Charlie Ward (fighter) explained

Charlie Ward
Other Names:Relentless
Nationality:Irish
Birth Date:17 December 1980
Birth Place:Mountmellick, Ireland
Fighting Out Of:Dublin, Ireland
Weight:84.5kg (186.3lb)
Weight Class:Middleweight
Welterweight
Reach:73.5inches
Stance:Orthodox
Team:Straight Blast Gym Ireland[1]
Trainer:John Kavanagh
Years Active:2014–present
Mma Kowin:6
Mma Decwin:4
Mma Koloss:3
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:3
Sherdog:163615

Charlie Ward (born 17 December 1980) is an Irish mixed martial artist currently competing in the middleweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional competitor since 2014, he formerly competed for the UFC.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Ward held an amateur record of 2–0 before beginning his professional MMA career in 2015, competing for regional promotions in the United Kingdom and Ireland. He lost his debut where he was stopped in round two by John Phillips. He rebounded with three straight victories, winning over Ciaran Daly, João Carvalho and Gareth Williams.[2]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Ward was signed by the UFC in 2016.[3] with the record of 3–1.[1]

Ward was expected to make his promotional debut against Randy Brown on 9 December 2016 at UFC Fight Night 102. However, Ward was pulled from that fight in early November due to alleged visa issues which restricted his travel to the United States and was replaced by fellow newcomer Brian Camozzi.[4] In turn, he was quickly rescheduled to face Abdul Razak Alhassan on 19 November 2016 at .[5] Ward suffered a quick defeat where he was finished via knockout in the fight's opening minute.[6] [7] [8]

Ward faced Galore Bofando at on 16 July 2017.[9] He lost the fight via knockout after Bofando slammed him to the mat with a hip toss early in the first round. He was subsequently released from the promotion.[10]

Bellator MMA

Ward made the move to join Bellator MMA and made his debut on 10 November 2017 at Bellator 187 in Dublin against John Redmond.[11] Ward knocked out Redmond at the end of round one, however referee Marc Goddard needed to verify that the knock out was before the buzzer. Conor McGregor, Ward's teammate, jumped the cage to celebrate with Ward before the fight was officially declared over. McGregor was separated Goddard, who in turn charged towards Goddard and pushed and confronted Goddard in a wild melee which caused an official to bump into Redmond as he was getting up.[12] [13] [14] [15]

McGregor did a lap of the cage and exited a few minutes later but then scaled and straddled the cage apron to continue the celebration of Ward's winning. He was stopped by a commissioner and McGregor was agitated and slapped the commissioner's face as McGregor admitted saying "Did you see your man trying to grab me and I gave him a clatter in the face"[16] [17] Redmond stated after the fight that Goddard had intended to continue to fight to round two but Mohegan Sun commission who oversaw the event decided to end the fight and declared the win to Ward due to McGregor's behaviour in the ring.[18]

For his second fight with the promotion, Ward faced Martin Hudson at Bellator 200 held in the Wembley Arena on 25 May 2018.[19] He won the fight via TKO in the first round.[20]

Ward faced Justin Moore at Bellator 223 on 22 June 2019.[21] He won the fight via technical knockout in the second round.[22]

On 15 August 2019, it was announced that Ward had signed an exclusive multi-fight, multi-year contract extension with Bellator.[23] Ward was expected to face Pietro Penini at Bellator Dublin on 27 September 2019, but the bout was scrapped due to Ward's injury. Subsequently, the bout was rescheduled to Bellator London 2 on 23 November 2019.[24] Ward lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Next, Ward faced Kyle Kurtz at Bellator 240 on 22 February 2020. Ward rebounded from the loss via third-round knockout.[25]

Ward faced Andy Manzolo at Bellator Milan 3 on 3 October 2020. He won the fight via unanimous decision.[26]

