PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jaka Baring (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexander Yakovlev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baring's entrance music is Goyang Dumang. A fine choice. Alexander Yakovlev has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Jaka Baring's chin.

Baring
vs
Yakovlev

207 cm
19
189 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jaka Baring!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Alexander Yakovlev!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Ben Hemmingworth and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Yakovlev looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Baring is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

It looks like Alexander Yakovlev has been cut.
Yakovlev tries to clinch up.
Baring wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Yakovlev drives through with a takedown into guard.
Yakovlev slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baring on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Baring tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yakovlev tries to free his leg and advance position but Baring is retaining full guard.
Baring looking for a sweep. Not yet Baring, not yet.

Yakovlev drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Baring dives on top into guard.

Yakovlev had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Baring defends it easily.
Yakovlev trying to keep a closed guard but Baring is proving a slippery customer.
Baring engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Yakovlev working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Baring doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Baring manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Yakovlev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Yakovlev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Baring is one step ahead there.
Baring really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Yakovlev trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Baring definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Baring has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovlev wants to sweep but no luck.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Yakovlev gets a takedown into half guard.
Baring wants to control but Yakovlev passes into side.
Baring is not content to let Yakovlev control the position.
Baring knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Yakovlev on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baring tries to improve position but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baring struggling a bit here.

Yakovlev thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Yakovlev fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yakovlev throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Yakovlev wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baring keeps working.
Baring trying to remain calm as Yakovlev controls from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Yakovlev dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Yakovlev's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Yakovlev throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Yakovlev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Baring.
Yakovlev is looking to clinch but Baring is avoiding it.
Yakovlev looks to land a left hand but Baring moved out of range nicely.
Baring drops down looking for a counter takedown but Yakovlev sprawls and moves away.
Baring avoids the head kick by Yakovlev.
Yakovlev shoots in looking for a takedown but Baring manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Yakovlev's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Yakovlev doesn't manage to clinch there - Baring circles away.
Baring appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovlev goes for a double leg but Baring avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Baring continues to drive forward.
Baring changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Yakovlev shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Baring as he avoids it easily.
Jaka Baring has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Yakovlev.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Baring is defended easily by Yakovlev.
Yakovlev looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baring takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Yakovlev shoots in for a double leg but Baring sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Yakovlev shoots in and drives through. Baring sprawls well.
Baring keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Baring appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Yakovlev shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Baring defends it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Baring tries to land a front kick but Yakovlev steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Yakovlev is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Baring stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Baring wants it to stay on the feet.
Baring throws a hook to the side of Yakovlev's head but Yakovlev sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Yakovlev tries to clinch but Baring is having none of it.
Baring appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Yakovlev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Baring swivels and escapes.
Yakovlev shoots in and drives through. Baring sprawls well.
Baring ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Yakovlev moves away.
Yakovlev lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Yakovlev shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Baring tries to counter with a takedown but Yakovlev is quick to defend against it.
Baring throws a solid leg kick but Yakovlev takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Baring.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovlev swings and misses with a shot to the body

so Baring counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Yakovlev wants to sweep here but Baring controlling him for the moment.
Yakovlev wants to stand but Baring is controlling the position.
Yakovlev is trying to control the position but Baring postures up.
Yakovlev wants to sweep here but Baring controlling him for the moment.
Baring with a nice head shot there.
Yakovlev wants to stand up but Baring is controlling him.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yakovlev looking for a sweep. Not yet Yakovlev, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Yakovlev tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Baring swivels and escapes.
Baring changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Yakovlev wants to clinch up but Baring keeps it at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Yakovlev is defended easily by Baring.
Baring is looking to counter the offense by Yakovlev and move into the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yakovlev tries a head kick but it misses.
Yakovlev wants to clinch.
Baring appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaka Baring dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Alexander Yakovlev's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Yakovlev ducks under a wild hook from Baring.
Baring leaves Yakovlev with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Baring is looking to counter with a body kick.
Baring fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Baring misses with the combination.
Yakovlev only half commits to the counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yakovlev dives in and grabs Baring's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baring pushes down on Yakovlev's head and hops out.
Baring avoids the body shot from Yakovlev.
Baring walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Yakovlev checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baring circles away from the clinch attempt.
Baring avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Baring feinted with a counter takedown.
Yakovlev wants to clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Baring. No joy for Yakovlev on that attempt.
Baring appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Jaka Baring has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alexander Yakovlev.
Baring fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Yakovlev looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Yakovlev misses with a double jab

and Baring counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baring pulls Yakovlev into guard.
Yakovlev throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Baring works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Baring wants to sweep but no luck.
Baring is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Yakovlev can do to turn this around?
Baring avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Baring trying to control the position.
Yakovlev throws a big right hand that misses.
Baring is trying to keep Yakovlev in close.
Baring preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yakovlev swinging wildly here.
Baring dodges the punch combination from Yakovlev.
Yakovlev tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Yakovlev throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Baring counters with a nice double leg into side control. Yakovlev won't be happy with that.
Baring working away.
Yakovlev is looking for a sweep.
Yakovlev is not content to let Baring control the position.
Yakovlev struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baring thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Jaka Baring overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Yakovlev gets back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Yakovlev trying to control from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jaka Baring showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Baring has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 29:28
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jaka Baring!
Jaka Baring decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.