PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Baltaretu (ranked 3855 p4p, 2697 weight class) and Andrew Knocker (ranked 454 p4p, 334 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Baltaretu might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Chatarra - Jincho. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Baltaretu
vs
Knocker

190 cm
18
215
4 - 0 - 0

188 cm
25
218
2 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

SMESH Nutrition 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrei Baltaretu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Andrew Knocker!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Paul Tew and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Knocker throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Baltaretu stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Andrew Knocker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
No luck for Baltaretu with that takedown attempt.
Knocker lands a right hook to the body.
No joy there for Knocker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Baltaretu feinted with a counter takedown.
Jab, jab by Knocker - just one landing.
Knocker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Knocker scores with a body shot.
Knocker swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Baltaretu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knocker throws a series of punches but Baltaretu moves out of range.
Good shot there by Knocker.
Baltaretu is trying hard to land a takedown here. Knocker sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Knocker throws a right and a left that both miss.
Baltaretu changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knocker digs a good body shot into Baltaretu's ribs.
Nice uppercut there from Knocker.
Knocker throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Baltaretu shoots in for a double leg but Knocker sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrei Baltaretu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No joy there for Knocker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Baltaretu changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Baltaretu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Knocker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Baltaretu somewhat.
Knocker connects with a good right hand that stumbles Baltaretu. Baltaretu circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knocker moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Knocker throws a right and a left that Baltaretu avoids nicely.
Baltaretu half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Andrew Knocker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Knocker scores with a decent looking hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Knocker stalks Baltaretu and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Baltaretu's face. Baltaretu staggers backwards, shaken.
Knocker jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Baltaretu looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Knocker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Baltaretu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Baltaretu tries to clinch but Knocker moves out of range.
Knocker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Baltaretu half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Baltaretu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Knocker pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Baltaretu half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Knocker throws a lazy head kick

so Baltaretu counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltaretu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Baltaretu trying to control but Knocker is working from the bottom.
Baltaretu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baltaretu distracts Knocker with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Knocker can do anything to dispel that myth.
Baltaretu landing with the ground and pound.
Baltaretu postures up in Knocker's guard and throws a big left but Knocker blocks it.
Knocker looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Knocker has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Baltaretu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Baltaretu landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knocker controls Baltaretu momentarily but Baltaretu frees himself.
Baltaretu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Baltaretu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Baltaretu scoring with punches to the head and body.
Knocker controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Baltaretu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Knocker really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Baltaretu. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Baltaretu is fighting to break Knocker's control of his arms but Knocker is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Baltaretu trying to control but Knocker is working from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Baltaretu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Knocker 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.

Baltaretu throws a series of punches but Knocker moves out of range.
Knocker lands a nice shot to the body.
Knocker cracks Baltaretu with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Baltaretu is defended easily by Knocker.
Knocker misses with a two punch combination.
Baltaretu feinted with a counter takedown.
Knocker lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice uppercut lands for Knocker. That snapped Baltaretu's head back.
Knocker misses with a right hand

and Baltaretu counters with a nice double leg into side control. Knocker won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Knocker prevents Baltaretu from moving into mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baltaretu scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Knocker to see if he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ground and pound from Baltaretu seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The ground and pound from Baltaretu seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Baltaretu lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Knocker down.
Andrei Baltaretu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Baltaretu remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Baltaretu is chipping away with strikes.
Baltaretu throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Knocker avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Baltaretu.
Baltaretu scoring with punches from side control.
Knocker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Knocker is looking to regain half guard here but Baltaretu keeps moving and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baltaretu throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Baltaretu wants to control for a moment but Knocker uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Baltaretu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Knocker is trying to maintain the position but Baltaretu is very close to passing his half guard.
Baltaretu winds up and cracks Knocker with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Baltaretu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Baltaretu wants to pass to mount but Knocker is defending the position.
Baltaretu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltaretu trying to control from half guard but Knocker is working away.
Knocker wants to control but Baltaretu is keeping busy.
Knocker on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Baltaretu throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Baltaretu takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Knocker has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Baltaretu is working away from the top position though.
Baltaretu wants to control but Knocker is keeping him busy.
Baltaretu missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knocker is looking to escape.
Baltaretu throwing shots but Knocker is blocking nicely.
Baltaretu working the head and body with strikes.
Baltaretu thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Baltaretu wants to take a breather but Knocker is having none of it.
Baltaretu is stalling here. Knocker is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Baltaretu seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Knocker has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Baltaretu tries to escape but Knocker is in control.
Baltaretu struggling a bit here.
Baltaretu is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Knocker has just dragged him back down to the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Baltaretu dominated that second round.
That's time! Baltaretu's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Knocker connects with a body shot that sends Baltaretu's belly button to the back.
Knocker finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Baltaretu attempts a counter takedown but Knocker avoids it well and moves away.
Knocker misses with a leg kick

and Baltaretu counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Baltaretu thows a huge punch but Knocker dodges it nicely.
Baltaretu has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Knocker wants to hold on but Baltaretu pushes him away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Knocker in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

It looks like Andrew Knocker has been cut.
Knocker blocking the ground and pound.
Baltaretu unloads with some shots from mount but Knocker bucks and avoids them well.
Baltaretu with a couple of short strikes.

Knocker is rocked!

That has opened up Andrew Knocker's cut even more.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baltaretu breaks from Knocker's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Knocker is still in real trouble! Can Baltaretu finish him?
Baltaretu unloads with some vicious shots from mount and Knocker wants out - he looks towards the referee who steps in to save him! Baltaretu celebrates on the cage and the crowd goes wild!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:25 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Andrei Baltaretu!
Andrei Baltaretu is the new light heavyweight champion!
Andrei Baltaretu was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.