PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Piotr Baginski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Connor McManus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Baginski might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to WALECZNE SERCE. McManus has chosen Jeff Danna - 'The Blood of Cú Chulainn' as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Baginski
vs
McManus

175 cm
42
162 lbs
28 - 16 - 0

177 cm
32
167 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 28 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Piotr Baginski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Connor McManus!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Baginski misses.
Baginski moves out of range as McManus throws a body kick.
A left lands for Baginski.
Baginski connects with the punch.

McManus closes the distance and pushes Baginski back into the cage.
McManus goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baginski prevents it.
Baginski lands a body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Baginski.
McManus being controlled against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Baginski creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McManus lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Baginski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by McManus.
McManus misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus misses with a punch on the inside.
McManus blocking some punches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A nice right hand lands inside from McManus.
Baginski is stalling here.
McManus working aggressively here.

Baginski breaks from the clinch.
Baginski lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as McManus backs up against the cage.
McManus loads up on a big right hand but Baginski slips the punch.
Baginski takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A slow jab from Baginski misses its intended target.
McManus bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Baginski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by McManus.
McManus throws a nice looking combination but Baginski bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McManus looks to land a combination. Baginski sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baginski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Baginski misses with a few strikes there.
McManus rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Baginski counters with a two punch combo.
McManus with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
McManus lands with a shot to the body.
McManus scores with a leg kick.
McManus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
McManus tries to bum rush Baginski with a series of wild strikes but Baginski uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
McManus tries to score a power double leg takedown but Baginski sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten McManus somewhat.
Baginski throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nice jab there from McManus.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Baginski lands an impressive looking overhand right. McManus doesn't seem phased though.
McManus on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Baginski throws a series of punches but McManus avoids them all with ease.
Baginski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McManus.
McManus misses with a kick to the body

and Baginski counters with a takedown into side control.

Baginski looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
McManus tries to buck Baginski off but Baginski is having none of it.
McManus holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
McManus tries to improve position but can't.
Baginski tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
McManus trying his best to control but Baginski has mounted him.
McManus keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
McManus bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
McManus wants to pass the guard but Baginski is keeping the position.
McManus trying to control the position from guard on top but Baginski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piotr Baginski 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.

McManus looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Baginski keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McManus.
McManus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baginski.
McManus feints and then cracks Baginski's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Baginski down.
A low kick from McManus misses

and Baginski counters with a takedown into side control.
McManus is trying to get back to half guard.

Baginski is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, McManus has escaped the position, nice work there.
McManus is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baginski cracks McManus with an elbow. That is naaassty.
McManus is working to avoid the ground and pound but Baginski connects with a decent elbow.
McManus tries to get back to half guard but can't.
McManus is not content to let Baginski control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus tries to get back to half guard but can't.
McManus is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two 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.
Baginski wants to control but McManus is keeping him busy.
McManus is looking to reverse the position.
McManus struggling a bit here.
McManus is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Baginski off and has taken his back!
Baginski is trying to break free.
McManus is trying to stick to Baginski's back but Baginski is turning into McManus. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in McManus's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Baginski.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

McManus is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Baginski with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baginski working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of McManus's head.

McManus escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Baginski gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Baginski stopping the sweep attempt from McManus.
McManus trying to control the position.
Baginski postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Piotr Baginski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McManus working a defensive guard here.
Baginski is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McManus can do to turn this around?
Baginski is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Baginski wants to control from the top but McManus keeps moving.
McManus trying to keep a closed guard but Baginski is proving a slippery customer.
Baginski cracks McManus with a solid left hand.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as McManus holds on and takes a little breather.
McManus trying to control the position.
McManus looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baginski trying to control the position from guard on top but McManus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Baginski avoids a punch combination nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Piotr Baginski dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A kick lands to the mid section there for McManus.
A head kick by McManus misses

and Baginski counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for McManus!
Check out the look on Baginski's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
McManus struggling a bit here.
Baginski is working McManus over with some ground and pound from side control.
McManus tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Baginski is looking to take a break and control but McManus is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baginski in side control, throwing shots but McManus defends.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McManus manages to work his way to half guard, despite Baginski's best efforts.

McManus is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Baginski pulls his head out easily.
McManus is trying to control but can't.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Baginski connects with a nice short shot to McManus's temple.
Baginski is looking to advance position but McManus won't allow it.

Baginski looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
McManus is looking for a sweep. Baginski is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Baginski thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed McManus's head.
Baginski thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Baginski tries to pass the half guard into mount. McManus knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Baginski lands a nice short elbow.
McManus has hold of Baginski's hands but Baginski slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Baginski is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for McManus!
Baginski prevents McManus from getting the reversal.
McManus wants to hold on but Baginski pushes him away.
Baginski working the ground and pound effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McManus sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Baginski sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. McManus defending well though.
McManus tries to roll over but Baginski keeps him under control.
Baginski scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Nice strikes from Baginski there.
McManus works his way to full guard. Good work.
Connor McManus has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Baginski has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

McManus has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Baginski can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Baginski wants to control from the top but McManus keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baginski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Piotr Baginski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Baginski's corner is telling him to maintain position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now McManus is on top in guard.

Baginski wants to sweep but no luck.
Baginski controls McManus momentarily but McManus frees himself.
McManus throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McManus tries to free his leg and advance position but Baginski is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Piotr Baginski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Baginski, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Piotr Baginski!
After the fight, Piotr Baginski was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.