PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between En Baskren (ranked 3821 p4p, 3071 weight class) and Funky Roll (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Roll has chosen shape of you (slowed) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Baskren
vs
Roll

168 cm
25
140
0 - 1 - 0

165 cm
25
132
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, En Baskren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Funky Roll!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roll digs a good hook to Baskren's body.
Baskren tries for a takedown but Roll sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Roll changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Roll shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Baskren but Baskren pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Baskren is defended easily by Roll.

Roll gets a takedown into half guard.
Roll with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roll is trying to control the action in half guard but Baskren is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Baskren on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Baskren tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roll lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Baskren trying to control from the bottom.
Roll seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Roll trying to control the pace.
Baskren tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Baskren wants to improve his position but Roll is controlling well.
Roll throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Baskren moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baskren preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Roll is in close to Baskren's body, working some short punches and elbows.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baskren throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Baskren escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Roll gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Roll lands a couple of elbows.
Roll won't allow Baskren to sweep him here.

Baskren is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Roll is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roll postures up and lands a big shot to Baskren's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Roll controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Roll wants to control from the top but Baskren keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Roll shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Baskren manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Roll keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Roll tries to work over Baskren's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Roll has Baskren pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Roll pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Baskren tumbling to the mat - Roll dives into Baskren's guard.
Roll controlling from the top position.
Baskren working a defensive guard here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roll trying to control but Baskren is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baskren is pulling down on Roll's head to control his posture.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Funky Roll 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.

Baskren shoots in but no luck this time.
Baskren dives in for a single leg takedown but Roll sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Baskren struggles to land a body shot inside as Roll controls his hands.
Baskren looking to slow down the pace here.
Baskren tries to score a body lock takedown but Roll shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for En Baskren. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roll avoiding damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Baskren breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Roll lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Roll shoots in and bounces Baskren off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roll scoring with punches to the head and body.

Baskren has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Roll off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Roll throws a body shot but no joy.
Baskren was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Roll fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Baskren looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Roll shoots in but Baskren avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Roll throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Baskren was covering up waiting for the punch and Roll finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Roll showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baskren is adopting a defensive guard.
Roll trying to control the position from guard on top but Baskren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Roll sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Baskren's guard.
Roll wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baskren keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baskren controlling the position for now.
Baskren is looking for a sweep. Roll is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Roll content to control rather than advance.
Roll thows a huge punch but Baskren dodges it nicely.
Baskren punching from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Roll fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

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.
Roll throws a big shot that misses.
Roll tries to clinch but Baskren is having none of it.

Roll bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Roll trying to control the action but Baskren is working from the bottom.
Roll in side control lands a decent elbow.
Roll scoring with punches from side control.
Roll controlling from side mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The strikes coming from Roll are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Funky Roll showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Baskren's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Roll wants to land a leg kick but Baskren is out of range.
Roll throws a nice inside leg kick.
En Baskren is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Roll misses with a low kick.
Roll fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Baskren checks it well.
Baskren chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Roll can pounce on him.

Roll gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Roll prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baskren taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Baskren tries to break free but Roll pushes him back against the cage.
Roll has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Baskren is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Baskren has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Roll is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roll doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baskren prevents a body shot from Roll.
Baskren pressing his opponent against the cage.
Baskren wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Roll is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Baskren working Roll over with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Baskren stalling against the cage.
Roll prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for En Baskren. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baskren wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Baskren misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Roll.

Roll has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Baskren uses from the top position.
Roll wants to sweep here but Baskren controlling him for the moment.
Baskren throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roll wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Funky Roll has got the better of the ground game so far.
Roll is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Baskren stands up over Roll, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Roll looking to control.
Roll looking for a sweep. Not yet Roll, not yet.
Baskren wants to control from the top but Roll keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Roll has his takedown stuffed

and Baskren counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Baskren jumps guard but Roll stands there with Baskren around his waist. Baskren gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four 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.
Roll drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baskren pulls his leg out and moves away.

Roll looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Roll controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Baskren has his foot on Roll's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Roll works his way back into a safe position though.
Roll trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Baskren manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

En Baskren has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Baskren gets to his feet - Roll follows without any prompting.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Funky Roll.
I've got Roll winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Funky Roll!
A relieved looking Funky Roll thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.