PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Baron Welch (ranked 3974 p4p, 3330 weight class) and Micah Kim (ranked 246 p4p, 219 weight class). Welch kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Red Light. Micah Kim struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 136.6lbs 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. Baron Welch has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Welch
vs
Kim

165 cm
25
142
3 - 1 - 0

225 cm
25
145
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Baron Welch!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Micah Kim!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Ren Mimura and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Welch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kim as he jumps to the side.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kim.
Kim stuffs the takedown attempt from Welch. Welch gets slowly back to his feet.
Kim fails to land the takedown.

Kim closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kim lands in his opponent's guard.

Welch throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kim is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Welch looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kim is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kim is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Welch is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Welch has escaped and now he's on top!

Welch sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Welch cracks Kim with a solid left hand.

Kim looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kim can do anything to dispel that myth.

Kim looking for a guillotine here but Welch defends easily.

Kim working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Welch doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Welch manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Welch landing with the ground and pound.
Welch trying to control the position from guard on top but Kim is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Welch working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kim's head.

Kim looking for a guillotine here but Welch defends easily.
Welch keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kim's head.
Welch is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Kim looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kim looks winded!
Welch makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Kim has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Welch can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Welch with a nice head shot there.
Welch working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kim's head.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Welch with a nice head shot there.
Welch is working Kim over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Welch is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Welch is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Kim is looking for a triangle but Welch pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Welch lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Welch connects with a couple of short punches.
Welch landing with the ground and pound.
Welch content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Welch passes Kim's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Welch connects with a nice short shot to Kim's temple.
Welch works his way into full mount!
Welch lands a heavy elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Welch with good strikes from the mount here!
Welch scores with a couple of good head shots there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Welch working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Welch controlling the position easily from mount.
Kim is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kim in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Welch landing strikes from the mount and Kim is in trouble!
Welch looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Welch working Kim over with strikes here.
Welch working Kim over with strikes here.
Kim is looking to get to half guard.
Kim is in a horrible position here. Welch smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Welch dominating with strikes here.
Kim is bucking up trying to escape but Welch cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Kim tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Baron Welch 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.

Welch dives in for a single leg takedown but Kim sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Welch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kim can do to turn this around?
Welch is looking for a takedown.
Kim looking to stall.
Welch has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kim avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Baron Welch. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Welch misses with a short punch on the inside.
Welch goes for a takedown attempt but Kim pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kim looks for a takedown but Welch sprawls well.

Welch fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kim sprawls well initially but Welch persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kim looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kim is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nice strikes from Welch there.
Kim tries to get to full guard but Welch has control of the leg.

Kim looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kim is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welch drops an elbow to the side of Kim's head.
Kim taking some punishment here, with Welch in his half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Welch connects with a nice short shot to Kim's temple.

Kim looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kim is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Welch scores with a couple of nice shots.
Welch passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Kim!
Welch tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Welch raining down hammerfists from mount.
Welch with the ground and pound from mount.
Welch looking to finish Kim with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kim!
Welch lands a big shot there that rocks Kim but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Kim is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Welch is landing with some decent strikes but Kim is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Kim is rocked!
Welch with a couple of short strikes.
Kim is still in real trouble! Can Welch finish him?
Welch landing punches.
Kim is looking to get to half guard.
Welch punishing his opponent with strikes.
Kim keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Welch is landing with some decent strikes but Kim is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Welch postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Kim looks a forlorn figure.
Baron Welch overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Welch has hold of Kim's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Kim manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Welch lands a big shot there that rocks Kim but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Welch lands a big elbow.

Welch looking to secure an arm triangle but Kim defends it well.
Welch breaks from Kim's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Welch cracks Kim with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Welch lands a big shot there that rocks Kim but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Welch trying to control but Kim is having none of it.
Welch fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Kim can't escape the position.
Welch looking to control but Kim is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kim is trying to escape the mount.
Welch pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kim tries to reverse the position but Welch maintains control.
Kim seems to have recovered his senses.
Welch lands with some strikes.
Kim is working to get back to half guard.
Welch with good strikes from the mount here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kim is desperately trying to improve his position but Welch has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Welch looking to finish Kim with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kim!
Welch looking to control and managing it successfully.
Welch lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kim hang on?
Welch unloading with bombs!
Welch unloading with bombs!
Welch dominating with strikes here.
Welch working the ground and pound effectively.
Welch trying to control but Kim is having none of it.
Welch lands a couple of good shots and Kim has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Welch lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Welch is looking to control Kim but Kim is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Kim tries to break free.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Baron Welch dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Welch looking to score a takedown here. Kim is defending well but Welch drives through and ends up in Kim's guard.

Kim is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Kim working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Welch doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Welch manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Welch working some strikes from top position.
Welch postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Welch connects with a couple of short punches.

Kim has an active guard here but Welch has managed to pass into half guard.
Welch is controlling the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Welch working Kim over with strikes.
Welch trying to control the pace.
Kim takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Welch landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welch seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Welch wants to pass the guard but Kim is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Welch seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nice strikes from Welch there.

