PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bill Baroni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mohamed Bashir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Baroni
vs
Bashir

190 cm
19
220 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
26
220 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Bill Baroni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mohamed Bashir!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Micheangelo Fripello and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baroni misses with a right hand

and Bashir counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Baroni's guard now.
Baroni wants to stand up but Bashir is controlling him.
Bashir postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Bashir is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bashir pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baroni is keeping the position for now.
Baroni wants to stand up but Bashir is controlling him.

Baroni pushes Bashir off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Baroni misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A telegraphed right hand from Baroni misses the target.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bashir keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baroni dips to his left and cracks Bashir with an uppercut!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baroni misses with an uppercut.
Bashir avoids the body shot from Baroni.
Baroni missing with a left hand there. Bashir was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baroni is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bashir.
Bashir uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baroni.
Baroni throws a poor cross that misses

and Bashir counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Baroni!
Bashir misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Baroni knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bashir on the ground.
You get the feeling that Baroni really doesn't like being in this position too much.

Bashir looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Baroni wants to try and get back to his feet.
Baroni is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

Bashir looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bashir looking to finish with strikes here!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bashir jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Baroni manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Baroni is pushing Bashir's head away, looking to escape. Bashir manages to hold on to the position though.

Bashir is trying to get an arm triangle but Baroni is defending well.

Bashir tries for a kimura but Baroni is defending well.

Bashir wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Baroni, who protects the arm well.
Baroni is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Bashir has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bashir is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Baroni knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Bashir prevents Baroni from escaping the position.

Bashir looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Baroni is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Baroni throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Baroni missing with a left hand there. Bashir was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baroni misses with a two punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Baroni misses the target.
Bashir blocks a jab.
Bashir slips a straight right by Baroni.
Baroni misses with a right hand

and Bashir counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baroni is trying to stand up here but Bashir is controlling him well.

Bashir is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Baroni wants to get back to his feet.
Bashir works his way into full mount!
Baroni wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bashir connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohamed Bashir dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Baroni misses with a hook. Bashir ducked under it nicely.
Baroni misses the body punch

and Bashir counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Baroni is trying to stand.

Bashir is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Baroni sees it coming and defends easily.
Bashir looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Bashir is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Bashir is working for a kimura but Baroni is defending it quite comfortably.

Bashir is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Baroni sees it coming and defends easily.

Bashir is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashir stops Baroni from getting back to his feet.

Bashir wants to work for an arm triangle but Baroni is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Bashir is looking for a kimura here.
Baroni wants to get back to his feet.

Bashir is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Bashir is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Baroni defends it well.
Bashir is breathing heavily.

Bashir wants to work for an arm triangle but Baroni is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bashir is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Baroni has managed to free his arm - good work.

Bashir is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bashir stops Baroni from getting back to his feet.

Bashir is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Baroni doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bashir.
Baroni wants to get back to his feet.
Baroni trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Bashir is looking for a kimura but Baroni is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bashir to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baroni kicks Bashir off and gets back to his feet.
Bashir steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baroni.
Bashir shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Baroni as he avoids it easily.
Baroni cracks Bashir with a right hand to the side of the head.
Bill Baroni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baroni uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Bashir has time to react.
Baroni is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Baroni scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Baroni stuffs the takedown.
Baroni throws out a powerful jab.
Horrible takedown by Bashir or perhaps it was just good defense by Baroni which made him look bad.
Bill Baroni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohamed Bashir.
Baroni throws a right hand that misses

and Bashir counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baroni is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Bashir has just dragged him back down to the mat.

Bashir is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Baroni knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bashir is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Baroni knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bashir tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bashir has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Bashir working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Baroni wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bashir tries for a kimura but Baroni is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohamed Bashir showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Baroni throws a hook to the side of Bashir's head but Bashir sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Baroni misses with a right hand

and Bashir counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Bashir.
Baroni wants to stand up but Bashir is controlling him.
Bashir looking to pass the guard.

Baroni manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Bashir shoots in but no luck this time.
Baroni slaps away a takedown attempt from Bashir, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Baroni thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bashir shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Baroni defends it nicely.
Bill Baroni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mohamed Bashir.
Bashir takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bashir fails to land the takedown.
Bill Baroni is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bashir moves forwards but Baroni connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bashir avoids the body shot from Baroni.
Baroni throws a shot from downtown. Bashir moves away and avoids it.
Bashir steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baroni.
Bashir fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Bashir tries for a takedown but Baroni sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baroni misses with an uppercut. Bashir saw that one coming.
Baroni rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Bashir counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bashir prevents Baroni from getting back to his feet.
Bashir trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
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!
Bashir stops Baroni from standing up.
Bashir wants to pass the guard but Baroni is keeping the position.
Bashir prevents Baroni from getting back to his feet.
Baroni on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Baroni tries to get out of the position.
Bashir wants to pass the guard but Baroni is keeping the position.

Bashir is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bashir looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bashir won't allow Baroni to get back to his feet.

Bashir thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Baroni is looking to stand up but Bashir isn't so interested in that idea.
Bashir pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baroni is keeping the position for now.
Baroni wants to stand up but Bashir is controlling him.

Bashir thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Bashir looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baroni wants to stand and escape but Bashir is having none of it.
Bashir tries to free his leg and advance position but Baroni is retaining full guard.

Bashir drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bashir jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Baroni wants to get back to his feet but Bashir is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mohamed Bashir is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bashir loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Bashir is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bashir wants to control from the top but Baroni keeps moving.
Bill Baroni has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mohamed Bashir comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bashir winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mohamed Bashir!
Our winner, Mohamed Bashir, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.