PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jacob Baxter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Denalio Despucci (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.

Baxter
vs
Despucci

205 cm
18
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
230 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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, Jacob Baxter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Denalio Despucci!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baxter gets caught napping as Despucci dives in and scores a takedown. Baxter manages to retain guard.
Despucci wants to pass the guard but Baxter is keeping the position.
Baxter wants to stand and escape but Despucci is having none of it.
Despucci is looking to work some ground and pound but Baxter has wrist control.

Baxter looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Despucci stands up over Baxter, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Baxter not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Despucci slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Despucci wanted to stand there but Baxter had control of the position.

Baxter working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Despucci doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Despucci manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Despucci really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Baxter. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baxter being controlled here, momentarily.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Denalio Despucci wasn't active enough on the ground.
Baxter blocks a head kick by Despucci.

Despucci dives in and scores a takedown into Baxter's guard.
Despucci with a flurry of punches that miss.
Despucci is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Despucci gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Despucci throws a head kick but Baxter moves out of range.

Despucci dives in and scores a takedown into Baxter's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Despucci slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Let's hope that Despucci has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Despucci trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Despucci's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Despucci trying to control but Baxter is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Baxter has his foot on Despucci's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Despucci works his way back into a safe position though.
Baxter not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Baxter wants to sweep but no luck.

Despucci decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Baxter is breathing heavily.

Despucci gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Baxter can't get the takedown.
Despucci tries to land knees in the clinch but Baxter avoids the damage to the body.
Baxter looking for a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Despucci controlling the action here for a moment.
Baxter changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Despucci fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacob Baxter. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Baxter gets caught flat footed, as Despucci shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Despucci stands up and waves to Baxter to follow him.
Baxter tries to score a power double leg takedown but Despucci sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Baxter somewhat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Despucci closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Baxter to the mat! Baxter manages to get full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denalio Despucci dominated that round.
That's time! Baxter's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Despucci takes the fight into the clinch.

Despucci has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Baxter clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Despucci controlling the position well here. Baxter rolled but Despucci kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Baxter breaks Despucci's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Despucci keeping moving, preventing Baxter from controlling successfully.
Despucci trying to control the position.

Despucci has his feet on Baxter's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baxter misses with an attempted mid kick.
Baxter blocks a head kick by Despucci.

Despucci closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Baxter did well to prevent Despucci getting side control.
Baxter is trying to get back to full guard.
Despucci is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Despucci engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Despucci is working Baxter over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Despucci drops back, looking for a kneebar! Baxter looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Baxter looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Baxter!
Despucci is looking for a sweep.
Baxter working away.
Despucci sneaks back into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Despucci is looking for a sweep. Baxter is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Despucci is concentrating on defense, preventing Baxter from advancing position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Despucci tries to get to full guard but Baxter has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Despucci trying to hold on to Baxter's head to control him but Baxter postures up.
Despucci has his hands clasped together around Baxter's back. He's all about the action.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Denalio Despucci was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Despucci throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Baxter keeps the fight on the outside.
Baxter misses with a takedown attempt

and Despucci counters by moving into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Baxter scores with a nice short uppercut.
Despucci prevents a body shot from Baxter.
Baxter jumps guard but Despucci stands there with Baxter around his waist. Baxter gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Despucci has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Baxter uses from the top position.
Baxter trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Despucci looking for a sweep. Not yet Despucci, not yet.

Despucci is looking for a triangle but Baxter pushes his legs off easily.
Despucci striking from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Despucci can do anything to dispel that myth.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Despucci tries to land a sweep but no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Denalio Despucci 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!

Despucci instigates a clinch.
Despucci is working Baxter over against the cage.
Baxter is trying to pull guard but Despucci turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Despucci works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Despucci slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Despucci pushes down on Baxter's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Baxter is trying to stand up here but Despucci is controlling him well.
Baxter has hold of Despucci's hands but Despucci slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Despucci prevents Baxter from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baxter is in trouble now - Despucci has advanced to mount!
Despucci punishing his opponent with strikes.
Despucci raining down shots from the mount!

It looks like Jacob Baxter has been cut.
Despucci looking to control and managing it successfully.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Despucci postures up and lands a whopping elbow - oh that's hurt Baxter bigstyle! Two more strikes land for Despucci and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Denalio Despucci!