PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Thor Axelsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ward comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Tap Out kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Axelsson
vs
Ward

180 cm
27
184 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

185 cm
23
200 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Thor Axelsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rick Ward!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward feints a jab promting Axelsson to slip. Ward then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Axelsson slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Ward thows a body shot but no joy.
Axelsson closes the distance and clinches up with Ward, looking for a takedown. Axelsson pushes Ward against the cage but Ward circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ward wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Horrible takedown by Axelsson or perhaps it was just good defense by Ward which made him look bad.
Ward cracks Axelsson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Axelsson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward is controlling Axelsson's trapped leg to prevent Axelsson from advancing to side control.
Ward wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ward is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Axelsson's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Axelsson's back!

Axelsson fending off the submission attempt from Ward.

Ward looking for the choke from the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsson tries to escape the position.

Axelsson preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Ward.
Axelsson tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Ward controlling his opponent.
Axelsson tries to hold on but Ward pushes him away.
Ward sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Axelsson is wriggling around trying to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward controlling from the full mount.
Axelsson can't escape the position.
BOOM! Ward connects with a massive shot to the dome!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ward controlling from mount.
Ward dominating with strikes here.
Ward controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Ward digs a good body shot into Axelsson's ribs.
Thor Axelsson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Axelsson has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thor Axelsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Axelsson rushes Ward and presses him up against the cage.
Axelsson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ward stops a takedown attempt from Axelsson.
Ward content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Axelsson is trying to drag Ward to the mat but Ward just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Axelsson dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Axelsson wants a takedown but no success here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson tries for a takedown but Ward manages to get underhooks.
Axelsson is breathing heavily.
Ward pushes Axelsson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Ward content to slow the pace in the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ward pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Danga de danga de dang - Ward scores with a four punch combination!
Axelsson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Ward can pounce on him.
Ward fails to land with a series of punches.
Axelsson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rick Ward is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A jab from Ward finds it's way through Axelsson's defenses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Axelsson takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Ward throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Axelsson takes one to the chin there.
Ward jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Ward 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.

Axelsson has his takedown stuffed
and Ward counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Axelsson thinking.
Axelsson fails with the takedown
and Ward counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ward lands a nice looking body shot.
Ward fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Axelsson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Axelsson shoots in looking for a takedown but Ward manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Axelsson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thor Axelsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Axelsson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ward scores with a jab to the body.
Axelsson takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
A jab lands there for Ward.
Ward scores with a jab to the head.
Ward listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ward ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Axelsson walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Axelsson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ward counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward lands a nice shot that snaps Axelsson's head back.

Axelsson is rocked!
Ward connects with a body shot.
Oh Axelsson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Ward comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Axelsson seems to have got his legs back now.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ward - that will leave a mark!
Axelsson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Thor Axelsson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ward scores with a body shot.
Ward fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ward scores with a body shot.
Axelsson takes one to the chin there.
Ward lands a right hook to the body.
Ward scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ward is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Axelsson rather than just go for the knockout.
Ward changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ward lands a jab to Axelsson's midsection.
Ward scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Axelsson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward just misses with a punch to the body.
Ward connects with a jab.
Ward scores with a hook to the body. Axelsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rick Ward seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ward scores with a three punch combo!
Axelsson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Ward comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ward connects with a body shot.
Axelsson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ward dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ward works over Axelsson's head and body with a nice combination.
Ward connects with a body shot that sends Axelsson's belly button to the back.
Ward just misses with a punch to the body.
Ward dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ward wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Axelsson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward jabs Axelsson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Axelsson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ward scores with a jab. Axelsson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Ward cracks a nice hook into Axelsson's ribs.
Ward smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ward lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Ward jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Axelsson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Axelsson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Axelsson has his takedown stuffed
and Ward counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ward connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ward lands a right hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward scores with a shot to the body.
Ward comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Axelsson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Axelsson closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ward connects with the punch.
Ward stuns Axelsson with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ward punishes Axelsson's body with a nice straight punch.
Ward fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ward lands with a good body shot.
Ward lands with a cross.
Ward lands with an uppercut that bounces Axelsson off the cage and back into range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ward moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice uppercut there from Ward.
Axelsson misses with a takedown
and Ward counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rick Ward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Axelsson's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ward scores with a decent looking hook.
Axelsson looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ward lands a jab to the nose.
Axelsson tries to clinch but Ward moves out of range.
Axelsson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ward swivels and escapes.
Axelsson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ward lands with a good body shot.
Good leg kick by Ward there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Ward pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Axelsson back to the cage. Ward follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ward fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Axelsson manages to avoid it.
Axelsson tries to move into range but Ward moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Ward dips to his left and cracks Axelsson with an uppercut!
Axelsson has his takedown stuffed
and Ward counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Jab by Ward.
Axelsson takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Axelsson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ward lands with a shot to the body.
Ward scores with a hook to the body. Axelsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ward catches Axelsson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ward scores with a decent looking hook.
Axelsson with a poor takedown
and Ward counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thor Axelsson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ward is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Ward scores with a shot to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Axelsson has his takedown stuffed
and Ward counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ward lands with a good body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Axelsson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Axelsson needs to keep his hands up - Ward had a free shot at his head there.
Ward lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward tests Axelsson's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ward thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Axelsson if he has to take too many more of those.
Ward lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A shot to the liver by Ward. Beautiful body shot.
Ward scores with a leg kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Ward!
Ward punishes Axelsson's body with a nice straight punch.
Ward scores with a hook to the body. Axelsson takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ward lands with an uppercut that bounces Axelsson off the cage and back into range.
Axelsson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Axelsson walks into a stiff left hand from Ward.
Ward smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ward scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Axelsson shoots and misses
and Ward counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ward ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Axelsson moves away.
Axelsson misses with a takedown attempt
and Ward counters with a straight right hand.
Axelsson is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
An inside leg kick lands from Ward.
Ward misses with a wild combination.
A head kick misses from Axelsson.
Ward lands a jab to the head.
Axelsson drops his hands momentarily and Ward takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Ward stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ward has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Axelsson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Ward counters with a nice body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Ward counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Ward lands a nice shot to the body.
Ward connects with a body shot.
Axelsson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ward lands a right hook to the body.
Ward lands with a good body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice body punch from Ward.
Ward closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ward fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ward lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Axelsson at a distance.
Ward tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Axelsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Ward.
Thor Axelsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rick Ward is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ward.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rick Ward comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ward 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 26:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 25:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rick Ward!
Rick Ward decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.