PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Johny Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taneli Maija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Baker
vs
Maija

187 cm
30
185 lbs
8 - 2 - 1

183 cm
31
177 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Johny Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taneli Maija!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Baker. Those never looked like landing.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Baker enables Maija to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Baker manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Maija accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Maija has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Maija trying to control the position from guard on top but Baker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maija preventing the sweep.
Baker wants to get back to his feet but Maija is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Maija postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Maija missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Maija prevents Baker from getting back to his feet.
Maija trying to control but Baker is working from the bottom.
Maija might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Baker haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Maija postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Taneli Maija has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Maija misses with a body shot.
Baker fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A big left from Maija misses.
Baker ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Maija tries for a takedown but Baker circles away easily
and Baker counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Baker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maija takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Baker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baker leaves Maija with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Baker uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Maija has time to react.
A punch combination from Baker misses.

Baker clinches up with Maija and pushes him back against the cage.
Baker with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Baker breaks the clinch.
No joy there for Baker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Maija throws a hook but Baker blocks it.
Maija shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Johny Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Taneli Maija.

Baker rushes Maija and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Baker looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Baker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Maija has him pressed against the cage.
Baker can't break the clinch.
Baker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Maija has him pressed against the cage.
Baker leaning his opponent against the cage.

Maija pulls guard effortlessly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker trying to control the position from guard on top but Maija is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baker knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Maija on the ground.
Maija keeping full guard, as Baker tries to pass.
Baker trying to control but Maija is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Johny Baker.
Baker throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Baker's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Baker duly obliges.
Johny Baker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Maija changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Baker looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

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

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Maija thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maija wants to control but Baker is keeping him busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baker tries to bench press Maija off him but Maija keeps the position.
Baker is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Baker tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Maija presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Taneli Maija will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Baker gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Maija to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Baker on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Baker tries to get out of the position.
Baker is wriggling around but Maija manages to pass to half guard.
Baker wants to control but Maija is keeping busy.
Maija tries to pass the half guard into mount. Baker knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Maija is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Maija prevents Baker from standing back up.

Maija looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Baker trying to get back to full guard but Maija takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maija wants to finish this one by submission but Baker is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Maija.
Maija looking to control but Baker is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Maija lands a couple of good shots and Baker has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Maija is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Baker with him. Baker is trying to defend but Maija has an arm under the chin now! Baker grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Taneli Maija!
After winning the bout, Taneli Maija thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.