PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between The Pew (ranked 24024 p4p, 590 weight class) and Brian Baggs (ranked 23846 p4p, 598 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Pew
vs
Baggs

170 cm
19
165 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

195 cm
20
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, The Pew!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Brian Baggs!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Joseph Jones and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baggs fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pew manages to avoid it.

Pew shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Baggs's guard.

Baggs has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Pew has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Pew avoids a wild elbow strike from Baggs.
Still in the clinch, Baggs scores with a nice short uppercut.

Baggs pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pew fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Baggs swings for the body but Pew moves out of range.
Pew darts in looking for a takedown but Baggs gets double underhooks and turns Pew into the cage.
Baggs is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Baggs cracks a nice hook into Pew's ribs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pew fails to land the takedown.
Baggs swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Pew. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baggs slaps away a takedown attempt from Pew, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Baggs throws a jab but it's blocked by Pew.
Baggs displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pew.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baggs displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pew.
Baggs has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
The Pew seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pew dives in and grabs Baggs's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baggs pushes down on Pew's head and hops out.
Baggs misses with a looping right.
A big right from Baggs misses.
Pew shoots in looking for a takedown. Baggs tries to sprawl out of it but Pew keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Baggs manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Pew seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Pew shoots in looking for a takedown but Baggs manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pew's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Baggs misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pew.
Pew tries to move into range but Baggs moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Pew looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
No joy there for Baggs, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A clash of legs there as Pew blocks the low kick.
Pew closes the distance and clinches up with Baggs, looking for a takedown. Pew pushes Baggs against the cage but Baggs circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pew fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Baggs avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pew walks into a stiff left hand from Baggs.
Pew will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pew fails with a takedown attempt.
Baggs throws a counter combo.
Pew dives in for a single leg takedown but Baggs sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Pew misses with a takedown
letting Baggs counter with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baggs misses with a straight right.
No joy there for Baggs, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nice takedown defense from Baggs. No joy for Pew on that attempt.
Pew slips a straight right by Baggs.
Baggs throws a right hand that Pew ducks under and follows up with a left that Pew also avoids with ease.
Baggs swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pew shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Baggs but Baggs pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pew shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Baggs as he avoids it easily.
Baggs throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pew dives in and grabs Baggs's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baggs pushes down on Pew's head and hops out.
Pew keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pew fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Baggs avoids it really well and circles away.
Pew shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Baggs as he jumps to the side.
Pew tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Baggs defends well and Pew ends up having to push Baggs into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Baggs now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Baggs tries to score with a low kick but Pew moves his leg out of the way.
Baggs darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Pew shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Baggs manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Baggs manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pew has his takedown stuffed
and Baggs counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baggs misses with a jab, cross combination.
Baggs fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pew manages to avoid it.
Baggs stuffs the takedown attempt from Pew. Pew gets slowly back to his feet.
Baggs misses with an uppercut. Pew saw that one coming.
Baggs tried to score with a low kick but Pew checks it.
Brian Baggs is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pew shoots in looking for a takedown but Baggs manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pew's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As Pew backs off Baggs throws a huge counter combo but Pew manages to avoid it all.
Pew misses with a takedown attempt
and Baggs counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Pew shoots in but no luck this time.
Pew doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Pew shoots in looking for a takedown but Baggs manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pew's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Baggs throws out a counter right but Pew avoids it with no problem.
Pew is breathing heavily.
Baggs fails to land with a series of punches.
Baggs misses with a two punch combination.
Pew shoots in looking for a takedown but Baggs manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pew's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pew shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Baggs as he avoids it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Baggs as Pew shoots in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Baggs stuns Pew with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Baggs fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Pew on the side of the head.
Pew looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Pew darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Baggs kicks Pew off and gets back to his feet.
Pew shoots in but no luck this time.
Baggs changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The Pew is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pew takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Baggs misses with a wild combination.
Pew seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Pew showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Baggs.