Ward was scheduled to face Norbert Novenyi Jr. at Bellator 270 on November 5, 2021.[27] On October 6, Norbert announced that he had suffered a torn ACL and had to pull out of the bout and was replaced by Fabian Edwards.[28] Ward had to pull out however due to a ruptured bicep.[29]

Ward faced Alan Carlos at Bellator 281 on May 13, 2022.[30] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[31]

Ward faced Fabian Edwards on October 29, 2022 at Bellator 287.[32] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[33]

Ward faced Mike Shipman on February 25, 2023 at Bellator 291.[34] He lost the bout via unanimous decision.[35]

Ward faced Grégory Babene on September 23, 2023 at Bellator 299, losing the bout guillotine choke in the first round.[36]

Death of João Carvalho

Ward's victory over João Carvalho by knockout at Total Extreme Fighting 1 on 9 April 2016 was overcast with a tragic circumstance. Carvalho felt unwell, suffering from a headache 20 minutes[37] after the fight and was sent to a hospital for a brain surgery. He died at Beaumont Hospital in Dublin 48 hours later as a result of injuries he suffered in the defeat.[38] [39] His death sparked outpouring grief from the MMA community.[40] [37]

The death of Carvalho aroused considerable debate, focusing on the sentiment that the fight should have been stopped much earlier.[41] [42] The referee who was in charge of the fight, Mariusz Domasat, defended his decision and said "If you watch the fight you see clearly there was no reason to stop the fight earlier. I stopped the fight when there was a reason to stop the fight, when the fighter wasn't willing to fight anymore, that's it. Everyone who has any idea about MMA knows the fight was stopped at the exact proper time. I am an experienced referee and part of the Irish Amateur Pankration Association of Safe MMA and I know what I am doing."[43] [44] Subsequently, Minister for Travel, Tourism and Sport Michael Ring, reiterated his long concern of the safety aspect of the sport which he had written to 17 MMA promoters in Ireland where he expected MMA should adhere to the safety standards as applied in other sports.[45]

