PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ray Munch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolay Baskov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baskov comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Nikolay Baskov - You are far from me kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Munch
vs
Baskov

185 cm
27
265 lbs
20 - 9 - 0

189 cm
28
249 lbs
17 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

BLKOUT CLothing 93% Laundry

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 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Ray Munch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Nikolay Baskov!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Chris Edwards and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Munch connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Good shot there by Munch.
Baskov walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Munch throws a hook but Baskov avoids it easily.
Munch bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Baskov's head backwards.
Munch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baskov manages to avoid it.
Nice takedown defense from Munch. No joy for Baskov on that attempt.
Baskov ducks under a wild hook from Munch.
Good exchange - Munch coming out on top.
Munch keeps the fight on the outside.
Munch throws a lazy head kick
and Baskov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big right from Munch misses.
Baskov takes a swing at Munch's ribcage but misses.
Munch thows a left - swing and a miss!
Munch pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munch jabs Baskov to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Baskov looks to land a right hand but Munch moved out of range.
Baskov slips a straight right by Munch.
Baskov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Munch throws a poor cross that misses

and Baskov counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Baskov.
Munch swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baskov tries to score a body lock takedown but Munch shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Baskov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Munch is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ray Munch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolay Baskov.
Baskov goes for a takedown in the clinch but Munch prevents it.
Munch wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Baskov has Munch pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Baskov pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Munch tumbling to the mat - Baskov dives into Munch's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Munch has a closed guard, preventing Baskov from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Munch trying to control the position.
Baskov is looking to advance position but Munch has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Munch throwing strikes here but Baskov is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Baskov is squirming around, avoiding Munch's attempts to control the action.
Munch misses with a head shot.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Munch with the ground and pound from mount.
Munch throws some wild stikes that Baskov manages to avoid easily.
Munch looking to finish with strikes here!
Poor strikes thrown by Munch there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baskov is trying desperately to improve position.
Baskov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Baskov tries to hold on but Munch postures up.
Munch throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Baskov tries to hold on but Munch postures up.
Baskov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Munch throwing shots but Baskov is blocking nicely.

Baskov looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Baskov wants to control but Munch is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Munch trying to advance position but Baskov counters by regaining guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Munch throwing strikes from guard but Baskov blocks nicely.

Munch got a little sloppy there for a moment and Baskov has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Munch has managed to get both his arms back between Baskov's legs - danger averted.
Munch missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Munch throwing strikes but missing.
Munch with a flurry of punches that miss.
Munch trying to control the position from guard on top but Baskov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Munch preventing the sweep.
Munch has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Munch lands a couple of elbows.

Baskov is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Munch is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ray Munch will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Baskov walks into a stiff left hand from Munch.
Munch is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Munch dips to his left and cracks Baskov with an uppercut!
Baskov takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Baskov scores with a hook.
A big right from Munch misses.
Munch dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Baskov. That did some damage!
Munch thows a left - swing and a miss!
Munch throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Munch waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Baskov.
Baskov slips a jab from Munch.
Munch misses with a body shot.
Munch misses with a body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baskov tries to clinch
and Munch counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Munch.
Baskov fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Ray Munch is winning the standup battle so far.
Baskov shoots in for a takedown but Munch shows good takedown defense.
A combination from Munch does no damage.
No joy there for Munch, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Munch scores with a one two! Baskov had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Baskov ducks under a wild hook from Munch.
Munch works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Munch throws a shot to the body.
Munch throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Baskov.
Baskov takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Munch throws a combination that misses
and Baskov cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Munch throws an overhand right that lands on Baskov's shoulder, as Baskov tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baskov shoots in but Munch avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ray Munch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikolay Baskov.
Munch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baskov manages to avoid it.
Baskov slips under a jab.
Munch misses with a wild body shot.
Munch looks to throw the jab but Baskov is out of range.
Baskov looks for a takedown but Munch sprawls well.
Munch looks to throw the jab but Baskov is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munch throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body punch from Munch.
Baskov is trying hard to land a takedown here. Munch sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Munch stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
No joy there for Munch, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Baskov slips a jab from Munch.
Baskov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baskov takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Munch throws a right hand that misses
and Baskov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Baskov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Munch misses with a wild body shot.
Baskov gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Munch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Munch thows a body shot but no joy.
Munch ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Baskov moves away.
Baskov tries to clinch there but Munch circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Munch lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Baskov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nice uppercut there from Munch.
Baskov avoids the body shot from Munch.
Munch avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Munch looks to land a right hand but Baskov moved out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baskov tries to clinch but Munch is having none of it.
Munch is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Baskov.

It looks like Ray Munch has been cut.
Munch misses with a head kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ray Munch dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Ray Munch's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Munch blocks a jab.
Baskov on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Baskov moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A slow jab from Baskov misses its intended target.
Baskov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Munch.
Nikolay Baskov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice shot lands for Munch.
Baskov takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Munch swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Munch stalks Baskov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Baskov's face. Baskov staggers backwards, shaken.
Baskov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Baskov lands a jab.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A looping hook to the body misses from Munch. Baskov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ray Munch is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baskov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Munch stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Baskov wants to clinch.
Munch sizes up Baskov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Baskov misses with a hook. Munch ducked under it nicely.
Baskov slips a straight right by Munch.
Baskov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Munch looks to score with a jab to the body but Baskov is just out of range.
Munch misses with a jab, cross combination.
Munch loads up on a big right hand but Baskov slips the punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baskov tries to clinch but Munch is having none of it.
A lazy left from Munch finds it's target.
Nice body punch from Munch.
Munch throws a right hand that misses
letting Baskov counter with a right hand.
Munch lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Baskov at a distance.
Baskov wants to clinch up but Munch keeps it at a distance.
Ray Munch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baskov defending well as Munch loads up on a big left hand.
Munch lands with an overhand left.
Baskov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Munch swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Munch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Baskov connects with a looping right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munch rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Baskov counters with a stiff right hand.

Baskov closes the distance and pushes Munch back into the cage.
Baskov has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Munch after a bit of a struggle.

Baskov lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Munch tries to get to full guard but Baskov has control of the leg.
Munch gets back to full guard.
Munch not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Baskov slips nicely into half guard.
Ray Munch overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Munch wants to control but Baskov is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baskov trying to control the action but Munch is working from the bottom.

Munch is defending against the submission attempts here by Baskov.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baskov is stalling here. Munch is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Baskov seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Munch has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Munch decides to stand back up. Munch steps back and let's Baskov get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ray Munch.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Munch, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight for Ray Munch!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Ray Munch!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for Ray Munch!

Ray Munch wins by unanimous decision!
Ray Munch gave a mention to BLKOUT CLothing 93% Laundry in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).