PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kosmodrom Baikonurov (ranked 2370 p4p, 4080 weight class) and Groundskeeper Willie (ranked 147 p4p, 228 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Baikonurov
vs
Willie

170 cm
22
137
3 - 2 - 0

163 cm
23
139
4 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kosmodrom Baikonurov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Groundskeeper Willie!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baikonurov defending well as Willie loads up on a big left hand.
Baikonurov connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Willie momentarily.
Baikonurov misses with a series of wild punches.
Baikonurov misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch combination from Baikonurov misses.
Willie blocks a head kick by Baikonurov.
Baikonurov with a jab.
Willie doesn't manage to clinch there - Baikonurov circles away.
No joy there for Willie, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Willie misses with a looping right.
Baikonurov misses with a looping left.
Willie looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Willie moves out of range of the body kick.

Willie clinches up against the cage.
Willie tries to pull guard but Baikonurov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Baikonurov lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Willie lands a right hand.
Baikonurov is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Willie tries to pull guard but Baikonurov won't allow it.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Willie has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Baikonurov lands an uppercut.
Willie tries to pull guard but Baikonurov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kosmodrom Baikonurov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Groundskeeper Willie.
Come on Baikonurov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Baikonurov pushes Willie back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baikonurov is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Willie is keeping busy.
Baikonurov slowing the pace effectively.
Willie misses with some punches.
Willie fails to pull guard.
Willie jumps guard but Baikonurov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Willie swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Willie is looking to break free of the clinch but Baikonurov has double underhooks.
Baikonurov is stalling here.
Baikonurov lands a right hand.
Baikonurov blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Willie tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Baikonurov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Baikonurov misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right from Baikonurov on the inside.
Baikonurov content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Willie manages to break the clinch.
Willie steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Baikonurov. That one must have hurt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Willie lands the left hand.
Willie throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Baikonurov sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Baikonurov is looking to counter with a shot to the body.

Baikonurov has closed the distance and engaged Willie in a clinch.
Baikonurov displaying some good clinch control by pressing Willie up against the cage.
Willie working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Willie tries to pull guard but Baikonurov holds him up against the cage and eventually Willie drops back down to his feet.
Willie fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Baikonurov lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Baikonurov breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Baikonurov throws a lazy right hand but Willie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little jabbing left from Willie on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willie thuds his right hand into Baikonurov's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Willie on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Willie misses with a hook. Baikonurov ducked under it nicely.
Willie scores with a nice strike.
Willie takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Willie throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Baikonurov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Baikonurov thuds his shin into the meat of Willie's side.
Baikonurov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Willie cracks Baikonurov with an open hand slap.
Kosmodrom Baikonurov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Baikonurov throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Willie throws an off balance right hand
and Baikonurov counters with a thumping low kick.
Baikonurov misses with a double jab
and Willie counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Willie lands a glancing blow to the side of Baikonurov's head.
Baikonurov scores with a head kick. Willie tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Baikonurov lands a jab to Willie's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baikonurov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Willie.
Willie misses with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Willie. Those never looked like landing.
Baikonurov with a hook.
Baikonurov scores with a hook.
Baikonurov throws a sloppy head kick and Willie moves out of range easily.
Willie tries to clinch but Baikonurov moves out of range.
Willie misses with a jab, cross combination.
Baikonurov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Willie throws out the jab.
Willie throws a lazy uppercut
and Baikonurov counters with a right hand to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baikonurov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Baikonurov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Baikonurov throws an off balance right hand
and Baikonurov takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Willie looks to land a right hand but Baikonurov moved out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kosmodrom Baikonurov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Baikonurov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Willie.
Willie might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Willie misses with a left hand
and Baikonurov counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Baikonurov swings for the body but Willie moves out of range.
Groundskeeper Willie seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baikonurov scores with a jab. Willie acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Willie is rocked!

