PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dog Shagger (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.

Baker
vs
Shagger

200 cm
20
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Brandon Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Dog Shagger!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker connects with the punch.

It looks like Dog Shagger has been cut.
Baker misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Baker misses with an uppercut.
Shagger tries to clinch but Baker moves out of range.
Shagger takes one to the chin there.
Baker misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Baker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shagger should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Shagger takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Shagger wants to clinch up but Baker keeps it at a distance.
Shagger is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Shagger rushes Baker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Shagger lands with a left to the head.
Baker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shagger has him pressed against the cage.
Shagger has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Baker avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shagger keeps control of Baker as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Shagger landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Baker looking for a takedown.
Baker is looking to break free of the clinch but Shagger has double underhooks.
Baker being controlled against the cage.
Shagger lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Shagger has him pressed against the cage.

Shagger escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Baker thuds a left hand into Shagger's body.
Baker throws a right hand that Shagger ducks under and follows up with a left that Shagger also avoids with ease.
Baker is breathing heavily.
Shagger tries to clinch but Baker moves out of range.
Nice uppercut there from Baker.
Baker takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Shagger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shagger plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Brandon Baker has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Shagger clinches.

Shagger gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Shagger gets to his feet. Baker looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Shagger tries to clinch but Baker moves out of range.
Baker avoids the head kick by Shagger.
Shagger doesn't manage to clinch there - Baker circles away.
Baker scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Shagger tries to clinch there but Baker circles away.
A punch lands to the side of Shagger 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shagger moves into range and clinches up with Baker.
Shagger is working Baker over against the cage.
Shagger lands a right hand.
Shagger softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Shagger is working for takedown but Baker is calmly controlling the position for now.
Shagger lands a nice uppercut.
Shagger is trying to break free.
Baker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Shagger throws a head punch that misses.
Shagger swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baker can't get the takedown.
Shagger lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Shagger presses Baker against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Shagger prevents Baker from breaking the clinch.

Shagger manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Shagger looking to control.
Baker tries to free his leg and advance position but Shagger is retaining full guard.

Shagger has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Baker off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Baker misses.
Baker scores with a jab to the head.
Baker circles away from the clinch attempt.

Shagger moves into the clinch.
Shagger tries to score a body lock takedown but Baker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Brandon Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dog Shagger.
Shagger prevents Baker from breaking the clinch.
Shagger lands a shoulder strike.
Shagger lands a right hand.
Shagger throws a knee to the head but misses.
Baker tries to break the clinch but Shagger is controlling the position.
Shagger lands with a light punch inside.
Shagger stalls.
Baker wants to get back to striking at distance but Shagger won't allow it.
Shagger lands a nice uppercut.
Come on Shagger - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Baker wants to break free but Shagger has control.
Baker fails to pull guard.
Shagger lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Baker backwards.
Baker is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Shagger lands a nice elbow.
Shagger scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shagger lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Baker backwards.

Shagger breaks the clinch.
Shagger moves in looking to clinch but Baker pushes him off.
Shagger fails in his attempt to clinch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Baker, as that shot connected.

Shagger closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baker can't get the takedown.
Shagger lands an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shagger creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Baker gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shagger.
Baker can't break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Dog Shagger will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Baker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Baker misses with a series of wild punches.
Shagger doesn't manage to clinch there - Baker circles away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Baker.
Baker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Shagger misses with a double jab.
Baker throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice defenses there by Shagger.

Shagger closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Shagger makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Shagger lands a right hand that snaps the head of Baker backwards.
Baker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Shagger working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Baker is pressed up against the cage. Shagger has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Baker down to the mat. Baker avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Shagger moves in looking to clinch but Baker pushes him off.
Baker throws a combination that misses

and Shagger moves into the clinch.
Shagger lands a right hand.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Shagger takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.

