PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bandit Royal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Palmer Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Palmer Ward is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Royal
vs
Ward

191 cm
18
300 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

215 cm
28
309 lbs
8 - 14 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bandit Royal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Palmer Ward!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Royal tries to keep at a distance but Ward has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ward wants a takedown but no success here.
Royal pushes off an throws an elbow but Ward leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Royal throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Royal lands an elbow just above Ward 's eye.

It looks like Palmer Ward has been cut.

Ward gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Royal regains guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Ward stands up and waves to Royal to follow him.
Royal is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Royal gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ward.
Royal is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ward lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Royal backs up against the cage.

It looks like Bandit Royal has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Royal is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Ward darts in and clinches Royal up against the cage.
Ward is looking to take this one to the mat.
With the fighters up against the cage, Royal throws an elbow but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Royal throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ward is working for takedown but Royal is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bandit Royal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Palmer Ward.
Royal throws an elbow but it misses.
Royal throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Royal misses with an elbow strike.
Royal looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ward wants a takedown but no success here.
Ward dodges an elbow strike from Royal.
Royal throws an elbow that misses.
Royal throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Royal looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Royal throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ward blocks an elbow strike.

Ward has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Royal regains guard immediately.

Royal looking for a guillotine here but Ward defends easily.
Royal wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Ward is now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ward decides to stand and escape the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ward closes the distance and clinches.
Royal throws an elbow that misses.

Ward lands a takedown into guard.
Ward passes Royal's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Ward stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Royal is breathing heavily.
Ward will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Royal tries to close the distance and clinch but Ward swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward has closed the distance and engaged Royal in a clinch.
Ward dodges an elbow strike from Royal.
Royal pushes off an throws an elbow but Ward leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Royal pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Royal looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Royal pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ward is trying to drag Royal to the mat but Royal just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ward is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Royal gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Ward has hold of one of Royal's legs. Royal is fighting the takedown attempt but Ward gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Ward decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Royal, up you get!
Ward throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Royal on the side of the head.
Ward swats away the attempt to clinch by Royal.
Royal fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward swats away the attempt to clinch by Royal.
Ward throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
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!
Royal wants to clinch.
Ward throws a series of punches but Royal avoids them all with ease.
Palmer Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ward throws a right and a left that Royal avoids nicely.
Ward avoids the head kick by Royal.
Ward bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ward lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Royal fails with an attempt to clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ward scores with a jab.
A left and a right from Ward both land. Nice combination.
Ward lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Royal avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Palmer Ward dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

No joy there for Ward, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The fight stays on the outside here - Royal looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ward takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Royal tries to clinch up.
Ward lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ward throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Royal.
Royal looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Ward clobbers Royal with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
A nice combination there by Ward.
A head kick misses from Royal.
Royal pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Royal tries to keep at a distance but Ward has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ward has Royal pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Royal manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ward blocks an elbow strike from Royal.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ward lands a takedown into guard.
Ward trying to control the position from guard on top but Royal is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ward is breathing heavily.

Ward decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Royal, up you get!
Ward looks to land a combination. Royal sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ward uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

Ward moves into the clinch.
Ward can't get the takedown.
Ward has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ward blocks an elbow strike.
Royal throws an elbow but it misses.
Royal creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ward blocks the elbow strike.
Royal throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ward blocks the elbow strike.
Ward avoids a wild elbow strike from Royal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ward has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Royal regains guard immediately.

Ward gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A punch combination from Ward misses.
Nice uppercut lands for Ward. That snapped Royal's head back.

Ward instigates a clinch.
Royal misses with an elbow strike.

Ward has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Royal regains guard immediately.
Royal knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ward on the ground.

Ward stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Royal showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ward.
Ward's corner calls for a 1-2. Ward obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ward swats away the attempt to clinch by Royal.
A left and a right from Ward both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Royal on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Royal moves in looking to clinch but Ward pushes him off.
Royal tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Royal takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Royal tries to clinch up but Ward circles away and keeps his distance.
Ward connects with a right hand. Royal shakes it off.
Royal wants to clinch.
Royal tries to clinch up but Ward circles away and keeps his distance.
Ward keeps the fight on the outside.
Royal fails in his attempt to clinch.
Royal is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward blocks an elbow strike from Royal.
Royal is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bandit Royal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Palmer Ward.
Royal misses with an elbow over the top.
With the fighters up against the cage, Royal throws an elbow but misses.

Ward wants the takedown. Royal is fighting it off but Ward persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Royal's guard against the cage.

Ward stands up and waves to Royal to follow him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Royal tries to clinch but Ward is having none of it.

Ward gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Royal throws an elbow but it misses.
Ward has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Royal is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Royal just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ward's brow.
Royal misses with an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Palmer Ward showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
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. This is the final round!

Good shot there by Ward.
Ward keeps the fight on the outside.
Royal fails in his attempt to clinch.
Royal takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Royal throws a head kick but Ward moves out of range.
Royal throws a sloppy head kick and Ward moves out of range easily.
Ward tries to bum rush Royal with a series of wild strikes but Royal uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Ward closes the distance and clinches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Royal throws an elbow but misses.
Ward drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ward drops down looking for an ankle pick but Royal pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ward takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Ward moves into the clinch.

Ward has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Royal clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward trying to control momentarily.
Royal might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Royal is really stuck here.
Royal looking very determined here, making life difficult for Ward.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Palmer Ward has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Ward keeps the fight on the outside.
Palmer Ward seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Royal tries to clinch up but Ward circles away and keeps his distance.
Ward rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Royal moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ward misses with a series of wild punches.
Royal wants to clinch up but Ward keeps it at a distance.
Ward will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Ward rushes Royal and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Royal throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Royal misses with an elbow strike.
Ward has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Royal after a bit of a struggle.
Bandit Royal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Palmer Ward.
Royal throws an elbow but it misses.
Royal pushes off an throws an elbow but Ward leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Royal looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Royal misses with an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Royal throws an elbow but it misses.
Royal throws an elbow that misses.
Ward has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Royal just misses with a elbow thrown towards Ward's brow.
Ward tries for a takedown. No joy.
Royal pushes off an throws an elbow but Ward leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Ward is working for takedown but Royal is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bandit Royal has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ward blocks an elbow strike from Royal.
Ward has Royal pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Royal manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ward drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Royal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Royal throws an elbow but it misses.
Royal pushes off an throws an elbow but Ward leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Royal pushes off an throws an elbow but Ward leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Royal pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ward blocks the elbow strike.

Ward gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Ward decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Royal, up you get!
Royal moves in looking to clinch but Ward pushes him off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Royal throws a push kick but Ward slaps the foot to one side.
Royal tries to clinch up but Ward circles away and keeps his distance.
Ward throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bandit Royal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Royal closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ward blocks a head kick by Royal.
Palmer Ward is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Ward scores with a one two! Royal had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
A punch combination from Ward misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Royal fails with an attempt to clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Ward.
Ward misses with a jab, cross combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Palmer Ward comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Ward winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

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