PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Peter Kropotkin (ranked 3516 p4p, 273 weight class) and Dax Baxter (ranked 7815 p4p, 396 weight class). Kropotkin comes to the cage accompanied by EUKZ. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Kropotkin
vs
Baxter

168 cm
27
142 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

172 cm
19
150 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Peter Kropotkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dax Baxter!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy left from Kropotkin finds it's target.
Baxter takes a swing at Kropotkin's ribcage but misses.
Baxter has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kropotkin finds it's way round the side to connect with Baxter's head.
Baxter lands a body shot.
Peter Kropotkin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baxter throws out a loose jab but Kropotkin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by Baxter.
Kropotkin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kropotkin looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kropotkin bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baxter. Kropotkin does a little dance to reset his feet.

Kropotkin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kropotkin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Baxters head.
Kropotkin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baxter has a couple of punches blocked by Kropotkin.
Baxter working aggressively here.

Kropotkin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baxter misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kropotkin takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Baxter's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kropotkin connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Baxter scrambles back to his feet.
Baxter misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kropotkin scores with a sloppy right hand. Baxter should have avoided that one.
Kropotkin scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Baxter takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baxter on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Baxter gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Baxter's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kropotkin connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Baxter scrambles back to his feet.
Baxter takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Baxter tries to keep at a distance but Kropotkin has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Kropotkin as the two fighters clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baxter.
Kropotkin blocking some punches.
Kropotkin lands with a left to the head.

Kropotkin gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Baxter regains guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baxter has momentary wrist control but Kropotkin slips an elbow through the middle.
Kropotkin scoring with some ground and pound.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Kropotkin throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kropotkin postures up in Baxter's guard and throws a big left but Baxter blocks it.
Kropotkin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Baxter looking for a sweep. Not yet Baxter, not yet.
Kropotkin is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kropotkin trying to control but Baxter is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kropotkin lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kropotkin works over Baxter with some ground and pound from guard.
Kropotkin postures up and lands a big shot to Baxter's brow.
Kropotkin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baxter swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kropotkin postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kropotkin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kropotkin connects with a couple of short punches.
Baxter wants to sweep but no luck.
Kropotkin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kropotkin throws a big elbow that misses.
Kropotkin won't allow Baxter to sweep him here.
Baxter controls Kropotkin momentarily but Kropotkin frees himself.
Kropotkin throws a big right hand that misses.
Baxter can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kropotkin controls the pace.
Baxter lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baxter wants to stand but Kropotkin is controlling his posture from full guard.
Baxter trying to control but Kropotkin is working from the bottom.
Kropotkin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Baxter's guard.

Kropotkin scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Baxter trying to keep a closed guard but Kropotkin is proving a slippery customer.
Baxter preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baxter wants to stand and escape but Kropotkin is having none of it.
Kropotkin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Baxter's head.
Kropotkin won't allow Baxter to sweep him here.
Kropotkin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Baxter works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kropotkin throws a big elbow that misses.
Kropotkin pushing down on Baxter's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Baxter tries to roll over but Kropotkin keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baxter taking some punishment here, with Kropotkin in his half guard.
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. Kropotkin connects with a nice short shot to Baxter's temple.
Baxter keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Baxter is staying active underneath Kropotkin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Baxter trying to control but Kropotkin postures up.
Kropotkin moves into full mount! Baxter won't be happy about that!
Baxter wants to control but Kropotkin is having none of it.
Baxter is looking to improve his position but Kropotkin isn't that keen on the idea.
Kropotkin lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kropotkin dominating with strikes here.
Baxter tries to reverse the position but Kropotkin maintains control.
Baxter trying desperately to get to his feet.
Kropotkin lands a heavy elbow.
Kropotkin punishing his opponent with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Kropotkin dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kropotkin slips a jab and a cross from Baxter.

Baxter tries to keep at a distance but Kropotkin has taken the fight into the clinch.
Baxter's coach down at Fallen Angels was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Baxter's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Baxter swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baxter swings wildly with an uppercut but Kropotkin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baxter tries to break the clinch but Kropotkin is controlling the position.
A hook to the body from Kropotkin.
Kropotkin lands a left hand.
Kropotkin prevents Baxter from breaking the clinch.
Kropotkin lands a right hand.