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

Baggs explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pew tries for a takedown but Baggs circles away easily
and Baggs counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Pew. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pew closes this distance looking for a takedown but Baggs circles away.
Pew avoids a punch combination nicely.
Pew uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baggs.
Baggs is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Pew shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Baggs but Baggs pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pew shoots for a takedown but Baggs saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pew looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baggs is fending him off so far but Pew persists. Nope, Baggs circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice uppercut there from Baggs.
Pew darts in looking for a takedown but Baggs gets double underhooks and turns Pew into the cage.
Baggs doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Baggs lands a jab to the head.

Pew scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Baggs has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Baggs is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Baggs is refusing to be controlled, as Pew sits in half guard.
Baggs is holding on to half guard well.
Baggs manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pew won't allow Baggs to sweep him here.
Pew might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Baggs is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Brian Baggs has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pew looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baggs trying to control the position here.
Pew trying to control the position from guard on top but Baggs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Baggs can do anything to dispel that myth.
Baggs controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Baggs throws an overhand right that lands on Pew's shoulder, as Pew tries to avoid the shot.
Baggs pivots, looking for a leg kick but Pew is out of range and Baggs settles back down.
Pew shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Baggs defends it nicely.
A little jabbing left from Baggs on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Baggs shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A jab from Baggs misses.

Baggs gets caught flat footed, as Pew shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Pew drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Baggs dives on top into guard.

Baggs's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Pew is trying to control the position but Baggs postures up.

Baggs decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Pew, up you get!
Pew ducks under a wild hook from Baggs.
Baggs is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Pew shoots for a takedown but Baggs saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pew closes this distance looking for a takedown but Baggs circles away.
Baggs feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Pews jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Baggs dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Pew. That did some damage!
Baggs throws a good cross that connects.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Baggs showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Pew takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Pew shoots for a double leg takedown but Baggs sprawls well. He's pushed Pew's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Baggs throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pew uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Baggs.
Baggs misses the shot to the body.
Pew wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Pew shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A nice side step and Baggs releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Baggs swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pew was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Pew tries to score a power double leg takedown but Baggs sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pew somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for The Pew. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pew dives in for a single leg takedown but Baggs sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Baggs with a nice cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baggs looks to land a right hand but Pew moved out of range.
Baggs moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Pew avoids a punch combination nicely.
Pew shoots in but no luck this time.
Baggs let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pew keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baggs misses with a few strikes there.
Baggs throws a low kick but Pew avoids it.
Baggs misses with a body shot.
Baggs takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Baggs throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pew seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Baggs enables Pew to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Baggs manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Pew postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Baggs is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Pew, into his guard.

Baggs wants to pass the guard but Pew is keeping the position.
Pew is trying to keep Baggs in close.
Pew wants to stand but Baggs is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baggs looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Baggs is continuing to stall.
Pew is trying to control the position but Baggs postures up.
Baggs is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Baggs postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baggs gets to his feet - Pew follows without any prompting.
Baggs scores with the left hand. Pew knows he should have avoided that one.
Pew closes the distance and clinches up with Baggs, looking for a takedown. Pew pushes Baggs against the cage but Baggs circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Baggs dips to his left and cracks Pew with an uppercut!
Baggs has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Pew throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Baggs's waist but Baggs gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pew off to one side.
Pew uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baggs.

Pew shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Baggs manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Baggs kicks Pew off and gets to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pew fails to land the takedown.
Pew shoots in for a takedown but Baggs shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baggs misses with a body shot.
Baggs fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pew manages to avoid it.
Pew fails to land the takedown.
Pew shoots in for a takedown but Baggs shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pew uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Baggs.
Pew dives in and grabs Baggs's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baggs pushes down on Pew's head and hops out.
Baggs throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The Pew has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pew slips under a jab.
Pew shoots in but no luck this time.
Baggs appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Pew or perhaps it was just good defense by Baggs, which made it look bad.
Brian Baggs seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Baggs cracks Pew with a good jab.
Pew uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baggs.
Baggs scores with a nice strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Baggs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baggs has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Baggs!
During a confident post fight interview, Brian Baggs thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.