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|10–7|Grégory Babene|Submission (guillotine choke)|Bellator 299||align=center|1|align=center|1:03|Dublin, Ireland||-|Loss|align=center|10–6|Mike Shipman|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 291||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Dublin, Ireland||-|Loss|align=center|10–5|Fabian Edwards|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 287||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Milan, Italy||-|Win|align=center|10–4|Alan Carlos|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator 281||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|London, England||-|Win|align=center|9–4|Andy Manzolo |Decision (unanimous)|Bellator Milan 3 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Milan, Italy||-|Win|align=center|8–4|Kyle Kurtz|TKO (punches)|Bellator 240||align=center|3|align=center|4:24|Dublin, Ireland||-|Loss|align=center|7–4|Pietro Penini Jr.|Decision (unanimous)|Bellator London 2 ||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|London, England||-|Win|align=center|7–3|Justin Moore|TKO (punches)|Bellator 223||align=center|2|align=center|3:23|London, England||-|Win|align=center|6–3|Jamie Stephenson|KO (punch)|Bellator 217||align=center|1|align=center|0:34|Dublin, Ireland||-|Win|align=center|5–3|Martin Hudson|TKO (punches)|Bellator 200 ||align=center|1|align=center|2:23|London, England||-|Win|align=center|4–3|John Redmond|KO (punches)|Bellator 187 ||align=center|1|align=center|4:59|Dublin, Ireland|Return to Middleweight.|-|Loss|align=center|3–3|Galore Bofando|KO (slam)| ||align=center|1|align=center|2:10|Glasgow, Scotland||-| Loss| align=center| 3–2| Abdul Razak Alhassan| KO (punch)| | | align=center| 1| align=center| 0:53| Belfast, Northern Ireland||-| Win| align=center| 3–1| Gareth Williams| Decision (majority)| Adrenalin Fight Nights: Adrenalin Blast| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Swansea, Wales||-| Win| align=center| 2–1| João Carvalho| TKO (punches)| Total Extreme Fighting 1| | align=center| 3| align=center| N/A| Dublin, Ireland||-| Win| align=center| 1–1| Ciaran Daly| Decision (unanimous)| Cage Kings 2| | align=center| 3| align=center| 5:00| Dublin, Ireland||-| Loss| align=center| 0–1| John Phillips| KO (punch)| Fightstar Promotions: Rage in the Cage 3| | align=center| 2| align=center| 0:00| Paisley, Scotland||-[46]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Charlie Ward. Tapology. en. 2017-07-03. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161121064023/http://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/66418-charlie-ward. 2016-11-21.
  2. Web site: Charlie Ward MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2017-07-03. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170421234837/http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Charlie-Ward-163615. 2017-04-21.
  3. Web site: SBG Welterweight Charlie Ward To Battle Galore Bofando At UFC Glasgow - Pundit Arena. www.punditarena.com. 3 May 2017. en-GB. 2017-07-03. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170503200510/http://www.punditarena.com/mmaufc/sraftery/sbg-charlie-ward-glasgow-2/. 2017-05-03.
  4. Web site: Randy Brown gets new opponent for UFC Fight Night in Albany. newsday.com. Mark La Monica. 2016-11-07. 2016-11-07. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161108200858/http://www.newsday.com/sports/mixed-martial-arts/randy-brown-gets-new-opponent-for-ufc-fight-night-in-albany-1.12572442. 2016-11-08.
  5. News: Charlie Ward vs Abdul Razak Alhassan confirmed for UFC Belfast. 2016-11-12. SevereMMA.com - UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Irish MMA. 2017-07-03. en-GB. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161212103813/http://severemma.com/2016/11/charlie-ward-vs-razak-alhassan-confirmed-ufc-belfast/. 2016-12-12.
  6. Web site: Watch: SBG's Charlie Ward KO'ed In Wild Slugfest On UFC Debut In Belfast - Pundit Arena. www.punditarena.com. 19 November 2016. en-GB. 2017-07-03. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161121125535/http://www.punditarena.com/mmaufc/sraftery/watch-sbgs-charlie-ward-koed-wild-slugfest-ufc-debut/. 2016-11-21.
