guard but Ward is proving a slippery customer.
Goodman wants to stand but Ward is controlling the position.
Goodman wants to sweep here but Ward controlling him for the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Goodman is trying to control the position but Ward postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorge Goodman showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Goodman has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ian Loll scores the fight 29:28
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jorge Goodman!