PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roman Rousee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rousee
vs
Baker

177 cm
18
169 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Roman Rousee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Steven Baker!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Sam Margolis and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rousee looking to score a takedown here. Baker is defending well but Rousee drives through and ends up in Baker's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baker lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Baker slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Baker forces his way into half guard.
Baker takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Baker's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Rousee is looking to control Baker's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rousee avoid being mounted?
Rousee knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Baker on the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker trying to mount his opponent but Rousee defends it.
Rousee wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baker seems to be working for a kimura but Rousee defends the submission attempt.

Baker is working for a kimura but Rousee is defending it quite comfortably.
Baker performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Baker is looking for a kimura here.

Baker is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker content to control rather than advance.

Baker is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rousee has managed to free his arm - good work.
Baker wants to control but Rousee is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Baker seems to be looking for submissions.
Rousee looks like he's trying to stand up.
Baker not doing much here.

Baker is looking for a kimura here.

Baker is trying to work for a kimura but Rousee is defending well.

That's four 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.

Baker is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rousee wants to get back to full guard.
Still in half guard, Baker seems content to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like Baker might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

Baker is working for a submission of some sort.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rousee holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Baker dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rousee gets a takedown into half guard.
Rousee is trying to control. Baker wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Baker tries to roll over but Rousee keeps him under control.
Rousee wants to stand up but Baker is controlling the position.
Baker moves into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Baker is looking to cinch up a triangle. Rousee throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Baker's body to avoid the submission. Baker has instead reached around Rousee's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Baker arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Steven Baker!