  7. Web site: Abdul Razak Alhassan vs Charlie Ward Fight Video - UFC Fight Night 99: Belfast Prelim. www.allfreefightvideos.com. 2017-07-03. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161228093748/http://www.allfreefightvideos.com/2016/11/abdul-razak-alhassan-vs-charlie-ward.html. 2016-12-28.
  8. News: UFC Fight Night 99 results: Abdul Razak Alhassan drops Charlie Ward in 53-second slugfest. 2016-11-19. MMAjunkie. 2017-07-03. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170915053941/http://mmajunkie.com/2016/11/ufc-fight-night-99-results-abdul-razak-alhassan-drops-charlie-ward-in-53-second-slugfest. 2017-09-15.
  9. News: Charlie Ward to face Galore Bofando at UFC Scotland. 2017-05-03. SevereMMA.com - UFC, Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Irish MMA. 2017-07-03. en-GB. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170614153228/http://severemma.com/2017/05/charlie-ward-face-galore-bofando-ufc-scotland/. 2017-06-14.
  10. Web site: Video: Bizarre KO from a hip toss puts Charlie Ward to sleep at UFC Glasgow. Metro.co.uk. Coral Barry for. 2017-07-16. Metro. 2017-07-17. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170716203704/http://metro.co.uk/2017/07/16/charlie-ward-knocked-out-by-hip-toss-from-galore-bofando-at-ufc-glasgow-6783835/. 2017-07-16.
  11. News: Charlie Ward vs. John Redmond confirmed for Bellator 187. MMA Fighting. 2017-11-10. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111091439/https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/9/27/16372664/charlie-ward-vs-john-redmond-confirmed-for-bellator-187. 2017-11-11.
  12. Web site: Trading Shots: Conor McGregor jumps in cage and crosses line, so now what?. 13 November 2017.
  13. News: Conor McGregor jumps cage at Bellator 187, confronts referee Marc Goddard. 2017-11-10. MMAjunkie. 2017-11-10. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171110222500/http://mmajunkie.com/2017/11/conor-mcgregor-jumps-cage-at-bellator-187-confronts-referee-marc-goddard. 2017-11-10.
  14. News: McGregor leaps into Bellator ring, causes stir. ESPN.com. 2017-11-11. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111035122/http://www.espn.co.uk/mma/story/_/id/21365540/conor-mcgregor-leaps-cage-ring-bellator-187. 2017-11-11.
  15. News: Conor McGregor storms ring and has altercation with referee after Charlie Ward's victory in Dublin. Davies. Gareth A.. 2017-11-11. The Telegraph. 2017-11-11. en-GB. 0307-1235. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111042421/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/mma/2017/11/11/conor-mcgregor-storms-ring-has-altercation-referee-charlie-wards/. 2017-11-11.
  16. News: UFC's Conor McGregor shoves referee, slaps official at Bellator 187 - Sportsnet.ca. Sportsnet.ca. 2017-11-11. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171113163102/http://www.sportsnet.ca/mma/ufcs-conor-mcgregor-shoves-referee-slaps-official-bellator-187/. 2017-11-13.
  17. News: Conor goes too far: Attacks ref, slaps official. NewsComAu. 2017-11-11. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171111035925/http://www.news.com.au/sport/breaking-news/conor-mcgregor-shoves-ref-slaps-official-after-crashing-bellator-fight/news-story/1fb9a4f3544f5e72849ba5a48539ddf5. 2017-11-11.
  18. News: John Redmond says Conor McGregor 'overshadowed' his Bellator bout, influenced stoppage vs. Charlie Ward. MMA Fighting. 2017-11-12. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171112233959/https://www.mmafighting.com/2017/11/12/16640014/john-redmond-says-conor-mcgregor-overshadowed-his-bellator-bout-influenced-stoppage-vs-charlie-ward. 2017-11-12.
  19. Web site: Bellator London. Bellator.com. 25 May 2018. 29 March 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190329214609/http://www.bellator.com/events/9s53dr/bellator-200-bellator-london. dead.
  20. News: Bellator 200 Results: Carvalho vs. Mousasi. MMA Fighting. 2018-05-26.
  21. Web site: Charlie Ward vs. Justin Moore among additions and changes to Bellator London lineup. 30 May 2019. mmajunkie.com.
  22. Web site: Charlie Ward vs. Pietro Penini targeted for Bellator 227. Nolan King. mmajunkie.com. 7 August 2019.
  23. Web site: Phil Davis, Ed Ruth among five fighters to sign Bellator contract extensions. Nolan King. mmajunkie.com. 15 August 2019.
  24. Web site: Charlie Ward vs. Pietro Penini moved to Bellator London show. Alexander K. Lee. mmafighting.com. 29 October 2019.
