PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bryan Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masato Akiyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akiyama has chosen On the Eve of War - Jedi Mind Tricks as his entrance music. 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.

Baker
vs
Akiyama

188 cm
19
192 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good knees
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Bryan Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Masato Akiyama!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, William Peck and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Akiyama fails in his attempt to clinch.
Akiyama tries to close the distance and clinch but Baker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Akiyama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Baker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Akiyama tries to clinch but Baker moves out of range.
Akiyama moves in looking to clinch but Baker pushes him off.
Akiyama misses with an attempted mid kick.

Baker has managed to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker lands a knee to the head.
Baker scores with a knee to the head.
Akiyama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Baker's defenses.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Baker looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Baker avoiding damage as Akiyama throws knees to the body.
Baker has Akiyama pushed against the cage.
Baker blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Baker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Akiyama lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Akiyama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Baker's defenses.
Baker scores with a knee to the head.
Akiyama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Akiyama throws an elbow that misses.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Baker takes an elbow to the forehead.
Akiyama lands a damaging elbow.
Baker is pressed up against the cage. Akiyama has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Baker down to the mat. Baker avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Akiyama fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Akiyama wants to clinch

and Baker counters by moving into the clinch.
Akiyama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Baker avoids it.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Baker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Baker misses with a knee to the head.
Akiyama throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Baker misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Baker obliges.
Akiyama lands an elbow that stopped Baker in his tracks for a moment.
Baker stalls.
With the fighters up against the cage, Akiyama throws an elbow but misses.
Akiyama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Baker's defenses.
Akiyama is trying to drag Baker to the mat but Baker just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bryan Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masato Akiyama.
Baker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Baker blocks an elbow strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Baker's brow.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it misses.
Baker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Baker misses with a knee to the head.
Baker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Baker misses with a knee to the head.
Baker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akiyama blocks it with crossed arms.
A bit of stalling here from Akiyama.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker trying to land knees to the body.
Baker avoids the elbow strike from Akiyama, against the cage.
Akiyama misses with an elbow strike.
Baker looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Baker dodges an elbow strike from Akiyama.
Akiyama misses with an elbow strike.
Baker tries to land knees in the clinch but Akiyama avoids the damage to the body.
Akiyama pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Akiyama tries to land knees in the clinch but Baker avoids the damage to the body.
Baker is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Akiyama is keeping busy.
Baker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Baker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akiyama.
Baker takes an elbow to the temple.
Akiyama stalling against the cage.
Akiyama throws an elbow that misses.
Baker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Akiyama avoids it.
With the fighters up against the cage, Akiyama throws an elbow but misses.
Akiyama being controlled against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Baker's brow.
Akiyama throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Baker unloads a knee to the mid-section. Akiyama lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Baker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Akiyama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
With the fighters up against the cage, Akiyama throws an elbow but misses.
Baker tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
Akiyama avoiding damage as Baker throws knees to the body.
Akiyama throws an elbow that misses.
Akiyama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Akiyama lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Akiyama lands an elbow inside.
Akiyama drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baker pulls his leg out and moves away.

Baker takes the fight into the clinch.
Baker takes an elbow to the temple.
Baker lands a knee to the head.
Baker gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Akiyama.
Baker blocks an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Baker dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Baker darts in trying to clinch

and Akiyama counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it misses.
Baker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Baker has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Baker misses with a knee strike.
Akiyama throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Baker holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Baker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Baker misses with a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akiyama pressing his opponent against the cage.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Akiyama creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Akiyama displaying some good clinch control by pressing Baker up against the cage.
Baker tries to land a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks with his arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Akiyama.
A knee to the head by Baker.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Baker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akiyama blocks it with crossed arms.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Akiyama goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baker prevents it.
Baker gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Akiyama.
Baker looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Akiyama creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Baker holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Baker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Baker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Akiyama lands an elbow that stopped Baker in his tracks for a moment.
Akiyama lands a damaging elbow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Baker's brow.
Akiyama drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bryan Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masato Akiyama.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker prevents a takedown attempt there.
Akiyama is breathing heavily.
Akiyama has Baker pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baker manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Akiyama misses with an elbow over the top.
Baker tries to land a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks with his arms.
Baker gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Akiyama.
Baker lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Akiyama looking for a takedown.
Baker tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
Nice elbow from Akiyama.
Baker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akiyama blocks it with crossed arms.
Akiyama is trying to stall.
Baker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akiyama blocks it with crossed arms.
Akiyama looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Baker with a knee to the head.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Akiyama creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Akiyama throws an elbow but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker looking to slow down the pace here.
Akiyama lands an elbow inside.
Baker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Akiyama throws an elbow that misses.
Baker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Akiyama is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Baker pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Baker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Akiyama lands an elbow inside.
Baker looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Baker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akiyama blocks it with crossed arms.
Akiyama is pushing Baker up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Baker tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Akiyama.
Akiyama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Baker putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Akiyama in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Akiyama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Akiyama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akiyama throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Baker landing knees to the head.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Akiyama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Akiyama takes a knee right on the jaw!
Baker trying to land knees to the body.
Baker stops a takedown attempt from Akiyama.
Akiyama is looking to control Baker's arms but Baker gets an underhook and turns him. Now Akiyama has his back to the cage.
Baker connects with a knee to the head.
Akiyama is trying to stall.
Baker effectively controlling the action here.
Baker is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Akiyama is working for takedown but Baker is calmly controlling the position for now.
Akiyama throws an elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Akiyama is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Baker gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Baker's brow.
Baker connects with a knee to the head.
Baker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryan Baker dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Akiyama tries to clinch

