PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kevin James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bill Baeck (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think James might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Boom:LOD. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

James
vs
Baeck

185 cm
25
270 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

216 cm
26
280 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid 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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kevin James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bill Baeck!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

James closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Baeck explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Baeck with a hook.

James drives through and clinches with Baeck 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!

James jumps guard and drags Baeck to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
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.
Baeck won't allow James to get back to his feet.
Baeck being controlled here momentarily.
James trying to control the position.
James wants to sweep here but Baeck controlling him for the moment.
James might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.

James has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Baeck off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

James looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Baeck makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Baeck avoids the head kick by James.

Baeck closes the distance and pushes James back into 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!
James wants to take the fight to the mat but Baeck manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Baeck is trying to push James away but James has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baeck shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has James pinned against the cage. James gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
James appears to be looking for a big counter.
Baeck lands with a cross.

It looks like Kevin James has been cut.
James tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Baeck is able to avoid easily.

James scores with a takedown into Baeck's guard.

Baeck has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. James is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

James breaks from the clinch.

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

James seems to be working for a kimura but Baeck defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James stops Baeck from getting back to his feet.
James stalling.

James is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Baeck is just riding it out for now. James eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
James throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Baeck to regain full guard.
James looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Baeck keeping moving, preventing James from controlling successfully.

James drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Baeck manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now James has Baeck in his guard.

Baeck tries to stand but James is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bill Baeck dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kevin James's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Baeck is looking to clinch but James is avoiding it.
James dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Baeck. That did some damage!

James drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Baeck throws James to one side and escapes!
Bill Baeck seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baeck closes the distance and clinches up with James, looking for a takedown. Baeck pushes James against the cage but James circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

James fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Baeck to the ground. James is now in Baeck's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
James sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baeck avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
James engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
James wants to control from the top but Baeck keeps moving.
James with a flurry of punches that miss.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

James has closed the distance and engaged Baeck in a clinch.

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.

James breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baeck throws a sloppy head kick
and James counters with a good low kick that Baeck was not able to check.
Baeck chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before James can pounce on him.

James gets in close and instigates a clinch.
James is looking to take this one to the mat.
James slowing the pace effectively.
James stalls.
James seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as James takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
James pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James manages to break the clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by James.
James with a jab.

It looks like Bill Baeck has been cut.
Jab, jab by Baeck - just one landing.
A nice leg kick lands there from James.
Baeck tries to clinch but James is having none of it.
Baeck moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kevin James is winning the standup battle so far.

James darts in and clinches Baeck up against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
James prevents Baeck from breaking the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James lands with a short shot to the head.
James putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Baeck in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
James leaning against his opponent.
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!
Baeck tries to break free but James pushes him back against the cage.

James's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Baeck misses with a double jab.
Baeck misses with a series of wild punches.

James scores with a takedown into Baeck's guard.
Baeck is breathing heavily.

James stands up over his opponent, looking to dive in with a big punch. Here he comes, superman style! Oh, the punch misses and Baeck has got him in a triangle choke for good measure! Oh no! James manages to get his head free but now Baeck has transitioned to an armbar! James grimaces and is forced to tap! Beautiful Jiu Jitsu from Baeck! I'd be surprised if that didn't end up as submission of the night!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Bill Baeck!
Bill Baeck thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Kevin James spoke after the fight, saying 'Tough opponent, my hats off to him. I want to thank both my sponsors and coaches'.