PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Akichi Baki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aqeel Haji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Akichi Baki had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Baki
vs
Haji

180 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

175 cm
25
187 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Akichi Baki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Aqeel Haji!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, David Hoff and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Haji. No joy for Baki on that attempt.
Haji lands with a kick to the ribs.

Haji gets tackled into the cage by Baki. Baki maintains the clinch.
Baki with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Haji fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Baki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Haji throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Baki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Haji stalling in the clinch but Baki improves position.
Baki trying to land knees to the body.

Baki pulls guard effortlessly.
Haji throws a big elbow that misses.
Haji is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Haji has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haji throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Baki works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Haji stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baki swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Baki is working an open guard so Haji takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Haji scores with the left hand. Baki knows he should have avoided that one.
Baki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Haji misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Baki closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haji has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Baki after a bit of a struggle.
Akichi Baki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aqeel Haji.
Baki jumps guard but Haji stands there with Baki around his waist. Baki gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Baki manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haji is looking to work some ground and pound but Baki has wrist control.
Haji engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Haji gets to his feet - Baki follows without any prompting.
Baki throws a head kick that misses

so Haji counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Haji forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Haji in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Baki tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Haji!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Aqeel Haji!