and Baker counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Baker.
Baker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Baker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Akiyama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Bryan Baker has been cut.
Baker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Akiyama lands a damaging elbow.
Akiyama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Baker trying to control the position but instead, Akiyama has worked for underhooks and has pushed Baker into the cage.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Baker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Baker looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akiyama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Baker's defenses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Akiyama tries for a takedown. No joy.
Akiyama lands a damaging elbow.
Akiyama is trying to drag Baker to the mat but Baker just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Akiyama has Baker pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baker manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bryan Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masato Akiyama.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akiyama misses with an elbow over the top.
Akiyama lands a nice elbow.
Baker tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
Akiyama creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Baker is trying to maintain a safe position but Akiyama gets an underhook and turns Baker into the cage.
Baker misses with a knee strike.
Baker with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Akiyama has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Akiyama lands an elbow inside that Baker shrugs off.
Akiyama displaying some good clinch control by pressing Baker up against the cage.
Baker landing knees to the head.
Akiyama creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Baker's defenses.
Baker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Baker tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
Akiyama has Baker pressed against the cage.
Baker blocks an elbow strike from Akiyama.
Akiyama creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Akiyama pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Akiyama.
Masato Akiyama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Baker blocks an elbow strike from Akiyama.
Akiyama throws an elbow that misses.
Baker gets underhooks to prevent Akiyama's takedown attempt.
Baker landing knees to the head.
Baker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akiyama blocks it with crossed arms.
Baker tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
Akiyama lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Baker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Akiyama avoids it.
Bryan Baker has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Baker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Akiyama.
Baker misses with a knee to the head.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Baker's brow.
Baker takes an elbow to the temple.
With the fighters up against the cage, Akiyama throws an elbow but misses.
Akiyama looking to slow down the pace here.
Baker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Akiyama is struggling to control the position.
Akiyama creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Baker dodges an elbow strike from Akiyama.
Akiyama misses with an elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker takes an elbow to the forehead.
Akiyama lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Akiyama lands an elbow just above Baker 's eye.
Akiyama looking for a takedown.
Baker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Baker takes an elbow to the temple.
Akiyama misses with an elbow strike.
Akiyama pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Baker blocks the elbow strike.
Baker throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Akiyama blocks it with crossed arms.
Baker looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Akiyama lands a nice elbow.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Baker avoids the elbow strike from Akiyama, against the cage.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Akiyama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Baker's brow.
Akiyama leaning his opponent against the cage.
Baker prevents a takedown attempt there.
Baker with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Baker tries a knee to the head but Akiyama blocks it.
Baker is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Akiyama is keeping busy.
Baker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Akiyama lands a damaging elbow.
Akiyama is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Baker is defending well for now.
Baker takes an elbow to the forehead.
Baker takes an elbow to the temple.
Baker looking to throw knees to the head but Akiyama is blocking nicely.
Baker managing to block the knees to the body from Akiyama.
Baker misses with a knee to the head.
Akiyama throws an elbow that misses.
Baker takes an elbow to the temple.
Akiyama gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Akiyama wants a takedown but no success here.
Akiyama lands an elbow inside.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Akiyama pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Akiyama lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Akiyama lands an elbow inside that Baker shrugs off.
Akiyama on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Bryan Baker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Baker takes an elbow to the forehead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Masato Akiyama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baker has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bryan Baker!