PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jason Baltimore (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mattias Markstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Baltimore
vs
Markstrom

188 cm
25
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
170 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jason Baltimore!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mattias Markstrom!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baltimore swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Markstrom tries for a takedown but Baltimore sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jason Baltimore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baltimore lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Baltimore throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Markstrom.
Some wild striking there from Baltimore.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Markstrom.
Markstrom prevents Baltimore from escaping the position.
Baltimore sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Markstrom is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Baltimore reverses the position - he's now on top in Markstrom's guard.
Markstrom 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.
Markstrom avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markstrom keeping moving, preventing Baltimore from controlling successfully.
Baltimore scoring with some ground and pound.
Markstrom wants to sweep here but Baltimore controlling him for the moment.
Markstrom keeping moving, preventing Baltimore from controlling successfully.
Baltimore working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Baltimore shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Markstrom is trying to defend but Baltimore finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Baltimore knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Markstrom on the ground.
Baltimore thows a huge punch but Markstrom dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markstrom is looking to improve his position.
Markstrom is looking to control Baltimore's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Markstrom avoid being mounted?
Markstrom is staying active underneath Baltimore, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Markstrom slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markstrom utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Baltimore working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Markstrom is trying to control the position but Baltimore postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Markstrom goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Markstrom slips a jab and a cross from Baltimore.
Markstrom shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Baltimore looks to land a combination but Markstrom avoids it well.
Baltimore throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Markstrom's waist but Markstrom gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Baltimore off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markstrom keeps the fight on the outside.

Baltimore shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Markstrom manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Baltimore is breathing heavily.
Baltimore content to stall in guard here.
Baltimore throwing strikes but missing.
Markstrom wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Baltimore is now in half guard.
Baltimore drops an elbow to the side of Markstrom's head.
Markstrom gets full guard.
Markstrom managing to control the position.
Baltimore wants to stand but Markstrom has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baltimore stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Markstrom swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Markstrom working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Baltimore.
Markstrom controls Baltimore momentarily but Baltimore frees himself.
Markstrom utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Markstrom trying to control the position.

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

Baltimore clinches up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jason Baltimore dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Markstrom looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Markstrom wants to control from the top but Baltimore keeps moving.
Markstrom pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baltimore is keeping the position for now.
Markstrom won't allow Baltimore to sweep him here.
Baltimore keeping moving, preventing Markstrom from controlling successfully.
Markstrom stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baltimore swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baltimore tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Markstrom being controlled here momentarily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Markstrom changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Baltimore tries to avoid it but Markstrom manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Baltimore to the ground. Baltimore escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Baltimore fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Jason Baltimore is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Markstrom scores with a hook to the body. Baltimore takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Markstrom takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Markstrom closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Markstrom wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baltimore keeps working.
Baltimore tries to get to full guard but Markstrom has control of the leg.
Markstrom is controlling the pace.

Markstrom is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Baltimore sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltimore is looking to improve his position.

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.
Markstrom missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Baltimore has his takedown stuffed
and Markstrom counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

Markstrom closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Markstrom is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Baltimore gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Markstrom fails to pull guard.
Jason Baltimore has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mattias Markstrom.
Markstrom tries to break free but Baltimore pushes him back against the cage.

Baltimore decides to pull guard.
Baltimore keeping moving, preventing Markstrom from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mattias Markstrom showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Markstrom shoots in looking for a takedown. Baltimore tries to sprawl out of it but Markstrom keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Baltimore manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice combination there by Baltimore.
Baltimore throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Markstrom counters with a good, hard body kick but Baltimore shrugs it off.
Markstrom avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Markstrom darts in and clinches Baltimore up against the cage.
Markstrom wants a takedown.
Baltimore prevents a takedown attempt there.
Jason Baltimore has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mattias Markstrom.

Markstrom pulls Baltimore into guard.
Baltimore wants to stand but Markstrom has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Markstrom is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Baltimore has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markstrom is trying to control the position but Baltimore postures up.
Markstrom takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Markstrom utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Baltimore drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Markstrom manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Baltimore has Markstrom in his guard.
Baltimore preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Markstrom trying to control the position from guard on top but Baltimore is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Baltimore pulls Markstrom in close to prevent any damage.
Mattias Markstrom has got the better of the ground game so far.
Markstrom looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Baltimore keeping moving, preventing Markstrom from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baltimore throws a head kick that misses

and Markstrom counters by moving into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Baltimore blocks a body shot from Markstrom.
Markstrom tries to pull guard but Baltimore won't allow it.
Markstrom can't break the clinch.
Markstrom goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baltimore prevents it.
Markstrom changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Baltimore fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Baltimore is looking to clinch.
Baltimore throws a right and a left that Markstrom avoids nicely.
Baltimore misses with a double jab

and Markstrom decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Baltimore's guard.
Baltimore has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Markstrom stops Baltimore from standing up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mattias Markstrom comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Markstrom 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 28:29
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mattias Markstrom!