PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Njokuani (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mickey Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Anthony Njokuani has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Anthony Njokuani seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Njokuani
vs
Ward

184 cm
25
166 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

173 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Anthony Njokuani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mickey Ward!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, John Kavanagh and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ward shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Njokuani is trying to defend but Ward finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Ward trying to mount his opponent but Njokuani defends it.

Ward seems to be looking for submissions.
Njokuani blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ward.
Ward is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward wants to stand but Njokuani has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Njokuani is trying to stand.
Ward trying to control the action but Njokuani is working from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Mickey Ward hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Njokuani tries to clinch but Ward is having none of it.
Njokuani moves out of range of the strikes.
Ward fails to land the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward shoots for a takedown but Njokuani saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Anthony Njokuani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Njokuani forces Ward back against the cage and clinches.
Ward is working for takedown but Njokuani is calmly controlling the position for now.
Anthony Njokuani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mickey Ward.
Njokuani with a knee to the head.
Ward tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Njokuani just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ward is trying to push Njokuani away but Njokuani has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ward is trying to push Njokuani away but Njokuani has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Ward wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The referee calls for Njokuani to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Njokuani gets through Ward's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Njokuani.
Ward tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ward is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Njokuani pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Njokuani wants to stall.
Njokuani struggles to land a body shot inside as Ward controls his hands.
Njokuani's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward has Njokuani pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Njokuani manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Njokuani with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ward is trying to break the clinch but Njokuani has him pressed against the cage.

Ward gets control of Njokuani's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ward will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Ward working for a triangle but Njokuani defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mickey Ward dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Njokuani tries to clinch but Ward moves out of range.
Ward tries to clinch up.
Ward takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Ward looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Njokuani keeping moving, preventing Ward from controlling successfully.
Ward looking to pass the guard.
Ward slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward wants to control but Njokuani is keeping him busy.

Ward decides to stand up, so the ref orders Njokuani to his feet.
Njokuani wants to clinch.
Ward closes the distance and clinches up with Njokuani, looking for a takedown. Ward pushes Njokuani against the cage but Njokuani circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Njokuani throws a head kick that misses.
Ward misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Ward. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Njokuani will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ward swats away the attempt to clinch by Njokuani.
Ward slips a straight right by Njokuani.
Ward circles away from the clinch attempt.
Njokuani leaves Ward with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Anthony Njokuani has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mickey Ward.
Ward throws a head kick but Njokuani moves out of range.
Ward throws a head kick that misses.
Ward shoots in for a takedown but Njokuani shows good takedown defense.
Ward circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Njokuani moves into the clinch successfully.
Njokuani looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Njokuani scores with a shot to the side of Ward's head.

Njokuani has hold of one of Ward's legs. Ward is fighting the takedown attempt but Njokuani gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Njokuani being controlled here momentarily.

Ward pushes Njokuani off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Njokuani misses with a series of wild punches.
Njokuani doesn't manage to clinch there - Ward circles away.
Ward tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Njokuani manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Anthony Njokuani is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ward takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Njokuani clinches with his opponent.
Njokuani is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ward jumps guard but Njokuani stands there with Ward around his waist. Ward gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Njokuani is looking to control Ward's arms but Ward gets an underhook and turns him. Now Njokuani has his back to the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Anthony Njokuani will probably get the nod.
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!

Njokuani fails in his attempt to clinch.
Njokuani is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Njokuani.
Njokuani throws a body punch but Ward moves out of range.
Njokuani throws a leg kick but Ward sees it coming and moves out of range.
Njokuani misses with a head kick.

Ward closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Ward stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Njokuani slips a jab and a cross from Ward.
Njokuani plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Ward keeps the fight on the outside.
Njokuani tries to clinch up but Ward circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Ward.
Ward advances nicely into full mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ward trying to control but Njokuani is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Njokuani wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Ward.

Ward looking to secure an arm triangle but Njokuani defends it well.
Ward tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Njokuani takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Ward fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Ward controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Njokuani blocking the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mickey Ward comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ward has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mickey Ward!