PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Macadam Baird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gracko Roman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gracko Roman struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Baird
vs
Roman

186 cm
27
183 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

199 cm
27
188 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Macadam Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Gracko Roman!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roman looks to clinch
and Baird counters with a three punch combo that has Roman backing up. Roman nods at Baird to acknowledge the strikes.
Roman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Roman walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Roman is rocked!
Roman tries for a takedown but Baird circles away easily
and Baird counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Baird shoots in but Roman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Roman misses with a takedown
and Baird counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Roman dives in and grabs Baird's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baird pushes down on Roman's head and hops out.
Baird appears to be looking for a big counter.
Macadam Baird has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gracko Roman.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roman looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Roman tries to land a body kick

and Baird counters with a combination of strikes to the head and body that crumple Roman!
Roman is still in real trouble! Can Baird finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Baird is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Roman is just riding it out for now. Baird eventually gives up the hold.

Baird seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baird is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Roman has managed to free his arm - good work.
Roman seems to have recovered his senses.

Baird is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Roman sees it coming and defends easily.
Baird seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Roman does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Baird looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

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.

Baird seems to be looking for submissions.
Roman moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Baird looking to pass the guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roman seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Baird is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Roman seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Let's hope that Roman 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Macadam Baird dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Roman misses with a takedown
and Baird makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Baird fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Roman to the ground. Baird is now in Roman's guard.
We've been informed that Roman has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Baird is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Baird being controlled here momentarily.
Baird is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roman trying to keep a closed guard but Baird is proving a slippery customer.
Baird tries to free his leg and advance position but Roman is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baird drops back, looking for a kneebar! Roman looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Roman looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Roman!

Baird might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Roman controls the position.
Roman trying to control the action but Baird is working from the bottom.
Baird is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Roman's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird is not content to let Roman control the position.
Roman slows the pace down in half guard.
Baird tries to roll over but Roman keeps him under control.
Roman trying to control from half guard but Baird is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird gets full guard.
Roman controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Roman misses with a lunging right hand
letting Baird counter with a right hand.

Baird feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Baird looking to sit in guard and control but Roman gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Baird looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roman looking to sit in guard and control but Baird gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Roman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Baird looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Baird pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Roman is keeping the position for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Roman 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Macadam Baird dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Roman closes this distance looking for a takedown but Baird circles away.
Baird scores with a nice strike.
Nice jab there from Baird.
Roman throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Baird connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Roman with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Baird to counter with a crisp jab.

Baird drops Roman with a left right combo! Baird follows him down to the ground into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Baird is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Roman is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Roman is trying to control Baird's posture but Baird avoids it.

Baird tries for a kimura but Roman is defending well.
Macadam Baird overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird tries to advance to mount but Roman denies him.

Baird tries for a kimura but Roman is defending well.

Baird swings around for an armbar but Roman sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Baird's guard.
Roman stays in close to Baird's body and controls the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Baird working for a triangle but Roman defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird keeping moving, preventing Roman from controlling successfully.
Roman looking to sit in guard and control but Baird gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird wants to control from the top but Roman keeps moving.
Baird stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Roman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Baird passes Roman's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Baird is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Roman defends it well.

Baird is working for a submission of some sort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Roman is looking to control Baird's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Roman avoid being mounted?
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Roman slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Gracko Roman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Baird passes Roman's left leg - he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Macadam 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

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