PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Kirkland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Triston Baal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kirkland comes to the cage accompanied by My Life Be Like- by GRITS. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Kirkland
vs
Baal

192 cm
23
264 lbs
7 - 5 - 1

190 cm
31
270 lbs
20 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Prestige Nutrition (160! $99)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Josh Kirkland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Triston Baal!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirkland gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kirkland lands a body shot.
Baal throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Josh Kirkland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baal misses with a looping right.
Baal looks to land a left hand but Kirkland moved out of range nicely.
Kirkland connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kirkland moves away from the strike by Baal.
Baal dodges the punch combination from Kirkland.
Baal gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Baal avoids the body shot from Kirkland.
Kirkland takes one to the chin there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kirkland misses with a body shot
and Baal counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Josh Kirkland has been cut.
Kirkland showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Baal.
A jab from Baal misses.

Baal closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kirkland did well to prevent Baal getting side control.
Baal is keen to just control but Kirkland is a slippery customer.
Kirkland is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kirkland is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Baal pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kirkland looking for submissions off his back.
Kirkland trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Baal manages to pass to mount!

Baal is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Kirkland has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Kirkland is trying to escape the mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kirkland is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kirkland tries to hold on but Baal pushes him away.

Baal is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kirkland is surviving well by controlling Baal's body position as best he can.
Baal scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baal working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Kirkland is looking to improve his position but Baal isn't that keen on the idea.
Baal tries to control but Kirkland wriggling away.
Kirkland keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kirkland is working hard here to advance position.
Kirkland is in a horrible position here. Baal smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland is looking to get to half guard.
Baal fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Baal prevents Kirkland from getting the reversal.

Baal looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Kirkland is in all sorts of trouble here.
Baal putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Kirkland wants to control but Baal is having none of it.
Kirkland is looking to get to half guard.
Baal has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Kirkland's face.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kirkland is trying to escape the mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkland is in a horrible position here. Baal smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kirkland throwing hammer fists to the chest of Baal. What's that going to do exactly?
Kirkland is trying to escape the mount.
Baal tries to control but Kirkland wriggling away.
Kirkland throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Kirkland taking shots to the head.
Kirkland is trying to escape the mount.
Kirkland regains half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kirkland looking for submissions off his back.
Baal missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Triston Baal dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Josh Kirkland's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Baal swings for the body but Kirkland moves out of range.
Kirkland throws a hook but Baal avoids it easily.
Baal throws a looping overhand right but Kirkland ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Kirkland misses.
Kirkland ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kirkland walks into a straight right hand from Baal.
A nice combination there by Kirkland.
Kirkland listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Baal lands a nice shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Baal drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kirkland is trying to control the position but Baal postures up.

Kirkland throws his legs up looking for a submission but Baal uses it to pass to side control.
Kirkland sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Baal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kirkland's head.
Baal lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Baal connects with a nice short shot to Kirkland's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baal wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kirkland keeps working.

Kirkland looking for submissions off his back.
Baal passes to side control.
Baal tries to advance to mount but Kirkland denies him.
Baal throws a strike aimed at the side of Kirkland's head but Kirkland avoids it well.
Kirkland tries to bench press Baal off him but Baal keeps the position.
Baal cracks Kirkland with a big elbow.
Kirkland tries to buck Baal off but Baal is having none of it.
Kirkland sneaks back into half guard.

Kirkland is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Baal pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baal takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Baal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kirkland's head.

Kirkland is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Baal pulls his head out easily.
Kirkland is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kirkland looking for submissions off his back.

Kirkland looking for submissions off his back.
Kirkland gets back to full guard.
Triston Baal has got the better of the ground game so far.
Baal engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baal is in close to Kirkland's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Baal trying to control but Kirkland is working from the bottom.
Baal looking to pass the guard.
Kirkland scores with a nice shot.
Kirkland trying to keep a closed guard but Baal is proving a slippery customer.

Kirkland looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Baal trying to control the position from guard on top but Kirkland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Kirkland is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baal thows a big elbow that misses.

Kirkland looking for subs off his back but Baal has passed one foot through into half guard.
Baal controlling the action here.

Baal is working for a submission of some sort.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Baal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kirkland's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Triston Baal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Josh Kirkland's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Baal throws a right hand that Kirkland ducks under and follows up with a left that Kirkland also avoids with ease.
Baal slips a straight right by Kirkland.

Kirkland shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Baal napping and manages to drive through into side control!

Kirkland swings around for an armbar but Baal sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kirkland's guard.
Kirkland looking to hit a scissor sweep but Baal is one step ahead there.

Baal drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Baal jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Baal throwing strikes but missing.
Baal is looking to work some ground and pound but Kirkland has wrist control.

Kirkland is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Baal defends well.

Kirkland is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kirkland preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baal trying to control but Kirkland is working from the bottom.
Baal forces his way into half guard.
Baal is keen to just control but Kirkland is a slippery customer.
Kirkland is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Baal scores with a couple of nice shots.
Baal thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kirkland gets back to full guard.

Kirkland is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kirkland utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Kirkland is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Baal has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Baal stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kirkland swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kirkland looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kirkland working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Baal doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Baal manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Baal is looking to work some ground and pound but Kirkland has wrist control.
Baal controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kirkland is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baal is aware though and is defending well.

Kirkland looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Baal has picked Kirkland up and slammed him! Kirkland can't keep hold of the triangle and Baal manages to pass to side control!
Kirkland is trying to get back to half guard.
Baal is looking to take a break and control but Kirkland is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baal creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Baal has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Kirkland!
Baal scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Kirkland?
Baal is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Kirkland can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Baal looking for a guillotine from mount but Kirkland is having none of it.
Kirkland keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kirkland sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Baal moves into full mount! Kirkland won't be happy about that!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Baal is working for a guillotine from mount but Kirkland frees his head quite easily.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Baal cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baal controlling from the full mount.
Baal throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Kirkland is looking to improve his position but Baal isn't that keen on the idea.
Baal lands a heavy elbow.
Kirkland wants to control but Baal is having none of it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Baal cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Josh Kirkland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Triston Baal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kirkland tries to reverse the position but Baal maintains control.
Baal controlling from the full mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
Triston Baal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baal 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 Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Triston Baal!