PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Triston Baal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark McKagan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McKagan comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Ranma 1/2 - Kung fu fighting kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Mark McKagan was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Baal
vs
McKagan

190 cm
23
270 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

190 cm
20
250 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Crippler's Corner

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Triston Baal!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mark McKagan!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baal lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Mark McKagan has been cut.
McKagan throws a hook but Baal avoids it easily.

Baal moves into the clinch successfully.
Baal lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
McKagan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
McKagan can't get the takedown.
Baal scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Baal pushes McKagan back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A hook to the body from Baal.
Baal stalling against the cage.
McKagan fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Triston Baal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark McKagan.
McKagan tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Baal smiles and moves away.
Baal scores with the left hand. McKagan knows he should have avoided that one.

Baal moves into the clinch successfully.
McKagan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Baal gets underhooks to prevent McKagan's takedown attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short right from Baal.
Baal lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Baal scores with a nice hook to the head.
McKagan looks gassed!
McKagan fails to pull guard.

Baal is trying to trip McKagan. He has hold of a leg but McKagan is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Baal persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Baal postures up in McKagan's guard and throws a big left but McKagan blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baal is looking to advance position but McKagan has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Baal is wriggling around trying to escape.
Baal regains half guard.
McKagan trying to control the action but Baal is working from the bottom.
Baal slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Baal manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McKagan manages to get himself to full guard.
Baal passes McKagan's left leg - he's now in half guard.
McKagan has hold of Baal's hands but Baal slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKagan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Baal moves into full mount! McKagan won't be happy about that!
McKagan in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Baal scores with a couple of good head shots there.
McKagan is trying desperately to improve position.
Baal dominating with strikes here.
Baal lands a big elbow.
Baal lands a nice shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baal looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Baal raining down shots from the mount!
McKagan is bucking up trying to escape but Baal cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baal postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. McKagan looks a forlorn figure.
Baal has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baal lands a big shot there that rocks McKagan but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Baal scores with a couple of good head shots there.
McKagan wants to hold on but Baal pushes him away.
Baal lands a big shot there that rocks McKagan but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Baal landing strikes, looking to finish!
McKagan is in a horrible position here. Baal smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Baal connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
McKagan keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Baal pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
McKagan tries to lock up and control but Baal gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Baal can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as McKagan is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKagan is in a horrible position here. Baal smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Baal fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Baal working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Baal lands with some strikes.
Baal trying to control but McKagan is having none of it.
Baal with the ground and pound from mount.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baal pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Baal thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
McKagan slips a leg in and gets back to 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 Mark McKagan's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

McKagan shoots in and drives through. Baal sprawls well.

Baal rushes McKagan and presses him up against the cage.

Baal has dropped down and is working for a takedown. McKagan is trying to keep an underhook but Baal manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Baal drops an elbow to the side of McKagan's head.
Baal wants to control but McKagan is keeping him busy.
McKagan wants to improve his position but Baal is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baal working over McKagan with some ground and pound. McKagan looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Baal throwing shots but McKagan is blocking nicely.
McKagan trying to control from the bottom.
Baal drops an elbow to the side of McKagan's head.
McKagan wants to improve his position but Baal is controlling well.
McKagan avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Baal.
Baal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baal missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKagan is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

McKagan tries to keep at a distance but Baal has taken the fight into the clinch.
McKagan wants a takedown.
Baal lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Baal digs a right hand underneath McKagan's ribcage. McKagan let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Baal throws a blind hook that connects with the side of McKagans head.
Baal lands a body shot.
Stalling in the clinch from Baal.
McKagan goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baal prevents it.
Triston Baal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark McKagan.
McKagan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
McKagan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Baal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
McKagan has Baal pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baal manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
McKagan swings wildly with an uppercut but Baal uses good head movement to avoid it.
McKagan has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Baal is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
McKagan tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Baal just stands there and leans against the cage.
McKagan jumps guard but Baal stands there with McKagan around his waist. McKagan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Baal gets underhooks to prevent McKagan's takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McKagan tries to pull guard but Baal holds him up against the cage and eventually McKagan drops back down to his feet.

Baal lands a takedown into guard.
McKagan utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Baal forces his way into half guard.
McKagan gets full guard.
McKagan working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Baal.
McKagan wants to stand but Baal is controlling the position.
McKagan wants to sweep here but Baal controlling him for the moment.
McKagan is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Baal makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Baal.
McKagan wants to control from the top but Baal keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baal is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Triston Baal overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Baal manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. McKagan manages to get himself to full guard.
Baal throws a strike but McKagan rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
McKagan makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
McKagan tries to stand but Baal is controlling from the bottom.
Baal keeping moving, preventing McKagan from controlling successfully.
Baal is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baal wants to pass to mount but McKagan is defending the position.
Baal lands with a punch from half guard.

McKagan looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
McKagan is looking for a sweep. Baal is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McKagan trying to control but Baal postures up.
Baal trying to control the action but McKagan is working from the bottom.
Baal thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Baal wants to lay and pray for a moment but McKagan keeps working.
Baal is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McKagan can do to turn this around?

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Baal misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Triston Baal dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mark McKagan's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Baal dodges the punch combination from McKagan.
Mark McKagan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baal takes one on the chin but seems OK.

McKagan pushes Baal up against the cage in a clinch.
McKagan wants to break the clinch but can't.
Baal lands with a short shot to the head.
McKagan jumps guard but Baal stands there with McKagan around his waist. McKagan gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
McKagan tries to pull guard but Baal holds him up against the cage and eventually McKagan drops back down to his feet.
McKagan is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Baal gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Triston Baal has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark McKagan.
Baal works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Baal pushes McKagan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
McKagan tries for a takedown but Baal manages to get underhooks.
McKagan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Baal works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Baal lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Baal stalling against the cage.
Baal lands a right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Baal lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baal lands with a right to the head.
McKagan drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Baal gets the underhooks and prevents it.
McKagan is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McKagan letting Baal take a breather here.
Baal pushes McKagan back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Baal slows down the pace here.
Baal lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of McKagan backwards.
Baal scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Baal has hold of one of McKagan's legs. McKagan is fighting the takedown attempt but Baal gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Baal won't allow McKagan to sweep him here.
Baal stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. McKagan swivels though and keeps the full guard.
McKagan is trying to keep Baal in close.
McKagan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baal sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed McKagan's guard.

Baal is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McKagan is just riding it out for now. Baal eventually gives up the hold.
Baal throwing shots but McKagan is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baal trying to control from half guard but McKagan is working away.
Baal thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McKagan's head.
Baal slips a nice elbow through McKagan's hands, connecting with McKagan's forehead.
Baal passes to side control.
McKagan is looking for a sweep.
Baal lands a few punches from side control.
Baal prevents McKagan from escaping the position.
McKagan tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baal tries to score with some ground and pound. McKagan controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Baal throws a strike aimed at the side of McKagan's head but McKagan avoids it well.
McKagan gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Baal prevents McKagan from improving his position.
Baal drops an elbow to the side of McKagan's head.
McKagan misses with some strikes from the bottom.
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 McKagan's temple.
Baal working the head and body with strikes.
McKagan has hold of Baal's hands but Baal slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Baal seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McKagan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Baal moves into full mount! McKagan won't be happy about that!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McKagan holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Baal tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Baal lands a nice shot to the head.
McKagan regains half guard.
Baal scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Baal not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Baal missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Baal looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
McKagan makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McKagan.
Baal postures up in McKagan's guard and throws a big left but McKagan blocks it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Triston Baal showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Baal has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Triston Baal!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Triston Baal!
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight for Triston Baal!

Triston Baal wins by unanimous decision!