PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Renato Townsend (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andrij Bakajovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andrij Bakajovic has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Renato Townsend's chin.

Townsend
vs
Bakajovic

209 cm
24
346 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
292 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good wrestler
Decent knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Renato Townsend!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrij Bakajovic!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Wesley Smith and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bakajovic moves into range and clinches up with Townsend.
Bakajovic landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Bakajovic gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Bakajovic is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakajovic in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Townsend will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakajovic content to stall in guard here.
Townsend doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Townsend can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Bakajovic controls the pace.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bakajovic misses with a kick to the body
and Townsend counters with a nice uppercut.

Bakajovic shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Townsend is trying to defend but Bakajovic finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Bakajovic looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakajovic wants to stand up but Townsend manages to regain full guard.
Bakajovic controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Let's hope that Bakajovic 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

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.

Bakajovic clinches.
Bakajovic landing knees to the head.

It looks like Renato Townsend has been cut.
Bakajovic stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Bakajovic pressing his opponent against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bakajovic lands a takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrij Bakajovic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Renato Townsend's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Bakajovic pushes Townsend up against the cage in a clinch.
Bakajovic tries to land knees in the clinch but Townsend avoids the damage to the body.
Bakajovic holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Bakajovic slowing the pace effectively.
Bakajovic avoiding damage.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Bakajovic. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Bakajovic with a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bakajovic has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Townsend regains guard immediately.
Bakajovic looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakajovic's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bakajovic looking to sit in guard and control but Townsend gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Townsend throwing strikes but missing.
Bakajovic utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bakajovic preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Townsend trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bakajovic working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Townsend.
Townsend throwing strikes but missing.
Bakajovic has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakajovic has his hands on Townsend's head, controlling the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Bakajovic can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bakajovic looking to hit a scissor sweep but Townsend is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Townsend accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Bakajovic drives through and clinches with Townsend against the cage.

Bakajovic gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Bakajovic sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakajovic seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bakajovic stops Townsend from getting back to his feet.
Bakajovic slows the pace down in half guard.
Bakajovic thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Townsend's head.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrij Bakajovic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Renato Townsend's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bakajovic clinches with his opponent.
Bakajovic misses with a knee to the head.
Bakajovic misses with a knee to the head.
Bakajovic tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bakajovic with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bakajovic lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The referee calls for Bakajovic to work.
Bakajovic tries a knee to the head but Townsend blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Townsend being controlled against the cage.

Bakajovic has clasped his hands together around Townsend's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakajovic wants to lay and pray for a moment but Townsend keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Townsend pushes Bakajovic away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bakajovic gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bakajovic content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Townsend is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bakajovic tries to clinch up but Townsend circles away and keeps his distance.
Townsend drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bakajovic sprawls and moves away.
Bakajovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Townsend is looking to counter the offense by Bakajovic and move into the clinch.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Townsend checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bakajovic fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Townsend sprawls well initially but Bakajovic persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Townsend tries to kick Bakajovic off but Bakajovic keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Bakajovic looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Townsend pushes Bakajovic off looking to stand but Bakajovic dives back in and keeps control.
Townsend regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Bakajovic.
Bakajovic controlling from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bakajovic got a little sloppy there for a moment and Townsend has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bakajovic has managed to get both his arms back between Townsend's legs - danger averted.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Townsend is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bakajovic defends well.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bakajovic misses with a wild body shot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Townsend gets caught flat footed, as Bakajovic shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bakajovic controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrij Bakajovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bakajovic winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrij Bakajovic!