PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between The Stig (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ephraim Baraka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The Stig has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stig
vs
Baraka

190 cm
37
201 lbs
18 - 7 - 0

183 cm
26
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, The Stig!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ephraim Baraka!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Eddie Farnsworth and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baraka with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Stig to score with a decent uppercut.
Stig tries a low kick but Baraka avoids it.
Baraka with the counter takedown but Stig avoids it easily.
Baraka walks into a left hand.

It looks like Ephraim Baraka has been cut.
Stig lands the left hand.
Stig wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Stig throws a nice inside leg kick.
Stig moves away from the strike by Baraka.
Stig avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Stig throwing a counter right hand but Baraka manages to avoid it.
Stig misses with a hook. Baraka ducked under it nicely.
Stig wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Baraka takes a swing at Stig's ribcage but misses.
Stig misses with a looping right.
Baraka is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Baraka closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baraka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've been informed that Baraka has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
No joy there for Stig, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The Stig seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stig throws a head kick that half lands.
Stig keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Stig getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Baraka missing with a left hand there. Stig was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Stig appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Stig throws a good cross that connects.
A chopping leg kick lands by Stig.
Stig swings for the body but Baraka moves out of range.
Stig lands with a shot to the body.
Nice defenses there by Stig.
Stig is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Baraka tries for a takedown but Stig circles away easily
and Stig counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Stig slips a jab and a cross from Baraka.
Stig lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Stig connects with a good right hand that stumbles Baraka. Baraka circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Baraka takes a jab right on the kisser.
Baraka is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Baraka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stig.
Stig lands a nice looking body shot.
Stig fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Stig moves out of range as Baraka strikes.
Baraka blocks the body kick.
Baraka blocks a jab.
Stig seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Baraka tries for a takedown but Stig circles away easily
and Stig counters with a three punch combo that has Baraka backing up. Baraka nods at Stig to acknowledge the strikes.
A nice leg kick lands there from Stig.
The Stig is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice sprawl there from Stig as Baraka shoots in.
The Stig has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ephraim Baraka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baraka has his takedown stuffed
enabling Stig to counter with a crisp jab.
Stig lands a brutal head kick. Baraka looks out on his feet and Stig throws more strikes until the ref is forced to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Kick and Punches). The Stig!
A relieved looking The Stig thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.