Kropotkin gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Baxter working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kropotkin.
Peter Kropotkin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kropotkin lands a couple of elbows.

Baxter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kropotkin defends it easily.
Kropotkin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kropotkin stopping the sweep attempt from Baxter.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kropotkin postures up in Baxter's guard and throws a big left but Baxter blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Baxter is on top in guard.

Baxter got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kropotkin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Baxter has managed to get both his arms back between Kropotkin's legs - danger averted.
Baxter looking to sit in guard and control but Kropotkin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baxter wants to sweep but no luck.
Kropotkin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kropotkin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kropotkin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Baxter tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kropotkin lands a couple of digs.
Kropotkin preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kropotkin postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Baxter is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kropotkin working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Baxter's head.
Kropotkin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Baxter can do to turn this around?
Kropotkin lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baxter preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kropotkin works over Baxter with some ground and pound from guard.
Kropotkin wants to control from the top but Baxter keeps moving.
Baxter trying to control the position.
Baxter manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kropotkin manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baxter trying to control the position from guard on top but Kropotkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kropotkin is looking for a triangle but Baxter pushes his legs off easily.
Baxter stopping the sweep attempt from Kropotkin.

Kropotkin is looking for a triangle but Baxter pushes his legs off easily.
Kropotkin has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kropotkin has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baxter trying to control the position from guard on top but Kropotkin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kropotkin pulls Baxter in close to prevent any damage.

Kropotkin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Baxter defends well.
Kropotkin trying to keep a closed guard but Baxter is proving a slippery customer.
Kropotkin has a closed guard, preventing Baxter from standing up.

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.
Kropotkin is adopting a defensive guard.
Kropotkin is trying to keep Baxter in close.
Baxter loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kropotkin scores with a hook to the body. Baxter takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Baxter tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kropotkin was well out of range. Poor timing from Baxter.
Kropotkin dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Baxter takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Baxter throws a series of punches but Kropotkin moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Peter Kropotkin dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Baxter throws a leg kick but Kropotkin sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Peter Kropotkin is winning the standup battle so far.

Kropotkin looking to score a takedown here. Baxter is defending well but Kropotkin drives through and ends up in Baxter's guard.
Baxter not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kropotkin lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Baxter working a defensive guard here.
Kropotkin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kropotkin loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kropotkin wants to control from the top but Baxter keeps moving.
Kropotkin postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Baxter tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kropotkin advances to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kropotkin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Kropotkin wants to work for an arm triangle but Baxter is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Baxter trying to control but Kropotkin postures up.
Baxter is refusing to be controlled, as Kropotkin sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kropotkin seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Baxter avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kropotkin.
Ground and pound from Kropotkin.
Baxter is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kropotkin scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kropotkin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Baxter defending well though.
Baxter tries to get to full guard but Kropotkin has control of the leg.
Kropotkin throwing shots but Baxter is blocking nicely.
Baxter blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kropotkin.
Kropotkin looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Baxter is looking for a sweep. Kropotkin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kropotkin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Baxter defending well though.
Kropotkin drops an elbow to the side of Baxter's head.
Kropotkin thows a huge punch but Baxter dodges it nicely.
Baxter wants to get back to full guard.
Kropotkin working over Baxter with some ground and pound. Baxter looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Baxter is refusing to be controlled, as Kropotkin sits in half guard.
Peter Kropotkin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kropotkin controlling the pace.
Baxter preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Baxter tries to roll over but Kropotkin keeps him under control.
Baxter blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kropotkin.
Baxter is trying to stand.
Baxter is trying to get back to full guard.

Kropotkin is looking for a kimura but Baxter is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kropotkin to get the leverage.
Baxter trying to control but Kropotkin postures up.
Kropotkin looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
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!
Baxter wants to control but Kropotkin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kropotkin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kropotkin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Kropotkin has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Baxter defend it? Kropotkin steps over the head and cranks it - Baxter is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Kropotkin!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:10 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Peter Kropotkin!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Peter Kropotkin waved his t-shirt featuring Hell's Balls Recovery (160)'s logo in front of the cameras.