PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sam Stone (ranked 4907 p4p, 249 weight class) and Andre Ward (ranked 4962 p4p, 251 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Stone
vs
Ward

150 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Sam Stone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Andre Ward!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Winston Howard and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A bone on bone clash there as Stone blocks the leg kick.
Stone is looking to counter with head kicks.
Sloppy strikes from Ward. Those never looked like landing.
Stone avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ward tries to clinch there but Stone circles away.
Stone misses with a takedown
enabling Ward to counter with a crisp jab.

Stone shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ward's guard.
Ward wants to stand up but Stone is controlling him.
Ward being controlled here, momentarily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stone tries to free his leg and advance position but Ward is retaining full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ward can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ward wants to stand but Stone is controlling the position.

Ward has his feet on Stone's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Stone moves out of range of the body kick from Ward.

Stone closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ward quickly recovers to half guard.

Ward manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Stone keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Ward is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Ward's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Stone tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ward smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Stone. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stone takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stone is defended easily by Ward.
Ward throws a fast counter high kick but Stone manages to duck under it in time.
Stone moves out of range of the body kick from Ward.
Stone shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ward defends it nicely.
Ward is looking for the big counter here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ward clinches up against the cage.
Ward is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Ward escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ward has closed the distance and engaged Stone in a clinch.
Stone unloads a knee to the mid-section.

Stone jumps guard and drags Ward to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Ward wanted to stand there but Stone had control of the position.
Stone trying to strike off his back.
Ward really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Stone. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ward wanted to stand there but Stone had control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stone is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ward defends well.
Ward wanted to stand there but Stone had control of the position.

Ward stands up from Stone's guard - Ward perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ward throws a front kick that sends Stone stumbling back into the cage.
Stone fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Stone falls off balance throwing a combination
and Ward connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andre Ward dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ward jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Stone closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ward counters with a left and a right that stings Stone.
Ward lands a hook that stumbles Stone back into the cage. Ward follows up with a straight and another hook that land right on the button, dropping Stone to the canvas! Ward pounces and lands several unanswered shots - Stone has had enough and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:28 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Andre Ward!