PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Faith Thatcher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse Baird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Thatcher
vs
Baird

155 cm
22
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

160 cm
19
131 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Faith Thatcher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jesse Baird!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Summer Carpenter and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baird changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Thatcher tries to avoid it but Baird manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Thatcher to the ground. Thatcher escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Baird moves out of range.
Thatcher misses with a head kick.
Baird shoots in and drives through. Thatcher sprawls well.
Thatcher throws a head kick but Baird moves out of range.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses.

Thatcher drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Baird looks gassed!
Thatcher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thatcher wants to get up but he can't break Baird's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Thatcher preventing the sweep.
Thatcher throwing strikes but missing.
Thatcher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Thatcher is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Thatcher tries to free his leg and advance position but Baird is retaining full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Thatcher throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird avoids the head kick by Thatcher.
Baird misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Faith Thatcher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jesse Baird.
Baird blocks a head kick by Thatcher.
A head kick misses from Thatcher.
Baird avoids the head kick by Thatcher.
Thatcher misses with a straight right.
Baird fails with the takedown.
Baird blocks a head kick by Thatcher.
Faith Thatcher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baird shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Thatcher as he jumps to the side.
Thatcher pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Thatcher scores with a takedown into Baird's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baird utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thatcher wants to control from the top but Baird keeps moving.
Thatcher is working Baird over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Baird is rocked!

It looks like Jesse Baird has been cut.
Thatcher landing some decent shots from guard.
Baird is still in real trouble! Can Thatcher finish him?
Baird not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Thatcher is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Thatcher scoring with some ground and pound.
Baird can't keep his opponent in guard - Thatcher advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Thatcher moves into full mount! Baird won't be happy about that!
Thatcher landing strikes from the mount and Baird is in trouble!
Thatcher postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Baird looks a forlorn figure.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Thatcher with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Thatcher scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Thatcher in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Thatcher pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Thatcher looking for a guillotine from mount but Baird is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thatcher is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Baird is surviving well by controlling Thatcher's body position as best he can.
Baird is desperately trying to improve his position but Thatcher has a good base and remains in mount.

Baird is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Thatcher locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Baird is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:36 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Faith Thatcher!