PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Afeef Isa Baba (ranked 69 p4p, 89 weight class) and Dougal McCraken (ranked 9 p4p, 16 weight class). Baba's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Nation Arabic Orchestra. McCraken has chosen Bulgine as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Baba
vs
McCraken

181 cm
41
172
27 - 10 - 2

184 cm
30
170
15 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Altitude Clothing
Urban Fighter

UnderGround Clothing Co.

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 27 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Afeef Isa Baba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dougal McCraken!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Percy O'Donnell and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCraken throws a low kick, looking for Baba's leg but Baba calmly moves out of range.
A jab from McCraken does it's job there.
A big right from McCraken misses.
McCraken has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Baba is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Baba misses with an uppercut
and McCraken counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
McCraken stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Baba uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McCraken.
Baba misses with the body kick
and McCraken counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McCraken blocks a jab.
Baba takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McCraken jabbing away but nothing is landing.

McCraken has managed to clinch.
McCraken swings wildly with an uppercut but Baba uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCraken tries to throw a body punch but Baba avoids it by throwing McCraken back against the cage.
McCraken blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McCraken lands a right hand that snaps the head of Baba backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baba prevents a body shot from McCraken.
Baba tries to work over McCraken's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
McCraken lands a shoulder strike.
Baba tries to throw a body punch but McCraken avoids it by throwing Baba back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baba.
Baba tries a body shot but McCraken blocks it.
Baba swings wildly with an uppercut but McCraken uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baba swings wildly with an uppercut but McCraken uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCraken gets through Baba's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
McCraken misses with a body punch.

McCraken's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Baba plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Baba just misses with a punch to the body.
McCraken was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
McCraken thumps Baba with a low kick.
Baba takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Baba pushes McCraken away with a front kick.
McCraken misses with a body kick.
McCraken lands a jab.
Baba shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baba throws a body shot but no joy.
A leg kick checked by Baba.
Nice shot lands for McCraken.
McCraken lands with a thumping leg kick.
McCraken stuns Baba with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Baba tries to move into range but McCraken moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
McCraken throws a nice inside leg kick.
McCraken throws a leg kick that misses.
Baba swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Baba takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Baba misses with a series of wild punches.
Baba pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
McCraken scores with the left hand. Baba knows he should have avoided that one.
McCraken lands with a thumping leg kick.
Dougal McCraken seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCraken drops his hands momentarily and Baba takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Baba on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
McCraken misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A swing and a miss from Baba.
Baba lands a nice shot that snaps McCraken's head back.
McCraken throws a hook to the side of Baba's head but Baba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
McCraken avoids a kick to the body.
Baba throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Baba lands the left hand.
McCraken looks to throw the jab but Baba is out of range.
McCraken throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Baba.
McCraken stuns Baba with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Baba takes one to the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCraken moves out of range of the body kick.
McCraken lands with an uppercut that bounces Baba off the cage and back into range.
Baba getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
McCraken pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Baba falls off balance throwing a combination
and McCraken counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Baba misses its intended target.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baba. McCraken does a little dance to reset his feet.
McCraken throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Baba takes a swing at McCraken's ribcage but misses.
Baba misses with an uppercut
and McCraken counters with a low kick, right behind Baba 's knee.
McCraken steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baba.
McCraken lands a jab.
Baba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but McCraken was well out of range. Poor timing from Baba.
McCraken throws the kick towards the body but Baba avoids it.
McCraken throws a leg kick which misses Baba's front leg but catches the back leg as Baba tries to avoid it.
Baba looks to score with a jab to the body but McCraken is just out of range.
McCraken shapes to counter with a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCraken scores with a jab to the body.
The fighters circling - Baba throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Jab, jab by McCraken - just one landing.
McCraken is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Baba had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
McCraken lands with a nice body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dougal McCraken dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Baba avoids a kick to the body.
Baba cracks McCraken with an open hand slap.
Baba misses with an uppercut
and McCraken counters with a straight right hand.
Baba throws a sloppy head kick and McCraken moves out of range easily.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from McCraken - that will leave a mark!
McCraken throws a leg kick but Baba sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Baba was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Baba walks into a stiff left hand from McCraken.
Baba walks into a jab.
McCraken stuns Baba with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
McCraken loads up on a big right hand but Baba slips the punch.
Baba throws a body shot but no joy.
Baba throws a head kick that misses.
Baba throws a series of punches but McCraken moves out of range.
McCraken has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
No joy there for McCraken, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
McCraken throws a solid leg kick but Baba takes the impact on his shin and smiles at McCraken.
McCraken lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Baba lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Dougal McCraken seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba misses with a hook. McCraken ducked under it nicely.
McCraken throws a good cross that connects.
Baba attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
It seemed like McCraken was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
McCraken scores with a body shot.
A head kick misses from Baba.
Baba checks a low kick from McCraken.
McCraken explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
McCraken misses with a hook.
Baba walks into a left hand.
Baba takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
McCraken fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Baba. That snapped McCraken's head back.

