PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ahmad Salinas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Baxter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Salinas
vs
Baxter

165 cm
24
140 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

167 cm
21
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Just Fight (Everything 8$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ahmad Salinas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Aaron Baxter!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Matheus Silva and Felipe Paraventi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baxter moves into the clinch.
Baxter throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Baxter is pressed up against the cage. Salinas has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Baxter down to the mat. Baxter avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Salinas on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Baxter. Baxter obviously looking to wear him down.

Baxter closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Baxter prevents Salinas from improving his position.
Salinas is refusing to be controlled, as Baxter sits in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salinas has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Baxter is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baxter trying to pass the guard but Salinas defending well.
Salinas wants to improve his position but Baxter is controlling well.

Baxter 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.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Salinas trying to control here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Baxter gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Salinas counters with an outside leg kick.
Nice takedown defense from Baxter. No joy for Salinas on that attempt.
Salinas stuffs the takedown.
Salinas appears to be looking for a big counter.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salinas throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Baxter's waist but Baxter gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Salinas off to one side.
Baxter steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Salinas.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ahmad Salinas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baxter drops down looking for an ankle pick but Salinas pulls his leg out and moves away.

Baxter has Salinas up against the cage in a clinch.
Baxter is trying to drag Salinas to the mat but Salinas just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Baxter jumps guard.
Salinas trying to control the position from guard on top but Baxter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baxter not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Baxter looking for a guillotine here but Salinas defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Baxter dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Baxter closes the distance and clinches.
Salinas is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Baxter gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baxter tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Salinas gets underhooks to prevent Baxter's takedown attempt.
Baxter is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Salinas gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salinas drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Baxter drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ahmad Salinas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aaron Baxter.
Baxter fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Baxter is looking for a takedown.
Baxter drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Salinas is looking to break free of the clinch but Baxter has double underhooks.
Salinas is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Salinas has hold of one of Baxter's legs. Baxter is fighting the takedown attempt but Salinas gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baxter is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Salinas is aware though and is defending well.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Baxter working a defensive guard but Salinas manages to pass into side control anyway.
Baxter struggling a bit here.
Baxter tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Salinas fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Salinas goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Baxter has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Salinas but great work by Baxter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baxter is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Salinas knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
What's Salinas going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Salinas wants to control but Baxter postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ahmad Salinas will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Baxter shoots for a double leg takedown but Salinas sprawls well. He's pushed Baxter's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Salinas is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Baxter.
Salinas misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Baxter tries to counter by closing the distance.
Aaron Baxter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Salinas gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Aaron Baxter has got the better of the ground game so far.
Salinas is adopting a defensive guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Salinas keeping moving, preventing Baxter from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baxter advances to half guard.
Salinas trying to hold on to Baxter's head to control him but Baxter postures up.
Baxter stalling.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Salinas is concentrating on defense, preventing Baxter from advancing position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Baxter shoots in and bounces Salinas off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Baxter postures up.
Baxter looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baxter content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Salinas trying to control the position.
Baxter trying to control but Salinas is working from the bottom.
Baxter looking to sit in guard and control but Salinas gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Baxter looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Salinas passes into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Salinas politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Salinas prefers to stall for the moment though.

Salinas wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Baxter, who protects the arm well.
Baxter can't do much from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aaron Baxter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baxter has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:30
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aaron Baxter!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Aaron Baxter waved his t-shirt featuring Just Fight (Everything 8$)'s logo in front of the cameras.