Kim looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kim is not content to let Welch control the position.
Welch working Kim over with strikes.
Welch lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Welch wants to control but Kim is keeping him busy.

Welch is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kim sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Welch scores with a couple of nice shots.
Welch is pressing down on Kim's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kim is holding on for now.

Kim looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Welch takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Kim looking for submissions off his back.

Kim is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Welch pulls his head out easily.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Welch in particular looking to stall.
Welch trying to control the action but Kim is working from the bottom.

Kim looking for submissions off his back.
Kim is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Welch scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim is looking to improve his position.
Welch is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Welch working over Kim with some ground and pound. Kim looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Welch has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Kim in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Welch raining down hammerfists from mount.
Welch lands a couple of good shots and Kim has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Kim covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Welch looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Watch the back of the head! Comes the shout from the referee towards Welch.
Welch has the hooks in. Kim is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Welch loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Kim hold on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Welch softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Welch lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The referee is taking a good look at Kim as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Welch!
Welch has the hooks in. Kim is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
What can Kim do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Welch is punishing Kim with some ground and pound.
Good control from Welch.
Kim is keeping busy.
Welch has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Kim.
You can see the frustration on Kim's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Kim is taking damage to the body and head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Baron Welch clearly takes that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kim fails with a takedown attempt.
Kim misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Horrible takedown attempt by Welch or perhaps it was just good defense by Kim, which made it look bad.
Kim drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Welch defends it well.

Welch scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ground and pound from Welch.
Welch scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Kim is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Welch pulls his head out easily.

Kim is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Welch pulls his head out easily.
Kim is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Nice strikes from Welch there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Welch there.
Welch content to control rather than advance.
Welch is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kim!
Welch lands with some strikes.
Welch lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kim hang on?
Kim takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Welch fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Welch looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Welch working Kim over with strikes here.

Welch looking to secure an arm triangle but Kim defends it well.
Kim slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Welch lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Welch is trying to control the action in half guard but Kim is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Welch working over Kim with some ground and pound. Kim looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Welch scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Welch lands strikes from half guard.
Welch working the head and body with strikes.

Kim looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kim taking some punishment here, with Welch in his half guard.
Welch lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Welch landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Welch drops an elbow to the side of Kim's head.

Kim is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Welch pulls his head out easily.
Kim on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Kim on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Kim is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Welch pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kim looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Welch landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Welch is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Welch scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Welch is nestled in close to Kim, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Welch drops an elbow to the side of Kim's head.
Welch takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Welch is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Kim actively working from the bottom here.
Welch is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Welch lands with a punch from half guard.
Welch trying to mount his opponent but Kim defends it.
Welch looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kim with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Welch looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kim with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Kim is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Welch pulls his head out easily.
Welch wants to pass the guard but Kim is defending well.

Kim looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Welch pushes past his half guard into mount!
Kim working to try and regain half guard.
Kim is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Welch raining down shots from the mount!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kim taking shots to the head.
Kim tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Welch is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kim can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Welch lands a heavy elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Baron Welch had his way with Micah Kim in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Welch decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Kim looking for submissions off his back.
Welch landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nice strikes from Welch there.

Kim looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Welch lands strikes from half guard.
Welch wants to control but Kim is keeping him busy.

Kim is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Welch pulls his head out easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Welch connects with a nice short shot to Kim's temple.
Welch looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Welch takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kim is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Welch lands strikes from half guard.
Welch scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Welch scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kim is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Welch scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kim is refusing to be controlled, as Welch sits in half guard.
Welch moves nicely into side control.
Welch scoring with punches from side control.
Kim manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Kim is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Welch is just riding it out for now. Kim eventually gives up the hold.

Kim is working for a kimura but Welch is defending it quite comfortably.
Welch is controlling Kim's trapped leg to prevent Kim from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kim is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Welch has managed to free his arm - good work.
Welch moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Welch manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kim manages to get himself to full guard.

Kim is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Welch defends well.
Welch working some strikes from top position.
Welch showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Kim working for a triangle but Welch defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Welch working some strikes from top position.

Kim working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Welch doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Welch manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Welch content to stall in guard here.
Welch might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Welch postures up and lands a big shot to Kim's brow.

Welch got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kim has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Welch has managed to get both his arms back between Kim's legs - danger averted.
Welch is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Welch is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Kim looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Welch passes into half guard.
Kim tries to get to full guard but Welch has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Welch scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Kim looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Welch connects with a nice short shot to Kim's temple.
Welch perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Welch working Kim over with strikes.

Kim looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Baron Welch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Still in half guard, Welch seems content to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Welch is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kim has managed to free his arm - good work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Baron Welch showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Welch, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 50:43
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 50:42
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Baron Welch!
Baron Welch is the new bantamweight champion!