PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Willis Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zygmunt Podmialka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zygmunt Podmialka has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Baker
vs
Podmialka

192 cm
18
214 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

184 cm
21
210 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Willis Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Zygmunt Podmialka!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Daniel Blasius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Podmialka shoots in and gets a takedown into Baker's guard.
Baker can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Podmialka controls the pace.
Podmialka wants to get up but he can't break Baker's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Baker being controlled here, momentarily.
Baker looking to control.
Podmialka tries to stand but Baker is controlling from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Zygmunt Podmialka.

Podmialka darts in and clinches Baker up against the cage.

Podmialka jumps guard.
Podmialka pulls Baker in close to prevent any damage.
Podmialka looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Podmialka pulls Baker in close to prevent any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker trying to control the position from guard on top but Podmialka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Podmialka has a closed guard, preventing Baker from standing up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Baker bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Podmialka is trying to control Baker's posture but Baker avoids it.
Baker wants to lay and pray for a moment but Podmialka keeps working.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Podmialka can do anything to dispel that myth.

Baker is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Podmialka has escaped the position, nice work there.
Baker trying to control the position but Podmialka is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker laying and praying for a moment but Podmialka takes advantage and regains half guard.
Podmialka is doing well to control the position and prevent Baker from advancing to side control.
Podmialka moves into full guard.

Podmialka working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Baker doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Baker manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Podmialka holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baker got a little sloppy there for a moment and Podmialka has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Baker has managed to get both his arms back between Podmialka's legs - danger averted.
Podmialka seems keen to control Baker's posture.

Baker thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Podmialka escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Baker gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Podmialka looking for a guillotine here but Baker defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker stops Podmialka from standing up.
Podmialka keeping moving, preventing Baker from controlling successfully.
Podmialka looking for a sweep. Not yet Podmialka, not yet.
Podmialka seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Podmialka is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zygmunt Podmialka dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Willis Baker's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Baker shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Podmialka as he avoids it easily.
Nice takedown defense from Baker. No joy for Podmialka on that attempt.
Podmialka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Baker looks to clinch

and Podmialka counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Podmialka trying to control the position from guard on top but Baker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zygmunt Podmialka has got the better of the ground game so far.
Podmialka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baker is keeping the position for now.
Podmialka stays in close to Baker's body and controls the position.
Baker keeping moving, preventing Podmialka from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Zygmunt Podmialka.

Baker gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Baker trying to keep a closed guard but Podmialka is proving a slippery customer.
Podmialka content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Baker throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Podmialka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Baker works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Podmialka trying to control but Baker is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baker working a defensive guard here.

Baker looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Podmialka tries to stand but Baker is controlling from the bottom.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Podmialka working his ground and pound in the gym.
Baker wants to control but Podmialka passes easily into half guard.

Baker looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Podmialka keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Baker wants to get back to full guard but Podmialka has passed into side control.
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!
Podmialka tries to advance to mount but can't.
Baker throws a few strikes from the bottom but Podmialka takes advantage and mounts!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker throwing hammer fists to the chest of Podmialka. What's that going to do exactly?
Podmialka controlling the position easily from mount.
Baker is trying desperately to improve position.
Baker is working hard here to advance position.
Podmialka controlling the position easily from mount.
Podmialka fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Baker is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Podmialka in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Podmialka controlling the pace for now.
Baker is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Podmialka trying to control but he's not successful this time.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Podmialka controlling the pace for now.
Podmialka trying to control but he's not successful this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Zygmunt Podmialka.
Podmialka throws a leg kick but Baker checks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zygmunt Podmialka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Willis Baker'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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Podmialka clinches up against the cage.
Podmialka slowing the pace effectively.
The referee is keeping an eye on Baker - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Podmialka is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Baker can't fight it off and eventually Podmialka manages to take the fight to the floor. Baker looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Podmialka seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Baker controls Podmialka momentarily but Podmialka frees himself.
Podmialka working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Baker's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Podmialka.

Baker looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Podmialka wants to control from the top but Baker keeps moving.

Baker looking for a guillotine here but Podmialka defends easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Podmialka thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Baker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Podmialka stands up and waves to Baker to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker moves out of range of the body kick.
Baker misses with a takedown attempt - Podmialka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Podmialka has taken the fight to the clinch.

Podmialka gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Podmialka showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Podmialka postures up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Podmialka slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Baker trying to control the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Zygmunt Podmialka hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Podmialka feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Podmialka showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Podmialka's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Baker has a closed guard, preventing Podmialka from standing up.
Baker trying to keep a closed guard but Podmialka is proving a slippery customer.
Podmialka's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Zygmunt Podmialka was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Podmialka swats away the attempt to clinch by Baker.
Baker tries to score a power double leg takedown but Podmialka sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Baker somewhat.

Podmialka moves into range and clinches up with Baker.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Podmialka manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Willis Baker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zygmunt Podmialka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baker is fighting to break Podmialka's control of his arms but Podmialka is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zygmunt Podmialka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Podmialka has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zygmunt Podmialka!