PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Di Maio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ali Baba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ali Baba will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Di Maio
vs
Baba

193 cm
22
188 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joseph Di Maio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ali Baba!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baba clinches up with Di Maio and pushes him back against the cage.
Baba is trying to stall.
Come on Baba - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Di Maio has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Baba avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Di Maio looking to throw knees to the head but Baba is blocking nicely.

Di Maio drags the fight down to the ground.
Baba trying to control the position from guard on top but Di Maio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Di Maio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Di Maio will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

Di Maio is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Di Maio misses with a knee strike.
Baba tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Di Maio just stands there and leans against the cage.

Di Maio pulls Baba into guard.

Di Maio is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Di Maio has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Baba is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Di Maio.
Di Maio regains half guard, as Baba was trying to land strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba is keen to just control but Di Maio is a slippery customer.
Di Maio gets back to full guard.

Baba postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Di Maio is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Baba, into his guard.
Baba 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.

Di Maio stands up from Baba's guard - Di Maio perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Di Maio closes this distance looking for a takedown but Baba circles away.
Baba fails with the takedown

and Di Maio counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Di Maio is breathing heavily.
Di Maio is thwarting Baba's attempts to control the position.

Di Maio gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Baba throws a nice looking combination but Di Maio bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Baba shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Baba was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Di Maio bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Baba is trying to keep Di Maio in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baba looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Di Maio passes into half guard.

Di Maio seems to be looking for submissions.
Baba is trying to stand.
Baba is looking to improve his position.
Baba gets back to full guard.
Di Maio missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Di Maio landing with the ground and pound.
Baba is looking to stand up but Di Maio isn't so interested in that idea.
Di Maio sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Baba keeping full guard, as Di Maio tries to pass.
Baba keeping moving, preventing Di Maio from controlling successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Di Maio pushing down on Baba's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Di Maio has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Di Maio dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Baba gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Di Maio decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Baba's guard.
Di Maio passes Baba's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Baba really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Di Maio. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Di Maio sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Baba defending well though.
Baba trying to control here.
Baba is refusing to be controlled, as Di Maio sits in half guard.

Di Maio is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Baba is just riding it out for now. Di Maio eventually gives up the hold.
Baba tries to get to full guard but Di Maio has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Di Maio moves into full mount! Baba won't be happy about that!
Baba really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Di Maio stands up from mount. Strange move.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baba swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Di Maio counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Baba pushes Di Maio off looking to stand but Di Maio dives back in and keeps control.

Di Maio is trying to work for a kimura but Baba is defending well.
Di Maio landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Di Maio is trying to work for a kimura but Baba is defending well.
Baba is trying to maintain the position but Di Maio is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Di Maio passes the guard and advances to mount!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Di Maio cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Joseph Di Maio overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Baba is trying to stand but he's just given Di Maio his back.
Di Maio is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Baba avoids the strikes from Di Maio.

Di Maio working for a choke but Baba is defending well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baba wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba tries to escape the position.
Baba trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Di Maio is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Baba is defending well though. Di Maio let's go of the attempt for now.
Di Maio thows a strike but Baba uses the opportunity to reverse the position! Great move by Baba as he ends up in Di Maio 's guard!

Di Maio escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Baba gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Baba chips away with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Di Maio working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Baba doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Baba manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Baba throws a big right hand that misses.
Baba tries to free his leg and advance position but Di Maio is retaining full guard.
Di Maio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Baba.
Baba tries to stand but Di Maio is controlling from the bottom.
Baba trying to control the position from guard on top but Di Maio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Baba showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baba trying to control the position from guard on top but Di Maio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joseph Di Maio dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Baba swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Di Maio counters by moving into the clinch.

Di Maio pulls guard successfully.

Baba drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Di Maio dives on top into guard.
Baba can't keep his opponent in guard - Di Maio advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Di Maio controlling the action here.

Di Maio is working for a kimura but Baba is defending it quite comfortably.
Di Maio lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Di Maio is pressing down on Baba's thigh, looking to free his foot. Baba is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Di Maio is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Baba doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Di Maio.
Di Maio prevents Baba from improving his position.
Di Maio throwing shots but Baba is blocking nicely.

Di Maio is working for a submission of some sort.
Di Maio is thwarting Baba's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Di Maio is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Baba is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Joseph Di Maio!