PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Rinaldi (ranked 24468 p4p, 159 weight class) and Conor Ward (ranked 24214 p4p, 168 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Rinaldi
vs
Ward

175 cm
22
166 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

181 cm
23
169 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid 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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jeff Rinaldi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Conor Ward!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rinaldi misses with a takedown
enabling Ward to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Jeff Rinaldi has been cut.
Ward looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ward lands a jab to the nose.
Rinaldi looks to land a combination but Ward avoids it well.
Rinaldi shoots in but no luck this time.
Rinaldi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rinaldi went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Nice jab there from Ward.

Ward gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Ward is looking for a triangle but Rinaldi pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ward wants to sweep here but Rinaldi controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ward has his foot on Rinaldi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rinaldi works his way back into a safe position though.

Ward looking for a guillotine here but Rinaldi defends easily.

Ward is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rinaldi controls from within his opponent's guard.
Ward wants to control but Rinaldi passes easily into half guard.
Ward controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rinaldi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rinaldi with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Ward looking for submissions off his back.
Rinaldi is trying to control. Ward wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ward tries to get to full guard but Rinaldi has control of the leg.
Rinaldi missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Ward works his way to full guard. Good work.

Ward working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rinaldi doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rinaldi manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rinaldi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ward has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rinaldi has managed to get both his arms back between Ward's legs - danger averted.
Rinaldi preventing the sweep.

Ward throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rinaldi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Ward has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Rinaldi should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Ward has tightened it up now! Rinaldi should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Conor Ward!