PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Guadalupe Mcfarland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikel Baptiste (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Guadalupe Mcfarland has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mcfarland
vs
Baptiste

152 cm
22
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
23
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Guadalupe Mcfarland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Mikel Baptiste!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Trevor Gratis and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mcfarland gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Baptiste counters by clinching up.
Mcfarland looking to slow down the pace here.

Baptiste gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Mcfarland can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Baptiste controls the pace.
Mcfarland wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baptiste won't allow Mcfarland to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mcfarland can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Baptiste controls the pace.

Baptiste has gone for a leg lock! Mcfarland slips out almost immediately though and dives into Baptiste's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcfarland in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Baptiste has his hands on Mcfarland's head, controlling the position.
Mcfarland throws an elbow that misses. Baptiste uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mcfarland's guard. Nice move by Baptiste!

Baptiste stands up and waves to Mcfarland to follow him.
Mikel Baptiste seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mcfarland tries to score a power double leg takedown but Baptiste sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mcfarland somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baptiste shoots in and bounces Mcfarland off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Mcfarland has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Baptiste stands up from Mcfarland's guard - Baptiste perhaps looking for a knockout.

Baptiste rushes Mcfarland and presses him up against the cage.
Mcfarland could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Baptiste pulls guard successfully.
Baptiste has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baptiste tries to strike from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baptiste pulls Mcfarland in close to prevent any damage.
Baptiste looking for a sweep. Not yet Baptiste, not yet.

Baptiste has his foot on Mcfarland's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mcfarland works his way back into a safe position though.

Baptiste is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Mcfarland with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's four 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.
Baptiste 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.
Mcfarland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Baptiste works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Baptiste looking for subs off his back but Mcfarland has passed one foot through into half guard.
Baptiste is doing well to control the position and prevent Mcfarland from advancing to side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Baptiste trying to control here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikel Baptiste dominated that round.
That's time! Mcfarland's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mcfarland enables Baptiste to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mcfarland manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Mcfarland manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Baptiste as Mcfarland tries to tie him up.
Mcfarland is trying to pull guard but Baptiste has him pressed against the cage.
Mcfarland avoiding damage as Baptiste throws knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Baptiste pulls guard.

Baptiste looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mcfarland throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mcfarland throws a strike but Baptiste rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Mcfarland wants to stand and escape but Baptiste is having none of it.
Mcfarland being controlled here, momentarily.
Mcfarland working a defensive guard here.
Baptiste is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Mcfarland 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.
Baptiste content to stall in guard here.
Baptiste prevents Mcfarland from getting back to his feet.
Baptiste sitting in guard here, content to control.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mcfarland tries to score a power double leg takedown but Baptiste sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mcfarland somewhat.

Baptiste fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Mcfarland to the ground. Baptiste is now in Mcfarland's guard.
Baptiste slips nicely into half guard.
Baptiste stalling.
Baptiste stalling away here and it's allowed Mcfarland to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Mcfarland has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Baptiste off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Baptiste has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Baptiste closes the distance and clinches.
Mcfarland fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guadalupe Mcfarland. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Baptiste gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Mcfarland is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Baptiste presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Baptiste lands a takedown into guard.

Baptiste stands and steps away. Mcfarland gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mikel Baptiste will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Baptiste throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Mcfarland was covering up waiting for the punch and Baptiste finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mcfarland wants to sweep but no luck.
Baptiste sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baptiste scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baptiste pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Mcfarland is keeping the position for now.
Baptiste is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Baptiste in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Baptiste is stalling in the full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Guadalupe Mcfarland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Mcfarland shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Baptiste as he jumps to the side.

Mcfarland changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Baptiste looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Baptiste throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

Baptiste shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Baptiste showed some decent athleticism there.

Mcfarland manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Baptiste keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Mcfarland.

Baptiste has Mcfarland pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Baptiste pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Mcfarland tumbling to the mat - Baptiste dives into Mcfarland's guard.
Mcfarland is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Baptiste keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Mcfarland wants to work for an arm triangle but Baptiste is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baptiste wants to control but Mcfarland is keeping busy.
Baptiste wants to get back to full guard.
Baptiste is concentrating on defense, preventing Mcfarland from advancing position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Let's hope that Baptiste has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Mcfarland throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Guadalupe Mcfarland has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mikel Baptiste is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Baptiste moves into full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mikel Baptiste.
Well Baptiste has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikel Baptiste!