PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bartholomew Bainbridge (ranked 926 p4p, 1019 weight class) and Loki Kvakkestad (ranked 123 p4p, 140 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kvakkestad's choice of entrance music: TÆL - Sprengstoff. 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.

Bainbridge
vs
Kvakkestad

185 cm
31
206
16 - 13 - 1

182 cm
35
215
12 - 10 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

HELLBENT
NARCOS

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 16 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Bartholomew Bainbridge!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Loki Kvakkestad!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bainbridge fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kvakkestad on the side of the head.
Kvakkestad ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bainbridge moves away.
Bainbridge throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

Bainbridge rushes Kvakkestad and presses him up against the cage.

Kvakkestad drags the fight down to the ground.
Kvakkestad controlling Bainbridge's posture.
Kvakkestad looking to control.
Bainbridge wants to stand but Kvakkestad has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Bainbridge has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Kvakkestad is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Bainbridge is aware though and is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kvakkestad is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Bainbridge defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bainbridge decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kvakkestad swinging wildly here.
Kvakkestad throws a front kick aimed at Bainbridge's knee but Bainbridge avoids it well.
Bainbridge is looking to counter punch.
Bainbridge throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bainbridge throws a body punch but Kvakkestad moves out of range.
Bainbridge lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

Bainbridge pushes Kvakkestad up against the cage in a clinch.
Kvakkestad is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Bainbridge pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Kvakkestad blocks a body shot from Bainbridge.
Kvakkestad lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Bainbridge.
Kvakkestad goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kvakkestad lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bainbridge lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kvakkestad jumps guard but Bainbridge stands there with Kvakkestad around his waist. Kvakkestad gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bainbridge misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kvakkestad goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kvakkestad gets through Bainbridge's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bainbridge.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bainbridge tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kvakkestad lands an uppercut.
Bainbridge lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Bainbridge 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.
Bainbridge takes a shot to the head.
Bainbridge misses with a body punch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Bainbridge.
Bainbridge prevents a body shot from Kvakkestad.
Kvakkestad misses with the head strike.
Kvakkestad lands a nice shot to the body.
Bainbridge fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kvakkestad goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kvakkestad swings wildly with an uppercut but Bainbridge uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bainbridge has a couple of punches blocked by Kvakkestad.
Bainbridge lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kvakkestad lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Bainbridge backwards.
Bainbridge makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kvakkestad can't find room to land a body shot as Bainbridge controls the action.
Bainbridge tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bainbridge tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Bainbridge avoids a wild elbow strike from Kvakkestad.
Kvakkestad struggles to land a body shot inside as Bainbridge controls his hands.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bainbridge creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from Bainbridge.
Bainbridge tries a body shot but Kvakkestad blocks it.
Bainbridge misses with the head strike.
Kvakkestad misses with a body punch.

Kvakkestad turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Bainbridge is pushing Kvakkestad's head away, looking to escape. Kvakkestad manages to hold on to the position though.
The strikes coming from Kvakkestad are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
An elbow from Kvakkestad crashes against the mat.
Bainbridge takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kvakkestad tries to advance to mount but Bainbridge denies him.
Bainbridge is not content to let Kvakkestad control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kvakkestad with the ground and pound but Bainbridge regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Bainbridge keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Kvakkestad is looking for a kimura but Bainbridge is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kvakkestad to get the leverage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kvakkestad thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Bainbridge's head.
Kvakkestad misses with a head shot. Bainbridge uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kvakkestad throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bainbridge works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bartholomew Bainbridge will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bainbridge tries to land a front kick but Kvakkestad steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A big right from Kvakkestad misses.
Kvakkestad misses with a hook
and Bainbridge counters with a left to the body.
Bartholomew Bainbridge is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bainbridge keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bainbridge fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kvakkestad looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kvakkestad keeps the fight on the outside.
Bainbridge misses the shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Bainbridge.
Bainbridge feints a jab promting Kvakkestad to slip. Bainbridge then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kvakkestad slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Bainbridge misses with a series of wild punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bainbridge throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bainbridge is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kvakkestad can do to turn this around?

Bainbridge takes the fight into the clinch.
Kvakkestad working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good body shot from Bainbridge.
Kvakkestad blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kvakkestad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kvakkestad blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bainbridge lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bartholomew Bainbridge has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A right handed body shot lands from Bainbridge.
Kvakkestad changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bainbridge fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kvakkestad avoids the head kick by Bainbridge.
Bainbridge throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bainbridge fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kvakkestad appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Bainbridge tries to land a front kick but Kvakkestad steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bartholomew Bainbridge seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kvakkestad avoids the head kick by Bainbridge.
Bainbridge lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kvakkestad will feel that in the morning.
Bainbridge wants to clinch
and Kvakkestad counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bainbridge misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kvakkestad throws a leg kick but Bainbridge sees it coming and moves out of range.
Bainbridge tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kvakkestad manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bainbridge lands with an uppercut that bounces Kvakkestad off the cage and back into range.
Bainbridge slips a straight right by Kvakkestad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kvakkestad dodges the punch combination from Bainbridge.
Bainbridge uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kvakkestad.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bainbridge.
Bainbridge throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bainbridge sets himself, and Kvakkestad steps forward looking for the clinch! Bainbridge avoids it this time.
Kvakkestad throws a body shot but no joy.
Bainbridge with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kvakkestad shoots in but no luck this time.
Bartholomew Bainbridge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Loki Kvakkestad.
Kvakkestad misses with a looping right.
Bainbridge keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kvakkestad throws a leg kick but Bainbridge moved away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kvakkestad. Bainbridge does a little dance to reset his feet.
Bainbridge lands a right hook to the body.
Bainbridge wants to land a leg kick but Kvakkestad is out of range.
Bainbridge looks to land a body kick but Kvakkestad moved away.
Bainbridge fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bainbridge misses the shot to the body.
A punch combination from Bainbridge misses.
Bainbridge throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Kvakkestad does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bainbridge ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bainbridge misses with a wild combination.
Kvakkestad misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bartholomew Bainbridge is winning the standup battle so far.
Good leg kick by Kvakkestad.
Bainbridge avoids a kick to the body.

