PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Corey Baird (ranked 3222 p4p, 2788 weight class) and 3 Piece Soda (ranked 308 p4p, 270 weight class). Soda comes into a darkened arena with his song building. 3 Nights kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Baird
vs
Soda

170 cm
28
148
7 - 9 - 0

165 cm
28
150
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Strikers Supplements
Conviction

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Corey Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, 3 Piece Soda!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Paul Tew and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baird on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Soda. Soda obviously looking to wear him down.
Baird drops his hands momentarily and Soda takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Baird drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Soda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Soda avoids the body shot from Baird.
Baird has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Baird stuns Soda with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Soda blocks a jab.
Baird works Soda's body with a nice hook.
Soda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Baird on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Baird misses with a right hand
and Soda counters with a nice leg kick.
Nice defenses there by Soda.
Soda swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Soda tries to close the distance and clinch up but Baird swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Soda thuds his right hand into Baird's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
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!
Nice defenses there by Soda.
Baird throws a predictable looking body shot
and Soda cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Soda uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baird.
Baird throws a hook but Soda avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird misses with a lunging right hand
and Soda counters with a straight right hand.
Baird throws a hook but Soda avoids it easily.
Baird throws a shot from downtown. Soda moves away and avoids it.
Soda uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baird.
Soda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Soda darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Soda takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Baird fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Soda manages to avoid it.
Baird swings widly with a right hand
and Soda counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Baird displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Baird takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Soda ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Baird misses with an uppercut.
Soda throws a head kick that misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Soda. That's going to slow Baird down.
Baird looks to throw the jab but Soda is out of range.
Soda appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird lands with a nice body punch.

Soda closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Baird did well to prevent Soda getting side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Soda is keen to just control but Baird is a slippery customer.
Well, if Soda is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Soda seems to be looking for submissions.
Baird tries to roll over but Soda keeps him under control.

Soda is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Soda postures up.
Soda's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Soda pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baird is keeping the position for now.
Soda passes into half guard.

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.

Soda seems to be looking for submissions.

Soda is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Soda looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Baird wants to get back to full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but 3 Piece Soda will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Soda fails with an attempt to clinch.
Baird thows a left - swing and a miss!
Soda connects with a leg kick.
Baird pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Baird throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Baird throws a nice looking combination but Soda bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Baird misses with a hook. Soda ducked under it nicely.
Soda scores with a head kick.
Soda lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Soda scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Baird has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Soda lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body kick there by Soda.
A nice leg kick lands there from Soda.
Soda paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baird's jab looks to have found its range, popping Soda under the eye.
Nice defenses there by Soda.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baird. Soda does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baird walks into a left hand.
Soda uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baird.
Soda scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Baird clobbers Soda with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Baird lands with a shot to the body.
Baird throws a body shot but no joy.
Baird throws a hook but Soda blocks it.
Soda fails to land the takedown.
Soda with the inside leg kick.
Baird throws a big shot that misses.
Soda throws out a counter right but Baird avoids it with no problem.

Soda rushes Baird and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Soda scores with a hook to the body.
Soda blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soda working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baird lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Soda gets control of Baird's arms and successfully pulls guard. Soda will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Soda trying to control the position.

Baird stands up from Soda's guard - Baird perhaps looking for a knockout.
Soda ducks under a wild hook from Baird.
Baird thows a left - swing and a miss!
Baird fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Baird misses with an uppercut. Soda saw that one coming.
Soda lands a right hook to the body.
Soda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Corey Baird is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Soda scores with a body shot.
Soda scores with a leg kick.
Soda tries to clinch but Baird is having none of it.
Baird misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soda lands a leg kick that knocks Baird off balance momentarily.
A low kick lands for Soda.
Baird thows a left - swing and a miss!
Soda was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Soda doesn't manage to clinch there - Baird circles away.
Baird misses with a right hand
and Soda counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Baird thows a left - swing and a miss!
3 Piece Soda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A combination from Baird does no damage.
Baird moves out of range of the leg kick from Soda.
Soda has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Baird finds it's way round the side to connect with Soda's head.
Baird steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Soda. That one must have hurt.
Baird stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Soda.
Soda displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baird throws out the jab.
Baird is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Soda.
And Soda responds with a good body kick, but Baird manages to step out the way in time.
Baird loads up on a big right hand but Soda slips the punch.
Baird tries to bum rush Soda with a series of wild strikes but Soda uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Soda tries to counter with a clinch but Baird shakes him off and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soda uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baird.
Corey Baird seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baird scores with a nice strike.
Baird misses the shot to the body.
Soda tries for a takedown but Baird sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Baird throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Soda scores with a punch to the head.
Baird is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A big left from Baird misses.
Baird misses the shot to the body.
Baird misses with a hook
letting Soda counter with a right hand.
Soda shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Baird defends it nicely.
Corey Baird has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of 3 Piece Soda.
The fight stays on the outside here - Soda looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A little feinted left hand from Baird on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Soda scores with a sloppy right hand. Baird should have avoided that one.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but 3 Piece Soda will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Soda slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Soda moves away from the strike by Baird.
Soda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sloppy strikes from Baird. Those never looked like landing.
Baird has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Soda.
Baird misses with a body shot
and Soda counters with a straight right hand.
Soda connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Soda has a takedown stuffed.
Soda misses with a lunging right hand
and Baird counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Baird looks to score with a jab to the body but Soda is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Soda is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Baird throws a big shot that misses.
Baird swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Baird misses the shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Soda fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Baird has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soda uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baird.
Soda connects with a solid leg kick.
Baird throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Soda counters with a stiff right hand.
Soda fails with a takedown attempt.
Soda drops his hands momentarily and Baird takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Soda ducks under a wild hook from Baird.
Baird looks to land a left hand but Soda moved out of range nicely.
Baird takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Soda tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Baird throws a shot from downtown. Soda moves away and avoids it.
Baird misses with a hook.
Baird misses with a looping left.
Corey Baird has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird tries to move into range but Soda moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Baird misses with an uppercut
and Soda connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Baird misses with an uppercut. Soda saw that one coming.
Baird throws a lazy uppercut
and Soda counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baird waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Soda.
A looping hook to the body misses from Baird. Soda does a little dance to reset his feet.

Soda moves into range and clinches up with Baird.
Baird fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Soda lands a nice uppercut.
Soda tries a body shot but Baird blocks it.
Soda tries to pull guard but Baird won't allow it.
Corey Baird has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of 3 Piece Soda.
Baird tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Soda's elbow.
Soda lands with a short shot to the head.
Soda tries to work over Baird's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baird tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Soda tries a body shot but Baird blocks it.
Baird misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Baird fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soda tries a body shot but Baird blocks it.
Baird throws a head punch that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Soda.
Baird throws a head punch that misses.
Baird lands with a short shot to the head.
Soda tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baird's elbow.
Baird misses with a hook to the ribs.
Soda misses with a punch to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Soda.
A left hand lands to the body for Soda.
Soda lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Baird looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Soda drags the fight down to the ground.

Baird stands up and waves to Soda to follow him.
Soda fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Baird gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Soda on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Soda wants to clinch up but Baird keeps it at a distance.
Baird swings away with a body shot that misses
and Soda counters with a slapping leg kick.
Soda avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Baird throws a poor cross that misses
and Soda counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Soda.
Baird fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Soda manages to avoid it.
Soda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Baird.
Soda avoids a punch combination nicely.
Soda lands with a nice body punch.
Soda dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Baird misses with a wild body shot.
Soda scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
3 Piece Soda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Soda 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... 3 Piece Soda!
A victorious 3 Piece Soda thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.