PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jason Warden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronin Samurai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Warden
vs
Samurai

190 cm
25
195 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

195 cm
24
190 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Jason Warden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Ronin Samurai!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samurai throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Warden's waist but Warden gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Samurai off to one side.
Samurai tries to clinch but Warden moves out of range.

Samurai throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Warden was covering up waiting for the punch and Samurai finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Samurai stops Warden from standing up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Warden working a defensive guard here.
Warden wants to stand and escape but Samurai is having none of it.
Samurai cracks Warden with a solid left hand.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Samurai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Samurai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Warden is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Samurai is controlling him.
Samurai postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Warden fails in his attempt to clinch.
Samurai throws a series of strikes that have Warden backpedaling.
Some wild striking there from Samurai.
Warden dodges the punch combination from Samurai.
Jason Warden is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samurai throws a right and a left that both miss.

Samurai clinches with his opponent.
Samurai fails to pull guard.

Samurai tightens his grip and picks Warden up, before dumping him to the ground. Warden manages to land in guard.
Warden preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Samurai throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Warden works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Warden trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Samurai postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Warden is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Samurai, into his guard.

Samurai has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Warden is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Samurai.
Samurai looks gassed!
Warden in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Warden scores with punches from side control.
Samurai is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Warden trying to control the action but Samurai is working from the bottom.
Warden lands a decent elbow from side control.
Warden wants to lay and pray for a moment but Samurai keeps working.
Samurai is looking for a sweep.
Warden tries to advance to mount but Samurai denies him.
Samurai sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Warden prevents Samurai from improving his position.
Warden looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Samurai with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Warden stands up from half guard.
Warden throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Warden is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Warden stuffs the takedown.
Jason Warden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronin Samurai.
Samurai wants to clinch

and Warden counters by moving into the clinch.
Samurai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Warden avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Samurai is working for takedown but Warden is calmly controlling the position for now.
Warden landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A body shot lands from Warden.
Knees to the body from Warden.
Warden scores with a knee to the head.
Warden misses with a knee strike.
Samurai drops down looking for an ankle pick but Warden pulls his leg out and moves away.
Warden throws a head kick but Samurai moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samurai moves out of range of the strikes.
Samurai shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Warden counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A right handed body shot lands from Warden.
Samurai has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Warden is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Warden lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Warden breaks from the clinch.

Warden closes the distance and pushes Samurai back into the ropes.
Warden is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Samurai is defending well for now.

Warden manages to break the clinch.
Samurai throws a nice looking combination but Warden bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Warden looks to land a body kick but Samurai moved away.
Samurai closes the distance looking to clinch
and Warden counters with a big head kick but Samurai shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Warden dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Warden gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Samurai tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Warden just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Warden with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Warden misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Samurai.
Warden is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Samurai is defending well for now.
Warden missing with knees to the body.
Samurai has Warden pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Warden manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Warden with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Samurai tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Warden just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Jason Warden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronin Samurai.
Warden connects with a nasty looking knee right to Samurai's face.
Samurai throws a knee to the head but misses.
Samurai tries to pull guard but Warden holds him up against the ropes and eventually Samurai drops back down to his feet.

Samurai lands a takedown into guard.
Warden is looking to stand up but Samurai isn't so interested in that idea.
Warden trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Warden looking for a sweep. Not yet Warden, not yet.
Samurai is breathing heavily.
Warden throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Samurai advances position into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samurai tries for a kimura but Warden is defending well.
Warden is trying to control Samurai's posture but Samurai avoids it.
Warden pushes Samurai away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Samurai gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Samurai throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Samurai throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Warden struggling a bit here.
Warden is looking to reverse the position.

Warden bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Samurai fails with the takedown
and Warden finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Warden throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Warden closes the distance and pushes Samurai back into the ropes.
Warden misses with a knee strike.
Warden working Samurai over with knees to the body.
Samurai can't get the takedown.

Warden breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Warden clinches up against the ropes.
Samurai managing to block the knees to the body from Warden.
Warden gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Samurai.

Warden breaks the clinch.
Samurai tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Warden finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

Warden has Samurai up against the ropes in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Warden landing knees to the head.
Samurai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Samurai drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Warden gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Samurai misses with a knee strike.
Warden lands a knee to the body.

Warden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Samurai gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Samurai swats away the attempt to clinch by Warden.
Samurai with a lazy takedown attempt

and Warden holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Samurai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Warden is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Samurai is defending well for now.
Warden working Samurai over with knees to the body.
Warden scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Warden.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Samurai takes a knee to the side of the body.
Warden with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Warden breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Warden takes the fight into the clinch.
Warden working Samurai over with knees to the body.

Warden's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Samurai doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Warden holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Samurai managing to block the knees to the body from Warden.

Warden breaks from the clinch.
Samurai keeps the fight on the outside.
Samurai swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Warden counters by clinching up.
Samurai tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Warden is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Samurai is defending well for now.
A right hand to the body from Warden.

Warden's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Warden dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Warden throws a sloppy head kick and Samurai moves out of range easily.
Samurai throws a left and a right that both miss
and Warden counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Samurai is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Samurai avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Warden swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Warden misses with a wild body shot.
Warden misses with a leg kick.
Samurai closes the distance but Warden moves to the side

and Warden moves into the clinch.
Samurai tries to pull guard but Warden holds him up against the ropes and eventually Samurai drops back down to his feet.
Samurai tries to pull guard but Warden won't allow it.
Samurai has Warden pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Warden manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Jason Warden has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronin Samurai.

Warden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Samurai tries for a takedown but Warden circles away easily

and Warden counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Warden.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Warden pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Warden tries to clinch there but Samurai circles away.
Samurai shoots and misses
and Warden counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Warden scores with a nice head shot.
Samurai tries for a takedown but Warden circles away easily

and Warden counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Warden.
Warden using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Warden with a knee to the head.
Samurai is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Warden pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Warden unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Samurai tries to pull guard but Warden won't allow it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Warden.
Warden looking to throw knees to the head but Samurai is blocking nicely.
Samurai misses with a knee to the head.
Knees to the body from Warden.
Samurai takes a knee to the side of the body.

Warden breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Samurai misses with a double jab.

Warden forces Samurai back against the ropes and clinches.
Samurai fails to pull guard.
Warden missing with knees to the body.
Samurai misses with a knee to the head.
Samurai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Samurai on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Warden escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Samurai tries to clinch but Warden moves away

and Warden counters by moving into the clinch.
Samurai misses with a knee strike.
Jason Warden has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Warden landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Warden.

Warden breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Samurai takes one to the side of the head.
Samurai with a lazy takedown attempt

and Warden holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Warden obliges.

Warden's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Samurai tries to clinch but Warden moves away

and Warden holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Warden.

Warden's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Warden instigates a clinch.
Samurai can't get the takedown.

Warden breaks the clinch.
Warden circles away from the clinch attempt

and Warden counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Samurai goes for a takedown attempt but Warden pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Samurai throws a left and a right that both miss
and Warden finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Warden fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Warden scores with a jab to the body.

Samurai closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Warden is trying to get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Warden's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Samurai in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Ronin Samurai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Samurai wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Warden, who protects the arm well.
Warden is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Samurai asserts his dominance and retains side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Samurai throwing shots but missing, from side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jason Warden showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Warden, 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jason Warden!