  25. Web site: Bellator 240/Bellator Dublin results. Bryan Tucker. 22 February 2020. mmafighting.com.
  26. Web site: Bellator Milan 'Gallagher vs Ellenor' recap with results, .gifs and interviews. 3 October 2020. mmamania.com.
  27. Web site: Heck. Mike. 2021-09-02. Daniel Weichel vs. Pedro Carvalho, Charlie Ward vs. Norbert Novenyi added to Bellator 270 main card in Dublin. 2021-09-02. MMA Fighting. en.
  28. Web site: 2021-10-26. With Norbert Novenyi Jr. out, Fabian Edwards steps in to face Charlie Ward at Bellator 270. 2021-10-26. MMA Junkie. en-US.
  29. Web site: Andy Stevenson. 2021-10-28. Fabian Edwards vs Robert Fonseca Set for Bellator 270 in Dublin. 2021-10-28. MyMMANews.com. en-US.
  30. Web site: Corby . Donagh . 2022-04-06 . Irish fan-favourite Charlie Ward's comeback added to Bellator London card . 2022-04-06 . mirror . en.
  31. Web site: Sherdog.com . Bellator 281 ‘MVP vs. Storley’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring . 2022-05-14 . Sherdog . en.
  32. Web site: 2022-08-10 . Adam Piccolotti vs. Mansour Barnaoui headlines Bellator 287 in Milan, Italy . 2022-08-10 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  33. News: Battison . Paul . Edwards outclasses Ward at Bellator 287 in Milan . en-GB . BBC Sport . 2022-10-30.
  34. Web site: Marrocco . Steven . 2022-11-22 . Bellator 291 moves to Feb. 25 with Logan Storley vs. Yaroslav Amosov 2 headlining . 2022-11-22 . MMA Fighting . en.
  35. Web site: Sherdog.com . Bellator 291 ‘Amosov vs. Storley 2’ Play-by-Play, Results & Round Scoring . 2023-02-26 . Sherdog . en.
  36. Web site: 2023-09-23 . Bellator 299 video: Gregory Babene submits Charlie Ward in wild one-minute fight . 2023-09-24 . MMA Junkie . en-US.
  37. News: Fighter dies after MMA bout in Ireland. Bloody Elbow. 2017-07-03. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20161030141928/http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2016/4/12/11413024/mma-news-fighter-dies-joao-carvalho-charlie-ward-total-exteme-fighting-mcgregor. 2016-10-30.
  38. News: Portuguese fighter Joao Carvalho dies following MMA loss. 2016-04-12. MMAjunkie. 2017-07-03. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170414131743/http://mmajunkie.com/2016/04/portuguese-fighter-joao-carvalho-dies-following-mma-loss. 2017-04-14.
  39. News: MMA fighter dies in Beaumont Hospital following fight in the National Stadium. 2016-04-12. 2017-07-03. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20171107134003/http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/sport/mma-fighter-dies-in-beaumont-hospital-following-fight-in-the-national-stadium-729273.html. 2017-11-07.
  40. News: MMA death: Joao Carvalho TKO vs Charlie Ward, Conor McGregor UFC megastar tribute, Marc Goddard plea. 2016-04-13. Fox Sports. 2017-07-03. en-GB. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20160816145113/http://www.foxsports.com.au/more-sports/mma-fighter-joao-carvalho-dies-two-days-after-tko-loss-to-charlie-ward-conor-mcgregor-tribute/news-story/6ac834b854bba04d53aadd59cbc1db7c. 2016-08-16.
  41. News: João Carvalho: The life and death of a cage fighter . Clerkin . Malachy . 2019-11-17 . en.
  42. News: Don't blame my son for MMA death. 2017-07-03.
  43. News: 'I stopped the fight at the proper time' - Referee from tragic Joao Carvalho MMA bout - Independent.ie. Independent.ie. 2017-07-03. en.
  44. News: Referee Mariusz Domasat Comments on Joao Carvalho vs. Charlie Ward Fight. Jones. Matt. Bleacher Report. 2017-07-03. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170817075443/http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2632540-referee-mariusz-domasat-comments-on-joao-carvalho-vs-charlie-ward-fight. 2017-08-17.
  45. News: Joao Carvalho death: Charlie Ward pulled his punches in MMA cage fight in Dublin. Lane. Daniel. 2016-04-14. The Sydney Morning Herald. 2017-07-03. en-US. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20170817075213/http://www.smh.com.au/sport/joao-carvalho-death-charlie-ward-pulled-his-punches-in-mma-cage-fight-in-dublin-20160413-go50fn.html. 2017-08-17.
  46. Web site: Charlie Ward MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com. Sherdog.com. Sherdog. 2018-04-15.

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