PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Rurik (ranked 2469 p4p, 292 weight class) and Macadam Baird (ranked 3634 p4p, 394 weight class). Macadam Baird has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Vladimir Rurik's chin.

Rurik
vs
Baird

185 cm
24
200 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

186 cm
36
183 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Vladimir Rurik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Macadam Baird!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Taro Takaoka and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rurik pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rurik throws a right hand that misses
and Baird counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Baird lands a really nice looking cross but Rurik seems unphased.

Baird drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Baird in side control, throwing shots but Rurik defends.
Baird has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Baird looks up at the clock and then as Rurik takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Baird smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Rurik pushes Baird away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Baird gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Check out the look on Baird's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Baird tries for a kimura but Rurik is defending well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rurik is trying to get back to his feet.
Baird lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Baird creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rurik sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Rurik is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Baird has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird scores with a couple of short elbows.
Rurik wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Baird tries to advance to mount but can't.
Baird looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Rurik is avoiding damage well.
Baird misses with the ground and pound.
Rurik tries to escape but Baird is in control.

Baird has hold of Rurik's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Rurik tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Baird cranks the arm and Rurik screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Rurik, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Macadam Baird!
An out of breath Macadam Baird thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.