PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Lance Mortz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Micky Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Mortz
vs
Ward

183 cm
23
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Lance Mortz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Micky Ward!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Yves DeLean and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mortz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ward misses with a low kick.
Ward falls off balance throwing a combination
enabling Mortz to counter with a crisp jab.
Micky Ward seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mortz stuns Ward with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Ward will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mortz lands a nice hook to Ward's body. Ward takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ward tries to close the distance and clinch but Mortz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mortz misses the shot to the body.
Mortz lands with a nice body punch.
Mortz lands a jab to Ward's midsection.
Mortz throws a shot to the body.
Mortz lands a nice hook to Ward's body. Ward takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mortz dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Mortz.
Ward misses with a lunging right hand
and Mortz counters with a right hand to the body.
Mortz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice jab there from Mortz.
Mortz misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ward.
A combination from Mortz does no damage.
Ward wants to clinch up but Mortz keeps it at a distance.
Mortz lands a nice looking body shot.
Mortz jabs at Ward's body.
Ward closes the distance and clinches up with Mortz, looking for a takedown. Ward pushes Mortz against the cage but Mortz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Mortz looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Mortz scores with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mortz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ward was well out of range. Poor timing from Mortz.

Ward shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ward showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Mortz controlling the position well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ward is trying to control. Mortz wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ward might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Mortz kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Ward stalling.

Micky Ward has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Mortz fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortz scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ward.
Lance Mortz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Micky Ward.
Ward on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ward has a takedown stuffed.
Ward looks winded!
Mortz staying out of range there.
Mortz is looking to wear down Ward with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Mortz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A left and a right from Mortz both land. Nice combination.
Ward tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mortz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mortz works over Ward's head and body with a nice combination.
Mortz takes a swing at Ward's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mortz takes one to the side of the head.
Ward tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mortz paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ward shoots in for a takedown but Mortz shows good takedown defense.
Nice body punch from Mortz.
Mortz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mortz stuffs the takedown.
Mortz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ward misses with a takedown attempt
and Mortz makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ward takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ward takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Mortz jabs Ward to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Mortz 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.

Mortz comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Ward shoots in looking for a takedown. Mortz tries to sprawl out of it but Ward keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mortz manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ward takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Mortz lands a body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mortz darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ward is defended easily by Mortz.
Mortz connects with a body shot that sends Ward's belly button to the back.
Ward takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ward is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortz comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Mortz lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ward at a distance.
Mortz moves away from the strike by Ward.
Ward is trying hard to land a takedown here. Mortz sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Lance Mortz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Micky Ward.
Ward dives in and grabs Mortz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mortz pushes down on Ward's head and hops out.
Mortz takes a swing at Ward's ribcage but misses.
Ward doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A left and a right from Mortz both land. Nice combination.
Ward on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mortz works Ward's body with a nice hook.
Mortz moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Ward throws a lazy uppercut
and Mortz counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Ward thinking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mortz lands a jab to Ward's midsection.
Mortz changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mortz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ward was well out of range. Poor timing from Mortz.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mortz scores with a crisp jab that stopped Ward in his tracks.
Mortz connects with a body shot that sends Ward's belly button to the back.
Ward takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A nice combination there by Mortz.
Mortz fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ward manages to avoid it.
Ward shoots in for a takedown but Mortz shows good takedown defense.
Mortz throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortz connects with a body shot.
Mortz ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Mortz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Mortz scores with a jab to the body.
Ward on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Ward takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ward throws a body kick that misses.
Mortz punishes Ward's body with a nice straight punch.
Ward avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ward tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mortz swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Mortz works over Ward's head and body with a nice combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mortz connects with a looping right hand.
Mortz ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mortz cracks Ward with a good jab.
Lance Mortz is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mortz. Ward does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ward closes the distance looking to clinch
and Mortz counters with a straight right hand.
Ward shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mortz counters with a three punch combo that has Ward backing up. Ward nods at Mortz to acknowledge the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mortz defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ward.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Mortz dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Mortz misses with a two punch combination.
Mortz throws a shot to the body.
Mortz lands with a nice body punch.
Ward throws the kick towards the body but Mortz avoids it.
Nice defenses there by Mortz.
Mortz jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ward looks to clinch
and Mortz counters with a nice body shot.

Ward throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Mortz tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ward is in Mortz's guard.
Mortz is looking to stand up but Ward isn't so interested in that idea.
Ward takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ward tries to free his leg and advance position but Mortz is retaining full guard.
Ward stops Mortz from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mortz looking for a sweep. Not yet Mortz, not yet.
Ward trying to control the position from guard on top but Mortz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Ward distracts Mortz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mortz wants to stand but Ward is controlling the position.
Ward working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ward controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Ward stops Mortz from standing up.
Ward trying to control the position from guard on top but Mortz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward throws a big elbow that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mortz is keeping the position for now.
Ward with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mortz wants to stand up but Ward is controlling him.
Ward stopping the sweep attempt from Mortz.
Mortz managing to control the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ward tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Mortz swivels and escapes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mortz pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ward back to the cage. Mortz follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mortz thuds a left hand into Ward's body.
Mortz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ward dives in and grabs Mortz's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mortz pushes down on Ward's head and hops out.
Ward is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Ward misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Mortz.
Mortz throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mortz pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ward back to the cage. Mortz follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mortz swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mortz wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Micky Ward has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ward avoids the body shot from Mortz.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ward is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mortz's half guard.
Mortz is looking for a sweep. Ward is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ward throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mortz is trying to get back to full guard.
Mortz is working hard here to advance position.
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!

Ward decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mortz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Lance Mortz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Some wild striking there from Mortz.
Ward misses with a right hand
and Mortz counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Micky Ward.
I think Mortz 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 Alec Ball scores the fight for Lance Mortz!
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight for Lance Mortz!
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight for Lance Mortz!

Lance Mortz wins by unanimous decision!