PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mr Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Denny Prokopos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ward kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Everything in its right place- Radio Head. Prokopos has chosen Deep River Blues - Doc Watson as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Ward
vs
Prokopos

150 cm
27
144 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

180 cm
27
144 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

STEEL PENN'S SKIN SHOP / Money Exchange!
STEEL PENN'S SKIN SHOP / Money Exchange!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mr Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Denny Prokopos!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Prokopos changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ward looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Prokopos tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Prokopos controls the position.
Ward tries to buck Prokopos off but Prokopos is having none of it.
Ward is not content to let Prokopos control the position.
Prokopos controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward tries to buck Prokopos off but Prokopos is having none of it.
Ward struggling a bit here.
Prokopos controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Prokopos is looking to take a break and control but Ward is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ward might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Denny Prokopos hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Ward rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Prokopos counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Prokopos shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Prokopos looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Ward wants to control but Prokopos is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward tries to roll over but Prokopos keeps him under control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ward manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Prokopos trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Prokopos tries to free his leg and advance position but Ward is retaining full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Prokopos trying to control the position from guard on top but Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Prokopos tries to free his leg and advance position but Ward is retaining full guard.
Ward wants to sweep but no luck.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Denny Prokopos hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Prokopos blocks a jab.
Ward fails with the takedown
and Prokopos counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ward looks to land a left hand but Prokopos moved out of range nicely.
Ward takes a swing at Prokopos's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ward swings away with a body shot that misses
and Prokopos counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ward fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Prokopos avoids it really well and circles away.
Ward misses with a right hand

and Prokopos counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Prokopos scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short right from Prokopos.
Prokopos manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Prokopos throws a head punch that misses.
Prokopos working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Prokopos misses with some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Prokopos has a couple of punches blocked by Ward.
Prokopos throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Ward fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Prokopos has a couple of punches blocked by Ward.
Prokopos swings wildly with an uppercut but Ward uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Prokopos holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Prokopos misses with a punch on the inside.
Ward drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mr Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Prokopos throws a head punch that misses.
Prokopos doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Prokopos.

Ward pulls guard successfully.
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.
Prokopos slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Prokopos pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.

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.
Prokopos is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Prokopos trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Ward trying to keep a closed guard but Prokopos is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prokopos slips nicely into half guard.
Prokopos perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Prokopos wants to get back to his feet.
Ward is not content to let Prokopos control the position.

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.

Prokopos stands up and beckons Ward to join him on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ward throws a hook but Prokopos blocks it.
Prokopos throws the left hand but Ward avoids the punch easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denny Prokopos showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

A swing and a miss from Prokopos.
Ward ducks under a wild hook from Prokopos.
Ward throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Prokopos counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ward missing with a left hand there. Prokopos was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ward moves out of range of the strikes.
Prokopos misses with a left hand
and Ward counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Prokopos thinking.
Prokopos misses with an uppercut. Ward saw that one coming.
Ward shoots and misses
and Prokopos cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ward swings widly with a right hand
and Prokopos counters with a left and a right that stings Ward.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ward tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Prokopos was well out of range. Poor timing from Ward.
Prokopos tries to clinch up but Ward circles away and keeps his distance.
Ward throws a poor cross that misses
and Prokopos counters with a straight right hand.
Prokopos jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ward is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Prokopos's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Ward misses its intended target.
Prokopos misses with a combination
and Prokopos takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ward jabbing away but nothing is landing.

Prokopos scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Prokopos performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Prokopos seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ward does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Mr Ward has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward trying to control but Prokopos postures up.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Prokopos content to control rather than advance.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Prokopos wants to take a breather but Ward is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Prokopos content to control rather than advance.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Denny Prokopos hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Ward bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ward slips under a jab.
Prokopos is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

Prokopos drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Prokopos trying to control the position from guard on top but Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Prokopos wants to pass the guard but Ward is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward trying to keep a closed guard but Prokopos is proving a slippery customer.
Prokopos wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ward is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Denny Prokopos comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Prokopos has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Denny Prokopos!