PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Adam Baxter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chance Catolinato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baxter is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. 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
Catolinato

180 cm
20
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

172 cm
18
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Adam Baxter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chance Catolinato!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baxter fails to land with a series of punches.
Baxter is breathing heavily.

Catolinato rushes Baxter and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Nice elbow from Catolinato.
Baxter blocks the elbow strike.
Catolinato throws an elbow that misses.
Catolinato misses with an elbow strike.

Catolinato manages to break the clinch.

Catolinato has closed the distance and engaged Baxter in a clinch.

Catolinato breaks from the clinch.
Catolinato closes the distance and clinches up with Baxter, looking for a takedown. Catolinato pushes Baxter against the cage but Baxter circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Catolinato tries for a takedown but Baxter sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Catolinato lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Catolinato misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Adam Baxter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chance Catolinato.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Catolinato.
Catolinato wants to control but Baxter is keeping him busy.
Baxter dodges the ground and pound from Catolinato.
Catolinato trying to control the position but Baxter is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Catolinato decides to stand up, so the ref orders Baxter to his feet.

Catolinato shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Catolinato trying to control but Baxter is having none of it.
Catolinato might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Baxter kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Catolinato looking to ground and pound but Baxter is blocking nicely.
Catolinato punching from mount but Baxter doing a good job of avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Catolinato trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Baxter is looking to improve his position but Catolinato isn't that keen on the idea.
Catolinato can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Baxter is looking to escape.

Catolinato looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Catolinato wants to control the pace but Baxter is squirming around nicely.
Catolinato landing strikes from the mount and Baxter is in trouble!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Catolinato trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Despite being in the dominant position, Chance Catolinato just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baxter avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Catolinato closes this distance looking for a takedown but Baxter circles away.

Catolinato shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Baxter's guard.
Catolinato advances position into side control!
Catolinato wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baxter keeps working.
Catolinato misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Catolinato has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Catolinato fails with the takedown.
Catolinato fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Catolinato tries to clinch up.
Baxter circles away from the clinch attempt.

Baxter gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Catolinato has had enough of the clinch but Baxter keeps him there for the moment.
Come on Catolinato - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Baxter blocks an elbow strike from Catolinato.
Catolinato is pressed up against the cage. Baxter has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Catolinato down to the mat. Catolinato avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Catolinato moves into the clinch successfully.
Catolinato is pressed up against the cage. Baxter has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Catolinato down to the mat. Catolinato avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Catolinato closes the distance looking to clinch

and Baxter counters with a single leg into guard. Catolinato didn't expect that. Catolinato manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Baxter manages to get himself to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Catolinato trying to control the position from guard on top but Baxter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baxter preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Baxter instigates a clinch.
Catolinato wants to break free but Baxter has control.
Catolinato tries to land a knee to the head but Baxter blocks with his arms.
Knees in the clinch landing for Catolinato.
Catolinato lands a damaging elbow.
Catolinato wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Catolinato.

Baxter breaks the clinch.
Baxter keeps the fight on the outside.
Baxter circles away from the clinch attempt.
Catolinato fails with a takedown attempt.
Baxter shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Catolinato shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Baxter as he jumps to the side.
Baxter throws a series of strikes that have Catolinato backpedaling.

Catolinato closes the distance and clinches.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Catolinato breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Catolinato tries for a takedown but Baxter sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Adam Baxter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chance Catolinato.
Catolinato shoots and misses

and Baxter counters with a nice double leg into side control. Catolinato won't be happy with that.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Catolinato can't do much from the bottom here.
Catolinato has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Baxter wants to lay and pray for a moment but Catolinato keeps working.
Catolinato struggling a bit here.
Catolinato is trying to get back to half guard.
Catolinato is trying to work for a sweep but Baxter has mounted him!
Baxter controlling the position easily from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Catolinato can't escape the position.
Catolinato looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Catolinato manages to escape to his feet.

Catolinato has taken the fight to the clinch.
Catolinato tries a knee to the head but Baxter blocks it.

