PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Macadam Baird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arttu Mahtisaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Baird
vs
Mahtisaari

182 cm
27
190 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

178 cm
28
195 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

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 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Macadam Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arttu Mahtisaari!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Eddie Farnsworth and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mahtisaari circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mahtisaari connects with a body shot.
Jab by Mahtisaari.
Baird takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Baird steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mahtisaari.
Baird jabs Mahtisaari right on the nose. Mahtisaari blinks but takes it well.
Baird tries to clinch but Mahtisaari moves away
and Mahtisaari counters with a straight right hand.
Baird works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Mahtisaari lands a slapping body shot.
Baird lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mahtisaari circles away quickly and effectively.
Mahtisaari swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Baird 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.
We've been hearing good reports from Baird's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baird tries to free his leg and advance position but Mahtisaari is retaining full guard.
Baird looking to sit in guard and control but Mahtisaari gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Mahtisaari must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Baird can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Mahtisaari controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird looking for a sweep. Not yet Baird, not yet.
Baird is working hard here to advance position.
Mahtisaari advances position into side control!
Mahtisaari wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baird keeps working.
Mahtisaari controlling from side mount.
Let's hope that Mahtisaari has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

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.
Baird regains half guard.
Mahtisaari wants to control but Baird is keeping him busy.
Baird is looking to control Mahtisaari's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Baird avoid being mounted?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mahtisaari is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Baird avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari tries to pass to full mount but Baird defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mahtisaari wants to take a breather but Baird is having none of it.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Mahtisaari misses with a hook
and Baird counters with a left to the body.
Baird takes one to the chin there.
Mahtisaari lands a glancing blow to the side of Baird's head.

Baird gets tackled into the cage by Mahtisaari. Mahtisaari maintains the clinch.
Baird tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Mahtisaari smiles and moves away.
Baird fails in his attempt to clinch.
Baird misses with a double jab
and Mahtisaari counters with a stiff right hand.
A big right from Baird misses.
Mahtisaari misses with a straight right.
Nice defenses there by Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Mahtisaari just misses with a punch to the body.
Baird throwing a counter right hand but Mahtisaari manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mahtisaari circles away quickly and effectively.
A big right from Mahtisaari misses.
Baird is looking to counter punch.
Mahtisaari slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mahtisaari misses the jab.
Mahtisaari connects with a crisp jab.
Baird slips under a jab.
Baird bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Mahtisaari's head backwards.
Baird misses with a hook. Mahtisaari ducked under it nicely.
Mahtisaari looks to land a left hand but Baird moved out of range nicely.
Baird throws a half hearted mid kick.
Baird keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mahtisaari.
Mahtisaari lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Baird drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Baird keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Baird misses the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arttu Mahtisaari dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Baird swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mahtisaari avoids the head kick by Baird.
Mahtisaari ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Arttu Mahtisaari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mahtisaari slips under a jab.
Baird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mahtisaari.
Baird went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A telegraphed right hand from Mahtisaari misses the target.
Mahtisaari fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Mahtisaari lands a jab.
Mahtisaari moves into range and connects with a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baird feints and then cracks Mahtisaari's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mahtisaari down.
Mahtisaari misses with an uppercut.
Baird uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mahtisaari.
Good exchange - Mahtisaari coming out on top.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mahtisaari looks to land a right hand but Baird moved out of range.
It looked like Baird wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Mahtisaari. That snapped Baird's head back.

Mahtisaari fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Baird, pushing him back against the cage.
Mahtisaari tries a body shot but Baird blocks it.
Mahtisaari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mahtisaari lands a right hand.
Baird is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Baird tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Mahtisaari just stands there and leans against the cage.
Baird jumps guard but Mahtisaari turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Macadam Baird. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Baird breaks the clinch.
A jab lands there for Mahtisaari.
Baird throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Mahtisaari counter with a right hand.
Mahtisaari misses with a hook.
Arttu Mahtisaari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Baird takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Mahtisaari blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Baird takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baird is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Mahtisaari.
Baird throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Baird takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Baird gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Macadam Baird is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mahtisaari loads up on a big right hand but Baird slips the punch.
Baird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mahtisaari.
Baird goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mahtisaari! But no joy.
Baird throws a nice looking combination but Mahtisaari bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Baird has his takedown stuffed
and Mahtisaari counters with a nice uppercut.
Baird uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mahtisaari.
A shot to the body from Baird misses
and Mahtisaari counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mahtisaari sizes up Baird with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mahtisaari might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mahtisaari cracks Baird with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Baird swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Mahtisaari thuds a left hand into Baird's body.
Baird looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Baird fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mahtisaari connects with the punch.
Mahtisaari uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Baird throws out a loose jab but Mahtisaari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baird takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mahtisaari lands a glancing blow to the side of Baird's head.
Mahtisaari tries to clinch but Baird moves out of range.

Baird closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baird trying to pass the guard but Mahtisaari defending well.
Mahtisaari keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird working the head and body with strikes.
Mahtisaari is looking to control Baird's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Mahtisaari avoid being mounted?
Baird is looking to pass Mahtisaari's guard but actually Mahtisaari recovers to full guard.
Baird postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arttu Mahtisaari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Baird's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Baird uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mahtisaari.
Baird blocks a jab.
Baird swinging wildly here.
Mahtisaari uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baird.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Mahtisaari! But no joy.
Baird fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mahtisaari rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Baird counters with a nice body shot.
Baird with a poor takedown
and Baird takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Baird fails with the takedown
and Mahtisaari cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Macadam Baird. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mahtisaari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baird manages to avoid it.
Baird looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Mahtisaari bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Baird's head backwards.
Baird fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mahtisaari jabs Baird to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mahtisaari scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Baird doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mahtisaari misses with a left hand
and Baird connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mahtisaari throws a body shot but no joy.
Baird takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Mahtisaari tries to close the distance and clinch up but Baird swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Baird wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Baird gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A big right from Baird misses.
A nice side step and Mahtisaari releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

Baird has closed the distance and engaged Mahtisaari in a clinch.
Mahtisaari tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baird's elbow.
Mahtisaari lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Baird.
Baird tries to break the clinch but Mahtisaari is controlling the position.
Baird tries to pull guard but Mahtisaari forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Baird jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Mahtisaari walks away with a smile on his face. Baird gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mahtisaari lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird misses with a left hand
and Mahtisaari counters with a straight right hand.
Mahtisaari lands a head shot.
Nice uppercut there from Mahtisaari.
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!
Baird misses with an attempted mid kick.
Baird with a poor takedown
and Mahtisaari counters with a straight right hand.
Baird looks to score with a jab to the body but Mahtisaari is just out of range.
Baird tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mahtisaari bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Baird's head.
Mahtisaari lands a lovely overhand right.

Baird is rocked!
Baird takes a jab right on the kisser.
Oh Baird is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Baird throws a poor cross that misses
and Mahtisaari counters with a crisp right that sends Baird to the canvas! Mahtisaari follows up with punches from the mount and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:50 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Arttu Mahtisaari!
A very excited looking Arttu Mahtisaari made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.