PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nico Bake (ranked 6050 p4p, 585 weight class) and Larry Hoover (ranked 6568 p4p, 614 weight class). Larry Hoover struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Larry Hoover has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bake
vs
Hoover

182 cm
22
170 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

196 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nico Bake!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Larry Hoover!
The judges for this bout are Winston Alpacca, Santiago Holmes and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hoover scores with a hook.
No luck for Bake with that takedown attempt.
Bake throws a left and a right that both miss

and Hoover counters by clinching up.
Hoover can't break the clinch.

Hoover escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hoover lands a nice shot to the body.
Bake has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hoover finds it's way round the side to connect with Bake's head.
Bake throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bake gets a clinch.

Bake's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Some wild striking there from Bake.
Hoover is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bake throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Bake has managed to clinch.
Hoover is trying to push Bake away but Bake has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bake leaning against his opponent.

Bake successfully pulls guard.
Hoover trying to control but Bake is working from the bottom.

Hoover decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bake, up you get!
Bake throws a head kick that misses
enabling Hoover to counter with a crisp jab.
Hoover is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Bake gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hoover counters with a straight right hand.
Nico Bake seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hoover sizes up Bake with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoover stuffs the takedown attempt from Bake. Bake gets slowly back to his feet.
Hoover feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nico Bake. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bake gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hoover counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hoover has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Bake fails with a takedown attempt.
Bake is breathing heavily.
Hoover connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bake moves to clinch but Hoover breaks away
and Hoover counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bake fails to land with a series of punches.
A lazy left from Hoover finds it's target.
Bake doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Hoover counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Hoover with a nice cross.
Bake walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hoover displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bake.
Bake wants to clinch but Hoover slips to the side
and Hoover counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hoover has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Hoover stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bake misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Hoover finds it's way through Bake's defenses.
Hoover might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Hoover bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bake's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bake closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bake lands in his opponent's guard.
Bake looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Bake being controlled here momentarily.
Bake wants to stand but Hoover is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hoover scores with a decent looking hook.
Bake takes a jab right on the kisser.
Bake takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A right-left combo lands from Bake.
Bake dives in for a single leg takedown but Hoover sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hoover scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bake in his tracks.

Bake closes the distance and clinches.

Bake decides to pull guard.
Hoover really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bake. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Bake escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hoover gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bake is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bake on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bake tries to get out of the position.

Bake is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hoover is aware though and is defending well.

Bake looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hoover sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Bake is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Bake looking for a guillotine here but Hoover defends easily.
Hoover looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoover trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bake is looking to stand up but Hoover isn't so interested in that idea.
Hoover wants to stand but Bake has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Bake is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

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.

Bake looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bake is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bake has a closed guard, preventing Hoover from standing up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bake looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nico Bake dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Hoover throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Bake on the side of the head.
Hoover takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Bake looks to clinch
and Hoover counters with a stiff right hand.
Hoover fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Hoover connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Bake tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hoover sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bake somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bake tries to move into range but Hoover moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bake tries to close the distance and clinch but Hoover swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Hoover! But no joy.
Bake misses with a head kick.
Hoover looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bake misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bake dives in and grabs Hoover's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hoover pushes down on Bake's head and hops out.
Larry Hoover seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bake looks for a takedown but Hoover sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nico Bake. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hoover uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bake has time to react.
Nice body punch from Hoover.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoover lands the left hand.
Hoover scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Bake fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hoover feints the counter takedown.
Hoover lands a head shot.
Bake shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hoover pinned against the cage. Hoover gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hoover connects with a right hand. Bake shakes it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hoover bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bake tries to clinch up
letting Hoover counter with a right hand.
Bake shoots in for a double leg but Hoover sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice uppercut lands for Hoover. That snapped Bake's head back.
Bake moves forwards but Hoover connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bake walks into a stiff left hand from Hoover.
Bake takes one to the side of the head.
Hoover lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoover feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bakes jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Bake falls off balance throwing a combination
and Hoover counters with a stiff right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bake looks to clinch

and Hoover counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hoover got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bake has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hoover has managed to get both his arms back between Bake's legs - danger averted.
Hoover trying to control but Bake is working from the bottom.
Bake might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hoover trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bake's guard.
Bake not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Larry Hoover comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hoover has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Larry Hoover!