PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrij Bakajovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). James has chosen Boom:LOD as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Bakajovic
vs
James

185 cm
26
277 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
270 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Good knees
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrij Bakajovic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kevin James!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Gwen Towbar and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Bakajovic. No joy for James on that attempt.
Bakajovic wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
James shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Bakajovic counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for James!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
James struggling a bit here.
Bakajovic misses with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakajovic grinds an elbow into James's temple.
James tries to buck Bakajovic off but Bakajovic is having none of it.
James is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bakajovic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for James on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James wants to control but Bakajovic postures up.
James looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Bakajovic lands a few punches from side control.
Bakajovic just content to control the position.
James wants to control but Bakajovic postures up.
James trying to remain calm as Bakajovic controls from the top position.
A control attempt from James but he's now mounted!

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.
Bakajovic lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
James sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Bakajovic perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Bakajovic's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Bakajovic seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down James for as long as he can get away with.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bakajovic connects with a nice short shot to James's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is trying to control but can't.
Bakajovic content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
James is trying to control but can't.
Bakajovic is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Bakajovic fails with a takedown attempt.
James throws a shot from downtown. Bakajovic moves away and avoids it.
Bakajovic half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
James misses with a right hand

and Bakajovic counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakajovic landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Bakajovic gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Bakajovic is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bakajovic has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
James is trying to keep Bakajovic in close.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bakajovic content to stall in guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrij Bakajovic dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bakajovic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
James darts in looking for a takedown but Bakajovic gets double underhooks and turns James into the cage.

Bakajovic closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Bakajovic lands in his opponent's guard.
James wants to stand but Bakajovic is controlling the position.
Bakajovic is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as James holds on and takes a little breather.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakajovic's corner is telling him to maintain position.
James looking for a sweep. Not yet James, not yet.
Bakajovic slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

James is working an open guard so Bakajovic takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
We've been told by Bakajovic's head coaches at Tayne's 4d3d3d3 Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
James shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bakajovic pinned against the cage. Bakajovic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bakajovic slaps away a takedown attempt from James, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Andrij Bakajovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin James.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Bakajovic gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bakajovic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Bakajovic has clasped his hands together around James's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
James tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Andrij Bakajovic overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
James is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Bakajovic content just to control the position here.
The referee warns James that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakajovic controlling from mount.
James wants to hold on but Bakajovic pushes him away.
James is trying to escape the mount.
Bakajovic postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. James looks a forlorn figure.
James is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that James really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Bakajovic controlling his opponent.
James is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Bakajovic with a couple of short strikes.
James is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
James is still trying to improve position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrij Bakajovic dominated that second round.
That's time! Bakajovic's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Bakajovic scores with a decent looking hook.
James ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bakajovic moves away.
Bakajovic half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Bakajovic misses with a few strikes there.
James misses the jab.
Bakajovic is looking to counter the offense by James and move into the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Bakajovic as James shoots in.
James dodges the punch combination from Bakajovic.

James closes the distance and clinches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bakajovic turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Bakajovic manages to end up in side control.
James gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bakajovic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakajovic is taking a breather. James says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
James is trying to get back to full guard.
Bakajovic wants to pass the guard but James is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
James wants to get back to his feet.
James trying to control here.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

James throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bakajovic tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. James is in Bakajovic's guard.
Bakajovic is pulling down on James's head. It's preventing any offense from James, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James won't allow Bakajovic to sweep him here.
Andrij Bakajovic is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
James throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bakajovic works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
James wants to control from the top but Bakajovic keeps moving.
Bakajovic trying to control the position here.
James won't allow Bakajovic to sweep him here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bakajovic keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
James shoots in and drives through. Bakajovic sprawls well.
Bakajovic shoots in but no luck this time.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bakajovic.
James shoots in and drives through. Bakajovic sprawls well.
Bakajovic feinted with a counter takedown.
Andrij Bakajovic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kevin James.

Bakajovic gets tackled into the cage by James. James maintains the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kevin James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bakajovic landing knees to the head.
Bakajovic avoids a wild elbow strike from James.
Stalling in the clinch from Bakajovic.

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 Andrij Bakajovic.
Well Bakajovic 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:28
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrij Bakajovic!
In defeat, Kevin James stepped up to the mic, saying 'Tough opponent, my hats off to him. I want to thank both my sponsors and coaches'.