PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Baxter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Fadden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fadden has chosen Judgement Night by ONYX & BIOHAZARD as his entrance music. 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.

Baxter
vs
Fadden

185 cm
33
131 lbs
24 - 6 - 0

170 cm
32
168 lbs
18 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ryan Baxter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, John Fadden!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fadden misses with a left hand
and Baxter counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Baxter connects with a high kick.
A nice combination there by Fadden.
Baxter ducks under a wild hook from Fadden.
Fadden misses with a straight left.
Fadden scores with a sloppy right hand. Baxter should have avoided that one.
Fadden fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Baxter has managed to clinch.
Fadden keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Baxter's efforts to push away.

Fadden escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Baxter misses with a jab, cross combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baxter throws a body punch but Fadden moves out of range.
John Fadden seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baxter showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fadden.
As Fadden looks to move away, Baxter throws a big counter combo bu Fadden just gets out of the way.
Baxter tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fadden swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fadden shoots in looking for a takedown but Baxter manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fadden's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Fadden lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Baxter has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Baxter and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Fadden with a nice cross.
A slow jab from Fadden misses its intended target.
Fadden scores with a nice right hand.
Fadden is trying hard to land a takedown here. Baxter sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ryan Baxter is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baxter closes the distance and pushes Fadden back into the cage.
Fadden is trying to break the clinch but Baxter is controlling him.

Fadden lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Fadden not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Baxter is looking to control Fadden's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Baxter avoid being mounted?
Baxter really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Fadden is controlling the pace.
Baxter moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Fadden looking to sit in guard and control but Baxter gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baxter pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fadden is keeping the position for now.

Baxter stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Fadden avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Baxter bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Baxter keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fadden thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fadden closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Baxter is rocked!
Fadden with a jab.
Oh Baxter is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fadden takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baxter with a nice cross.
Baxter seems to have got his legs back now.
Nice defenses there by Baxter.
Fadden works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Fadden fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Fadden lands a left and a right that sends Baxter crashing to the canvas! Fadden dives into mount looking to finish!
Fadden looking to control but Baxter is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fadden throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Baxter because Fadden loaded up on that one.

Fadden swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Baxter is now in Fadden's guard. A big mistake from Fadden there, giving up the dominant position!
Fadden tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Baxter stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Baxter ducks under a wild hook from Fadden.
Baxter pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fadden takes a swing at Baxter's ribcage but misses.
Baxter looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Baxter thumps Fadden with a low kick.
Baxter misses with a series of wild punches.
Fadden walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Baxter checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Baxter showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fadden.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baxter moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Baxter enables Fadden to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Baxter manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Baxter is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Baxter can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Fadden controls the pace.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baxter is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Baxter takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Still in half guard, Baxter seems content to control.
Fadden keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Fadden dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Baxter lands with a kick to the temple. Fadden shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Fadden misses with a leg kick.
Fadden looks to score with a jab to the body but Baxter is just out of range.
Fadden throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Baxter.
As Fadden looks to move away, Baxter throws a big counter combo bu Fadden just gets out of the way.
A combination from Fadden does no damage.
Baxter ducks right into an uppercut from Fadden.
Fadden with a jab.
Fadden lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Baxter circles away quickly and effectively.
Fadden throws an overhand right that lands on Baxter's shoulder, as Baxter tries to avoid the shot.
Baxter takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Baxter uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fadden.
Baxter blocks a jab.
Baxter misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Baxter.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A slow jab from Fadden misses its intended target.
Baxter lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fadden circles away quickly and effectively.

Fadden closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Baxter's guard.
Fadden's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Fadden wants to control from the top but Baxter keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baxter wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Fadden wants to control from the top but Baxter keeps moving.
Fadden tries to free his leg and advance position but Baxter is retaining full guard.
Fadden is stalling in the full guard.
Baxter is controlling Fadden's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Baxter misses with a two punch combination.
Baxter tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fadden manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Baxter moves out of range of the strikes.

Fadden scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Fadden has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sloppy strikes there by Fadden.

