PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenji Kazan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baker is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Led Zeppelin - Achilles Last Stand. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Chris Baker enters the cage!

Kazan
vs
Baker

172 cm
21
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

177 cm
19
167 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Kazan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chris Baker!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kazan keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Baker drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Baker looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kazan struggling a bit here.

Baker thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
You can see the frustration on Kazan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kazan tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Kazan is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Kazan's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kazan tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kazan.
Kazan takes one to the chin there.
Kazan misses with a takedown

and Baker counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kazan is controlling Baker's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Baker controlling the action here.
Baker trying to mount his opponent but Kazan defends it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Baker is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kazan doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Baker.
Baker is controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Kazan moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kazan tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Kazan has an active guard here but Baker has managed to pass into half guard.
Kazan is refusing to be controlled, as Baker sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker wants to pass to mount but Kazan is defending the position.
Kazan tries to get to full guard but Baker has control of the leg.
Baker drops an elbow to the side of Kazan's head.

Kazan actively working from the bottom here.
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.
Kazan trying to control but Baker postures up.

That's four 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.
Baker seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Baker fails with a takedown attempt.
Baker doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kazan makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kenji Kazan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris Baker.
Kazan wants to clinch up but Baker keeps it at a distance.
Kazan fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Baker checks it well.
Kazan shoots and misses

and Baker counters with a shoot takedown. Kazan fights it but they end up in guard.
Kazan is breathing heavily.
Kazan wants to stand up but Baker is controlling him.
Kazan keeping moving, preventing Baker from controlling successfully.
Kazan throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Baker dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Baker gets the takedown into side control.
Kazan gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Ground and pound from Baker.
Baker is keen to just control but Kazan is a slippery customer.
Kazan wants to get back to full guard.
Baker not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Baker looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Baker prevents Kazan from standing back up.
Baker with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kazan wants to improve his position but Baker is controlling well.
Baker is pressing down on Kazan's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kazan is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baker shoots and misses

and Kazan counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kazan tries to pull guard but Baker holds him up against the cage and eventually Kazan drops back down to his feet.
Kazan tries for a takedown but Baker manages to get underhooks.

Baker has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Kazan clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Baker landing with strikes.
Baker has the hooks in. Kazan is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Baker controlling the position well here. Kazan rolled but Baker kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Kazan is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Kazan takes a big shot to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Chris Baker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Baker trying to control.
Baker keeps control of the position easily here as Kazan tries to buck him off.
I really don't envy Kazan right now.
Baker lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Kazan hold on?!
Baker is not going to allow Kazan to sit and survive in this position.
Baker slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Kazan tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kazan is bucking up trying to escape but Baker cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazan tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kazan is working hard here to advance position.

Kazan defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Baker.
Baker tries to control but Kazan wriggling away.
Kazan tries to lock up and control but Baker gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Baker putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Baker connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Baker with good strikes from the mount here!
Kazan slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Kazan is squirming around, avoiding Baker's attempts to control the action.

Baker looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Kazan swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Baker controlling his opponent.
Kazan regains half guard.
Baker slips a nice elbow through Kazan's hands, connecting with Kazan's forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chris Baker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kazan looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Baker!
Baker really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Baker sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Baker is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kazan's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kazan's back!
Kazan tries to escape the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker lands a shot to the head.
Baker controls the action.
Kazan tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kazan is trying desperately to improve position.
Baker working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Baker trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Baker content just to control the position here.

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.
Baker working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Kazan tries to hold on but Baker postures up.
Baker is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kazan is wriggling around trying to escape.
Baker trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kazan tries to lock up and control but Baker gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kazan is wriggling around trying to escape.
Baker cracks Kazan with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Kazan is rocked!
Baker scoring with strikes but Kazan is staying in there.
Oh Kazan is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kazan takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kazan takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Baker's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Chris Baker!