PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ferari ILiviu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hama Baba (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.

ILiviu
vs
Baba

190 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ferari ILiviu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hama Baba!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

ILiviu gets caught napping as Baba dives in and scores a takedown. ILiviu manages to retain guard.
ILiviu wants to get back to his feet but Baba passes into half guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Baba wants to work for an arm triangle but ILiviu is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

ILiviu manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Baba keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

ILiviu manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Baba scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
ILiviu looking to control.

ILiviu is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baba is aware though and is defending well.
ILiviu has a closed guard, preventing Baba from standing up.
ILiviu keeping moving, preventing Baba from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baba avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

ILiviu is working an open guard so Baba takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Baba keeps the fight on the outside.
ILiviu fails with the takedown.

Baba scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
ILiviu works his way to full guard. Good work.
Baba sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baba wants to control from the top but ILiviu keeps moving.
Baba throws a big elbow that misses.

Baba stands up from ILiviu's guard - Baba perhaps looking for a knockout.
ILiviu misses with a wild body shot.
ILiviu shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Baba as he jumps to the side.
Baba is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
ILiviu is breathing heavily.

ILiviu tries to sprawl but Baba drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ILiviu tries to roll over but Baba keeps him under control.
Baba scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
ILiviu is looking to improve his position.
Baba content to control rather than advance.

Baba is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Baba stands up and beckons ILiviu to join him on the feet.
Baba misses with a body shot.
ILiviu tries to counter with a takedown but Baba is quick to defend against it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Baba or perhaps it was just good defense by ILiviu, which made it look bad.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baba shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has ILiviu pinned against the cage. ILiviu gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hama Baba dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

ILiviu looks to clinch
and Baba counters with a series of strikes. ILiviu will be more careful next time no doubt.
Baba circles away from the clinch attempt.
ILiviu fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Baba avoids it really well and circles away.
Baba is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
ILiviu tries for a takedown but Baba sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Baba thows a left - swing and a miss!
As Baba tries to get set, ILiviu tries to push him back and clinch up but Baba manages to avoid the attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from ILiviu enables Baba to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. ILiviu manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

ILiviu has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Baba is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
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!
Baba jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as ILiviu walks away with a smile on his face. Baba gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
ILiviu lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Baba darts in and clinches ILiviu up against the cage.
Baba jumps guard but ILiviu stands there with Baba around his waist. Baba gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba gets through ILiviu's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Baba pulls ILiviu into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
ILiviu tries to free his leg and advance position but Baba is retaining full guard.
Baba wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
ILiviu preventing the sweep.

ILiviu stands and steps away. Baba gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Baba changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. ILiviu looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on ILiviu's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baba working the head with strikes.
ILiviu is trying to work for a sweep but Baba has mounted him!
ILiviu holds on to Baba around his waist, trying desperately to prevent any attacks.
Baba trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Baba landing strikes, looking to finish!
ILiviu wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
ILiviu is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Baba biding his time, controlling ILiviu.

Baba looking to break ILiviu's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. ILiviu remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Baba will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Baba really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for ILiviu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Baba is looking to control ILiviu but ILiviu is wriggling around and keeping busy.
ILiviu tries to break free.
ILiviu staying busy and making it hard for Baba to control.
Baba lands shots from the back.
Baba is landing with strikes from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hama Baba showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Baba scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Baba working away.
ILiviu is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Baba asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Hama Baba has got the better of the ground game so far.
ILiviu gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Baba is sneakily working for an arm triangle but ILiviu sees it coming and defends easily.
Baba is taking a breather. ILiviu says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's one minute gone in the round.
ILiviu is looking to get back to full guard here but Baba has managed to pass to side control instead.
Baba has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
ILiviu can't do much from the bottom here.

Baba decides to stand up, so the ref orders ILiviu to his feet.
ILiviu tries to clinch there but Baba circles away.
ILiviu throws a hook to the side of Baba's head but Baba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Baba feints the counter takedown.

Baba clinches.
Baba lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baba goes for a takedown in the clinch but ILiviu prevents it.

Baba pulls guard successfully.
Baba throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Baba pushes ILiviu off and gets back to his feet.

Baba manages to get an easy takedown there - catching ILiviu on his heels. He'll look to pass ILiviu's guard now, I'm sure.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

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

Baba decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on ILiviu, up you get!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
ILiviu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Baba swivels and escapes.
Baba wants to counter with a clinch but ILiviu pushes him away.
Baba shoots in looking for a takedown. ILiviu tries to sprawl out of it but Baba keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. ILiviu manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ferari ILiviu is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Baba scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Baba slows the pace down.
ILiviu is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
ILiviu is working to avoid the ground and pound but Baba connects with a decent elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baba is staying tight to ILiviu's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Baba trying to control the action but ILiviu is working from the bottom.
Baba takes a little break here. ILiviu wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
ILiviu is trying to buck Baba off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hama Baba comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baba 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 27:30
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hama Baba!