PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Angel Aracelis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raian Baaden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aracelis comes to the cage accompanied by God's Gonna Cut You Down. 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.

Aracelis
vs
Baaden

190 cm
20
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
217 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Angel Aracelis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Raian Baaden!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Frank Dennis and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aracelis throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Baaden avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice sprawl there from Aracelis as Baaden shoots in.
Aracelis misses with a wild combination.
Aracelis moves in looking to clinch but Baaden pushes him off.
Aracelis doesn't manage to clinch there - Baaden circles away.
Aracelis tries to close the distance and clinch but Baaden swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Baaden shoots for a takedown but Aracelis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aracelis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Baaden tries to keep at a distance but Aracelis has taken the fight into the clinch.
Baaden tries for a takedown. No joy.
Angel Aracelis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raian Baaden.
Baaden drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Aracelis gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Baaden has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Aracelis avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Baaden is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Aracelis gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Baaden wants a takedown.
Baaden is working for takedown but Aracelis is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Aracelis gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Aracelis pushes Baaden back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baaden takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Raian Baaden has been cut.
Baaden looks gassed!
Baaden changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Aracelis fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Aracelis tries to clinch there but Baaden circles away.
Aracelis wants to clinch up but Baaden keeps it at a distance.
Aracelis wants to clinch up but Baaden keeps it at a distance.
Angel Aracelis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Aracelis takes the fight into the clinch.

Baaden works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Aracelis is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Aracelis is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Baaden throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baaden won't allow Aracelis to sweep him here.
Aracelis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Baaden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baaden chips away with some ground and pound.
Aracelis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Aracelis fails with an attempt to clinch.

Aracelis gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Aracelis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baaden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Baaden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Aracelis trying to control the position here.
Baaden preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aracelis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Aracelis wants to sweep here but Baaden controlling him for the moment.
Aracelis is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Aracelis tries to close the distance and clinch but Baaden swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Baaden scores with a takedown into Aracelis's guard.
Aracelis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Baaden.
Aracelis seems keen to control Baaden's posture.
Baaden trying to control but Aracelis is working from the bottom.
Aracelis pulls Baaden in close to his closed guard and prevents Baaden from doing any damage or advancing position.
Baaden throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aracelis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Aracelis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Baaden is one step ahead there.
Baaden working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Aracelis on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Aracelis tries to get out of the position.
Aracelis looking to control.
Baaden preventing the sweep.
Baaden thows a big elbow that misses.
Baaden postures up.
Baaden scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Baaden is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Baaden slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Baaden is chipping away with strikes.
The ground and pound from Baaden seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Raian Baaden will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Raian Baaden's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Baaden keeps the fight on the outside.
The fight stays on the outside here - Aracelis looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Aracelis tries to clinch up but Baaden circles away and keeps his distance.
Aracelis swinging wilding here.
Aracelis tries to clinch there but Baaden circles away.
Baaden ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Baaden shoots in looking for a takedown. Aracelis tries to sprawl out of it but Baaden keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Aracelis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Aracelis is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Aracelis swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baaden closes the distance and clinches up with Aracelis, looking for a takedown. Baaden pushes Aracelis against the cage but Aracelis circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A head kick misses from Aracelis.
Aracelis tries to clinch but Baaden moves out of range.
Baaden keeps the fight on the outside.

Aracelis pushes Baaden up against the cage in a clinch.
Aracelis stops a takedown attempt from Baaden.
Angel Aracelis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raian Baaden.

Baaden is trying to trip Aracelis. He has hold of a leg but Aracelis is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Baaden persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Aracelis is pulling down on Baaden's head. It's preventing any offense from Baaden, at least for the moment.
Baaden postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Baaden landing some decent shots from guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Baaden accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Baaden won't allow Aracelis to sweep him here.
Baaden is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Baaden wants to control from the top but Aracelis keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baaden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baaden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Baaden has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Baaden throwing strikes but missing.
Aracelis wants to sweep but no luck.
Baaden looking to sit in guard and control but Aracelis gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Baaden looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Aracelis's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Baaden keeps the fight on the outside.
Aracelis tries to close the distance and clinch but Baaden swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Angel Aracelis is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Baaden feints and as Aracelis raises his hands in defense, Baaden changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Baaden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baaden throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Aracelis works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Aracelis preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baaden with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Baaden wants to pass the guard but Aracelis is keeping the position.
Baaden is breathing heavily.
Aracelis seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Aracelis trying to keep a closed guard but Baaden is proving a slippery customer.
Baaden trying to control but Aracelis is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Aracelis fails with an attempt to clinch.
Baaden misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Baaden staying out of range there.

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.
Aracelis tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Baaden paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Aracelis is looking to clinch.
Angel Aracelis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Baaden fails with a takedown attempt.
Baaden circles away from the clinch attempt.
Aracelis is looking to clinch.
Baaden shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Aracelis pinned against the cage. Aracelis gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Baaden darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Aracelis wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raian Baaden showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Raian Baaden's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Aracelis moves in looking to clinch but Baaden pushes him off.
Baaden ducks under a wild hook from Aracelis.
Aracelis tries to clinch there but Baaden circles away.
Aracelis wants to clinch.
Aracelis attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Baaden clinches with his opponent.
Baaden takes a shot to the head.
Baaden changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Aracelis fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Aracelis throws a sloppy head kick and Baaden moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Baaden shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Aracelis's guard.
Baaden chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baaden trying to control but Aracelis is working from the bottom.
Baaden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aracelis wants to sweep here but Baaden controlling him for the moment.
Baaden trying to control the position from guard on top but Aracelis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baaden lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Baaden postures up.
Aracelis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Baaden is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Baaden lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Baaden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Aracelis seems keen to control Baaden's posture.
Aracelis keeping moving, preventing Baaden from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Aracelis looking to hit a scissor sweep but Baaden is one step ahead there.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Aracelis darts in trying to clinch

so Baaden counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Baaden postures up in Aracelis's guard and throws a big left but Aracelis blocks it.
Aracelis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Baaden pushing down on Aracelis's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Aracelis wants to improve his position but Baaden is controlling well.
Baaden throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baaden lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Aracelis tries to roll over but Baaden keeps him under control.
Baaden working Aracelis over with strikes.
Baaden throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Aracelis is looking for a sweep. Baaden is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Baaden lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Baaden is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Baaden looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Aracelis with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Baaden throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Baaden is trying to work for a kimura but Aracelis is defending well.
Aracelis wants to control but Baaden is keeping busy.
Angel Aracelis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raian Baaden is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baaden content to control rather than advance.
Baaden lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Aracelis wants to control but Baaden is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Baaden in particular looking to stall.

Baaden is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A head kick misses from Aracelis.
Aracelis tries to clinch

and Baaden counters with a nice double leg into guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raian Baaden comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Baaden 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raian Baaden!