PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lao Shin (ranked 15 p4p, 3 weight class) and Afeef Isa Baba (ranked 82 p4p, 13 weight class). Shin kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Shaolin Chamber of Death. Baba is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Nation Arabic Orchestra. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Afeef Isa Baba was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Shin
vs
Isa Baba

182 cm
39
176 lbs
45 - 17 - 2

181 cm
36
172 lbs
18 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
UnderGround Clothing Co.

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 45 - 17 - 2, fighting out of London, Lao Shin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Afeef Isa Baba!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baba lands a jab to the head.
Jab from Shin.
Shin steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baba.
It appears Shin was looking to counter with a kick there.
Baba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Shin.
Shin feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Babas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

It looks like Afeef Isa Baba has been cut.
A jab from Shin does it's job there.
Shin throws a hook to the side of Baba's head but Baba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Baba takes a swing at Shin's ribcage but misses.
Shin appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Shin has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Dr Hatsumi's Clinic in the buildup to the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Shin swings for the body but Baba moves out of range.
And Baba responds with a good body kick, but Shin manages to step out the way in time.
Baba tries a low kick but Shin avoids it.
Shin slips a jab from Baba.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shin rushes Baba and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short right from Shin.
Shin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Baba prevents a body shot from Shin.
Baba misses with a body punch.
Baba throws a head punch that misses.
Shin blocks a body shot from Baba.
Shin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shin tries to work over Baba's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baba prevents a body shot from Shin.
Shin throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Shin misses with a punch to the body.
Good body shot from Shin.
Baba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shin's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Baba blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shin misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shin misses with a body punch.
Baba misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shin misses with a punch to the body.
Shin misses with a punch to the body.
Shin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Shin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shin.
Baba throws a punch but it's blocked by Shin.
Shin misses with the head strike.
Baba lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Baba.
Shin blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shin.
Shin throws a punch but it's blocked by Baba.
A short body shot lands from Baba as the two fighters clinch.
Shin blocks a body shot from Baba.
Baba prevents a body shot from Shin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baba blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Baba throws a head punch that misses.
Baba lands with a short shot to the head.
A short body shot lands from Shin as the two fighters clinch.
Baba lands with a light punch inside.
Shin misses with some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Baba.
Shin can't find room to land a body shot as Baba controls the action.
Shin prevents a body shot from Baba.
A nice right hand lands inside from Shin.
Shin doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Shin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shin lands a left hand.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Shin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Baba's brow.
Shin tries a body shot but Baba blocks it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Shin scores with a shot to the side of Baba's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shin digs a right hand into Baba's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Baba's gas tank.
Shin throws a head punch that misses.
Baba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Shin can't find room to land a body shot as Baba controls the action.
Shin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A shot in the inside from Shin.
Baba misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shin is looking to break free of the clinch but Baba has double underhooks.
Shin lands a body shot.
Baba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Baba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shin.
Shin struggles to land a body shot inside as Baba controls his hands.
Shin blocking some punches.
Baba misses with a punch to the body.
Shin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shin content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Shin tries a body shot but Baba blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lao Shin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Afeef Isa Baba's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Baba crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Shin - the referee stops the clock and Baba gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Shin. Baba manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Shin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Baba can do to turn this around?
Shin misses with a wild body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Baba. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Baba.
Shin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Baba.
Baba only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Baba walks into a left hand.
Baba throws a body shot but no joy.
Shin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A nice side step and Baba releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Lao Shin is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shin keeps Baba at a distance using the push kick.
Shin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Baba. Baba circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Baba just misses with a punch to the body.
A quick step to the side and Shin tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shin misses with a hook. Baba ducked under it nicely.
Shin takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Baba feints a jab promting Shin to slip. Baba then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Shin slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Baba lands a right hook to the body.
Shin throws an overhand right that lands on Baba's shoulder, as Baba tries to avoid the shot.
Baba swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Baba looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Shin misses with a leg kick.
Baba looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Baba throws a head kick that Shin semi-blocks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Baba slips a straight right by Shin.
Baba looks for the body kick but Shin saw that one coming.
Baba misses with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baba throws a leg kick but Shin checks it.
Shin misses with a series of wild punches.
Baba misses the shot to the body.
Shin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Baba's sensitive parts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba ducks under a wild hook from Shin.
Shin moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Shin thumps Baba with a low kick.
Baba slips under a jab from Shin.
Baba throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice shot lands for Shin.
Shin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Baba with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Shin to score with a decent uppercut.
Shin misses with a low kick as Baba jumps back.
Baba is looking for the big counter here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baba scores with a kick to the midsection.
Good shot there by Shin.
Baba misses with a double jab
and Shin counters with a good low kick that Baba was not able to check.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baba scores with a punch to the head.
Baba throws out a loose jab but Shin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baba takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Shin avoids the body shot from Baba.
Baba throws the left hand but Shin avoids the punch easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lao Shin will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Afeef Isa Baba's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Baba dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Baba tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Shin is able to avoid easily.
Baba misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A jab from Shin does it's job there.
Shin checks a leg kick.
Shin throws a nice outside leg kick.
An inside leg kick from Shin misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shin moves out of range of the strikes.
Shin misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Baba counters with a nice body kick.
No joy there for Baba, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shin throwing a counter right hand but Baba manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shin throws out a loose jab but Baba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shin is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Baba.
A punch combination from Baba misses.
Shin is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Shin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A slow jab from Baba misses its intended target.
Good standup being displayed there by Shin as he connects with a hook.
Shin turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shin ducks under a wild hook from Baba.
Shin has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Baba finds it's way round the side to connect with Shin's head.
Shin misses with a wild body shot.
Baba steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Shin swings for the body but Baba moves out of range.
Shin backing away here, and Baba unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Shin misses the shot to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Baba! But no joy.
Baba misses with a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Shin misses the target.
Baba looks to land a body kick but Shin moved away.
Shin is looking to counter punch.
Baba tries to land a front kick but Shin steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Shin misses with an uppercut. Baba saw that one coming.
Baba looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shin lands a body shot.
Shin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Baba counters with a stiff right hand.
A big left from Baba misses.
Shin feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Baba throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Shin is looking to slow Baba down with leg kicks.
Baba steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shin.
Shin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Baba on the side of the head.
Shin takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
No joy there for Baba, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baba misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Shin.
Shin uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baba.
Good work by Shin as he checks the leg kick.
Baba chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Shin checks a low kick from Baba.
An attempted straight right counter from Shin misses the target.
The fighters circling - Shin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Baba throws out a counter right but Shin avoids it with no problem.
Baba misses with a looping left.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Shin lands with a right hand.
Shin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Afeef Isa Baba just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Afeef Isa Baba's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Baba avoids the body shot from Shin.
Baba scores with a spinning back kick!
Baba misses with a body kick.
Shin misses with a looping right.
Baba thows a left - swing and a miss!
Shin lands a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shin blocks the body kick.
A combination from Baba does no damage.
Shin was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Nice defenses there by Baba.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shin throws a low kick, looking for Baba's leg but Baba calmly moves out of range.
Donk. Baba catches Shin right on the button with a cross.
Baba swings for the body but Shin moves out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Baba scores with a four punch combination!
Baba lands with a straight right. Shin didn't see that one coming.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Shin lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Baba has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Baba and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Shin looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
And Baba responds with a good body kick, but Shin manages to step out the way in time.

