PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Macadam Baird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ishyrun Thalis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thalis has chosen Swerve City - Deftones as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Ishyrun Thalis has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Macadam Baird's chin.

Baird
vs
Thalis

182 cm
19
190 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
208 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158

CEC Nutrition Q160 & Loans

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Macadam Baird!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ishyrun Thalis!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Baird.

Baird drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
You can see the frustration on Thalis's face as Baird controls the position.
Baird seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Thalis for as long as he can get away with.

Baird looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thalis is not content to let Baird control the position.
Thalis takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird controls the position from side control.
Thalis is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Baird scores with a couple of short elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

Baird looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Baird is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Thalis is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Baird is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Thalis is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baird in side control, throwing shots but Thalis defends.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Baird wants to control but Thalis is keeping him busy.
Baird misses with the ground and pound.
Baird throws an elbow but Thalis slips to the side and avoids it well.
Baird creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Thalis sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Baird's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Baird trying to control the position but Thalis is working away.
Baird working the ground and pound.
Baird creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Thalis takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
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!

Baird tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The strikes coming from Baird are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Macadam Baird dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Thalis looks to score with a jab to the body but Baird is just out of range.
Baird misses with a leg kick.
Thalis throws a looping overhand right but Baird ducks down to avoid it.
Thalis is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Baird.

Baird shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thalis's guard.
Baird trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Baird wants to control from the top but Thalis keeps moving.
Baird pushing down on Thalis's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Baird content to control rather than advance.
Baird is keen to just control but Thalis is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baird is trying to work for a kimura but Thalis is defending well.
Baird looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Baird with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Baird missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Thalis keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Baird is keen to just control but Thalis is a slippery customer.
Thalis trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baird throws a head kick but Thalis moves out of range.
Thalis scores with a crisp jab that stopped Baird in his tracks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thalis. Baird does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baird fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Thalis manages to avoid it.
Baird misses with a hook.

Baird throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Thalis tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Baird is in Thalis's guard.
Baird wants to control from the top but Thalis keeps moving.
Baird pushes down on Thalis's leg and manages to get into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Baird lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Baird trying to control the action but Thalis is working from the bottom.
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!
Baird is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Thalis is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Baird lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thalis is trying to control but Baird passes into side control!
Baird cracks Thalis with a big elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Macadam Baird dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Thalis. Baird does a little dance to reset his feet.

Baird gets the takedown into side control.
Baird taking a breather here.
Thalis is not content to let Baird control the position.
Baird is trying to move to mount but Thalis reverses beautifully and ends up in Baird's guard.
Baird looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Macadam Baird has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Baird takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A jab from Thalis does it's job there.

Baird closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Baird here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Thalis dodges the ground and pound from Baird.
Baird tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Baird wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Thalis, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird wants to control but Thalis is keeping him busy.
Baird sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Thalis is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Baird tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Baird working the head and body with strikes.
Baird trying to control the action but Thalis is working from the bottom.

Baird tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Baird throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Thalis avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Baird.
Baird is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thalis can do to turn this around?
Baird sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Thalis is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thalis prevents Baird from moving into mount.

Baird is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Thalis knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Macadam Baird clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Thalis keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Thalis looks to throw the jab but Baird is out of range.
Nice defenses there by Baird.
Thalis ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Baird moves away.
A left lands for Thalis.

Baird rushes Thalis and presses him up against the cage.
Thalis letting Baird take a breather here.
Baird gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Baird lands with a light punch inside.
Thalis tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baird's elbow.
Baird blocking some punches.
Thalis fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thalis misses with a punch on the inside.

Baird is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Thalis can't fight it off and eventually Baird manages to take the fight to the floor. Thalis looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Baird is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Baird throws an elbow that misses. Thalis uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Baird's guard. Nice move by Thalis!
Baird seems keen to control Thalis's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Macadam Baird wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Thalis missing with a left hand there. Baird was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Thalis tests Baird's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Baird closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Thalis's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baird wants to control from the top but Thalis keeps moving.
Macadam Baird overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Baird throws an elbow but Thalis slips to the side and avoids it well.
Thalis takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Baird tries to score with some ground and pound. Thalis controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Thalis is not content to let Baird control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Thalis is avoiding damage well.
Baird controlling the position from side mount.
Baird wants to lay and pray for a moment but Thalis keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baird cracks Thalis with a big right hand but Thalis just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Macadam Baird had his way with Ishyrun Thalis in that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Thalis ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Baird moves away.
Baird fails to land with a series of punches.
Thalis ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Thalis looks to land a right hand but Baird moved out of range.
A big left from Baird misses.
Baird looks to land a combination. Thalis sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ishyrun Thalis seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thalis comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A punch combination from Baird misses.
Baird checks a leg kick nicely.
Baird throws out a loose jab but Thalis uses good head movement to avoid it.
A big right from Thalis misses.
Thalis throws a head kick but Baird moves out of range.
Thalis cracks Baird with an open hand slap.
Thalis cracks Baird with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thalis throws the left hand but Baird avoids the punch easily.
Thalis fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Baird looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Thalis throws out a powerful jab.
Thalis looks to land a right hand but Baird moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thalis thows a body shot but no joy.
Ishyrun Thalis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thalis. Baird does a little dance to reset his feet.
Thalis is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Baird.
Thalis throws a shot from downtown. Baird moves away and avoids it.
Thalis is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Thalis moves out of range as Baird strikes.
Thalis gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Thalis thows a left - swing and a miss!
Thalis lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Baird looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Baird sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Baird trying to control the position from guard on top but Thalis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ishyrun Thalis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Baird controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Baird throws a big right hand that misses.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Macadam Baird wasn't doing enough on the ground.
A jab from Thalis misses.
Thalis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baird.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thalis swings for the body but Baird moves out of range.

Baird shoots in and gets a takedown into Thalis's guard.
Baird in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Baird with a flurry of punches that miss.
Baird postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Baird postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Thalis is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Baird, into his guard.
Baird has control of Thalis's left arm, preventing Thalis from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thalis trying to control the position from guard on top but Baird is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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

Baird dives in and scores a takedown into Thalis's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thalis keeping moving, preventing Baird from controlling successfully.
Baird is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

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 Macadam Baird.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Baird, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 50:44
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 50:44
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Macadam Baird!
Macadam Baird retains his light heavyweight title!