Bainbridge moves into range and clinches up with Kvakkestad.
Bainbridge misses with a punch to the body.
Bainbridge gets underhooks to prevent Kvakkestad's takedown attempt.
Bainbridge blocks an uppercut.
Bainbridge misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Kvakkestad.
Bainbridge scores with a nice hook to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bainbridge tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kvakkestad has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Bainbridge seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Kvakkestad can turn it around.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bainbridge tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kvakkestad's elbow.
Kvakkestad tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bainbridge stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kvakkestad goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Bainbridge scores with a nice short uppercut.
Bainbridge blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kvakkestad swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kvakkestad tries a body shot but Bainbridge blocks it.
Bainbridge lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kvakkestad is breathing heavily.
Kvakkestad can't find room to land a body shot as Bainbridge controls the action.
Bainbridge blocks an elbow strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kvakkestad.
Kvakkestad blocking some punches.
Bainbridge throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Bainbridge goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bainbridge fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bainbridge lands a left hand.
Kvakkestad tries a body shot but Bainbridge blocks it.
Kvakkestad's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kvakkestad doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bartholomew Bainbridge dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bainbridge throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A good leg kick by Bainbridge.
Kvakkestad throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bainbridge's waist but Bainbridge gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kvakkestad off to one side.
Kvakkestad swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bainbridge slips under a jab.
Bainbridge rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kvakkestad moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bainbridge looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kvakkestad takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kvakkestad throws a series of punches but Bainbridge moves out of range.
Kvakkestad misses with a hook.
Bainbridge throws a body kick that misses
letting Kvakkestad counter with a right hand.
Kvakkestad is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bainbridge.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Kvakkestad looking to score a takedown here. Bainbridge is defending well but Kvakkestad drives through and ends up in Bainbridge's guard.

Bainbridge pushes Kvakkestad off and scrambles back to his feet.
Kvakkestad takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kvakkestad dives in for a single leg takedown but Bainbridge sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Bainbridge uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kvakkestad has time to react.
Bainbridge moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bainbridge. Kvakkestad does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kvakkestad misses with a hook. Bainbridge ducked under it nicely.
Bainbridge tries to clinch there but Kvakkestad circles away.
Some bone on bone action there as Bainbridge checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Bainbridge throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bainbridge misses with a body shot.

Bainbridge moves into the clinch successfully.
Bainbridge lands an uppercut.
Kvakkestad tries to throw a body punch but Bainbridge avoids it by throwing Kvakkestad back against the cage.
Bainbridge tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kvakkestad misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bainbridge throws a punch but it's blocked by Kvakkestad.
Kvakkestad tries a body shot but Bainbridge blocks it.
Bainbridge scores with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Bainbridge.
Bainbridge works on Kvakkestad's body with a couple of short punches.
Still in the clinch, Bainbridge scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bainbridge lands a body punch in the clinch.
Bainbridge lands with a short shot to the head.
Bainbridge goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bainbridge tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bainbridge lands with a light punch inside.
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!
A nice right hand lands inside from Bainbridge.
Bainbridge can't find room to land a body shot as Kvakkestad controls the action.
A right hook to the body lands for Bainbridge.
A hook to the body from Bainbridge.
Bainbridge blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Bainbridge tries a body shot but Kvakkestad blocks it.
Kvakkestad misses with some punches.
Bainbridge scores with a hook to the body.
Bainbridge scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bainbridge lands a body shot in the clinch.
Bainbridge lands with a short shot to the head.
A short uppercut from Bainbridge.
A body shot lands from Bainbridge.
Bainbridge tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bainbridge lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kvakkestad prevents a body shot from Bainbridge.
Bainbridge lands a right hand.
Bainbridge lands a hook that snaps the head of Kvakkestad backwards.
Bainbridge throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kvakkestads head.
Kvakkestad changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bainbridge fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Bartholomew Bainbridge has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Loki Kvakkestad.
Bainbridge throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Bainbridge fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kvakkestad swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kvakkestad lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Bainbridge fakes the leg kick and cracks Kvakkestad in the body.
Bainbridge is looking to wear down Kvakkestad with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bainbridge throws a head kick that Kvakkestad semi-blocks.

Bainbridge fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kvakkestad, pushing him back against the cage.
Kvakkestad tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A left hand lands to the body for Bainbridge.
Kvakkestad swings wildly with an uppercut but Bainbridge uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kvakkestad misses with a body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bainbridge tries a body shot but Kvakkestad blocks it.
Bainbridge tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kvakkestad's elbow.
Bainbridge lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kvakkestad backwards.
Kvakkestad tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bainbridge's elbow.
Bainbridge scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bainbridge tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kvakkestad working aggressively here.
Kvakkestad misses with the head strike.
Bainbridge tries a body shot but Kvakkestad blocks it.
Kvakkestad throws a punch but it's blocked by Bainbridge.
Bainbridge swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bainbridge scores with a shoulder strike.
Kvakkestad scores with a shoulder strike.
Bainbridge tries a body shot but Kvakkestad blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Bainbridge creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Bainbridge lands a body punch.
Bainbridge blocks an uppercut.
Loki Kvakkestad has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bainbridge on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kvakkestad blocks a body shot from Bainbridge.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bartholomew Bainbridge showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Bainbridge, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bartholomew Bainbridge!
An out of breath Bartholomew Bainbridge thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.