PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Manny Baddabing (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harjan Varsi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Varsi has chosen Hiski Salomaa - Tiskarin polkka as his entrance music. 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.

Baddabing
vs
Varsi

188 cm
25
193 lbs
20 - 2 - 0

202 cm
26
194 lbs
19 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Non-Stop Nutrition
Non-Stop Nutrition

Nordic Nutrition (160 Recovery)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Manny Baddabing!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Harjan Varsi!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Baddabing is defended easily by Varsi.
Baddabing throws a jab when Varsi was well out of range.
Varsi keeps the fight on the outside.

Baddabing closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Varsi blocks a body shot from Baddabing.
Varsi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Baddabing has him pressed against the cage.

Baddabing lands a takedown into guard.
Varsi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Baddabing.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baddabing missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baddabing postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Varsi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Baddabing has gone for a leg lock! Varsi slips out almost immediately though and dives into Baddabing's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baddabing looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

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

Baddabing shoots in and gets a takedown into Varsi's guard.
Varsi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baddabing might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Baddabing in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Baddabing scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baddabing postures up and lands a big shot to Varsi's brow.
Varsi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Varsi wants to stand up but Baddabing is controlling him.
Baddabing pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Varsi is keeping the position for now.
Baddabing is working Varsi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Baddabing throws a strike but Varsi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Varsi must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Baddabing manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Varsi that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

Baddabing working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Baddabing swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Varsi is now in Baddabing's guard. A big mistake from Baddabing there, giving up the dominant position!
Baddabing looking for a sweep. Not yet Baddabing, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varsi is looking to stand up but Baddabing won't let him.
Baddabing manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Baddabing scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Varsi?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Manny Baddabing dominated that round.
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.

Baddabing lands with an uppercut that bounces Varsi off the cage and back into rage.
Varsi lands an overhand right.
Baddabing checks a leg kick.
Baddabing bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Baddabing cracks Varsi with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Baddabing tries to clinch but Varsi is having none of it.
Baddabing will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Varsi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Baddabing finds it's way round the side to connect with Varsi's head.
Varsi takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Varsi cracks Baddabing with a right hand to the side of the head.
Baddabing wants to clinch up but Varsi keeps it at a distance.
Jab from Varsi.

It looks like Manny Baddabing has been cut.
Baddabing uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Varsi.

Baddabing throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Varsi was covering up waiting for the punch and Baddabing finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Baddabing stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Varsi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varsi wants to get back to his feet but Baddabing is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Baddabing chips away with some ground and pound.
Varsi wants to get back to his feet but Baddabing is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Baddabing postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Varsi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Baddabing!
Baddabing tries to lock up and control but Varsi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baddabing regains half guard.

Varsi stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Baddabing to get to his feet.
Varsi looks to score with a jab to the body but Baddabing is just out of range.
Varsi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Baddabing is looking to clinch but Varsi is avoiding it.

Baddabing moves into range and clinches up with Varsi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varsi gets underhooks to prevent Baddabing's takedown attempt.
Baddabing lands with a right to the head.
Varsi stops a takedown attempt from Baddabing.
Varsi prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manny Baddabing. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baddabing drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Varsi gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Baddabing has a couple of punches blocked by Varsi.
Baddabing throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Varsis head.
A short uppercut from Baddabing.
Baddabing throws a head punch that misses.
Baddabing misses with a punch on the inside.
Varsi digs a right hand into Baddabing's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Baddabing's gas tank.
Varsi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Varsi.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baddabing.
Varsi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baddabing tries for a takedown but Varsi manages to get underhooks.

Varsi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Baddabing connects with a single shot there.
Varsi scores with a hook to the body. Baddabing takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Baddabing fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Varsi manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varsi checks a leg kick.
Varsi lands a really nice looking cross but Baddabing seems unphased.
A telegraphed right hand from Baddabing misses the target.
Varsi slips under a jab.
Baddabing avoids the body shot from Varsi.
Varsi scores with a jab to the jaw.
Varsi misses with an uppercut. Baddabing saw that one coming.
Varsi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Baddabing momentarily.
A jab from Baddabing finds it's way through Varsi's defenses.
Baddabing tests Varsi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Varsi lands with a nice combination. Baddabing backs away looking to recover.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baddabing keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Varsi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice defenses there by Baddabing.
Baddabing throws a hook but Varsi avoids it easily.
Baddabing throws a right and a left that Varsi avoids nicely.
Manny Baddabing seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Varsi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baddabing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Harjan Varsi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Manny Baddabing's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Varsi lands with a shot to the body.
Baddabing lands a nice shot that snaps Varsi's head back.
Varsi scores with a shot to the body.
Varsi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Baddabing swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Varsi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Baddabing throws a low kick, looking for Varsi's leg but Varsi calmly moves out of range.
Varsi lands a jab-cross combination.
Varsi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Baddabing misses with a straight left.
A swing and a miss from Baddabing.
Baddabing throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Varsi lands a nice looking body shot.
Baddabing throws a jab but it's blocked by Varsi.
Baddabing shoots in for a takedown but Varsi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Varsi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Varsi listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Baddabing dives in and grabs Varsi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Varsi pushes down on Baddabing's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varsi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Baddabing misses with an uppercut.
Varsi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Baddabing ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Varsi moves away.
A swing and a miss from Varsi.
Varsi misses with a body punch

and Baddabing counters by moving into the clinch.
Baddabing throws a punch but it's blocked by Varsi.
Baddabing misses with a punch on the inside.

Varsi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Varsi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Baddabing.
Varsi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Baddabing takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Varsi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Baddabing stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Baddabing tries to clinch up but Varsi circles away and keeps his distance.
Varsi scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Varsi moves out of range as Baddabing strikes.
Baddabing shoots in looking for a takedown. Varsi tries to sprawl out of it but Baddabing keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Varsi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Manny Baddabing. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baddabing misses with a takedown attempt - Varsi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Varsi finds it's way through Baddabing's defenses.

Manny Baddabing's cut is getting worse.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Varsi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Horrible takedown by Baddabing or perhaps it was just good defense by Varsi which made him look bad.
Baddabing takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Varsi scores with a jab to the body.
Baddabing takes one to the side of the head.
Baddabing moves in looking to clinch but Varsi pushes him off.
Baddabing fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Varsi on the side of the head.
Varsi looks to score with a jab to the body but Baddabing is just out of range.
Baddabing takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Baddabing shoots in looking for a takedown but Varsi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Baddabing's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Varsi connects with a single shot there.
Varsi lands with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varsi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baddabing.
Baddabing shoots in but Varsi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Baddabing will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Oooooh!!! Varsi has knocked Baddabing down with a huge combo! Varsi steps away and waves a wobbly Baddabing back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Varsi scores with a jab. Baddabing acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Baddabing is rocked!

Manny Baddabing's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Harjan Varsi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Varsi stuns Baddabing with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Oh Baddabing is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Varsi scores 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!
Varsi circles and sees the opportunity to plant his feet and throw a really nice straight left hand that drops Baddabing to the canvas! Baddabing doesn't know where he is but he's trying to survive - Varsi keeps piling on the pressure and forces the referee to step in! This one is aaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:37 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Harjan Varsi!
Harjan Varsi is the new middleweight champion!