PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bill Baeck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Omar Umar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Baeck
vs
Umar

216 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
288 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bill Baeck!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Omar Umar!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Umar. No joy for Baeck on that attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Umar! But no joy.
Baeck lands a jab to the nose.
Umar has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Umar bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Umar trying to control the position but Baeck is working away.
Baeck is looking for a sweep.
Umar content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

Umar is trying to get an arm triangle but Baeck is defending well.

Umar goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Baeck rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Umar's guard! Nice work there by Baeck!
Baeck will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Umar looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baeck makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Baeck working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Baeck trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Baeck is looking to work some ground and pound but Umar has wrist control.
Baeck trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Umar really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Baeck. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Umar has his foot on Baeck's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Baeck works his way back into a safe position though.

Baeck got a little sloppy there for a moment and Umar has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Baeck has managed to get both his arms back between Umar's legs - danger averted.
Baeck wants to control from the top but Umar keeps moving.

Umar looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Baeck throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Umar works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baeck postures up.
Baeck trying to control the position from guard on top but Umar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Umar throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Umar trying to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Baeck tries to keep at a distance but Umar has taken the fight into the clinch.

Umar gets control of Baeck's arms and successfully pulls guard. Umar will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Umar preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baeck throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Baeck missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baeck chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baeck stopping the sweep attempt from Umar.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Umar can do anything to dispel that myth.
Baeck postures up.
Baeck in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Umar trying to keep a closed guard but Baeck is proving a slippery customer.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Umar trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Umar is trying to keep Baeck in close.
Baeck lands a couple of elbows.
Umar keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Umar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Umar looking for a sweep. Not yet Umar, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Umar wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baeck displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A thudding body kick lands there by Baeck!

Baeck closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Umar is trying to get back to full guard.
Baeck throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Umar wants to control but Baeck is keeping busy.
Baeck lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Baeck dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Baeck tries to keep at a distance but Umar has taken the fight into the clinch.

Umar gets control of Baeck's arms and successfully pulls guard. Umar will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Umar is trying to control the position but Baeck postures up.
Baeck with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Umar working a defensive guard here.
Umar wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baeck with a flurry of punches that miss.
Umar controls Baeck momentarily but Baeck frees himself.
Baeck postures up and lands a big shot to Umar's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baeck trying to control the position from guard on top but Umar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Baeck stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Baeck throws a one two combo.
A shot to the liver by Baeck. Beautiful body shot.

Umar 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.
Baeck is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Umar can do to turn this around?

Umar decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Baeck, up you get!
Baeck bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Umar's head backwards.
Umar tries to land a front kick but Baeck steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A head kick misses from Umar.
Baeck throws a combination. Umar tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Umar shoots in and bounces Baeck off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Baeck pushes Umar off and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Umar ducks right into an uppercut from Baeck.
Baeck lands with a nice combination. Umar backs away looking to recover.
Baeck throws a head kick but Umar moves out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Umar shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Umar showed some decent athleticism there.

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

Umar changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Baeck looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Umar lands some shots froms side control.
Bill Baeck overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Baeck on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Baeck has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Umar is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Baeck is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Baeck is looking to reverse the position.
Umar creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Baeck tries to improve position but can't.
Umar is working Baeck over with some ground and pound from side control.
Umar taking a breather here.
Baeck is working to avoid the ground and pound but Umar connects with a decent elbow.
Umar wants to control but Baeck is keeping him busy.
Umar laying and praying for a moment but Baeck takes advantage and regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baeck is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Umar pulls his head out easily.
Umar seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Baeck does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Baeck throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Umar seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Umar lands a nice short elbow.
Baeck is staying active underneath Umar, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Umar tries to pass the half guard into mount. Baeck knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Baeck dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Baeck gets caught napping as Umar dives in and scores a takedown. Baeck manages to retain guard.

Baeck scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Umar clinches with his opponent.

Umar's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Umar takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Baeck tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Umar swivels and escapes.
A head kick misses from Baeck.
Umar on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baeck throws a left and a right that both miss

so Umar counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Umar decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Bill Baeck seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baeck cracks Umar with a good jab.
Umar looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Umar darts in and clinches Baeck up against the cage.

Umar gets control of Baeck's arms and successfully pulls guard. Umar will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Umar trying to control the position.
Baeck throwing strikes from guard but Umar blocks nicely.

Umar is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baeck is aware though and is defending well.
Baeck won't allow Umar to sweep him here.
Baeck trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Baeck trying to stand up but can't free himself from Umar's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Baeck's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Umar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Baeck accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Umar working a defensive guard here.

Umar is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Umar looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baeck lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Baeck scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Baeck connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Umar's hands.
Baeck rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Umar moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Umar takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Bill Baeck is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baeck moves out of range of the body kick from Umar.
Baeck shoots in but Umar avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Umar clinches with his opponent.
Umar stalling the fight.

Umar decides to pull guard.
Umar has his hands on Baeck's head, controlling the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Umar is on top in guard.

Baeck has his foot on Umar's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Umar works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Umar content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Baeck is looking for a triangle but Umar pushes his legs off easily.

Umar stands and steps away. Baeck gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Umar misses with a low kick.
Baeck looks to land a combination. Umar sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Umar darts in and clinches Baeck up against the cage.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Umar jumps guard and drags Baeck to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Umar looking for a guillotine here but Baeck defends easily.
Umar looking to hit a scissor sweep but Baeck is one step ahead there.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bill Baeck.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Baeck, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bill Baeck!