PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matteo Claessens (ranked 8181 p4p, 603 weight class) and Mickey Ward (ranked 5277 p4p, 488 weight class). Matteo Claessens had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Claessens
vs
Ward

180 cm
25
162 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
156 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matteo Claessens!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Mickey Ward!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ward drops his hands momentarily and Claessens takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Claessens lands a really nice looking cross but Ward seems unphased.
Ward moves away from the strike by Claessens.
Ward tries to close the distance and clinch but Claessens swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ward shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Claessens as he avoids it easily.
Ward slips a jab and a cross from Claessens.
Claessens lands a slapping body shot.
Ward tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Claessens manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ward is looking to clinch but Claessens is avoiding it.
Ward shoots in for a takedown but Claessens shows good takedown defense.
Ward fails with a takedown attempt.
Matteo Claessens has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mickey Ward.
Claessens throws a series of punches but Ward avoids them all with ease.
Ward is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Claessens slips a jab and a cross from Ward.
A quick step to the side and Claessens tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Claessens fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Claessens drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Claessens working the ground and pound but Ward is defending the strikes.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Claessens in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Claessens taking a break here but Ward is having none of it and regains half guard.
Claessens working the head and body with strikes.
Claessens not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Claessens slips a nice elbow through Ward's hands, connecting with Ward's forehead.
Claessens scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Claessens thows a huge punch but Ward dodges it nicely.
Claessens landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ward has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Claessens is working away from the top position though.
Claessens takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Claessens throwing shots but Ward is blocking nicely.
Claessens trying to control from half guard but Ward is working away.
Ward is looking to control Claessens's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ward avoid being mounted?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ward tries to roll over but Claessens keeps him under control.
Claessens throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Ward to regain full guard.
Claessens landing some decent shots from guard.
Claessens throws an elbow that misses. Ward uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Claessens's guard. Nice move by Ward!

Claessens looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ward is one step ahead there.
Claessens controls Ward momentarily but Ward frees himself.
Ward in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Claessens utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Claessens is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Claessens is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ward trying to keep a closed guard but Claessens is proving a slippery customer.
Claessens postures up in Ward's guard and throws a big left but Ward blocks it.
Claessens landing with the ground and pound.
Claessens throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ward not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Claessens lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Claessens is looking to work some ground and pound but Ward has wrist control.

Ward working for a triangle but Claessens defends it easily.
Claessens has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Ward looks winded!
Claessens trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Claessens cracks Ward with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Claessens trying to control but Ward is working from the bottom.
Claessens scoring with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Claessens's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Claessens chips away with some ground and pound.
Claessens controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Claessens is looking to work some ground and pound but Ward has wrist control.
Claessens trying to control the position from guard on top but Ward is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ward wants to sweep but no luck.
Claessens showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Claessens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ward swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matteo Claessens 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.

Ward takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ward pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Claessens. Ward does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ward takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ward misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Claessens lands with an overhand left.
Claessens scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Claessens lands a right hook to the body.
Ward changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Claessens tries to avoid it but Ward manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Claessens to the ground. Claessens escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ward closes this distance looking for a takedown but Claessens circles away.
Ward dodges the punch combination from Claessens.
Ward uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Claessens.
Matteo Claessens is winning the standup battle so far.
Claessens lands a jab to Ward's midsection.
Ward is breathing heavily.
Ward moves out of range as Claessens strikes.
Claessens paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Claessens closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Claessens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ward keeps working.
Claessens is working Ward over with some ground and pound from side control.
Claessens slows the pace down.
Claessens scoring with punches from side control.
Claessens works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Ward takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Claessens is chipping away with strikes.
Claessens looks up at the clock and then as Ward takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Claessens smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Claessens working the head and body with strikes.
Claessens is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ward can do to turn this around?
Claessens scoring with punches from side control.
Claessens working the head with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward is not content to let Claessens control the position.
Claessens working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Claessens scores with punches from side control.
Ward is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Claessens is looking to take a break and control but Ward is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ward is looking for a sweep.
Ward takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Ward is not content to let Claessens control the position.
Matteo Claessens overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Claessens working the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Claessens lands an elbow.
Ward is letting Claessens control him for a moment.
Claessens is putting a hurting on Ward here, landing some big shots from side control.
Claessens cracks Ward with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Claessens is working Ward over with some ground and pound from side control.
Claessens wants to control but Ward is keeping him busy.
Claessens just content to control the position.
Claessens scores with punches from side control.
Claessens scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Ward to see if he's OK.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Claessens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ward keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ward is trying to improve his position.
Claessens scores with punches from side control.
Claessens is looking to take a break and control but Ward is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Claessens scoring with punches and elbows.
Claessens landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Claessens lands a nice forearm strike.
Ward is trying to control Claessens's posture but Claessens avoids it.
Claessens knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ward on the ground.
Claessens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ward keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matteo Claessens dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Claessens cracks Ward with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Claessens is looking to wear down Ward with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Claessens takes a swing at Ward's ribcage but misses.
Claessens shoots in looking for a takedown. Ward tries to sprawl out of it but Claessens keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ward manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ward throws a fast counter high kick but Claessens manages to duck under it in time.
Ward shoots in and drives through. Claessens sprawls well.
Claessens pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Ward back to the cage. Claessens follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

Claessens throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Ward tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Claessens is in Ward's guard.
Claessens scoring with some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Claessens scoring with some ground and pound.
Ward trying to keep a closed guard but Claessens is proving a slippery customer.
Ward takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Claessens wants to control from the top but Ward keeps moving.
Claessens distracts Ward with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Claessens works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ward trying to hold on to Claessens's head to control him but Claessens postures up.
Claessens is taking a breather. Ward says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Claessens is nestled in close to Ward, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ward has hold of Claessens's hands but Claessens slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ward wants to get back to full guard.
Ward is still trying to improve position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Claessens scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Claessens has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Claessens slips a nice elbow through Ward's hands, connecting with Ward's forehead.
Claessens seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Claessens connects with a nice short shot to Ward's temple.
Ward on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Claessens.
Claessens winds up and cracks Ward with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Claessens wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ward keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Claessens lands with a punch from half guard.
Claessens is keen to just control but Ward is a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ward taking some punishment here, with Claessens in his half guard.
Claessens is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ward is looking to escape.
Claessens looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Claessens controlling the pace.
Claessens trying to pass the guard but Ward defending well.
Claessens is nestled in close to Ward, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Claessens controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Claessens seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Claessens takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Claessens is nestled in close to Ward, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ward tries to get to full guard but Claessens has control of the leg.
Claessens content to control rather than advance.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Claessens connects with a nice short shot to Ward's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Claessens seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ward is looking to control Claessens's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ward avoid being mounted?
Mickey Ward has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Matteo Claessens is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Claessens stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matteo Claessens showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Claessens 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:26
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matteo Claessens!
After the big win, Matteo Claessens made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors CAGED CROW Clothings 50$ and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.