Catolinato breaks from the clinch.
Catolinato fails in his attempt to clinch.
Catolinato tries to clinch up

and Baxter counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Baxter.
Baxter has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Catolinato pushes Baxter off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Baxter circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Catolinato has closed the distance and engaged Baxter in a clinch.
Catolinato drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Baxter fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Baxter wants to break the clinch but can't.
Catolinato with a knee to the head.
Catolinato misses with a punch on the inside.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Catolinato.
Catolinato connects with a nasty looking knee right to Baxter's face.
Baxter fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Catolinato lands with a right to the head.
Baxter lands a left hand that snaps the head of Catolinato backwards.
Catolinato lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Catolinato looking for a takedown.

Baxter is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Catolinato can't fight it off and eventually Baxter manages to take the fight to the floor. Catolinato looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Catolinato throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Catolinato trying to keep a closed guard but Baxter is proving a slippery customer.
Baxter stops Catolinato from standing up.
Catolinato working a defensive guard here.

Catolinato manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Catolinato shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Catolinato wants to clinch up but Baxter keeps it at a distance.
Baxter avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Catolinato shoots in and drives through. Baxter sprawls well.
Nice takedown defense from Catolinato. No joy for Baxter on that attempt.
Catolinato scores with a jab to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Catolinato doesn't manage to clinch there - Baxter circles away.

Catolinato changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Baxter looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Chance Catolinato has got the better of the ground game so far.
Catolinato takes a little break here. Baxter wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Catolinato wants to control but Baxter is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Adam Baxter dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Catolinato looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Catolinato closes the distance looking to clinch

and Baxter counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Catolinato pushes Baxter off looking to stand but Baxter dives back in and keeps control.

Catolinato makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Catolinato fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Baxter.
Catolinato tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Baxter counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Baxter.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Catolinato kicks Baxter off and gets to his feet.

Baxter clinches with his opponent.
Baxter blocking some punches.
Catolinato misses with an elbow over the top.
Catolinato crunches a lovely knee into Baxter's ribcage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Catolinato using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Baxter has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Catolinato lands an elbow inside.
Catolinato is trying to break free.

Baxter jumps guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Catolinato trying to control the position from guard on top but Baxter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Catolinato pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baxter is keeping the position for now.
Catolinato passes into half guard.

Catolinato gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Catolinato wants to clinch

and Baxter counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Catolinato pushes Baxter off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Adam Baxter is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fight stays on the outside here - Catolinato looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Catolinato looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baxter is fending him off so far but Catolinato persists. Nope, Baxter circles away and we're back to standing.

Baxter scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Catolinato trying to control but Baxter postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Catolinato pushes Baxter off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Catolinato throws a right and a left that Baxter avoids nicely.
Catolinato shoots and misses

and Baxter counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Catolinato is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Baxter pulls his head out easily.
Catolinato tries to get to full guard but Baxter has control of the leg.
Catolinato is trying to stand.
Catolinato wants to improve his position but Baxter is controlling well.
Catolinato trying to control here.

Catolinato makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Catolinato rushes Baxter and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Catolinato wants to break the clinch but can't.
Baxter blocks an elbow strike from Catolinato.
Catolinato throws an elbow but it misses.
Catolinato lands a knee to the head.
Catolinato wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Catolinato.
Catolinato wants to get back to striking at distance but Baxter won't allow it.
Catolinato tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Baxter prevents Catolinato from breaking the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Catolinato.
With the fighters up against the cage, Catolinato throws an elbow but misses.
Baxter blocks an elbow strike from Catolinato.
Catolinato swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Catolinato tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Baxter tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Baxter tries to break the clinch but Catolinato is controlling the position.
Catolinato wants to break free but Baxter has control.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Catolinato.
Catolinato looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Catolinato breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

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.
Catolinato moves in looking to clinch but Baxter pushes him off.
Catolinato is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Catolinato rushes Baxter and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Catolinato wants to get back to striking at distance but Baxter won't allow it.
Catolinato on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Baxter blocking some punches.
Catolinato misses with an elbow strike.
Catolinato throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Catolinato using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Baxter has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Catolinato wants to get back to striking at distance but Baxter won't allow it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Catolinato.
Baxter has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Catolinato avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Catolinato wants to get back to striking at distance but Baxter won't allow it.
Catolinato throws a knee to the head but misses.
Catolinato is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baxter has had enough of the clinch but Catolinato keeps him there for the moment.
Baxter avoids the elbow strike from Catolinato, against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Catolinato.
Catolinato lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Adam Baxter showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Baxter 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Adam Baxter!