Baker is fighting off a takedown attempt but Shagger is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Baker to the mat. Baker regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shagger tries to free his leg and advance position but Baker is retaining full guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Shagger would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Baker throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Baker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Shagger passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Shagger advances nicely into full mount.
Baker tries to hold on but Shagger pushes him away.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Shagger. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Baker throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Baker is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Shagger with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shagger unloading with bombs!
Shagger wants to control the pace but Baker is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shagger throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Baker tries to lock up and control but Shagger gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Baker is working to get back to half guard.
Shagger pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
BOOM! Shagger connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Baker is working to get back to half guard.
Shagger with a couple of short strikes.
Baker can't escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shagger looking to control but Baker is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Baker working to try and regain half guard.
Baker is squirming around, avoiding Shagger's attempts to control the action.
Baker is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Shagger tries to control but Baker wriggling away.
Shagger looking to finish Baker with some ground and pound. This is bad for Baker!
Baker gets back to half guard.

Shagger stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Baker to get to his feet.
A right-left combo lands from Baker.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Shagger tries to clinch up.
Baker lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker keeps the fight on the outside.
Baker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Shagger tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Left hook, right uppercut from Baker.
Shagger tries to clinch but Baker moves out of range.
Baker misses the jab.

Baker gets caught flat footed, as Shagger shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Baker is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Baker looking for a guillotine here but Shagger defends easily.

Shagger decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Baker, up you get!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Shagger wants to clinch.

Shagger moves into the clinch successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Dog Shagger will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Baker digs a good hook to Shagger's body.
Baker tries to bum rush Shagger with a series of wild strikes but Shagger uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Shagger fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Baker, pushing him back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shagger.
Shagger lands a damaging elbow.
Shagger throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bakers head.
Shagger lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Baker backwards.

Shagger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Shagger moves into range and clinches up with Baker.
Shagger lands a body punch.

Shagger has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Baker uses from the top position.

Shagger has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Baker off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shagger walks into a left hand.
Shagger lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Nice body punch from Baker.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Shagger gets a clinch.
Baker wants to break free but Shagger has control.
Baker takes an elbow to the forehead.
Shagger is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Baker pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Shagger stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Shagger lands a left hand.
Shagger swings wildly with an uppercut but Baker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shagger lands with a short shot to the head.
Baker blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Baker tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Shagger just stands there and leans against the cage.
Shagger fails to pull guard.
Baker is looking to break free of the clinch but Shagger has double underhooks.
Baker being controlled against the cage.
Shagger lands a hook that snaps the head of Baker backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Nice elbow from Shagger.

Shagger breaks from the clinch.
Baker misses with a few strikes there.
Shagger tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Baker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Brandon Baker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Shagger instigates a clinch.
Baker gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Shagger.
Brandon Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dog Shagger.

Shagger has picked Baker up - he's going for a ride! Shagger dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Shagger wants to stand but Baker has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Baker tries to roll over but Shagger keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baker is working hard here to advance position.
Shagger scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Shagger gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Baker with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker swats away the attempt to clinch by Shagger.
Baker throws a left and a right that both miss

and Shagger counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Shagger lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Shagger has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Baker is trying to keep an underhook but Shagger manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Baker is looking for a sweep. Shagger is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Shagger is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
It looks like Shagger is going to stand back up.
Brandon Baker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shagger wants to take a breather but Baker is having none of it.
Baker regains full guard. Nicely done.
Baker keeping moving, preventing Shagger from controlling successfully.
Baker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Shagger tries to stand but Baker is controlling from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Baker throws a looping overhand right but Shagger ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker looks to land a right hand but Shagger moved out of range.

Shagger clinches up with Baker and pushes him back against the cage.
Shagger lands a right hand that snaps the head of Baker backwards.
Baker is looking to break free of the clinch but Shagger has double underhooks.

Shagger tightens his grip and picks Baker up, before dumping him to the ground. Baker manages to land in guard.
Shagger stopping the sweep attempt from Baker.

Baker has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Shagger can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Shagger lands a couple of digs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Baker had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Shagger is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Baker Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Shagger's back instead.
Shagger wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dog Shagger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Shagger winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dog Shagger!