PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Norman Ewert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abe Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these fighters are unbeaten, so somebody's 0 has got to go!On his way into the cage it seems that Norman Ewert has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Norman Ewert seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Ewert
vs
Ward

190 cm
18
215 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
210 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Improved boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Gifts of the Rainforest

MMA's Best Nutrition
Blaze Ronin Street Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Norman Ewert!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Abe Ward!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ewert rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ward moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ward closes the distance and clinches up with Ewert, looking for a takedown. Ward pushes Ewert against the cage but Ewert circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ewert misses with a jab, cross combination.
Donk. Ewert catches Ward right on the button with a cross.
Ward scores with a punch to the head.
No joy there for Ewert, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ewert misses with a two punch combination.
Ward slips a jab and a cross from Ewert.
Ward shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ewert as he avoids it easily.
Ewert will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ward fails to land the takedown.
Norman Ewert has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abe Ward.
A punch combination from Ewert misses.

Ward shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Ward drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ward jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ewert controlling Ward's posture.

Ward drops back, looking for a kneebar! Ewert looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Ewert looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Ewert!
Ward tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward manages to work his way to half guard, despite Ewert's best efforts.
Ewert with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Ewert'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.
Ward wants to improve his position but Ewert is controlling well.
Ward is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ewert controlling the pace.
Ward is looking to improve his position.
Ewert is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ewert wants to stand up but Ward is controlling the position.
Ewert trying to pass the guard but Ward defending well.
Ewert tries to stand and escape but Ward is controlling the position.

Ward looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ewert is taking a breather. Ward 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 tries to get to full guard but Ewert has control of the leg.

Ward looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ward looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ewert throws a right and a left that Ward avoids nicely.
Ewert throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ward.

Ward drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ward stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ewert swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ewert seems keen to control Ward's posture.
Ewert keeping full guard, as Ward tries to pass.

Ward drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ward jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ewert is pulling down on Ward's head. It's preventing any offense from Ward, at least for the moment.
Ward pushing down on Ewert's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ewert moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ewert seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Ward has gone for a leg lock! Ewert slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ward's guard.
Ewert not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Ward looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Ewert has picked Ward up and slammed him! Ward can't keep hold of the triangle and Ewert manages to pass to side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Norman Ewert dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ward wants to clinch.
Ewert displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Ward displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ewert throws out the jab.
A combination from Ewert does no damage.
Ewert throws a right hand that Ward ducks under and follows up with a left that Ward also avoids with ease.
Ewert throws a series of punches but Ward avoids them all with ease.
A jab from Ewert misses.
Nice sprawl there from Ewert as Ward shoots in.
Ewert throws a one two combo.
Horrible takedown by Ward or perhaps it was just good defense by Ewert which made him look bad.
Ewert throws a right and a left that both miss.
No luck for Ward with that takedown attempt.
Norman Ewert has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abe Ward.
Ward catches Ewert with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ward looks for a takedown but Ewert sprawls well.
Ewert misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ward shoots in for a takedown but Ewert shows good takedown defense.
Ewert throws a right hand that Ward ducks under and follows up with a left that Ward also avoids with ease.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ward thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Ewert sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ward is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Ward looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Ward goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Ewert turns into him and now he's in Ward's guard.

Ewert is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Ward gets his way!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ewert trying to get back to his feet but Ward is in full control for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ewert wants to control his opponent's hands but Ward gets his hands free.
Ewert rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

Ward is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ewert is just riding it out for now. Ward eventually gives up the hold.

Ewert makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Ewert throws a series of punches but Ward moves out of range.
Ewert looks to land a combination but Ward avoids it well.
Ewert throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Ward counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ewert wants to improve his position but Ward is controlling well.

Ward is working for a submission of some sort.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ewert trying to control from the bottom.
Ewert wants to get back to his feet.

Ward is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Ewert has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ewert moves into full guard.
Ewert wants to stand and escape but Ward is having none of it.

Ward is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ewert is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ewert has escaped and now he's on top!
Ewert controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ward looking for a sweep. Not yet Ward, not yet.
Ewert wants to get up but he can't break Ward's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Ward had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Ewert is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Ward Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Ewert's back instead.
Ewert has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Ward doesn't have the hooks in and Ewert manages to turn into his guard.

Ward working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ewert doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ewert manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Ward is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
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 Norman Ewert will probably get the nod.
That's time! Ewert's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ward tries to move into range but Ewert moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ewert throws a left and a right that both miss

so Ward counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ewert looking for a sweep. Not yet Ewert, not yet.
Ward tries to free his leg and advance position but Ewert is retaining full guard.

Ward drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ward jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Ward drops back looking for a leg! Ewert is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ewert manages to kick Ward off! Ward jumps back into Ewert's guard.

Ward drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Ward jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Ward stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ewert swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Abe Ward has got the better of the ground game so far.
Ewert managing to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ewert misses with a combination

and Ward counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Ewert is trying to stand back up but Ward is controlling him
Ewert is controlling Ward's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Ward wants to work for an arm triangle but Ewert is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Ward is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ewert is just riding it out for now. Ward eventually gives up the hold.
Ward wants to free his trapped foot but Ewert is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Ewert pushes Ward off and gets back to his feet.
Ewert misses with a combination

and Ward counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ward is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Ewert has managed to free his arm - good work.
Ward looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ewert is trying to stand back up but Ward is controlling him
Ewert is trying to control but can't.

Ward is looking for a kimura here.
Ewert looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ward fails to land the takedown.
Ewert throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ward.
Ewert stalks Ward and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Ward's face. Ward staggers backwards, shaken.

Ward shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ewert's guard.
Ewert is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ewert is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Ward thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ewert wants to stand up but Ward is controlling him.
Ewert controlling Ward's posture.
Ward passes Ewert's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Ward is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ewert looks like he's trying to stand up.
Ward is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Ewert is looking to improve his position but Ward isn't that keen on the idea.
Ward with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.
Ewert wants to control but Ward is having none of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ward wants to take Ewert's back here but Ewert is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Ward is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Ewert can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Ewert's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Abe Ward comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ewert has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight for Abe Ward!
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Abe Ward!
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight for Abe Ward!

Abe Ward wins by unanimous decision!
Abe Ward is the new light heavyweight champion!