PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Alexei Obolensky (ranked 3638 p4p, 3519 weight class) and Donnie Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Obolensky
vs
Baker

200 cm
25
270
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
280
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alexei Obolensky!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Donnie Baker !
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baker drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Baker trying to control the position but Obolensky is working away.
Obolensky is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Obolensky makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Obolensky.
Obolensky is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Obolensky is on top in guard.

We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Baker can do anything to dispel that myth.
Obolensky trying to control the position from guard on top but Baker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Obolensky passes Baker 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Baker has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Obolensky is working away from the top position though.
Baker is not content to let Obolensky control the position.
Obolensky sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Baker defending well though.
Obolensky trying to control the action but Baker is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obolensky sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Baker defending well though.
Baker looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Obolensky trying to control the action but Baker is working from the bottom.
Obolensky frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Obolensky scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Obolensky connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Obolensky landing strikes from the mount and Baker is in trouble!
Obolensky fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Obolensky definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Obolensky looking to control but Baker is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Obolensky lands a couple of good shots and Baker has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Obolensky keeps control of the position as Baker tries to break free.

Obolensky working for the choke.
Obolensky has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Obolensky working for the choke.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Obolensky. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!
Obolensky punches Baker on the ear.
Baker looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Obolensky has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Obolensky wants to control but Baker is keeping busy.
I really don't envy Baker right now.
Obolensky tries to get the hooks in deep but Baker pushed the leg off.
Baker really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Obolensky. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Obolensky is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Baker is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Obolensky looking for the RNC.
Baker staying busy and making it hard for Obolensky to control.
The referee is taking a good look at Baker as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Obolensky!
Baker covers up after that shot from Obolensky.
Obolensky throwing damaging strikes from the back! Baker could be in trouble here!

Baker is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Obolensky gets his way!
Obolensky throwing damaging strikes from the back! Baker could be in trouble here!
I really don't envy Baker right now.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Baker tries to roll but Obolensky sticks to his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obolensky lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Obolensky connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Baker to escape the position.
Obolensky is not going to allow Baker to sit and survive in this position.
Obolensky trying to control momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Obolensky lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Obolensky scores with strikes from the back.
Baker wants to get back to his feet.
Obolensky throwing damaging strikes from the back! Baker could be in trouble here!

Baker defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Obolensky lands a shot to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Obolensky dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Obolensky displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Baker .
Obolensky shoots in but Baker avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Baker is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Obolensky's half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Obolensky manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Obolensky is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Obolensky lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Obolensky passes the guard and advances to mount!
Obolensky looking to control but Baker is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Obolensky breaks from Baker 's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obolensky working Baker over with strikes here.
Obolensky scoring with strikes but Baker is staying in there.

Baker is rocked!
Obolensky cracks Baker with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Alexei Obolensky!