PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between joel rivera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Baron (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

rivera
vs
Baron

179 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, joel rivera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mike Baron!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Jorge Garcia and Lou da Vinci.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
rivera looks for a takedown but Baron sprawls well.
rivera dives in and grabs Baron's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baron pushes down on rivera's head and hops out.
Baron misses with a double jab.

Baron moves into the clinch.

Baron pulls guard successfully.
Baron trying to keep a closed guard but rivera is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
rivera would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
rivera postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baron uses the cage to get back to his feet.

Baron decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
rivera keeping hold of Baron's head, controlling as best he can.

Baron is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and rivera defends it well.
Baron not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
rivera tries to kick Baron off but Baron keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
rivera is refusing to be controlled, as Baron sits in half guard.
rivera is trying to stand back up but Baron is controlling him
Baron working over rivera with some ground and pound. rivera looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
rivera is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Baron trying to control the action but rivera is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A head kick misses from Baron.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
rivera misses with a takedown attempt

and Baron counters with a takedown into side control.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for joel rivera. That's going to take a lot out of him.
rivera is not content to let Baron control the position.
rivera is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Baron looking to control but instead rivera has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
rivera blocking the ground and pound attempt from Baron.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baron is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for rivera!
rivera is squirming around, avoiding Baron's attempts to control the action.

Baron goes for an armbar but rivera turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from rivera.
Baron is trying to keep rivera in close.
Baron keeping moving, preventing rivera from controlling successfully.
Baron is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Baron dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Baron closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Baron lands in his opponent's guard.
Baron connects with a couple of short punches.

rivera looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Baron has picked rivera up and slammed him! rivera can't keep hold of the triangle and Baron manages to pass to side control!
Baron is looking to take a break and control but rivera is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Baron decides to stand up, so the ref orders rivera to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baron moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Baron is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in rivera's half guard.
rivera wants to get back to his feet.

Baron stands up and beckons rivera to join him on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baron is keen to just control but rivera is a slippery customer.
rivera is looking to escape.

Baron decides to return to a standing position.

Baron looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Baron sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
rivera is trying to control but Baron passes into side control!
Baron landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
rivera is looking for a sweep.
rivera is trying to control Baron's posture but Baron avoids it.
Baron is looking to take a break and control but rivera is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Baron stands up and beckons rivera to his feet.

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.
rivera doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Baron counters with a nice double leg into side control. rivera won't be happy with that.
Baron wants to lay and pray for a moment but rivera keeps working.
Baron advances nicely into full mount.
rivera has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Baron's lack of action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baron seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Baron showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Baron looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for rivera!
Baron throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
rivera really wants to buck Baron off and get back to his feet.
Baron misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Baron can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as rivera is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
rivera is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
rivera is working hard here to advance position.
rivera is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Baron working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Baron thowing shots but they're missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Baron wants to control the pace but rivera is squirming around nicely.
rivera tries to hold on but Baron pushes him away.
Baron prevents rivera from getting the reversal.
Baron trying to control but rivera is having none of it.
Baron throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Baron trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
rivera tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Baron landing strikes, looking to finish!

Baron stands up from mount. Strange move.
rivera tries for a takedown but Baron circles away easily

and Baron counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Baron wants to lay and pray for a moment but rivera keeps working.

Baron stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baron closes the distance and pushes rivera back into the cage.
Baron keeps the fight in the clinch, despite rivera's efforts to push away.
rivera trying to stall but Baron improves his position.
rivera tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Baron pulls guard.
Baron is trying to keep rivera in close.
rivera wants to control from the top but Baron keeps moving.
joel rivera has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike Baron is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
rivera stopping the sweep attempt from Baron.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Baron comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baron has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 26:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Baron!