PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paddy Fox (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolay Baskov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Fox might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Roy Jones - Can't be touched. Baskov has chosen Nikolay Baskov - You are far from me as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fox
vs
Baskov

188 cm
23
269 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

189 cm
25
249 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire
Bloodsport Nutrition

Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Paddy Fox!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolay Baskov!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Colin Fotheringham and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baskov fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fox sprawls well initially but Baskov persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Baskov is looking to take a break and control but Fox is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Fox is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Baskov pulls his head out easily.

Baskov is looking for a kimura here.

Baskov is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Fox trying to control from the bottom.

Baskov stands up and beckons Fox to join him on the feet.
Baskov stuffs the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baskov moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Baskov shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Baskov was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Baskov stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.

Fox looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Baskov!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baskov working to try and regain half guard.

Fox is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Baskov can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fox wants to stand but Baskov is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Fox prevents Baskov from getting the reversal.

Baskov defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Fox.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fox wants to get back to his feet but Baskov is holding on tight.
Baskov gets back to half guard.
Baskov is trying to stand.
Baskov moves into full guard.

Baskov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fox doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fox manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Baskov has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fox can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fox pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baskov is keeping the position for now.

Baskov looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Fox passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baskov gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Baskov actively working from the bottom here.
Baskov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fox.
The fighters are battling for position here. Baskov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Baskov keeping full guard, as Fox tries to pass.
Fox wants to get up but he can't break Baskov's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Baskov escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fox gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Baskov has a closed guard, preventing Fox from standing up.
Fox trying to control the position from guard on top but Baskov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov keeping full guard, as Fox tries to pass.

Fox gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baskov cracks Fox with a good jab.
Baskov circles away from the clinch attempt
and Baskov counters with a series of strikes. Fox will be more careful next time no doubt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice takedown defense from Baskov. No joy for Fox on that attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikolay Baskov dominated that round.
That's time! Fox's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Baskov rushes Fox and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Baskov has Fox pressed against the cage, preventing Fox from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Fox gets control of Baskov's arms and successfully pulls guard. Fox will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Fox has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Baskov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Baskov stands up and waves to Fox to follow him.
Fox shoots in for a takedown but Baskov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Baskov decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Fox is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Baskov pulls his head out easily.
Baskov winds up and cracks Fox with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baskov is keen to just control but Fox is a slippery customer.
Baskov missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fox desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Fox trying to control but Baskov postures up.
Baskov is looking to take a break and control but Fox is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Baskov performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nikolay Baskov was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Fox gets caught flat footed, as Baskov shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fox has his foot on Baskov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Baskov works his way back into a safe position though.

Fox pushes Baskov off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fox gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Baskov closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Fox's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Baskov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Baskov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Baskov 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.
Baskov wants to control from the top but Fox keeps moving.
Baskov wants to pass the guard but Fox is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fox is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baskov is aware though and is defending well.

Baskov drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Baskov jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Baskov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Baskov preventing the sweep.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Baskov. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Fox keeping moving, preventing Baskov from controlling successfully.
Baskov works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Fox is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Baskov pulls his head out easily.

Baskov seems to be working for a kimura but Fox defends the submission attempt.

Baskov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fox tries to roll over but Baskov keeps him under control.

Baskov is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Fox looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Baskov works his foot free and advances to mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Baskov quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Baskov but it's paid off an Fox is forced to tap! Nice work by Baskov.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Nikolay Baskov!
An out of breath and clearly excited Nikolay Baskov thanked Fossington & Blythe: Gentlemen's Fight Attire for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).