PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marek Babiarz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erick Atkinson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Babiarz
vs
Atkinson

186 cm
20
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

181 cm
22
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Marek Babiarz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Erick Atkinson!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Jeff Smith and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atkinson fails to land the takedown.
Atkinson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Babiarz.

Babiarz rushes Atkinson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Babiarz could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Babiarz's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Atkinson shoots and misses
and Babiarz counters with a nice leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Babiarz connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Erick Atkinson has been cut.

Babiarz manages to break the clinch.

Babiarz clinches.

Babiarz breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Atkinson closes the distance but Babiarz moves to the side

and Babiarz counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Atkinson regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atkinson has control of Babiarz's left arm, preventing Babiarz from doing any damage.
Atkinson keeping moving, preventing Babiarz from controlling successfully.
Babiarz is looking to stand up but Atkinson won't let him.
Atkinson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Babiarz pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Atkinson is keeping the position for now.
Atkinson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Marek Babiarz wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Babiarz bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Atkinson wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
You can see the frustration on Atkinson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Babiarz tries to advance to mount but Atkinson denies him.
Atkinson is trying to improve his position.
Atkinson is pushing Babiarz's head away, looking to escape. Babiarz manages to hold on to the position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atkinson wants to control but Babiarz postures up.
Atkinson pushes Babiarz away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Babiarz gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Babiarz tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Babiarz has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Atkinson tries to bench press Babiarz off him but Babiarz keeps the position.
Atkinson looks gassed!
Atkinson regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkinson tries to kick Babiarz off but Babiarz keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Atkinson wants to control but Babiarz is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Babiarz has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Atkinson works to full guard.
Atkinson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Babiarz wants to get up but he can't break Atkinson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Atkinson wants to sweep but no luck.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Atkinson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Babiarz wants to pass the guard but Atkinson is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marek Babiarz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Erick Atkinson's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Babiarz rushes Atkinson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Atkinson has clasped his hands together around Babiarz's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Babiarz struggling a bit here.
Babiarz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Atkinson wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Babiarz is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Atkinson off and has taken his back!

Atkinson is in a bad position with Babiarz working for a choke. Atkinson manages to spin nicely into guard and the danger is over for the moment.
Atkinson wants to control from the top but Babiarz keeps moving.
Marek Babiarz overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atkinson pushing down on Babiarz's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Babiarz is trying to control but can't.
Atkinson wants to stand but Babiarz has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Atkinson passes the guard and advances to mount!

Atkinson working for a guillotine from mount but Babiarz is in no mood to give up.
Atkinson sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkinson controlling from mount.
Babiarz is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Babiarz is trying desperately to improve position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Babiarz wants to hold on but Atkinson pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Atkinson looking to control but Babiarz is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Atkinson might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Babiarz kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
BOOM! Atkinson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Poor strikes thrown by Atkinson there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Babiarz really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Atkinson wants to control the pace but Babiarz is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Babiarz is looking to improve his position but Atkinson isn't that keen on the idea.
Atkinson misses with a head shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Babiarz is looking to get to half guard.
Atkinson trying to control but Babiarz is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erick Atkinson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Erick Atkinson's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Atkinson shoots in but Babiarz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Babiarz looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Atkinson misses with a low kick.
Babiarz throws a right and a left that both miss.
Atkinson shoots in but Babiarz avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Atkinson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Atkinson shoots in for a takedown but Babiarz shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Marek Babiarz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erick Atkinson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atkinson with a poor takedown
and Babiarz counters with a left and a right that stings Atkinson.
Atkinson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Babiarz listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Babiarz bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Atkinson is trying to get back to his feet.
Babiarz working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Atkinson tries to buck Babiarz off but Babiarz is having none of it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Atkinson is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Babiarz tries for a kimura but Atkinson is defending well.
Babiarz trying to control the action but Atkinson is working from the bottom.

Babiarz goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Atkinson has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Babiarz but great work by Atkinson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Atkinson has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Atkinson gets tackled into the cage by Babiarz. Babiarz maintains the clinch.
Atkinson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Babiarz has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Babiarz breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Atkinson closes the distance and clinches up with Babiarz, looking for a takedown. Atkinson pushes Babiarz against the cage but Babiarz circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Babiarz throws a series of punches but Atkinson moves out of range.
No joy there for Babiarz, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Atkinson tries to close the distance and clinch but Babiarz swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Babiarz, right into the meat.

Atkinson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Atkinson passes the guard and advances to mount!
Atkinson can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Babiarz is looking to escape.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Babiarz has given up his back here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marek Babiarz showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Babiarz has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marek Babiarz!