PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Maxim Ward (ranked 1731 p4p, 1246 weight class) and Thufir Hawat (ranked 200 p4p, 157 weight class). Ward comes to the cage accompanied by ERA - Ameno. Thufir Hawat acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Ward
vs
Hawat

185 cm
35
172
19 - 10 - 1

185 cm
30
178
19 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Conviction

LEIKO CLOTHING (+ Laundry Services, 20% fee)

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 19 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Maxim Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Thufir Hawat!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Ron Honeybunn and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hawat scores with a nice right hand.
Hawat swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ward slips a straight right by Hawat.
Hawat defending well as Ward loads up on a big left hand.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hawat.

It looks like Maxim Ward has been cut.
An inside leg kick lands from Ward.
Ward throws a hook to the side of Hawat's head but Hawat sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Ward bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Hawat wants to get back to his feet but Ward is dominant here and he's now got Hawat's back!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Hawat tries to escape but Ward has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Ward has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Hawat's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Hawat staying busy and making it hard for Ward to control.
Good control from Ward.
Ward has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Hawat preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Ward.
Ward is riding his opponent, not letting Hawat buck him off.
Ward seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Hawat for as long as he can get away with.
Ward tries to get the hooks in deep but Hawat pushed the leg off.
What can Hawat do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawat trying to control the position but Ward manages to sink in the hooks.
Ward has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Hawat's body.
Hawat trying to control the action but Ward just sinks the hooks in.
Ward is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ward is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Ward is hanging on to Hawat's back as he tries to escape.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Ward controlling the positon.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Ward dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Maxim Ward's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ward throws a body punch but Hawat moves out of range.
Hawat uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ward.
Hawat on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hawat keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hawat throws a jab when Ward was well out of range.
Ward lands with a straight right. Hawat didn't see that one coming.
Ward is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hawat can do to turn this around?
Hawat avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ward throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ward cracks Hawat with a right hand to the side of the head.

Ward fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hawat to the ground. Ward is now in Hawat's guard.
Hawat wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Ward manages to pass to side control.

Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hawat tries to get to full guard but Ward has control of the leg.
Hawat is trying to maintain the position but Ward is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawat wants to get back to full guard.
Ward is taking a breather. Hawat 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 is trying to control. Hawat wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ward content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Ward tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hawat knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hawat tries to get to full guard but Ward has control of the leg.
Hawat won't allow Ward to pass to mount.
Ward content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thufir Hawat is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hawat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hawat has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Ward throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hawat counters with a nice leg kick.
Hawat tries a head kick but it misses.
Ward fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hawat takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hawat lands with an overhand left.
Hawat throws a leg kick but Ward checks it.
Ward pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Ward drives through with a takedown into Hawat's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Ward pushes down on Hawat's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hawat wants to get back to full guard.
Ward slows the pace down in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hawat trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ward controlling the pace.
Hawat is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Ward's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Ward's back!
You can see the frustration on Ward's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Hawat has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Ward's body.
Ward tries to roll but Hawat sticks to his back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maxim Ward dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Maxim Ward's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Hawat slaps away a takedown attempt from Ward, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ward shoots for a double leg takedown but Hawat sprawls well. He's pushed Ward's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hawat throws a chopping leg kick but Ward manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Ward takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ward keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Ward with a hook.
Hawat jabs at Ward's body.
Ward defending well as Hawat loads up on a big left hand.
Hawat throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hawat throws a big shot that misses.
Ward throws a shot from downtown. Hawat moves away and avoids it.
A countering left hand to the body from Hawat misses.

Ward manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Hawat on his heels. He'll look to pass Hawat's guard now, I'm sure.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hawat keeping full guard, as Ward tries to pass.
Hawat wants to stand but Ward is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hawat looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hawat is pulling down on Ward's head. It's preventing any offense from Ward, at least for the moment.
Ward trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ward wants to control from the top but Hawat keeps moving.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Hawat trying to control the position here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Thufir Hawat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maxim Ward is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thufir Hawat seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hawat takes a swing at Ward's ribcage but misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hawat lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A slow jab from Hawat misses its intended target.

Hawat gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ward trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ward has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ward slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hawat is looking to reverse the position.
Ward in the domination position with Hawat hanging on.
Ward tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward trying to control the action but Hawat is working from the bottom.
Hawat tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ward wants to control but Hawat is keeping him busy.
Ward working away.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hawat changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hawat misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hawat throws a leg kick but Ward sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ward lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hawat circles away quickly and effectively.
Hawat throws a poor cross that misses
and Ward counters with a stiff right hand.
Hawat takes a jab right on the kisser.
Hawat stuffs the takedown.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Maxim Ward.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ward, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maxim Ward!
Maxim Ward bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.