PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Afeef Isa Baba (ranked 1100 p4p, 1435 weight class) and Ruslan Danilov (ranked 169 p4p, 208 weight class). Baba's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Nation Arabic Orchestra. This should be fireworks!

Baba
vs
Danilov

181 cm
45
172
31 - 19 - 2

185 cm
32
180
19 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Voodoo Nutrition

Voodoo Nutrition

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 31 - 19 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Afeef Isa Baba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ruslan Danilov!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Richard Clark and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Danilov defending well as Baba loads up on a big left hand.
Baba feints a jab promting Danilov to slip. Baba then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Danilov slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Danilov is looking to clinch.
Baba rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Danilov counters with a good low kick that Baba was not able to check.
Good work by Danilov as he checks the leg kick.
Danilov misses with a wild body shot.
Danilov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've been informed that Danilov has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Baba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Danilov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Danilov wants to slow Baba down by chopping away at his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Danilov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Baba.
A quick step to the side and Baba tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baba ducks under a wild hook from Danilov.

Danilov clinches.
Baba managing to block the knees to the body from Danilov.
Danilov swings wildly with an uppercut but Baba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baba makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danilov looking to throw knees to the head but Baba is blocking nicely.
I was talking to Baba's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Danilov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Danilov content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Baba.
Baba tries a body shot but Danilov blocks it.
Danilov tries to land a knee to the head but Baba blocks with his arms.
Baba lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Danilov backwards.
Danilov is struggling to control the position.
Danilov has Baba pushed against the cage.
Danilov tries to land a knee to the head but Baba blocks with his arms.
Danilov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Danilov is trying to stall.
Baba lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Danilov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Afeef Isa Baba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danilov tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Baba defends well and Danilov ends up having to push Baba into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Danilov scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Danilov throws a nice outside leg kick.
Baba takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

Baba gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Danilov to score an easy takedown into full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Danilov sitting in guard here, content to control.
Baba working a defensive guard here.
Danilov trying to control the position from guard on top but Baba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Danilov forces his way into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danilov thows a huge punch but Baba dodges it nicely.
Baba wants to control but Danilov is keeping busy.
Baba is refusing to be controlled, as Danilov sits in half guard.
Baba tries to kick Danilov off but Danilov keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Danilov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Danilov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Danilov trying to control the action but Baba is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Danilov throwing shots but Baba is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Danilov in particular looking to stall.
Danilov wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baba keeps working.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Danilov lands strikes from half guard.
Danilov is trying to control. Baba wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Danilov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Danilov is trying to work for a kimura but Baba is defending well.
Baba wants to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ruslan Danilov dominated that round.
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.

Sloppy strikes from Baba. Those never looked like landing.
Danilov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Baba checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Baba takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Baba swings for the body but Danilov moves out of range.
Danilov tries to close the distance and clinch but Baba swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ruslan Danilov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Danilov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Baba ducks right into an uppercut from Danilov.
Baba defending well as Danilov loads up on a big left hand.
Baba appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Danilov scores with a body shot.
Baba fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
It seemed like Danilov was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Danilov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baba takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Danilov throws a looping overhand right but Baba ducks down to avoid it.
Danilov throws a body punch but Baba moves out of range.
Ruslan Danilov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Danilov wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba looks to throw the jab but Danilov is out of range.
Danilov moves into range and connects with a jab.
Danilov looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Baba chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Baba goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Baba lands a nice shot to the body.
Baba throws a shot from downtown. Danilov moves away and avoids it.
Baba throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Baba scores with a hook to the body. Danilov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Danilov just misses with a punch to the body.
Baba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Danilov.
Danilov connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danilov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baba pinned against the cage. Baba gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Danilov scores with a leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Danilov.
Danilov fails to land the takedown.
A quick step to the side and Baba tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baba throws a leg kick but Danilov checks it.
Danilov throws out a counter right but Baba avoids it with no problem.
Danilov tries to land a leg kick but Baba saw it coming and moves away.
And Baba counters with a quick kick to the body but Danilov blocks it.
Danilov misses with a head kick.
Baba is looking to wear down Danilov with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Danilov on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Danilov misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Danilov looks to score with a jab to the body but Baba is just out of range.
Baba thinks about countering with a body kick.
Danilov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Afeef Isa Baba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ruslan Danilov.
Baba's corner calls for a 1-2. Baba obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Baba keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Baba lands a nice looking kick to the body. Danilov takes a step back to recover.

Danilov closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Baba did well to prevent Danilov getting side control.

Baba makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Danilov misses with a lunging right hand
and Baba counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Danilov swings for the body but Baba moves out of range.
Danilov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Baba makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Danilov is breathing heavily.
Danilov misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baba bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Danilov's head backwards.
Baba is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Baba looks to score with a jab to the body but Danilov is just out of range.
Baba throws a lazy right hand but Danilov sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Danilov attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Baba lands with a nice body kick.
Danilov throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Danilov tries to work over Baba's front leg with a kick but Baba checks it.
Baba was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Danilov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Danilov misses with a hook
and Baba counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Baba does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Danilov throws a hook but Baba avoids it easily.
Baba lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Danilov circles away quickly and effectively.
Baba looks to land a combination. Danilov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Afeef Isa Baba dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Baba on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Danilov throws a lazy uppercut
and Baba counters with a nice body kick.
Baba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Baba connects with a looping right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baba. Danilov does a little dance to reset his feet.
That kick from Danilov tenderised Baba's leg. Baba is trying to keep his angry face on.
Danilov scores with the left hand. Baba knows he should have avoided that one.
Danilov cracks Baba with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Danilov wants to clinch up but Baba keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Danilov misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Baba.
Baba connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nice defenses there by Baba.
Danilov gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Baba counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danilov misses with a straight left.
Danilov misses with a looping left.
Baba is looking to slow Danilov down with leg kicks.
Danilov throws a sloppy head kick and Baba moves out of range easily.
Baba was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Baba takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Baba misses with a body shot.
Baba scores with a hook to the body. Danilov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Danilov misses with a kick to the body
and Baba counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Danilov tries to score a power double leg takedown but Baba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Danilov somewhat.
Danilov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Danilov swings for the body but Baba moves out of range.
Danilov shoots for a takedown but Baba saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danilov blocks the body kick.
Baba checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Baba looks for the body kick but Danilov saw that one coming.
Danilov swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Baba counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Danilov thinking.
Danilov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Danilov throws a leg kick
and Baba counters with a nice kick to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Danilov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice cross by Danilov.
Baba tests Danilov's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Danilov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Baba.
As Danilov looks to move away, Baba throws a big counter combo but Danilov just gets out of the way.
Baba scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Baba takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Baba moves out of range as Danilov strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Baba misses its intended target.
Danilov throws an overhand right that lands on Baba's shoulder, as Baba tries to avoid the shot.
Danilov looks to throw a body kick
and Baba counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Baba scores with a nice right hand.
Baba scores with a crisp jab that stopped Danilov in his tracks.
Danilov misses with a body kick.
It looked like Baba was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Baba feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Danilov sprawling to the canvas! Danilov rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Baba finish him?!

Danilov is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baba lunges in with a left hook that violently twists Danilov head around and knocks him out cold! Baba hops onto the cage and yells out at the top of his lungs - Yeeeeeeeeaaaaaaaaah! They're showing the replay on the big screens now; that was nasty! I hope one of the photographers got a good shot of it.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Afeef Isa Baba!
A relieved looking Afeef Isa Baba thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.