PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mickey Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esra Pound (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esra Pound struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 146.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Ward
vs
Pound

173 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

169 cm
19
160 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mickey Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Esra Pound!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, John Kavanagh and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward tries for a takedown but Pound circles away easily
and Pound connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ward darts in trying to clinch

and Pound counters by clinching up.
Ward wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pound has him pressed against the cage.
Pound lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ward fails to pull guard.
Ward misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Pound.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Ward is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pound gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mickey Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ward wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Pound has him pressed against the cage.
Ward is trying to push Pound away but Pound has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Pound on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ward has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Pound avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Pound slowing the pace effectively.
Ward tries to stall but Pound uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Still in the clinch, Pound scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pound lands a hook that snaps the head of Ward backwards.
Pound lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Pound lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ward misses with a knee strike.
Pound lands with a light punch inside.
Ward crunches a lovely knee into Pound's ribcage.
Ward jumps guard but Pound stands there with Ward around his waist. Ward gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Pound manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Pound has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Ward regains guard immediately.
Ward looking to control.
Ward will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Ward not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pound trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ward's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Mickey Ward wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Ward gets tackled into the cage by Pound. Pound maintains the clinch.
Ward tries to pull guard but Pound holds him up against the cage and eventually Ward drops back down to his feet.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Pound creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ward tries to pull guard but Pound won't allow it.

Pound pulls guard effortlessly.

Pound is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ward is aware though and is defending well.
Ward is looking to stand up but Pound won't let him.
Ward trying to control but Pound is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward won't allow Pound to get back to his feet.
Pound keeping moving, preventing Ward from controlling successfully.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Pound preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ward won't allow Pound to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mickey Ward just wasn't active enough.
Ward darts in trying to clinch
and Pound counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four 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 shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pound defends it nicely.

Ward gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Pound is looking to work some ground and pound but Ward has wrist control.
Pound stops Ward from standing up.
Ward is trying to keep Pound in close.
Pound missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ward manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Pound manages to get himself to full guard.
Pound tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esra Pound dominated that 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.

Ward tries to land a front kick but Pound steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Pound moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Mickey Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ward wants to clinch but Pound slips to the side

and Pound counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Pound.
Ward is trying to push Pound away but Pound has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Pound stops a takedown attempt from Ward.
Pound lands with a right to the head.
Pound working hard to break the clinch.

Ward has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Pound uses from the top position.
Ward controls Pound momentarily but Pound frees himself.
Pound tries to stand but Ward is controlling from the bottom.
Ward is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pound is controlling him.

Pound gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ward takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward darts in trying to clinch

and Pound moves into the clinch.
Pound tries to break free but Ward pushes him back against the cage.
Pound wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Pound has had enough of the clinch but Ward keeps him there for the moment.

Pound gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

Ward looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pound tries to stand and escape but Ward actually recovers to full guard.
Pound is looking to stand up but Ward won't let him.
Pound is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward has momentary wrist control but Pound slips an elbow through the middle.
Ward is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Ward tries to pass the half guard into mount. Pound knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ward wants to take a breather but Pound is having none of it.
Pound looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward is trying to control the action in half guard but Pound is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Ward controlling the action here.
Ward trying to control from half guard but Pound is working away.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Mickey Ward just wasn't active enough.
Pound getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

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 misses with a straight left.
Ward shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pound counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mickey Ward is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pound clobbers Ward with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ward misses with a takedown attempt
and Pound counters with a nice body shot.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mickey Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jab, jab by Pound - just one landing.
Ward fails with the takedown
and Pound counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ward thinking.
Pound throws a good cross that connects.
Pound lands with a nice combination. Ward backs away looking to recover.
Pound scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esra Pound showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Ward's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Ward shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Pound counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Pound.
Pound lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ward looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Ward working hard to break the clinch.
Pound gets underhooks to prevent Ward's takedown attempt.
Pound working hard to break the clinch.

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

Pound closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Pound throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ward is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Pound is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ward doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Pound.
Pound tries to stand and escape but Ward is controlling the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward wants to get back to his feet.
Ward throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pound is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Pound is nestled in close to Ward, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ward moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ward looking to hit a scissor sweep but Pound is one step ahead there.
Pound really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ward. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Pound trying to stand up but can't free himself from Ward's guard.
Esra Pound is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Ward has his feet on Pound's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Ward takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ward blocks the body kick.
Pound connects with the punch.
Pound punishes Ward's body with a nice straight punch.

Pound closes the distance and clinches.
Ward is working for takedown but Pound is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mickey Ward. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ward is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pound gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pound blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward can't get the takedown.
Pound scores with a shot to the side of Ward's head.
Pound lands a left hand.
Ward is working for takedown but Pound is calmly controlling the position for now.
A short right from Pound.

Pound pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pound tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ward is able to avoid easily.
Pound lands a two punch combo.
Ward ducks right into an uppercut from Pound.
Pound circles away from the clinch attempt
and Pound counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward misses with a takedown

and Pound counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ward tries to circle away but Pound has him pinned against the cage.
Ward tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pound smiles and moves away.
Pound cracks Ward with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Pound scores with a body shot.
Pound circles away from the clinch attempt

and Pound counters with a single leg into guard. Ward didn't expect that.

And that's the end of the fight!
Esra Pound comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pound 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esra Pound!