PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Bakers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pedro Rodrigues (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Bakers
vs
Rodrigues

180 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ryan Bakers!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pedro Rodrigues!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Thiago Cunha and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bakers closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rodrigues to the mat! Rodrigues manages to get full guard.
Bakers looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Rodrigues trying to control the position.
Bakers stays in close to Rodrigues's body and controls the position.
Rodrigues has momentary wrist control but Bakers slips an elbow through the middle.
Rodrigues wants to sweep here but Bakers controlling him for the moment.

Rodrigues looking for a guillotine here but Bakers defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rodrigues trying to keep a closed guard but Bakers is proving a slippery customer.

Rodrigues is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Bakers avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Rodrigues has an active guard here but Bakers has managed to pass into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Bakers is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Bakers has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Bakers prevents Rodrigues from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bakers stands up from half guard.

Bakers gets the takedown into side control.
A control attempt from Rodrigues but he's now mounted!
Bakers lands a big shot there that rocks Rodrigues but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Bakers controlling from the full mount.
Bakers landing punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bakers is controlling the pace.

Bakers decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Bakers dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bakers leaves Rodrigues with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Rodrigues swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Bakers breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rodrigues avoids the head kick by Bakers.
Rodrigues has a takedown stuffed.
Rodrigues looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bakers is fending him off so far but Rodrigues persists. Nope, Bakers circles away and we're back to standing.
Ryan Bakers has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pedro Rodrigues.
Bakers throws a sloppy head kick and Rodrigues moves out of range easily.
Rodrigues shoots for a double leg takedown but Bakers sprawls well. He's pushed Rodrigues's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodrigues avoids the head kick by Bakers.

Bakers has taken the fight to the clinch.

Bakers jumps guard and drags Rodrigues to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Bakers 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.
Rodrigues engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Bakers is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rodrigues defends well.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakers engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Bakers postures up.
Bakers knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rodrigues on the ground.
Bakers postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bakers wants to pass the guard but Rodrigues is keeping the position.
Bakers is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues can't keep his opponent in guard - Bakers advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Rodrigues is looking for a sweep. Bakers is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rodrigues is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues is trying to maintain the position but Bakers is very close to passing his half guard.

Bakers is working for a kimura but Rodrigues is defending it quite comfortably.
Bakers wants to stand up but Rodrigues has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Rodrigues gets back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Bakers dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bakers drives through and clinches with Rodrigues against the cage.

Bakers pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bakers could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Bakers shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rodrigues manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Bakers stands up and waves to Rodrigues to follow him.
Rodrigues avoids the head kick by Bakers.

Bakers is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rodrigues's half guard.
Bakers seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rodrigues is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bakers pulls his head out easily.
Bakers stops Rodrigues from getting back to his feet.
Rodrigues has a hand on Bakers's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Bakers takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Rodrigues is looking to improve his position but Bakers isn't that keen on the idea.
Rodrigues takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bakers tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakers raining down shots from the mount!
Rodrigues can't escape the position.
Bakers takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Bakers tries to control but Rodrigues wriggling away.
Ryan Bakers overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues wants to control but Bakers is having none of it.
Rodrigues is trying to escape the mount.
Bakers lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Bakers can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rodrigues is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rodrigues is desperately trying to improve his position but Bakers has a good base and remains in mount.
Rodrigues sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Bakers working over Rodrigues with some ground and pound. Rodrigues looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bakers wants to free his trapped foot but Rodrigues is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Bakers stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Bakers showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bakers has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Bakers!
Ryan Bakers bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.