PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Baker (ranked 772 p4p, 367 weight class) and Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau (ranked 103 p4p, 45 weight class). Baker comes into the arena with When the Levee Breaks - Led Zeppelin blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Baker
vs
Costeau

179 cm
35
180
20 - 17 - 0

181 cm
27
175
14 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

PWNAGE™

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

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 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jeff Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Hugh Johnson and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker throws a head kick that misses
and Costeau counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baker throws a hook but Costeau avoids it easily.
Costeau with a nice calf kick.
Costeau has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Costeau misses with an uppercut. Baker saw that one coming.
Baker seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A head kick by Costeau misses
and Baker connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Costeau misses with a leg kick.
Baker throws a counter high kick but Costeau was just alert enough to avoid it.
A low kick from Costeau misses
and Baker counters with a lovely shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Costeau missing with a left hand there. Baker was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baker swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Costeau misses with a wild body shot.
Baker keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Costeau.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Costeau.
Baker is looking to counter the offense by Costeau and move into the clinch.
Baker throws an off balance right hand
and Costeau cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Costeau stuns Baker with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Baker throws a right hand that misses
and Costeau counters with a nice uppercut.
Costeau tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Baker was well out of range. Poor timing from Costeau.
Baker appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Costeau dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Baker lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Baker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Baker has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Chikara MMA Gym in the buildup to the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costeau swings for the body but Baker moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Costeau.
Baker checks a leg kick.
Baker is looking to counter the offense by Costeau and move into the clinch.
Baker throws a lazy right hand but Costeau sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Baker misses with an uppercut
and Costeau counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Baker dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Costeau. That did some damage!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baker throws a right hand that misses
and Costeau counters with a nice kick to the body.
A big left from Costeau misses.
Baker half committed to a counter leg kick.
Costeau throws an off balance right hand
and Baker counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Baker walks into a straight right hand from Costeau.
Baker uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Costeau.
Baker is looking to counter the offense by Costeau and move into the clinch.
Costeau misses with a low kick.
Baker stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Costeau.
Baker checks a leg kick nicely.
Baker misses with a straight right.
Baker keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Baker feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Baker uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Costeau.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker misses with a lunging right hand
and Costeau counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Baker ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Costeau moves away from the strike by Baker.
Costeau throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Baker stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Costeau scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Costeau darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Costeau throws a head kick that misses.
Baker fires out a quick counter leg kick but Costeau just manages to avoid it.
A low kick from Baker misses
and Costeau connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Baker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Costeau.
Costeau throws a head kick that misses.
Costeau throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Costeau throws a body punch but Baker moves out of range.
Baker is looking to counter punch.
Costeau defending well as Baker loads up on a big left hand.
Baker avoids the body shot from Costeau.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Costeau throws a right hand that misses

and Baker holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Costeau blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Costeau can't find room to land a body shot as Baker controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costeau tries a body shot but Baker blocks it.
Baker lands a nice uppercut.
Baker blocks a body shot from Costeau.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Baker.
Baker tries to stall but Costeau uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A nice left hand lands by Costeau.
Costeau misses with a short punch on the inside.
Costeau lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Costeau.
Baker working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Costeau can't find room to land a body shot as Baker controls the action.
Costeau misses with a body punch.
Costeau tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Costeau wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Costeau lands a left hand that snaps the head of Baker backwards.
Costeau misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Costeau.
Costeau tries to work over Baker's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Costeau misses with the head strike.
Baker working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costeau fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Costeau tries to work over Baker's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baker throws a head punch that misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Costeau swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Costeau lands a body punch in the clinch.
Baker swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Costeau tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baker's elbow.
Baker tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Baker has a couple of punches blocked by Costeau.
Baker misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baker swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Costeau struggles to land a body shot inside as Baker controls his hands.
Costeau tries to throw a body punch but Baker avoids it by throwing Costeau back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Costeau.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Costeau.
Baker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Costeau.
Baker doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baker looking to throw knees to the head but Costeau is blocking nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costeau tries to work over Baker's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Costeau misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baker tries to land a knee to the head but Costeau blocks with his arms.
Baker lands a left hand.
Costeau pushes Baker back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Costeau lands with a short shot to the head.
Baker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Costeau lands a body punch in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Baker.
Costeau on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Baker swings wildly with an uppercut but Costeau uses good head movement to avoid it.
Costeau lands a right hand that snaps the head of Baker backwards.
Costeau can't find room to land a body shot as Baker controls the action.
Baker misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baker misses with the head strike.
A nice left hand lands by Costeau.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Costeau has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Baker swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Costeau tries a body shot but Baker blocks it.
Baker blocks a body shot from Costeau.
Baker throws a knee to the head but misses.
Costeau misses with a body punch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baker stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Baker lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Costeau misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Costeau tries to circle away but Baker has him pinned against the cage.
Costeau scores with a nice hook to the head.
Costeau lands a hook that snaps the head of Baker backwards.
Costeau presses Baker against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Good body shot from Costeau.
Costeau blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Costeau lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Baker or not.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Costeau misses with the head strike.
Costeau tries to work over Baker's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baker tries to work over Costeau's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Costeau tries to throw a body punch but Baker avoids it by throwing Costeau back against the cage.
Costeau lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Costeau pushes Baker away with a front kick.
A head kick by Costeau misses
and Baker counters with a nice low kick that buckles Costeau's knee momentarily.
Costeau throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Baker counters with a nice uppercut.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Costeau.
Costeau swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
It looked like Baker wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Baker is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Costeau.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Costeau.
Baker was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Costeau swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Baker is looking to counter the offense by Costeau and move into the clinch.
Baker walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker misses with a left hand
and Costeau counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Costeau with a nice cross.
Costeau misses with a straight left.
Costeau misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baker.
Baker is looking to counter punch.
Costeau misses with an uppercut. Baker saw that one coming.
Baker wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Costeau swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Costeau swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Costeau connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Jeff Baker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costeau motions for Baker to come forward. Costeau throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Costeau looks to throw the jab but Baker is out of range.
Costeau misses with an uppercut. Baker saw that one coming.
Costeau lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Baker at a distance.
Baker defending well as Costeau loads up on a big left hand.
Baker slips a jab and a cross from Costeau.
That kick from Costeau tenderised Baker's leg. Baker is trying to keep his angry face on.
Baker tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costeau throws a half hearted mid kick.
Baker walks forward, straight into a front kick from Costeau.
Costeau throws a body punch but Baker moves out of range.
Baker throwing a counter right hand but Costeau manages to avoid it.
Costeau tests Baker's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Baker on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Baker avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Baker tries to counter by clinching up but Costeau breaks away and moves out of range.
Costeau ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker throws a lazy uppercut
and Costeau counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A nice leg kick from Costeau, right into the meat of the thigh.
Baker takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Costeau misses with a left hand

and Baker counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Baker.
Baker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Baker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Costeau misses with a hook from the clinch.
Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Costeau goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short body shot lands from Costeau as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baker using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Costeau has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Baker blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Costeau goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baker swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baker working some nice short punches in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Costeau 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau!
During a confident post fight interview, Raphaël Ambrosius Costeau thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.
The defeated Jeff Baker had this to say: 'Hats off to Mr. Costeau. He was the better fighter tonight. Much respect to him and his management.'.