PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cristopher Carpenter (ranked 24588 p4p, 0 weight class) and Datu Bahktayn (ranked 5219 p4p, 0 weight class). Datu Bahktayn has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Cristopher Carpenter's chin.

Carpenter
vs
Bahktayn

151 cm
18
214 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

183 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cristopher Carpenter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Datu Bahktayn!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Wesley Smith and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Carpenter tries a head kick but it misses.
Bahktayn is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Carpenter with a body shot.
Carpenter throws a lazy head kick
and Bahktayn counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bahktayn gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Carpenter counters with a two punch combo.
A head kick misses from Carpenter.
Carpenter misses with a right hand
and Bahktayn makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bahktayn blocks a head kick by Carpenter.
Bahktayn lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Bahktayn fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Carpenter throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bahktayn appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Bahktayn takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Carpenter throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Bahktayn tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Carpenter is in Bahktayn's guard.
Carpenter stopping the sweep attempt from Bahktayn.
Bahktayn wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Carpenter manages to pass to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Carpenter not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bahktayn tries to kick Carpenter off but Carpenter keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Carpenter wants to control but Bahktayn is keeping him busy.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Bahktayn pushes Carpenter off but Carpenter dives into side control.
Carpenter prevents Bahktayn from escaping the position.
Bahktayn is trying to control Carpenter's posture but Carpenter avoids it.
Carpenter throws an elbow but Bahktayn slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bahktayn tries to improve position but can't.
Bahktayn wants to get back to his feet but Carpenter is dominant here and he's now got Bahktayn's back!

Bahktayn preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Carpenter.
Bahktayn wants to get back to his feet.

Carpenter is persistently looking for the submission but Bahktayn is defending it well.

Carpenter working for the choke.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bahktayn is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Bahktayn looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Bahktayn is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cristopher Carpenter dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Carpenter throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bahktayn sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Carpenter keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cristopher Carpenter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bahktayn shoots in looking for a takedown. Carpenter tries to sprawl out of it but Bahktayn keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Carpenter manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carpenter fails to land with a series of punches.
Carpenter throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bahktayn counters with a shoot takedown. Carpenter fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Carpenter isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Bahktayn stacks Carpenter on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Bahktayn!
Bahktayn in side control, just content to control the action for now.

Bahktayn decides to stand back up. Bahktayn steps back and let's Carpenter get back to his feet.
Carpenter fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Bahktayn avoids it really well and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Carpenter throws a nice looking combination but Bahktayn bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bahktayn tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Bahktayn gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Carpenter holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Cristopher Carpenter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Datu Bahktayn.
Bahktayn goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Carpenter wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Bahktayn has him pressed against the cage.
Bahktayn tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Carpenter's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bahktayn effectively controlling the action here.
Carpenter working hard to break the clinch.

Carpenter escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Carpenter misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Carpenter really is a fat lump.

Bahktayn closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Bahktayn tries to work over Carpenter's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bahktayn misses with a hook to the ribs.
Bahktayn can't get the takedown.
Carpenter fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bahktayn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Datu Bahktayn will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Carpenter throws a head kick that misses.
Bahktayn doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Bahktayn misses with a takedown attempt - Carpenter sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bahktayn keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Carpenter.
Bahktayn steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Bahktayn walks into a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Carpenter shoots in for a double leg but Bahktayn sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bahktayn let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bahktayn tries for a takedown but Carpenter sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Carpenter throws a nice looking combination but Bahktayn bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A nice side step and Bahktayn releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bahktayn shoots for a double leg takedown but Carpenter sprawls well. He's pushed Bahktayn's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cristopher Carpenter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Datu Bahktayn.

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

Bahktayn has one foot on Carpenter's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Carpenter doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Bahktayn counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bahktayn looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bahktayn.
Carpenter misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Carpenter scores with a hook to the body. Bahktayn takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
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!
A head kick from Carpenter lands but Bahktayn takes it in his stride.

Bahktayn throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Carpenter tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Bahktayn is in Carpenter's guard.

Carpenter has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Bahktayn is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Carpenter is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bahktayn can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carpenter blocks a body shot from Bahktayn.
Bahktayn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Carpenter backwards.
Carpenter looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Carpenter tries to pull guard but Bahktayn holds him up against the cage and eventually Carpenter drops back down to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bahktayn keeps control of Carpenter as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bahktayn stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Bahktayn tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bahktayn keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Carpenter's efforts to push away.
Carpenter tries to score a body lock takedown but Bahktayn shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cristopher Carpenter showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Carpenter has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tiny Johnson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cristopher Carpenter!