PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Darren Volken (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and RJ Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Volken
vs
Baker

180 cm
19
220 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

190 cm
22
235 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Darren Volken!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, RJ Baker!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker tries a head kick but it misses.
RJ Baker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Volken looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Nice sprawl there from Volken as Baker shoots in.
Volken could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Baker thuds a left hand into Volken's body.
Volken stuffs the takedown attempt from Baker. Baker gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Baker instigates a clinch.

Baker ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Baker no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Baker wants to stand but Volken is controlling the position.
Baker trying to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baker wants to sweep but no luck.
Baker is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volken is fighting to break Baker's control of his arms but Baker is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Baker bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Volken's guard.
Baker wants to pass the guard but Volken is keeping the position.
Baker wants to control from the top but Volken keeps moving.
Baker working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Volken's head.
Volken has a closed guard, preventing Baker from standing up.
Volken can't keep his opponent in guard - Baker advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Baker throwing shots but Volken is blocking nicely.
Baker perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Baker trying to mount his opponent but Volken defends it.
Baker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Baker scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Baker wants to lay and pray for a moment but Volken keeps working.
Well, if Baker is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker trying to mount his opponent but Volken defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Baker escapes and gets back to his feet.
Baker scores with a three punch combo!

Baker lands a left and a right that send Volken crashing to the mat, dazed. Baker thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Baker forces Volken back against the cage and clinches.
Baker controlling the action here for a moment.
Baker working hard to break the clinch.
A short left from Baker.
Baker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker wants to get back to striking at distance but Volken won't allow it.
Baker tries to break the clinch but Volken is controlling the position.
A right hand to the body from Baker.
Baker taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Baker.
Baker tries to pull guard but Volken holds him up against the cage and eventually Baker drops back down to his feet.
Darren Volken has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of RJ Baker.
Volken prevents the takedown attempt.
Volken takes a shot to the head.

Baker breaks the clinch.
Volken has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Baker lands a glancing blow to the side of Volken's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Volken looks up at the clock. Bad move! Baker lands a right hand from hell, dropping Volken. Baker pounces and finishes the fight with a flurry of punches and elbows.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). RJ Baker!