PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jackie Frederick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Bakk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Frederick
vs
Bakk

171 cm
18
214 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

195 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 Rio de Janeiro, Jackie Frederick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Bakk!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Luis Engracia and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bakk tries to bum rush Frederick with a series of wild strikes but Frederick uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A counter left hand to the body from Frederick misses its target.
Matt Bakk seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Frederick leaves Bakk with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Frederick shoots in looking for a takedown. Bakk tries to sprawl out of it but Frederick keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Bakk manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Bakk moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Jackie Frederick has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Frederick doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bakk holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Bakk has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Frederick after a bit of a struggle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakk has had enough of the clinch but Frederick keeps him there for the moment.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Frederick.
Frederick holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Frederick content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Frederick for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Bakk is trying to force a seperation but Frederick has the dominant position.
Frederick stalling the fight.
Frederick taking a breather.
Frederick gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jackie Frederick.
Bakk throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Frederick counters with a shoot takedown. Bakk fights it but they end up in guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Frederick throws a big right hand that misses.
Bakk bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Frederick's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frederick pulls Bakk in to control the position.
Bakk trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bakk must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bakk wants to stand but Frederick has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Bakk trying to control the position from guard on top but Frederick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bakk missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Frederick being controlled here, momentarily.
Bakk looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakk being controlled here momentarily.
Bakk lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bakk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Frederick is keeping the position for now.

Bakk stands up and waves to Frederick to follow him.
Bakk throws a combination that misses
and Frederick counters with a two punch combo.

Bakk shoots in and bounces Frederick off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bakk trying to control the position from guard on top but Frederick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frederick managing to control the position.
Bakk wants to control from the top but Frederick keeps moving.
Frederick seems keen to control Bakk's posture.
Frederick could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matt Bakk dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jackie Frederick's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Frederick leaves Bakk with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Frederick drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bakk sprawls and moves away.

Frederick drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bakk wants to get back to his feet but Frederick passes into half guard.

Frederick throwing shots but Bakk is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakk is looking to control Frederick's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bakk avoid being mounted?

Frederick is looking for a kimura but Bakk is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Frederick to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakk wants to control but Frederick is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Frederick is working for a submission of some sort.
Bakk is looking to control Frederick's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bakk avoid being mounted?
Bakk wants to get back to full guard but Frederick has mounted him!
Bakk looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Frederick is punishing Bakk with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakk trying to control the hands but Frederick breaks the grip.
Bakk trying to get back to his feet but Frederick is in full control for now.
Bakk is in bad spot here.

Frederick working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
I really don't envy Bakk right now.
Frederick trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bakk showing good submission defense here.
Jackie Frederick overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
You can see the frustration on Bakk's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Frederick is persistently looking for the submission but Bakk is defending it well.

Frederick working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakk tries to escape but Frederick has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Bakk turns into Frederick and is now in his guard.
Bakk looking to pass the guard.
Bakk is breathing heavily.
Bakk landing some decent shots from guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Frederick tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Frederick keeping moving, preventing Bakk from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jackie Frederick dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jackie Frederick's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Frederick fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Bakk throws a hook but Frederick avoids it easily.

Frederick rushes Bakk and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Bakk escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Bakk takes the fight into the clinch.
Bakk's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bakk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakk tries a head kick but it misses.
Frederick tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bakk manages to circle out of the way.
Bakk throws a combination that misses

and Frederick decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Bakk's guard.
Frederick postures up.
Frederick wants to get up but he can't break Bakk's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Bakk will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Bakk manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Frederick manages to get himself to full guard.

Frederick looking for a sweep. Not yet Frederick, not yet.
Frederick is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frederick is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Frederick is looking for a triangle but Bakk pushes his legs off easily.
Frederick wants to sweep here but Bakk controlling him for the moment.
Bakk advances position into side control!
Bakk sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Frederick is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Frederick keeping his opponent close.
Frederick is looking to reverse the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frederick is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bakk's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Bakk wants to lay and pray for a moment but Frederick keeps working.
Frederick gets full guard.
Frederick is looking to sweep but instead, Bakk has passed into half guard.
Bakk wants to control but Frederick is keeping him busy.

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.

Bakk is looking for a kimura here.
Frederick is trying to get back to full guard.
Bakk is thwarting Frederick's attempts to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Frederick blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bakk.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bakk gets a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matt Bakk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bakk has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matt Bakk!