Fadden decides to stand back up. Fadden steps back and let's Baxter get back to his feet.
Baxter looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Fadden gets a double leg takedown into Baxter's guard.

Baxter manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Fadden tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baxter's elbow.

Baxter pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Baxter misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Baxter tries to bum rush Fadden with a series of wild strikes but Fadden uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Baxter misses with a double jab.
Baxter slips a straight right by Fadden.
Fadden scores with the left hand. Baxter knows he should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fadden throws an overhand right that lands on Baxter's shoulder, as Baxter tries to avoid the shot.
Ryan Baxter is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Baxter scores with a kick to the body.
Baxter takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Baxter misses with a few strikes there.
Baxter chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A head kick misses from Baxter.
Baxter keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Baxter seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Fadden connects with a body shot that sends Baxter's belly button to the back.
Baxter keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fadden.
Some wild striking there from Baxter.
Fadden misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Baxter goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fadden circles away from the clinch attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fadden.
Fadden lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Baxter at a distance.
Fadden connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fadden will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baxter. Fadden does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baxter uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fadden.
Baxter lands with a slapping head kick.
No joy there for Fadden, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Baxter throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Baxter rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fadden moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fadden jabs at Baxter's body.
Fadden connects with a body shot that sends Baxter's belly button to the back.
Fadden keeps the fight on the outside.
Baxter lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fadden circles away quickly and effectively.
Fadden slips a jab and a cross from Baxter.
Fadden jabs Baxter to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Baxter, right into the meat.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fadden scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Baxter walks into a jab.
Fadden misses with a body shot.
Fadden connects with a body shot that sends Baxter's belly button to the back.
Fadden lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Fadden showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Baxter's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Baxter is looking to clinch.
Baxter is looking to clinch but Fadden is avoiding it.
A swing and a miss from Fadden.
Baxter appears to be looking for a big counter.
Fadden loads up on a big right hand but Baxter slips the punch.
Baxter slips a jab from Fadden.
Baxter is looking for a counter combo.

Baxter rushes Fadden and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Baxter misses with an elbow over the top.
Fadden holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Baxter lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Baxter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baxter makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fadden scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Baxter throws a punch but it's blocked by Fadden.
Fadden wants to stall.
Fadden stalling in the clinch.
Fadden has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Baxter seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Fadden can turn it around.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fadden slows down the pace here.
Baxter throws a punch but it's blocked by Fadden.
The referee is keeping an eye on Fadden - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Fadden throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Baxter misses with an elbow strike.
Baxter misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baxter blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Baxter looking to throw knees to the head but Fadden is blocking nicely.
A right hook to the body lands for Fadden.
Baxter throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fadden swings wildly with an uppercut but Baxter uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fadden scores with a nice hook to the head.
Ryan Baxter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Fadden.
Fadden with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Baxter escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Baxter tries to clinch but Fadden is having none of it.
Fadden swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fadden waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Baxter.
Fadden throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Baxter stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Baxter steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fadden.
Baxter seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Fadden throws a good cross that connects.
Baxter tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fadden swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fadden steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Baxter.
Baxter fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fadden throws a looping overhand right but Baxter ducks down to avoid it.
Fadden throws a looping overhand right but Baxter ducks down to avoid it.
A punch combination from Baxter misses.
Baxter checks the leg kick.
Fadden swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Fadden cracks Baxter with an open hand slap.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Fadden misses.

Baxter has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fadden drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fadden takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fadden lands a shoulder strike.
Ryan Baxter has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Baxter lands with a light punch inside.

Baxter breaks the clinch.
Baxter swinging wildly here.

Fadden drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Baxter is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fadden trying to control but Baxter is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baxter controlling the position.
Baxter utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Baxter controlling the position.
Fadden slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Fadden trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
John Fadden is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fadden stops Baxter from standing up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
No joy there for Baxter, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fadden stalks Baxter and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Baxter's face. Baxter staggers backwards, shaken.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Fadden comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fadden winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Fadden!
After the fight, John Fadden was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.