PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Azamat Bagatov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raian Baaden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bagatov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Curtis Stigers & The Forest Rangers - John The Revelator . Azamat Bagatov had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Bagatov
vs
Baaden

180 cm
26
220 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

188 cm
26
217 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Azamat Bagatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Raian Baaden!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baaden changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bagatov looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sloppy strikes there by Baaden.
Baaden fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Sloppy strikes there by Baaden.
Bagatov wants to get back to his feet.
Baaden working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baaden trying to control the action but Bagatov is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bagatov parries the strikes from Baaden easily there. Baaden is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Bagatov to escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baaden tries to score with some ground and pound. Bagatov controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Baaden shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Baaden was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Bagatov blocking the ground and pound.
Bagatov is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Bagatov avoids a series of strikes thrown by Baaden.
Baaden looking to finish with strikes here!
Baaden won't let Bagatov get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Bagatov is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Baaden jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Bagatov is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Bagatov and Baaden has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Baaden throws a strike aimed at the side of Bagatov's head but Bagatov avoids it well.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Baaden working the head with strikes.
The ground and pound from Baaden seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Baaden throwing strikes but Bagatov manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bagatov in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Baaden takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Baaden sneaks back into half guard.
Baaden has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baaden trying to hold on to Bagatov's head to control him but Bagatov postures up.
Baaden tries to get to full guard but Bagatov has control of the leg.
Bagatov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Baaden is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bagatov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bagatov's back!

Baaden looking to finish the fight with a rear naked choke. Bagatov is controlling Baaden 's left arm and he spins nicely into guard.
Bagatov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bagatov throws and elbow that misses. Baaden uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bagatov's guard. Nice move by Baaden!
Bagatov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Baaden pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bagatov is keeping the position for now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Baaden accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Baaden trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Bagatov manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Bagatov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Baaden tries to strike from the bottom.
Bagatov throws a big right hand that misses.
Baaden 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raian Baaden dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bagatov has his takedown stuffed
and Baaden counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Baaden closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Baaden lands in his opponent's guard.
Bagatov can't keep his opponent in guard - Baaden advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Bagatov is trying to stand up here but Baaden is controlling him well.
Bagatov is refusing to be controlled, as Baaden sits in half guard.
Baaden is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baaden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Baaden throwing strikes from guard but Bagatov blocks nicely.
Baaden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Baaden throws and elbow that misses. Bagatov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Baaden's guard. Nice move by Bagatov!
Bagatov stopping the sweep attempt from Baaden.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bagatov throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Baaden counters with a takedown into side control.
Bagatov wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Bagatov avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Baaden.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baaden staying calm.
Bagatov parries the strikes from Baaden easily there. Baaden is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Bagatov to escape.
Baaden throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Baaden throwing strikes but Bagatov manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baaden is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Bagatov off and has taken his back!
Baaden thows a strike but Bagatov uses the opportunity to reverse the position! Great move by Bagatov as he ends up in Baaden 's guard!
Bagatov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bagatov is looking to work some ground and pound but Baaden has wrist control.
Baaden avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Baaden utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Baaden looking for a sweep. Not yet Baaden, not yet.
Bagatov wants to control from the top but Baaden keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Baaden doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bagatov counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Baaden!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baaden is looking to get to half guard.
Baaden is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baaden sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Baaden trying to control from the bottom.
Baaden tries to roll over but Bagatov keeps him under control.
Bagatov scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Baaden avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bagatov.
Baaden is staying active underneath Bagatov, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bagatov landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Bagatov throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Baaden is pressing down on Bagatov's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bagatov throwing strikes from guard but Baaden blocks nicely.

Baaden has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Bagatov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Raian Baaden will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bagatov misses with a takedown attempt

and Baaden counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Baaden.
Bagatov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baaden lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Baaden trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Baaden trying to control but Bagatov is working from the bottom.
Baaden throwing strikes from guard but Bagatov blocks nicely.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Baaden trying to control the position from guard on top but Bagatov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baaden with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bagatov misses with an uppercut. Baaden saw that one coming.
Baaden fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bagatov gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Baaden counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Baaden missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bagatov is refusing to be controlled, as Baaden sits in half guard.
Azamat Bagatov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baaden is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Baaden seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bagatov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Baaden throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bagatov regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Baaden.
Raian Baaden has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bagatov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Bagatov fails with the takedown

so Baaden counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Azamat Bagatov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baaden postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Baaden is in close to Bagatov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Baaden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Baaden missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baaden postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Baaden stands up over Bagatov, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Baaden postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
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 stall in guard here.
Bagatov wants to stand but Baaden is controlling the position.
Baaden postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bagatov is looking to stand up but Baaden isn't so interested in that idea.
Baaden showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raian Baaden comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baaden 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

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