PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Slaughter Rico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Bakulaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diego Bakulaw has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rico
vs
Bakulaw

165 cm
25
130 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

173 cm
22
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Slaughter Rico!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Diego Bakulaw!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rico shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bakulaw pinned against the cage. Bakulaw gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bakulaw looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Slaughter Rico seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rico scores with a takedown into Bakulaw's guard.
Rico wants to pass the guard but Bakulaw is keeping the position.

Rico gets to his feet - Bakulaw follows without any prompting.
Rico tries to clinch but Bakulaw is having none of it.
Rico on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Bakulaw. Bakulaw obviously looking to wear him down.
Bakulaw blocks a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Bakulaw.
Rico swinging wilding here.
Bakulaw buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rico is breathing heavily.
Bakulaw slaps away a takedown attempt from Rico, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakulaw throws a nice outside leg kick.
Bakulaw throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Bakulaw moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bakulaw cracks the inside of Rico's front leg.
Bakulaw lands a front kick.
Bakulaw throws a nice outside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bakulaw.
Rico takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bakulaw connects with a solid leg kick.
Bakulaw connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bakulaw feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rico's calf.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bakulaw looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bakulaw scores with a head kick.
Rico takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Rico takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Bakulaw is looking to slow Rico down with leg kicks.
Bakulaw moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Bakulaw lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Bakulaw lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rico takes a kick to the side of the head.
Bakulaw moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rico takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Bakulaw feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rico's calf.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bakulaw.
Bakulaw lands with a thumping leg kick.
Bakulaw scores with a leg kick.
Bakulaw feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rico's calf.
Bakulaw throws a leg kick which misses Rico's front leg but catches the back leg as Rico tries to avoid it.
Bakulaw scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bakulaw lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Bakulaw connects with a high kick.
Bakulaw feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rico's calf.
An inside leg kick lands from Bakulaw.
Bakulaw throws a head kick but Rico moves out of range.
Bakulaw dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rico. That did some damage!
Bakulaw explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Rico fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Slaughter Rico. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakulaw looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bakulaw lands a nice looking kick to the body. Rico takes a step back to recover.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bakulaw.
Bakulaw throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Rico darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Rico decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Rico will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Good leg kick by Bakulaw there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Rico feints and as Bakulaw raises his hands in defense, Rico changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bakulaw wants to control but Rico passes easily into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rico stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Rico checks a leg kick.
Rico shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Bakulaw as he avoids it easily.
Bakulaw throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bakulaw throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bakulaw feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rico's calf.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rico tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bakulaw sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rico somewhat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bakulaw throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Bakulaw 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.

Rico throws a sloppy head kick
and Bakulaw counters with a head kick.
Rico takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Bakulaw pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rico.
Rico takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Rico fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Bakulaw sprawls well initially but Rico persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rico wants to pass the guard but Bakulaw is defending well.
Rico thows a huge punch but Bakulaw dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rico sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bakulaw defending well though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Bakulaw tries to get to full guard but Rico has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rico moves nicely into side control.
Rico is looking to take a break and control but Bakulaw is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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.

Rico stands up.
Rico misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bakulaw throws a sloppy head kick and Rico moves out of range easily.
Slaughter Rico is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rico.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Slaughter Rico. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rico tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rico shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bakulaw but Bakulaw pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bakulaw lands a high kick!
Rico is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakulaw defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Rico.
Rico shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bakulaw sprawls well. Bakulaw wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rico gets slowly back to his feet.
Bakulaw lands a head kick!
Bakulaw plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Rico fails with a takedown attempt.
Bakulaw stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Bakulaw wants it to stay on the feet.
A head kick from Bakulaw lands but Rico takes it in his stride.

Rico fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bakulaw, pushing him back against the cage.
Rico is trying to drag Bakulaw to the mat but Bakulaw just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rico looking for a takedown.
A frustrated look appears on Bakulaw's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rico tries to score a body lock takedown but Bakulaw shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakulaw is trying to force a seperation but Rico has the dominant position.
Rico has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bakulaw avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rico tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bakulaw smiles and moves away.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Bakulaw.
Rico changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bakulaw tries to avoid it but Rico manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bakulaw to the ground. Bakulaw escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Bakulaw lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Rico drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rico wants to control from the top but Bakulaw keeps moving.
Rico pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bakulaw is keeping the position for now.

Bakulaw is working an open guard so Rico takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Slaughter Rico dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bakulaw gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Rico decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bakulaw, up you get!
Bakulaw throws a head kick that Rico semi-blocks.
Bakulaw displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rico.
Bakulaw connects with a solid leg kick.
Bakulaw pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rico shoots in for a takedown but Bakulaw shows good takedown defense.
Bakulaw connects with a solid leg kick.
Bakulaw feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rico's calf.
Bakulaw scores with a head kick.
Rico throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bakulaw.
A head kick from Bakulaw lands but Rico takes it in his stride.
Rico shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bakulaw sprawls well. Bakulaw wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rico gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Slaughter Rico. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rico shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Bakulaw sprawls well. Bakulaw wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rico gets slowly back to his feet.
Bakulaw throws a nice outside leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bakulaw.
Rico shoots for a takedown but Bakulaw saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bakulaw bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Rico takes a kick to the side of the head.
A leg kick checked by Rico.
Rico shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bakulaw pinned against the cage. Bakulaw gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A punch combination from Rico misses.
Bakulaw slaps away a takedown attempt from Rico, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Bakulaw connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakulaw turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rico tries for a takedown but Bakulaw sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
An inside leg kick lands from Bakulaw.
Bakulaw lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rico tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bakulaw sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rico somewhat.
Bakulaw throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Rico fails to land with a series of punches.
Bakulaw dodges the punch combination from Rico.
Bakulaw stuffs the takedown attempt from Rico. Rico gets slowly back to his feet.
Bakulaw feints and then cracks Rico's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rico down.
A nice inside leg kick there by Bakulaw. That's going to slow Rico down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakulaw throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rico throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bakulaw's waist but Bakulaw gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rico off to one side.
Rico shoots for a double leg takedown but Bakulaw sprawls well. He's pushed Rico's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bakulaw lands a head kick!
Rico shoots for a takedown but Bakulaw saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bakulaw ducks under a wild hook from Rico.
Bakulaw scores with a head kick.

Rico drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rico is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Bakulaw can't keep his opponent in guard - Rico advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rico tries to pass to full mount but Bakulaw defends it.
Rico is trying to control the action in half guard but Bakulaw is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rico is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Bakulaw is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rico looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Diego Bakulaw.
I think Bakulaw has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Bakulaw!