Baba tries to keep at a distance but McCraken has taken the fight into the clinch.
McCraken blocks a body shot from Baba.
McCraken lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baba can't find room to land a body shot as McCraken controls the action.
McCraken swings wildly with an uppercut but Baba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baba blocking some punches.
McCraken lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Baba backwards.
McCraken misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baba looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Baba struggles to land a body shot inside as McCraken controls his hands.
McCraken blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Baba scores with a shoulder strike.
Baba cracks McCraken with a nice body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McCraken.
A shot in the inside from McCraken.
McCraken tries to throw a body punch but Baba avoids it by throwing McCraken back against the cage.
McCraken tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
McCraken has had enough of the clinch but Baba keeps him there for the moment.
Baba blocking some punches.
McCraken blocking some punches.
McCraken misses with a punch to the body.
McCraken blocks an uppercut.
McCraken lands a nice shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCraken blocks an uppercut.
McCraken goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
McCraken tries a body shot but Baba blocks it.
A short right from McCraken.
Baba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Baba misses with a punch on the inside.
McCraken fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

McCraken pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
McCraken moves out of range as Baba throws a body kick.
A jab from McCraken finds it's way through Baba's defenses.
Baba misses with a body kick.
An inside leg kick from McCraken misses.
Baba looks to land a right hand but McCraken moved out of range.
McCraken tries to land a front kick but Baba steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Baba throws a half hearted mid kick.
McCraken on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Baba scores with a sloppy right hand. McCraken should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by McCraken.
A jab from McCraken does it's job there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
McCraken blocks a head kick by Baba.
McCraken takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Baba throws a half hearted mid kick.
McCraken avoids the body shot from Baba.
Baba looks to land a left hand but McCraken moved out of range nicely.
McCraken dips to his left and cracks Baba with an uppercut!
Baba cracks a nice hook into McCraken's ribs.
A shot to the liver by McCraken. Beautiful body shot.
McCraken works Baba's body with a nice hook.
McCraken scores with a spinning back kick!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McCraken lands with a kick to the ribs.
A low kick from McCraken is predictable there
letting Baba counter with a right hand.
McCraken stuns Baba with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Baba throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McCraken counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baba thinking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dougal McCraken showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McCraken bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
McCraken moves into range and connects with a jab.
Baba will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Baba throws a head kick but McCraken moves out of range.
Baba throws out a loose jab but McCraken uses good head movement to avoid it.
McCraken flicks out a counter leg kick but Baba steps away.
Baba connects with a nice looking jab.
Baba avoids a kick to the body.
A swing and a miss from McCraken.
McCraken lands with a nice body kick.
McCraken takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nice cross by Baba.
A slow jab from McCraken misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baba takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Baba swings for the body but McCraken moves out of range.
Baba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
McCraken throws a right hand that misses
enabling Baba to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baba avoids a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCraken throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCraken throws a lazy uppercut
and Baba cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McCraken uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Baba on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Baba takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Baba throws a head kick that misses
and McCraken connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McCraken scores with a spinning back kick!
A good leg kick by McCraken.
McCraken throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Baba comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Baba gets tackled into the cage by McCraken. McCraken maintains the clinch.
A short uppercut from Baba.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCraken scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Baba blocks a body shot from McCraken.
McCraken goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baba lands a nice uppercut.
Afeef Isa Baba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCraken misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baba misses with the head strike.
Baba throws a head punch that misses.
A nice left hand lands by McCraken.
Baba pushes McCraken back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from McCraken.
McCraken's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
McCraken misses with a body punch.
McCraken tries a body shot but Baba blocks it.
McCraken lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Baba working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
McCraken's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Baba lands a body shot in the clinch.
Baba lands with a right to the head.
Baba blocking some punches.
Baba misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McCraken has had enough of the clinch but Baba keeps him there for the moment.
Baba swings wildly with an uppercut but McCraken uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baba is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
McCraken throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCraken swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baba misses with a punch to the body.
McCraken tries a body shot but Baba blocks it.
McCraken pushes Baba back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
McCraken working aggressively here.
Baba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baba doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
McCraken lands a shoulder strike.

McCraken breaks from the clinch.
Baba takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A big left from Baba misses.
McCraken throws a nice looking combination but Baba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McCraken looks to throw the jab but Baba is out of range.
McCraken lands with a hook. Baba tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Baba tries to land a front kick but McCraken steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Baba tries to bum rush McCraken with a series of wild strikes but McCraken uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Baba backing away here, and McCraken unleashes a leg kick that just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCraken lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Baba looks to land a left hand but McCraken moved out of range nicely.
McCraken lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCraken fails in his attempt to clinch.
Baba swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling McCraken to counter with a crisp jab.
Baba with a jab.
Baba swings away with a body shot that misses
letting McCraken counter with a right hand.
Baba stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McCraken.
Baba misses with a wild body shot.
Baba on the wrong end of a nice jab.
McCraken scores with a hook to the body. Baba takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baba takes a kick to the side of the head.
McCraken connects with a jab.
Baba misses with an attempted mid kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dougal McCraken comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well McCraken has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dougal McCraken!
Dougal McCraken decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.