PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mariusz Pudzianowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Baldwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pudzianowski comes to the cage accompanied by Dawaj na ring. Mariusz Pudzianowski looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Pudzianowski
vs
Baldwin

200 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
24
205 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mariusz Pudzianowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brandon Baldwin!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Hugh Johnson and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baldwin has managed to clinch.

Pudzianowski successfully pulls guard.
Pudzianowski working a defensive guard here.
Baldwin passes Pudzianowski's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Baldwin passes to side control.
Pudzianowski is trying to get back to half guard.
Baldwin tries to advance to mount but Pudzianowski denies him.
Pudzianowski wants to get back to his feet but Baldwin drags him back down.
Baldwin fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Baldwin throws an elbow but Pudzianowski slips to the side and avoids it well.
Baldwin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Baldwin working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Baldwin is looking to take a break and control but Pudzianowski is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pudzianowski is pushing Baldwin's head away, looking to escape. Baldwin manages to hold on to the position though.
Pudzianowski takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Pudzianowski knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Baldwin on the ground.
Baldwin looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Pudzianowski is avoiding damage well.
Baldwin throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Pudzianowski regains half guard.
Baldwin wants to free his trapped foot but Pudzianowski is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Baldwin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pudzianowski sees it coming and defends easily.
Baldwin tries to pass the half guard into mount. Pudzianowski knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Baldwin is keen to just control but Pudzianowski is a slippery customer.
Pudzianowski is pressing down on Baldwin's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pudzianowski is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baldwin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Baldwin won't allow Pudzianowski to sweep him here.
Baldwin trying to control but Pudzianowski is working from the bottom.
Baldwin might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Pudzianowski kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Baldwin looking to pass the guard.
Baldwin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Brandon Baldwin wasn't active enough on the ground.
Pudzianowski throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Baldwin counters by moving into the clinch.

Pudzianowski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pudzianowski shoots in for a takedown but Baldwin shows good takedown defense.
Baldwin fails with a takedown attempt.
Baldwin lands with a nice combination. Pudzianowski backs away looking to recover.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baldwin misses with a low kick.

Baldwin looking to score a takedown here. Pudzianowski is defending well but Baldwin drives through and ends up in Pudzianowski's guard.
Baldwin wants to control from the top but Pudzianowski keeps moving.
Baldwin tries to free his leg and advance position but Pudzianowski is retaining full guard.

Pudzianowski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Baldwin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Baldwin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Baldwin pushing down on Pudzianowski's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Baldwin wants to free his trapped foot but Pudzianowski is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Baldwin is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pudzianowski doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Baldwin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Baldwin.
Pudzianowski trying to control here.

Baldwin wants to work for an arm triangle but Pudzianowski is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pudzianowski is concentrating on defense, preventing Baldwin from advancing position.
Pudzianowski tries to roll over but Baldwin keeps him under control.
Baldwin is looking to advance position but Pudzianowski won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Baldwin dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Pudzianowski has closed the distance and engaged Baldwin in a clinch.
Baldwin tries for a takedown but Pudzianowski manages to get underhooks.
Pudzianowski fails to pull guard.
Baldwin can't break the clinch.

Baldwin pulls guard.
Pudzianowski has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Pudzianowski won't allow Baldwin to sweep him here.
Pudzianowski wants to stand but Baldwin is controlling his posture from full guard.

Baldwin is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Baldwin throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baldwin fails to pull guard.

Pudzianowski works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baldwin trying to keep a closed guard but Pudzianowski is proving a slippery customer.

Baldwin working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pudzianowski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pudzianowski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pudzianowski tries to stand but Baldwin is controlling from the bottom.
Pudzianowski working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Baldwin's head.
Pudzianowski wants to stand but Baldwin is controlling his posture from full guard.

Pudzianowski stands up and waves to Baldwin to follow him.

Baldwin closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pudzianowski to the mat! Pudzianowski manages to get full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pudzianowski is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pudzianowski keeping moving, preventing Baldwin from controlling successfully.
Baldwin stopping the sweep attempt from Pudzianowski.
Baldwin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Pudzianowski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Baldwin.
Pudzianowski trying to keep a closed guard but Baldwin is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baldwin slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Baldwin trying to control the action but Pudzianowski is working from the bottom.
Pudzianowski is working to avoid the ground and pound but Baldwin connects with a decent elbow.
Baldwin grinds an elbow into Pudzianowski's temple.
Pudzianowski regains half guard.
Baldwin thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pudzianowski's head.
Pudzianowski wants to improve his position but Baldwin is controlling well.
Baldwin passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Pudzianowski!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski working to try and regain half guard.
Baldwin raining down hammerfists from mount.
Pudzianowski's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Pudzianowski takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Baldwin jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Pudzianowski manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Pudzianowski explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Pudzianowski misses with a kick to the body.
Pudzianowski has his takedown stuffed

and Baldwin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Baldwin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Baldwin 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! This is the final round!

Pudzianowski falls off balance throwing a combination

and Baldwin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Baldwin.
Baldwin throws a big right hand that misses.
Baldwin throwing strikes from guard but Pudzianowski blocks nicely.
Baldwin tries to free his leg and advance position but Pudzianowski is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pudzianowski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pudzianowski pulls Baldwin in close to prevent any damage.
Pudzianowski is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Mariusz Pudzianowski has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Pudzianowski shoots and misses

and Baldwin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Pudzianowski is looking for a triangle but Baldwin pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baldwin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pudzianowski swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pudzianowski tries to strike from the bottom.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Baldwin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Baldwin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Baldwin stands and steps away. Pudzianowski gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Pudzianowski tries to keep at a distance but Baldwin has taken the fight into the clinch.

Pudzianowski breaks the clinch.
Pudzianowski slaps away a takedown attempt from Baldwin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pudzianowski lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Baldwin circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice sprawl there from Pudzianowski as Baldwin shoots in.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pudzianowski moves into range and clinches up with Baldwin.
Pudzianowski dodges an elbow strike from Baldwin.
Baldwin wants to stall.

Pudzianowski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Pudzianowski moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Baldwin clinches with his opponent.

Pudzianowski gets control of Baldwin's arms and successfully pulls guard. Pudzianowski will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Baldwin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Pudzianowski's guard.
Pudzianowski has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Baldwin is working away from the top position though.
Pudzianowski is refusing to be controlled, as Baldwin sits in half guard.
Baldwin is pressing down on Pudzianowski's thigh, looking to free his foot. Pudzianowski is holding on for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baldwin prevents Pudzianowski from improving his position.
Pudzianowski is trying to stand back up but Baldwin is controlling him

Baldwin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pudzianowski defends it well.
Pudzianowski gets full guard.

Baldwin 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.
Brandon Baldwin has got the better of the ground game so far.
Baldwin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pudzianowski is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Baldwin is looking to work some ground and pound but Pudzianowski has wrist control.
Pudzianowski wants to sweep but no luck.
Pudzianowski is working hard here to advance position.
Baldwin advances position into side control!
Pudzianowski managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Baldwin.
Mariusz Pudzianowski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brandon Baldwin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Baldwin decides to stand back up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Baldwin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Baldwin winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Baldwin!