PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Chief Navajo (ranked 1801 p4p, 203 weight class) and Jonny Baker (ranked 2522 p4p, 263 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Navajo
vs
Baker

173 cm
30
154 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

174 cm
31
157 lbs
9 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chief Navajo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jonny Baker!
The judges for this bout are Chris Dean, Hugh Johnson and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker just misses with a punch to the body.
Navajo half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Navajo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Baker avoids it really well and circles away.
Navajo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baker throws a lazy body kick

and Navajo counters with a shoot takedown. Baker fights it but they end up in guard.
Navajo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Baker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Navajo won't allow Baker to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Navajo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Navajo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Baker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Navajo is in close to Baker's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Navajo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Navajo's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Navajo is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baker is aware though and is defending well.

Navajo has his foot on Baker's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Baker works his way back into a safe position though.
Baker working some strikes from top position.
Baker stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Navajo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Baker trying to control the position from guard on top but Navajo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Navajo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Navajo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Baker defends it easily.

Navajo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Baker not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Navajo is looking for a triangle but Baker pushes his legs off easily.

Navajo looking for a guillotine here but Baker defends easily.
Baker with a nice head shot there.

Baker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Baker showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Navajo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Baker gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Baker controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Baker trying to control but Navajo is working from the bottom.
My spies in Death Valley Training Facility inform me that Baker has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Navajo working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Baker doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Baker manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Baker controls from within his opponent's guard.
Baker trying to control the position from guard on top but Navajo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baker tries to free his leg and advance position but Navajo is retaining full guard.

Baker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Navajo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Baker sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Navajo keeping full guard, as Baker tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Baker wants to control from the top but Navajo keeps moving.

Navajo had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Baker defends it easily.

Navajo working for submissions but it's allowed Baker to get to half guard.
Baker trying to control the pace.
Navajo taking some punishment here, with Baker in his half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Navajo actively working from the bottom here.

Navajo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Baker pulls his head out easily.
Navajo is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chief Navajo dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Baker clinches.
Our sources have told us that Navajo has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Navajo tries to score a body lock takedown but Baker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Baker holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Baker can't find room to land a body shot as Navajo controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker stalling against the cage.
Navajo blocks a body shot from Baker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker tries to throw a body punch but Navajo avoids it by throwing Baker back against the cage.
Navajo tries to score a body lock takedown but Baker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Navajo drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baker pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chief Navajo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Baker takes the fight into the clinch.
Baker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Navajo's elbow.

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.
Navajo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baker prevents it.
Navajo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Baker avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Baker misses with the head strike.
Baker effectively controlling the action here.
Baker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Navajo's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Navajo drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Baker gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Stalling in the clinch from Baker.
Baker misses with a punch to the body.
Baker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Baker works on Navajo's body with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Baker slows down the pace here.
Navajo prevents a body shot from Baker.
Navajo goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baker prevents it.
Baker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonny Baker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Navajo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Navajo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Navajo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Jonny Baker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baker scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Baker moves in looking to clinch but Navajo pushes him off.
Navajo avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker tries to clinch up.
Navajo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Baker sprawls and moves away.
Baker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Navajo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker wants to clinch up but Navajo keeps it at a distance.
Navajo goes for a double leg but Baker avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Baker continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Chief Navajo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baker tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Navajo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Baker swinging wildly here.
Baker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Navajo attempts a counter takedown but Baker avoids it well and moves away.
Navajo shoots in for a takedown but Baker shows good takedown defense.
Navajo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Navajo avoids the body shot from Baker.
Navajo appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker misses with the combination.
Navajo takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Baker misses with a double jab.
Navajo feinted with a counter takedown.
Baker misses with a jab, cross combination.

Baker lands a left and a right that send Navajo crashing to the mat, dazed. Baker thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Navajo is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Navajo loses concentration momentarily and Baker pounces with a three punch combo! Right, left, right! Navajo crashes face first to the mat, out cold! Baker finishes this one with a fantastically precise combo! Great stuff.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Jonny Baker!
Jonny Baker thanked the fans post fight for their support.