PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joaquin Baker (ranked 25362 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charlie Zelenoff (ranked 5428 p4p, 0 weight class). Joaquin Baker has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Baker
vs
Zelenoff

170 cm
18
151 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

176 cm
25
153 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Joaquin Baker!
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, Charlie Zelenoff!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Chris Downing and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Baker.
Zelenoff circles away from the clinch attempt
and Zelenoff cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zelenoff thows a left - swing and a miss!
Baker is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Baker closes the distance and clinches.
Zelenoff taking a breather.
Baker looking for a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zelenoff lands a left hand.
A left hand lands to the body for Zelenoff.
Baker is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is keeping an eye on Zelenoff - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Zelenoff lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Baker backwards.
Zelenoff slowing the pace effectively.
Zelenoff scores with a nice hook to the head.
Zelenoff lands a shoulder strike.
Zelenoff lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A body shot lands from Zelenoff.
A right handed body shot lands from Zelenoff.
Baker is working for takedown but Zelenoff is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquin Baker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baker swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Zelenoff breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baker dives in and scores a takedown into Zelenoff's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zelenoff tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zelenoff is looking to stand back up but Baker counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Zelenoff.
Zelenoff is looking to get back to is feet but Baker passes into side control.

Baker is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Zelenoff has escaped the position, nice work there.

Baker looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Baker is trying to get an arm triangle but Zelenoff is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zelenoff is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Baker is controlling him well.
Zelenoff holds on to Baker's head and controls the position momentarily.
Zelenoff is trying to control Baker's posture but Baker avoids it.
Baker working the ground and pound.

Baker is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Zelenoff is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Zelenoff tries to improve position but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zelenoff is trying to buck Baker off.
Zelenoff tries to buck Baker off but Baker is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Baker is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Zelenoff has escaped the position, nice work there.
Zelenoff can't do much from the bottom here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zelenoff is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Zelenoff bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie Zelenoff dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Baker throws a lazy right hand but Zelenoff sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Left hook, right uppercut from Zelenoff.
Zelenoff has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zelenoff throws a hook but Baker avoids it easily.
Zelenoff misses with a body shot.
Zelenoff tries to bum rush Baker with a series of wild strikes but Baker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Baker throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zelenoff missing with a left hand there. Baker was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zelenoff.
Zelenoff misses with a few strikes there.
Zelenoff throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Baker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker tries to clinch up.
Zelenoff throws a looping overhand right but Baker ducks down to avoid it.
Baker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A jab from Zelenoff does it's job there.
No joy there for Zelenoff, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Baker slips a jab and a cross from Zelenoff.
Baker looks to clinch
and Zelenoff cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Charlie Zelenoff is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zelenoff defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Baker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zelenoff connects with the punch.
Zelenoff might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Zelenoff throws a series of punches but Baker avoids them all with ease.
Baker on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Baker moves to clinch but Zelenoff breaks away
and Zelenoff counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zelenoff throws a hook to the side of Baker's head but Baker sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baker gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Zelenoff counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joaquin Baker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baker doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Zelenoff cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker darts in trying to clinch
letting Zelenoff counter with a right hand.

Baker is rocked!
Zelenoff pounces like a tiger and cracks Baker with a vicious hook! Baker is down but not out! Zelenoff follows up with more strikes forcing the ref to jump in and stop it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Charlie Zelenoff!