PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dom Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Narcissus Fernandez Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Baker
vs
Fernandez Junior

225 cm
28
140 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

170 cm
22
135 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dom Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Narcissus Fernandez Junior!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker tries a head kick but it misses.
Fernandez Junior tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Baker swivels and escapes.
Baker misses the shot to the body.
Fernandez Junior takes a kick to the side of the head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Baker darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Fernandez Junior fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Baker gets caught flat footed, as Fernandez Junior shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Fernandez Junior wants to pass the guard but Baker is keeping the position.

Fernandez Junior drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Baker dives on top into guard.
Baker postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fernandez Junior has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Baker off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Baker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fernandez Junior keeps Baker at a distance using the push kick.
Nice takedown defense from Baker. No joy for Fernandez Junior on that attempt.
Dom Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Narcissus Fernandez Junior.
Baker takes a swing at Fernandez Junior's ribcage but misses.

Fernandez Junior shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Baker manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Baker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Fernandez Junior wants to pass the guard but Baker is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez Junior is stalling in the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Narcissus Fernandez Junior was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Fernandez Junior fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Baker bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Fernandez Junior's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fernandez Junior closes the distance and clinches up with Baker, looking for a takedown. Fernandez Junior pushes Baker against the cage but Baker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Fernandez Junior throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Baker was covering up waiting for the punch and Fernandez Junior finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Baker can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Fernandez Junior controls the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Fernandez Junior trying to control but Baker is working from the bottom.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Narcissus Fernandez Junior hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Fernandez Junior closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fernandez Junior lands in his opponent's guard.
Fernandez Junior trying to control the position from guard on top but Baker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Narcissus Fernandez Junior hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baker. Fernandez Junior does a little dance to reset his feet.

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

Fernandez Junior looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Baker on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Baker tries to get out of the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Fernandez Junior is looking for a kimura but Baker is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fernandez Junior to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Narcissus Fernandez Junior dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sloppy strikes from Fernandez Junior. Those never looked like landing.
Fernandez Junior tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Baker with a jab.
Fernandez Junior looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Fernandez Junior moves out of range as Baker strikes.
Fernandez Junior tries to clinch there but Baker circles away.
A jab from Baker misses.
Baker throws a head kick that misses.
Baker misses with a jab, cross combination.
Fernandez Junior throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Baker is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Baker misses with a looping right.
Baker slaps away a takedown attempt from Fernandez Junior, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Narcissus Fernandez Junior seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fernandez Junior fails with a takedown attempt.
Dom Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Narcissus Fernandez Junior.
Baker throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Fernandez Junior gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Baker.
Fernandez Junior shoots in looking for a takedown. Baker tries to sprawl out of it but Fernandez Junior keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Baker manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fernandez Junior looking to score a takedown here. Baker is defending well but Fernandez Junior drives through and ends up in Baker's guard.
Fernandez Junior trying to control the position from guard on top but Baker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fernandez Junior.

Fernandez Junior has gone for a leg lock! Baker slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fernandez Junior's guard.
Baker being controlled here momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Narcissus Fernandez Junior has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Fernandez Junior misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fernandez Junior is looking to clinch.
Baker dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fernandez Junior. That did some damage!
Fernandez Junior looks for a takedown but Baker sprawls well.

Fernandez Junior feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fernandez Junior throwing strikes but missing.
Fernandez Junior passes Baker's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez Junior misses with a head shot. Baker uses the momentum to regain guard.
Fernandez Junior advances position into side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Fernandez Junior is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Baker is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Baker is trying to get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fernandez Junior is looking to take a break and control but Baker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Narcissus Fernandez Junior showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Fernandez Junior shoots in for a double leg but Baker sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Baker misses with a looping left.
Baker misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Baker misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Baker misses with a double jab.
Baker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fernandez Junior was well out of range. Poor timing from Baker.

Fernandez Junior shoots in and gets a takedown into Baker's guard.
Baker keeping moving, preventing Fernandez Junior from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Narcissus Fernandez Junior was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Fernandez Junior throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Baker.
Fernandez Junior shoots for a takedown but Baker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Baker misses with the combination.
Baker's jab looks to have found its range, popping Fernandez Junior under the eye.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fernandez Junior throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Fernandez Junior throws a head kick but Baker moves out of range.
Baker is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Fernandez Junior looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Baker is not content to let Fernandez Junior control the position.
Fernandez Junior trying to pass the guard but Baker defending well.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Narcissus Fernandez Junior wasn't active enough on the ground.
Baker keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fernandez Junior.
Dom Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Narcissus Fernandez Junior.
Fernandez Junior is looking to clinch.
Baker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fernandez Junior shoots in for a double leg but Baker sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Fernandez Junior closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Baker to the mat! Baker manages to get full guard.
Fernandez Junior takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fernandez Junior works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Fernandez Junior is trying to control. Baker wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fernandez Junior thows a huge punch but Baker dodges it nicely.
Fernandez Junior passes to side control.
Baker wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fernandez Junior is working to tighten is grip on Baker's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Baker has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Fernandez Junior is really squeezing tight and eventually Baker passes out! Fernandez Junior breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Narcissus Fernandez Junior!
Narcissus Fernandez Junior decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.