PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Baba (ranked 4730 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tian Zhixuan (ranked 4726 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Baba
vs
Zhixuan

195 cm
25
258 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
285 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thomas Baba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tian Zhixuan!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Daniel Franklin and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zhixuan moves out of range as Baba strikes.
Zhixuan keeps the fight on the outside.
Zhixuan lands a glancing blow to the side of Baba's head.
Zhixuan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baba. Zhixuan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baba scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Zhixuan throws a shot from downtown. Baba moves away and avoids it.
Zhixuan has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

It looks like Tian Zhixuan has been cut.
Zhixuan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Zhixuan! But no joy.
Baba wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baba clinches.
Zhixuan has a couple of punches blocked by Baba.
Zhixuan gets through Baba's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Zhixuan lands a nice uppercut.
Zhixuan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baba's elbow.
A short uppercut from Baba.
Baba prevents a body shot from Zhixuan.
Baba can't find room to land a body shot as Zhixuan controls the action.
Baba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zhixuan swings wildly with an uppercut but Baba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zhixuan misses with a punch to the body.
Baba can't find room to land a body shot as Zhixuan controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Baba.
Zhixuan tries to throw a body punch but Baba avoids it by throwing Zhixuan back against the cage.
Zhixuan misses with the head strike.
Baba blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zhixuan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zhixuan gets through Baba's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Baba lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baba throws a head punch that misses.
A left hand lands to the body for Baba.
Zhixuan misses with a punch to the body.
Zhixuan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baba blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Baba throws a head punch that misses.
Zhixuan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baba has a couple of punches blocked by Zhixuan.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zhixuan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Good body shot from Zhixuan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Zhixuan working aggressively here.
Baba scores with a shoulder strike.
A head punch on the inside from Zhixuan fails to land.
Baba lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
Baba tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Zhixuan's elbow.
Baba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baba lands a body punch.
Zhixuan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zhixuan misses with some punches.
Zhixuan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zhixuan lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zhixuan takes a shot to the head.
Baba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Baba lands a hook that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
Baba lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Baba.
Zhixuan looks winded!
Baba misses with a short punch on the inside.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zhixuan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Baba misses with the head strike.
Baba scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A body shot lands from Baba.
Baba lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
Zhixuan throws a punch but it's blocked by Baba.
Zhixuan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baba working aggressively here.
Baba lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
A body shot lands from Baba.
Baba lands an uppercut.
A short left from Baba.
Still in the clinch, Baba scores with a nice short uppercut.
Baba lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Baba dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tian Zhixuan's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Baba moves into the clinch successfully.
A shot in the inside from Zhixuan.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zhixuan.
Baba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Baba misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baba is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zhixuan can do to turn this around?
Zhixuan tries a body shot but Baba blocks it.
Zhixuan gets underhooks to prevent Baba's takedown attempt.
Baba misses with a short punch on the inside.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Baba here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Zhixuan misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baba lands a right hand that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
Zhixuan misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zhixuan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Good body shot from Baba.
Baba pushes Zhixuan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zhixuan is breathing heavily.
Baba working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zhixuan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Baba cracks Zhixuan with a nice body shot.
Zhixuan prevents a body shot from Baba.

Baba manages to break the clinch.

Baba lands a big uppercut and Zhixuan crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Zhixuan looks OK. Baba waves Zhixuan back to his feet!
Baba tries to clinch but Zhixuan is having none of it.
Thomas Baba is winning the standup battle so far.
Baba lands with a shot to the body.

Baba clinches up with Zhixuan and pushes him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baba lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
Baba lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
Baba lands a left hand that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
Baba lands with a light punch inside.
Baba lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zhixuan.
Baba works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Baba lands with a left to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baba lands a hook that snaps the head of Zhixuan backwards.
Baba is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Baba lands a nice shot to the body.
Baba lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Baba.
A right handed body shot lands from Baba.
Baba lands with a light punch inside.
Baba lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Baba - that landed with a thud.
A short right from Baba.
Baba misses with some punches.
Baba doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baba lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Baba.
Baba working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhixuan misses with a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Baba.
Baba lands a left hand.
Baba pushes Zhixuan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baba lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Baba can't find room to land a body shot as Zhixuan controls the action.
Baba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baba softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short left from Baba.
Baba blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Zhixuan lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Baba is working Zhixuan over against the cage.
Baba lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Baba lands with a light punch inside.
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!
Baba is trying to drag Zhixuan to the mat but Zhixuan just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Baba creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhixuan blocking some punches.
Zhixuan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baba lands an uppercut.
Baba working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Baba is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Baba misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thomas Baba has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Zhixuan misses with a punch to the body.
Baba tries to work over Zhixuan's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baba blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baba lands with a left to the head.
Baba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zhixuan can't find room to land a body shot as Baba controls the action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thomas Baba dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Tian Zhixuan's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Baba scores with a jab. Zhixuan acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Baba tries to close the distance and clinch but Zhixuan swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Zhixuan is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Baba with a body shot.
Baba lands a right hook to the body.

Baba drops Zhixuan with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Zhixuan looks back up at him and smiles so Baba waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Zhixuan is rocked!

Baba rushes Zhixuan and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Baba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Zhixuan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zhixuan prevents a body shot from Baba.
Zhixuan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Baba lands with a light punch inside.
Baba pushes Zhixuan back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Zhixuan has a couple of punches blocked by Baba.
Zhixuan takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Zhixuan tries to work over Baba's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baba scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Zhixuan misses with a body punch.
Baba blocks a body shot from Zhixuan.
Baba throws a head punch that misses.
Baba lands with a right to the head.
Baba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Baba throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Zhixuans head.
A shot in the inside from Baba.
Zhixuan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Zhixuan.
Baba prevents a body shot from Zhixuan.
Baba gets through Zhixuan's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Zhixuan is still on wobbly legs! Can Baba finish him?
Baba lands a nice uppercut.
Baba swings wildly with an uppercut but Zhixuan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baba lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zhixuan swings wildly with an uppercut but Baba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zhixuan seems to have recovered his senses.
Baba works on Zhixuan's body with a couple of short punches.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Baba takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Baba lands a shoulder strike.
A short left from Baba.
A short right from Baba on the inside.
Baba scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zhixuan can't find room to land a body shot as Baba controls the action.
Baba is leaning against Zhixuan and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Baba lands with a short shot to the head.
Baba is working Zhixuan over against the cage.
Baba presses Zhixuan against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Baba lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Baba.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba pushes Zhixuan back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A shot in the inside from Baba.
Baba lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Zhixuan.
Baba scores with a nice hook to the head.
Still in the clinch, Baba scores with a nice short uppercut.
Zhixuan's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A short left from Baba.
Baba can't find room to land a body shot as Zhixuan controls the action.
Thomas Baba is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nice body punch from Baba.
Zhixuan blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Zhixuan prevents a body shot from Baba.
Zhixuan throws a head punch that misses.
Zhixuan struggles to land a body shot inside as Baba controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zhixuan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Zhixuan tries to work over Baba's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Baba.
Baba lands a left hand.
Zhixuan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zhixuan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Zhixuan working aggressively here.
Zhixuan throws a head punch that misses.
Zhixuan can't find room to land a body shot as Baba controls the action.
Tian Zhixuan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zhixuan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baba's elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thomas Baba showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Baba 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thomas Baba!