PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mikhail Kalashnikov (ranked 4387 p4p, 489 weight class) and Max Ward (ranked 3610 p4p, 417 weight class). Ward is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Spazz - Crush Kill Destroy. Max Ward has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Mikhail Kalashnikov's chin.

Kalashnikov
vs
Ward

187 cm
28
200 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

180 cm
24
193 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mikhail Kalashnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Max Ward!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kalashnikov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Ward to the ground. Kalashnikov is now in Ward's guard.
Ward avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kalashnikov postures up in Ward's guard and throws a big left but Ward blocks it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kalashnikov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kalashnikov trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Kalashnikov passes Ward's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kalashnikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kalashnikov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Kalashnikov is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ward defends it well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalashnikov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ward's head.
Kalashnikov lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward is staying active underneath Kalashnikov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kalashnikov is just content to waste time from the top position. Ward takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kalashnikov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kalashnikov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kalashnikov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kalashnikov throws a strike but Ward rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kalashnikov looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ward postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

It looks like Mikhail Kalashnikov has been cut.
Ward working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position here.
Kalashnikov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Ward working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Ward scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward wants to pass the guard but Kalashnikov is keeping the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kalashnikov is on top in guard.

Kalashnikov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kalashnikov throwing strikes from guard but Ward blocks nicely.
Kalashnikov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kalashnikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ward working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Kalashnikov working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kalashnikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Ward is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kalashnikov is controlling him.
Kalashnikov trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Kalashnikov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ward working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kalashnikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kalashnikov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kalashnikov connects with a nice looking jab.
Ward avoids the body shot from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ward or perhaps it was just good defense by Kalashnikov, which made it look bad.
Ward looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kalashnikov is fending him off so far but Ward persists. Nope, Kalashnikov circles away and we're back to standing.
Kalashnikov connects with a nice looking jab.

Kalashnikov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ward manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kalashnikov stays in close to Ward's body and controls the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ward is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kalashnikov is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Kalashnikov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Kalashnikov's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kalashnikov looking to score a takedown here. Ward is defending well but Kalashnikov drives through and ends up in Ward's guard.
Ward utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ward wants to stand but Kalashnikov is controlling the position.
Kalashnikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ward is keeping the position for now.
Kalashnikov with a nice head shot there.
Kalashnikov slips nicely into half guard.
Kalashnikov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalashnikov wants to pass to mount but Ward is defending the position.
Kalashnikov controlling the action here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward is trying to stand back up but Kalashnikov is controlling him
Kalashnikov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Ward blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ward blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov is keen to just control but Ward is a slippery customer.

Kalashnikov looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kalashnikov thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kalashnikov thows a huge punch but Ward dodges it nicely.
Kalashnikov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kalashnikov leaves Ward with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kalashnikov tries to counter with a takedown but Ward is quick to defend against it.
Kalashnikov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ward.
Kalashnikov lands a nice looking body shot.
Ward shoots in for a takedown but Kalashnikov shows good takedown defense.
Kalashnikov appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Mikhail Kalashnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Ward.
Ward shoots in and drives through. Kalashnikov sprawls well.

Ward tries to sprawl but Kalashnikov drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Kalashnikov scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov is looking to stall here but Ward recovers full guard.
Kalashnikov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kalashnikov throws an elbow that misses. Ward uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kalashnikov's guard. Nice move by Ward!

Kalashnikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ward can do to turn this around?

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 postures up.
Kalashnikov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov wants to pass to mount but Ward is defending the position.
Kalashnikov thows a huge punch but Ward dodges it nicely.
Kalashnikov wants to take a breather but Ward is having none of it.
Kalashnikov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kalashnikov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ward looks like he's trying to stand up.
Mikhail Kalashnikov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kalashnikov in particular looking to stall.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikhail Kalashnikov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mikhail Kalashnikov's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kalashnikov connects with a body shot.
Kalashnikov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kalashnikov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Ward doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Kalashnikov counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Ward being controlled here, momentarily.
Kalashnikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kalashnikov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ward works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kalashnikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kalashnikov working some strikes from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ward wants to stand up but Kalashnikov is controlling him.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ward is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kalashnikov is controlling him.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kalashnikov stuffs the takedown attempt from Ward. Ward gets slowly back to his feet.
Kalashnikov was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kalashnikov getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Ward with a poor takedown

and Kalashnikov counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Mikhail Kalashnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Ward.
Ward preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalashnikov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kalashnikov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ward works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ward is looking to stand up but Kalashnikov isn't so interested in that idea.
Ward utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kalashnikov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kalashnikov trying to control the position from guard on top but Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kalashnikov looking to sit in guard and control but Ward gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ward is fighting to break Kalashnikov's control of his arms but Kalashnikov is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Ward postures up and lands a big shot to Kalashnikov's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalashnikov is looking for a triangle but Ward pushes his legs off easily.
Kalashnikov lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kalashnikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kalashnikov is looking to work some ground and pound but Ward has wrist control.
Ward wants to stand up but Kalashnikov is controlling him.
Kalashnikov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kalashnikov throwing strikes but missing.
Kalashnikov working some strikes from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kalashnikov.
Kalashnikov looking to sit in guard and control but Ward gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kalashnikov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ward manages to get himself to full guard.

Kalashnikov sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kalashnikov'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.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ward keeping moving, preventing Kalashnikov from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikhail Kalashnikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kalashnikov has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikhail Kalashnikov!
Mikhail Kalashnikov thanked the fans post fight for their support.