PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Daryl Baird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruno Costa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Bruno Costa was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Baird
vs
Costa

202 cm
22
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
23
148 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Daryl Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bruno Costa!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Seu Braga and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Costa throws a shot from downtown. Baird moves away and avoids it.

Baird gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Costa struggles to land a body shot inside as Baird controls his hands.

Baird's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Baird throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Costa changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Baird shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Costa is trying to defend but Baird finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costa has hold of Baird's hands but Baird slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Baird knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Costa on the ground.
Costa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Costa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Costa trying to control but Baird postures up.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Baird lands a nice short elbow.
Costa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Baird scores with a couple of nice shots.
Baird prevents Costa from improving his position.

Costa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baird throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Baird prevents Costa from improving his position.

Costa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Baird will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Costa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Baird lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird slips a nice elbow through Costa's hands, connecting with Costa's forehead.
Costa is looking for a sweep. Baird is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Costa has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Rio. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Costa wants to control but Baird is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Baird seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Baird seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Costa does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Baird really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Baird lands strikes from half guard.
Baird throwing shots but Costa is blocking nicely.
Nice strikes from Baird there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Costa manages to get to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Baird accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Baird has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Costa seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Baird postures up and lands a big shot to Costa's brow.

Costa has his foot on Baird's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Baird works his way back into a safe position though.
Baird with a flurry of punches that miss.

Costa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Baird can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Costa looks winded!
Baird is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Costa's head.
Baird keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Costa's head.

Costa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Baird lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Baird lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Baird with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Baird is looking to work some ground and pound but Costa has wrist control.
Baird is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Costa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Baird defends well.
Costa is trying to keep Baird in close.
Baird stands up over Costa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Costa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Costa controls Baird momentarily but Baird frees himself.

Costa has his foot on Baird's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Baird works his way back into a safe position though.
Baird with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Baird scoring with some ground and pound.
Baird lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Costa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baird is aware though and is defending well.

Costa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Baird postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Baird makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Baird working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Costa's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Baird is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Baird lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Costa circles away quickly and effectively.

Baird clinches up with Costa and pushes him back against the cage.

Baird breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costa looks for a takedown but Baird sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird tries to clinch up.
Costa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Baird gets the takedown into side control.
Costa is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Costa wants to control but Baird postures up.
Costa taking punishment in the form of punches.
Costa is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Costa is trying to get back to full guard.
Baird seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Costa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Baird scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nice strikes from Baird there.
Costa avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Baird.
Baird sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Costa defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costa is looking to improve his position.
Daryl Baird overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Costa gets back to full guard.

Costa working for a triangle but Baird defends it easily.
Costa is breathing heavily.
Costa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Costa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Baird scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baird postures up and lands a big shot to Costa's brow.
Baird postures up in Costa's guard and throws a big left but Costa blocks it.
Baird in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Baird throws a big right hand that misses.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Baird's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Costa is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Baird avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Costa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Baird scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Baird distracts Costa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Costa is trying to keep Baird in close.
Baird throwing strikes but missing.
Baird lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Baird scoring with some ground and pound.
Baird is in close to Costa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Costa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costa has momentary wrist control but Baird slips an elbow through the middle.
Costa trying to strike off his back.
Baird cracks Costa with a solid left hand.

Costa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Baird postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Baird trying to control but Costa is working from the bottom.
Costa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Costa is trying to keep Baird in close.
Baird throws a big elbow that misses.

Costa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baird postures up and lands a big shot to Costa's brow.
Baird lands a couple of digs.
Costa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daryl Baird dominated that second round.
That's time! Baird's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Baird has closed the distance and engaged Costa in a clinch.

Costa manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Costa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Baird keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Costa's head.
Baird missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Baird got a little sloppy there for a moment and Costa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Baird has managed to get both his arms back between Costa's legs - danger averted.
Baird trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baird working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Costa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Baird cracks Costa with a solid left hand.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Baird's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Costa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Baird works over Costa with some ground and pound from guard.
Baird lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Costa working for a triangle but Baird defends it easily.
Baird working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Costa's head.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Costa is on top in guard.

Baird is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Baird lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Costa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baird is aware though and is defending well.
Baird is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Costa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Baird can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Baird postures up and lands a big shot to Costa's brow.
Baird is working Costa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Costa wants to sweep but no luck.
Baird lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Baird makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Baird with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Baird is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Costa can do to turn this around?
Baird lands a couple of digs.
Baird cracks Costa with a solid left hand.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Baird throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Costa works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Baird lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Baird's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Costa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Baird gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Baird is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Costa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baird is aware though and is defending well.
Baird lands a couple of elbows.
Baird with a flurry of punches that miss.
Baird cracks Costa with a solid left hand.
Baird is in close to Costa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Baird landing some decent shots from guard.
Costa controls Baird momentarily but Baird frees himself.
Baird stopping the sweep attempt from Costa.
Baird working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Baird avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Baird postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Baird lands a couple of elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird connects with a couple of short punches.

Costa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Baird gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Baird is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Bruno Costa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Baird trying to control but Costa is working from the bottom.
Baird showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Baird content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Costa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Baird can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Baird scoring with some ground and pound.
Daryl Baird is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baird stands up over Costa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Costa trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daryl Baird showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Baird 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daryl Baird!