It looks like Groundskeeper Willie has been cut.
Willie throws a series of punches but Baikonurov avoids them all with ease.
Willie moves into range and connects with a jab.
Baikonurov looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Baikonurov throws a head kick that misses.
Willie moves in looking to clinch but Baikonurov pushes him off.
Willie looks to land a right hand but Baikonurov moved out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Willie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baikonurov.
Baikonurov feints and then cracks Willie's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Willie down.
Baikonurov misses with an uppercut. Willie saw that one coming.
Willie fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Baikonurov lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Willie throws a right hand that Baikonurov ducks under and follows up with a left that Baikonurov also avoids with ease.
Baikonurov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Baikonurov throws a hook but Willie avoids it easily.
Willie avoids the head kick by Baikonurov.
Baikonurov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Willie throws out the jab.
Willie shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Willie misses with a left hand
and Baikonurov counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Willie takes one to the chin there.
Willie fails to land the takedown.
Willie stalks Baikonurov and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Baikonurov's face. Baikonurov staggers backwards, shaken.
Willie gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Baikonurov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Baikonurov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Willie can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A left lands for Baikonurov.
Willie is still on wobbly legs! Can Baikonurov finish him?
Baikonurov throws a right and a left that Willie avoids nicely.
Willie seems to have recovered his senses.
Baikonurov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Willie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Willie looks to clinch
and Baikonurov counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Baikonurov connects with a nice looking jab.
Willie swinging wildly here.
It looked like Baikonurov was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Willie.
Willie is looking to clinch but Baikonurov is avoiding it.

Baikonurov forces Willie back against the cage and clinches.
Willie misses with some punches.
Willie lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Baikonurov backwards.
Willie jumps guard but Baikonurov stands there with Willie around his waist. Willie gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kosmodrom Baikonurov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Groundskeeper Willie.
Willie fails to pull guard.
A right handed body shot lands from Baikonurov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baikonurov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Baikonurov.
Willie is breathing heavily.
Baikonurov scores with a hook to the body.
Come on Baikonurov - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Willie jumps guard but Baikonurov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Baikonurov.
Baikonurov is working Willie over against the cage.
Baikonurov pressing his opponent against the cage.
Willie is trying to pull guard but Baikonurov has him pressed against the cage.
Baikonurov misses with a body punch.
Willie tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Baikonurov pushes Willie back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Baikonurov's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Baikonurov throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Willie fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Baikonurov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kosmodrom Baikonurov is winning the standup battle so far.
Willie missing with a left hand there. Baikonurov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baikonurov fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Baikonurov scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baikonurov on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Baikonurov misses with a left hand
and Willie counters with a stiff right hand.
Willie tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Baikonurov manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Baikonurov gets a clinch.
Baikonurov slowing the pace effectively.
Baikonurov stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Baikonurov for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Willie jumps guard but Baikonurov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Willie wants to get back to striking at distance but Baikonurov won't allow it.
Willie jumps guard but Baikonurov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Baikonurov working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kosmodrom Baikonurov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Groundskeeper Willie's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Willie misses with a right hand
and Baikonurov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Willie tries to clinch but Baikonurov is having none of it.
Baikonurov jabs Willie to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Willie wants to clinch but Baikonurov slips to the side
and Baikonurov counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Willie on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A right-left combo lands from Willie.

Baikonurov gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Baikonurov scores with a shoulder strike.
Stalling in the clinch from Willie.
Baikonurov makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Baikonurov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Baikonurov lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Baikonurov is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Willie is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Baikonurov to keep the fight standing.

Willie manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Baikonurov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Willie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Baikonurov's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Willie looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Baikonurov passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Baikonurov is figuring out what he wants to do next.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Willie trying to control but Baikonurov postures up.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Baikonurov has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willie tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Willie is still trying to improve position.
Baikonurov controlling from mount.
Baikonurov's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Willie is working to get back to half guard.
Baikonurov sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosmodrom Baikonurov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Willie tries to reverse the position but Baikonurov maintains control.
Willie tries to hold on but Baikonurov pushes him away.
Baikonurov controlling his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Willie is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baikonurov controlling his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kosmodrom Baikonurov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Baikonurov 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kosmodrom Baikonurov!