PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juju Baraka (ranked 598 p4p, 319 weight class) and Wille Thai (ranked 89 p4p, 51 weight class). Baraka comes to the cage accompanied by Burning Spear. On his way into the cage it seems that Juju Baraka has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Juju Baraka seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Baraka
vs
Thai

203 cm
33
206
20 - 12 - 0

195 cm
30
212
20 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

HELLBENT
Shadow Realm Apparel

Urban Fighter
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Juju Baraka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Wille Thai!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Thai is defended easily by Baraka.
Baraka misses with the body kick

and Thai decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Baraka's guard.
Thai stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baraka swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Baraka can't keep his opponent in guard - Thai advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Thai trying to advance position but Baraka counters by regaining guard.
Thai won't allow Baraka to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thai drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Thai jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Baraka is looking to stand up but Thai isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thai drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Baraka manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Thai has Baraka in his guard.

Thai is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baraka is aware though and is defending well.

Thai is looking for a triangle here but Baraka uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thai tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Baraka knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Thai on the ground.
Baraka trying to control the position but Thai is working away.
Thai sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Thai looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thai looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Baraka is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Thai makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Thai.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Thai has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Baraka can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Baraka not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Thai has his foot on Baraka's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Baraka works his way back into a safe position though.

Thai had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Baraka defends it easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Baraka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baraka content to stall in guard here.
Thai wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baraka stands up and waves to Thai to follow him.
Juju Baraka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Thai takes one to the side of the head.
Thai closes this distance looking for a takedown but Baraka circles away.
Baraka is looking to chop away at Thai's legs.
Thai throws a fast counter high kick but Baraka manages to duck under it in time.

Thai bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Thai tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Baraka manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Baraka is defending against the submission attempts here by Thai.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baraka is trying to stand up here but Thai is controlling him well.

Thai is looking for a kimura here.
Baraka is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Thai is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Thai trying to advance position but Baraka counters by regaining guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Wille Thai will probably get the nod.
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.

Thai tries for a takedown but Baraka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Baraka appears to be looking for a big counter.
Thai tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Baraka paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A telegraphed right hand from Baraka misses the target.
Baraka thows a leg kick but Thai checks it

and Thai counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Baraka pushes Thai off and gets back to his feet.

Baraka darts in and clinches Thai up against the cage.
Thai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Baraka gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Thai.
Juju Baraka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Wille Thai.
Baraka landing knees to the head.

It looks like Wille Thai has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Baraka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Thai misses
letting Baraka counter with a right hand.
Baraka looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Baraka throws a jab but it's blocked by Thai.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baraka lands a slapping body shot.
Baraka throws an off balance right hand

and Thai counters with a single leg into guard. Baraka didn't expect that.

Thai is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Baraka is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Baraka has escaped and now he's on top!

Thai had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Baraka defends it easily.

Thai looking for a guillotine here but Baraka defends easily.
Baraka wants to stand but Thai has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Thai is working an open guard so Baraka takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Baraka misses with a hook

and Thai counters with a nice double leg into side control. Baraka won't be happy with that.

Baraka throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Thai closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Baraka quickly recovers to half guard.
Baraka is trying to stand back up but Thai is controlling him

Thai is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Baraka sees it coming and defends easily.

Thai is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Baraka doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thai.

Thai is trying to work for a kimura but Baraka is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thai prevents Baraka from improving his position.
Wille Thai has got the better of the ground game so far.

Thai seems to be looking for submissions.

Thai is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Baraka still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Baraka has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!

Baraka has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Baraka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Baraka throws a looping overhand right but Thai ducks down to avoid it.
Thai tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baraka fails in his attempt to clinch.
Baraka scores with a shot to the body.
Nice shot lands for Baraka.
Jab from Baraka.
Baraka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Thai feints the counter takedown.
A slow jab from Baraka misses its intended target.
Thai tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Baraka lands with a slapping head kick.
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!
Baraka chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Baraka throws a head kick that misses.
A low kick from Baraka misses

and Thai counters with a shoot takedown. Baraka fights it but they end up in guard.

Thai drops back, looking for a kneebar! Baraka looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Baraka looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Baraka!

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juju Baraka dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Wille Thai's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Baraka loads up on a big right hand but Thai slips the punch.
Juju Baraka is winning the standup battle so far.
Baraka throws a poor cross that misses

and Thai counters with a takedown into side control.

Baraka throws Thai to one side and escapes!
Thai moves out of range of the strikes.
Thai uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baraka.
Baraka throws a low kick but Thai moves out of range easily.
Baraka misses with a looping left.
Baraka tests Thai's chin there with a solid looking shot.
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!
Baraka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Baraka fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A shot to the body from Baraka misses

and Thai counters with a shoot takedown. Baraka fights it but they end up in guard.

Baraka uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baraka lands a nice hook to Thai's body. Thai takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Baraka lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

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

Thai seems to be looking for submissions.
Baraka tries to get to full guard but Thai has control of the leg.
Thai is looking to advance position but Baraka won't allow it.

Thai is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Baraka is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thai is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Baraka wants to improve his position but Thai is controlling well.

Thai is working for a kimura but Baraka is defending it quite comfortably.

Thai is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Baraka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Thai can do to turn this around?
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Thai seems to be working for a kimura but Baraka defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thai is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Baraka defends it well.
Thai trying to pass the guard but Baraka defending well.
Baraka wants to control but Thai is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Thai tries to pass to full mount but Baraka defends it.

Thai is working for a kimura but Baraka is defending it quite comfortably.
Thai wants to pass to mount but Baraka is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Thai is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Baraka has managed to free his arm - good work.

Thai is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Thai is working for a submission of some sort.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Juju Baraka.
I think Baraka has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

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