PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Soviet Russia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dane Baumgartner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Russia comes to the cage accompanied by Soviet National Anthem. 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.

Russia
vs
Baumgartner

195 cm
23
265 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

188 cm
22
220 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Soviet Russia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dane Baumgartner!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russia changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Baumgartner tries to avoid it but Russia manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Baumgartner to the ground. Baumgartner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Russia throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Baumgartner's waist but Baumgartner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Russia off to one side.
Russia shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Soviet Russia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baumgartner pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Russia changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Baumgartner tries to avoid it but Russia manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Baumgartner to the ground. Baumgartner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nice sprawl there from Baumgartner as Russia shoots in.

Baumgartner has managed to clinch.
Russia is trying to break the clinch but Baumgartner has him pressed against the cage.
Baumgartner is pushing Russia up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Baumgartner pulls guard effortlessly.
Baumgartner utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Baumgartner lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Russia!
Baumgartner tries to control but Russia wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russia is looking to get to half guard.
Baumgartner trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Baumgartner with good strikes from the mount here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
BOOM! Baumgartner connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Baumgartner lands a nice shot to the head.
Baumgartner looking to control but Russia is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Russia is looking to improve his position but Baumgartner isn't that keen on the idea.
Russia on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Russia tries to get out of the position.
Russia just holding on.
Russia is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baumgartner is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Russia can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baumgartner avoids the attempt from Russia to control.
Russia really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Russia wants to control but Baumgartner is having none of it.
Russia is squirming around, avoiding Baumgartner's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Russia is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Russia swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Russia keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Baumgartner avoids the attempt from Russia to control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Russia is squirming around, avoiding Baumgartner's attempts to control the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dane Baumgartner 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.

Baumgartner wants to clinch up but Russia keeps it at a distance.
Russia looks for a takedown but Baumgartner sprawls well.
Russia misses with a hook.
Baumgartner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Russia paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Russia misses with a low kick.
Donk. Russia catches Baumgartner right on the button with a cross.
Russia scores with a jab to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Russia.
Russia lands a nice forearm strike.
Sloppy strikes there by Russia.
Russia moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baumgartner takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Russia creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Baumgartner sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Russia trying to control the position but Baumgartner is working away.

Russia is trying to get an arm triangle but Baumgartner is defending well.

Russia wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Baumgartner, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russia controls the position.
Russia lands an elbow.
Baumgartner wants to get back to his feet but Russia drags him back down.
Russia is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Baumgartner will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Baumgartner is trying to buck Russia off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russia trying to control the action but Baumgartner is working from the bottom.
Baumgartner sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Russia winds up and cracks Baumgartner with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Russia performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Russia is tying to control. Baumgartner wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russia is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Russia scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Russia trying to control from Baumgartner's half guard. Baumgartner has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Russia connects with a couple of short punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russia lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Russia looking to sit in guard and control but Baumgartner gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Soviet Russia dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Russia has taken the fight to the clinch.
Russia drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Baumgartner is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Baumgartner has picked Russia up - he's going for a ride! Baumgartner dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Russia works his way to full guard. Good work.
Baumgartner loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Russia wants to sweep but no luck.
Russia wants to control the position but Baumgartner says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russia trying to control but Baumgartner postures up.
Russia is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Baumgartner's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Baumgartner's back!
Will Russia go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

The referee stands the fighters back up. Soviet Russia just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Baumgartner fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Russia has his takedown stuffed
and Baumgartner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Baumgartner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Russia counters with a nice body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Russia feints and as Baumgartner raises his hands in defense, Russia changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Russia is in close to Baumgartner's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baumgartner has momentary wrist control but Russia slips an elbow through the middle.
Baumgartner can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Russia controls the pace.
Russia is standing up over Baumgartner. Baumgartner looks to escape but Russia dives into side control.
Russia lands an elbow.
Russia is looking to take a break and control but Baumgartner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Russia tries to advance to mount but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russia cracks Baumgartner with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Russia takes a little break here. Baumgartner wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Russia is working Baumgartner over with some ground and pound from side control.
Baumgartner is looking to regain half guard here but Russia keeps moving and retains side control.

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.
Baumgartner is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Russia landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Russia is looking to take a break and control but Baumgartner is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Russia lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Russia looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

And that's the end of the fight!
Soviet Russia showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Russia has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Soviet Russia!