Shin gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Baba swings wildly with an uppercut but Shin uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baba lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shin backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Baba.
Shin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baba prevents a body shot from Shin.
Baba doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Shin tries to work over Baba's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Shin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shin misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Baba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A short left from Shin.
Shin tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shin lands with a short shot to the head.
Baba prevents a body shot from Shin.
Baba blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Baba.
Baba misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shin lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Shin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baba lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shin misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shin fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Baba tries to throw a body punch but Shin avoids it by throwing Baba back against the cage.
Shin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Baba lands an uppercut.
Baba blocking some punches.
Baba lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baba misses with a punch on the inside.
Baba lands a shot to the body.
Lao Shin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Baba swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Shin manages to break the clinch.
Shin keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shin looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
A nice inside leg kick there by Shin. That's going to slow Baba down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Shin checks a leg kick.
Shin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Baba on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Shin. Shin obviously looking to wear him down.
Shin throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Baba thows a leg kick but Shin checks it
and Shin counters with a nice kick to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baba throws a looping overhand right but Shin ducks down to avoid it.
A counter left hand to the body from Shin misses its target.
Baba fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Shin is out of range.
Baba throws the kick towards the body but Shin avoids it.
Shin fires out a quick counter leg kick but Baba just manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Afeef Isa Baba dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Afeef Isa Baba's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Shin thumps Baba with a low kick.
Baba throws a looping overhand right but Shin ducks down to avoid it.
Baba waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Shin.
Baba moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Baba takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Baba looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A left lands for Baba.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donk. Shin catches Baba right on the button with a cross.
Shin fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Baba.
Nice cross by Baba.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Shin.
Baba looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Baba moves forwards but Shin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Shin avoids the head kick by Baba.
Shin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baba.
Shin is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Shin throws an off balance right hand
letting Baba counter with a right hand.
Baba swings away with a body shot that misses
and Shin counters with a straight right hand.
Shin feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Baba's calf.
A head kick misses from Shin.
Baba throws a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shin throws a low kick but it's checked well by Baba.
Shin misses with a looping left.
Baba throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baba misses with a body shot.
Shin looks to land a right hand but Baba moved out of range.
Baba misses with a hook
and Shin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Baba ducks under a wild hook from Shin.
And Baba responds with a good body kick, but Shin manages to step out the way in time.
A low kick from Baba misses
and Shin counters with a body kick that stops Baba in his tracks momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shin uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baba.
Shin falls off balance throwing a combination
and Baba makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Shin moves out of range of the body kick.
Baba throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shin digs a good body shot into Baba's ribs.
Baba moves out of range of the body kick from Shin.
Baba misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shin quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shin checks a leg kick nicely.
Shin is looking to land body kicks.
Shin misses with a looping right.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Baba! But no joy.
Shin missing with a left hand there. Baba was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shin uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baba.
As Baba backs away, Shin returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A head kick misses from Shin.
Baba is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Baba stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Shin.
Baba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shin's corner calls for a 1-2. Shin obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lao Shin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Shin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 49:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Lao Shin!
Lao Shin retains his welterweight title!
A relieved looking Lao Shin thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.