PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Squid Ward (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yoda Haka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Haka's choice of entrance music: Boyz In Da Hood. 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.

Ward
vs
Haka

189 cm
22
223 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

181 cm
27
215 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Squid Ward!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Yoda Haka!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Eliza Hachem and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward is trying hard to land a takedown here. Haka sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Haka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A telegraphed right hand from Haka misses the target.
Ward misses with a takedown attempt

and Haka counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Haka.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Haka lands a couple of elbows.
Haka preventing the sweep.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Haka advances position into side control!
Ward wants to control but Haka postures up.

Haka swings around for an armbar but Ward sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Haka's guard.

Haka looking for a guillotine here but Ward defends easily.
Haka looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward trying to move into half guard but instead Haka has managed to sweep!
Ward utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Haka lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Ward had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Haka defends it easily.
Haka advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ward avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Haka.
Haka thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Haka looking for a submission but Ward manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
Haka stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ward swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Haka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Haka working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ward's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haka is pushing down on Ward's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ward is fighting to maintain full guard but Haka has managed to sneak the leg through.
Haka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Haka is looking for a kimura but Ward is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Haka to get the leverage.

Haka is working for an americana but Ward has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Haka was thinking about the submission.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haka forces his way into half guard.
Haka with the ground and pound but Ward uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Haka throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Haka working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Haka looking to pass the guard.
Ward preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Haka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Haka postures up in Ward's guard and throws a big left but Ward blocks it.

Haka has gone for a leg lock! Ward slips out almost immediately though and dives into Haka's guard.
Ward pushes down on Haka's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Ward is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Haka has managed to free his arm - good work.

Ward seems to be working for a kimura but Haka defends the submission attempt.
Haka is pressing down on Ward's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Ward postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Haka is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Ward, into his guard.
Haka stands up over Ward, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ward working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Haka doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Haka manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Haka postures up.
Haka looking to pass the guard.
Haka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Haka with a flurry of punches that miss.
Haka stands and throws Ward's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Haka in side control lands a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoda Haka dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ward shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Haka as he avoids it easily.
Ward looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

Haka fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ward to the ground. Haka is now in Ward's guard.
Haka pushes down on Ward's leg and manages to get into half guard.
We've been informed that Haka has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Haka thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Haka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ward on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Ward is defending against the submission attempts here by Haka.

Haka seems to be working for a kimura but Ward defends the submission attempt.
Haka is pressing down on Ward's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ward is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Haka maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Ward could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Haka has cracked it and Ward is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Haka!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Yoda Haka!
A very excited looking Yoda Haka made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.