PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Takeshi Naoki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darrell Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Darrell Baker will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Naoki
vs
Baker

182 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

200 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takeshi Naoki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Darrell Baker!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Reed Andrews and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Naoki closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Naoki lands in his opponent's guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Baker is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Naoki is aware though and is defending well.
Naoki trying to control the position from guard on top but Baker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naoki could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Naoki is really struggling to control Baker but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Baker looking for a sweep. Not yet Baker, not yet.

Baker looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baker keeping moving, preventing Naoki from controlling successfully.
Baker trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baker escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Naoki gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Naoki wants to pass the guard but Baker is keeping the position.
Baker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Naoki is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Naoki distracts Baker with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Naoki passes Baker's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Baker is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Naoki scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naoki takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Naoki has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Naoki looking to finish Baker with some ground and pound. This is bad for Baker!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Naoki in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Baker is rocked!
Naoki lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Baker is still in real trouble! Can Naoki finish him?
Baker looks winded!
Naoki landing strikes, looking to finish!
Naoki loads up on a couple of big shots to the head that have Baker scrambling to escape. He can't get free though and several more unanswered shots from Naoki land to the head. The referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Naoki stands and salutes the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Takeshi Naoki!