PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Humphrey Baker (ranked 63 p4p, 11 weight class) and Ravi Shankoli (ranked 185 p4p, 28 weight class). Shankoli has chosen Ravi Shankar - Om Shiva as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Baker
vs
Shankoli

195 cm
33
185 lbs
25 - 13 - 0

187 cm
33
191 lbs
39 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Project Mayhem

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)
Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Humphrey Baker!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ravi Shankoli!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baker pushes Shankoli up against the cage in a clinch.
Shankoli blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shankoli tries to circle away but Baker has him pinned against the cage.
Baker misses with the head strike.
Baker lands a nice uppercut.
Baker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shankoli's elbow.
Still in the clinch, Baker scores with a nice short uppercut.
Baker working aggressively here.
Shankoli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baker's elbow.
Shankoli misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baker prevents a body shot from Shankoli.
Baker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right handed body shot lands from Shankoli.
Shankoli prevents a body shot from Baker.
Baker scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Baker misses with the head strike.
Shankoli fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Baker misses with the head strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baker throws a head punch that misses.
Baker throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Shankolis head.
Baker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Baker working aggressively here.
Baker misses with a punch on the inside.
I was talking to Baker's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Shankoli swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Shankoli misses with a body punch.
Baker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Shankoli working hard to break the clinch.
Baker tries a body shot but Shankoli blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baker.
Baker misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baker.
Baker misses with a hook from the clinch.
A hook to the body from Baker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli throws a punch but it's blocked by Baker.
Shankoli blocks an uppercut.
Shankoli swings away with an uppercut that misses.

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

Baker drives through and clinches with Shankoli against the cage.
Baker misses with a punch on the inside.
A short right from Baker on the inside.
Baker digs a right hand underneath Shankoli's ribcage. Shankoli let out a lung full of air as it connected.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shankoli's elbow.
Shankoli blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baker misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shankoli backwards.
Shankoli digs a right hand into Baker's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Baker's gas tank.
Shankoli blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Shankoli's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Shankoli has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Baker is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Baker scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Baker.
Shankoli looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Baker.
Baker tries to clinch up.
Shankoli lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Good exchange - Baker coming out on top.
Baker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Baker.

Baker clinches with his opponent.
Shankoli blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baker struggles to land a body shot inside as Shankoli controls his hands.
Baker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Baker swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Shankoli breaks from the clinch.
Baker loads up on a big right hand but Shankoli slips the punch.
Baker lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Shankoli gets tackled into the cage by Baker. Baker maintains the clinch.
Baker doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baker misses with the head strike.
Shankoli gets through Baker's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
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!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Baker creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Baker misses with a punch on the inside.
Baker lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Shankoli or not.
Shankoli struggles to land a body shot inside as Baker controls his hands.
Baker working aggressively here.
Shankoli misses with a punch to the body.
A right hand to the body from Shankoli.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Humphrey Baker dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Baker cracks Shankoli with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A decent looking cross lands there for Baker.
The fight stays on the outside here - Baker looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Baker is looking to slow Shankoli down with leg kicks.

Baker closes the distance and pushes Shankoli back into the cage.
Humphrey Baker has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Baker misses with the head strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baker.
Shankoli misses with the head strike.
Baker tries to throw a body punch but Shankoli avoids it by throwing Baker back against the cage.
Baker goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Shankoli breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A countering left hand to the body from Shankoli misses.
Baker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shankoli counters with a body kick.
Ravi Shankoli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Baker dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Baker closes the distance looking to clinch
and Shankoli counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baker thinking.
Baker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Humphrey Baker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baker is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Baker throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Shankoli.
Baker throws a hook to the side of Shankoli's head but Shankoli sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Baker darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Shankoli on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Shankoli blocks the body kick.
A punch lands to the side of Shankoli 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A right-left combo lands from Baker.
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!
Baker moves in looking to clinch but Shankoli pushes him off.
The fight stays on the outside here - Baker looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Despite the aggression on Shankoli's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Baker lands a really nice looking cross but Shankoli seems unphased.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Baker. That's going to slow Shankoli down.
Baker misses with a low kick.
Baker throws a sloppy head kick and Shankoli moves out of range easily.
Shankoli appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Baker uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Baker lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Shankoli moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Baker takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Humphrey Baker is winning the standup battle so far.
Baker is looking to clinch but Shankoli is avoiding it.
Baker buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Baker misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Shankoli counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Baker thinking.
Baker misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker lands a nice looking kick to the body. Shankoli takes a step back to recover.
Baker misses with a body kick.
Despite the aggression on Shankoli's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baker misses with a hook.
Shankoli is looking for the big counter here.
Baker tries to clinch up but Shankoli circles away and keeps his distance.
Shankoli unleashes a big counter combination but Baker bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Shankoli takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A telegraphed right hand from Baker misses the target.
Shankoli circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jab from Baker.
Baker throws a jab when Shankoli was well out of range.
Shankoli is trying to counter with his kicks.
Baker swinging wildly here.
Shankoli looks like he wants to counter punch here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Humphrey Baker dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shankoli swats away the attempt to clinch by Baker.
Baker throws a leg kick that misses.
Shankoli throws out a counter right but Baker avoids it with no problem.
Baker is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Baker lands with a nice body punch.
Baker throws a jab but it's blocked by Shankoli.
Despite the aggression on Shankoli's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
An inside leg kick from Baker misses.

Shankoli tries to keep at a distance but Baker has taken the fight into the clinch.
Baker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shankoli can do to turn this around?
Baker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Shankoli's elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shankoli blocks an uppercut.
Baker lands a left hand that snaps the head of Shankoli backwards.
Baker works on Shankoli's body with a couple of short punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Shankoli.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shankoli lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Shankoli is trying to break free.

Shankoli escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Baker tries to land a front kick but Shankoli steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shankoli! But no joy.
Baker throws a head kick but Shankoli moves out of range.
Baker misses with a body shot.
Shankoli throws out a counter right but Baker avoids it with no problem.
Baker scores with a spinning back kick!
Baker wants to clinch but Shankoli slips to the side
enabling Shankoli to counter with a crisp jab.
Baker tries to clinch but Shankoli is having none of it.
Baker swinging wildly here.
Nice jab there from Baker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker misses with a head kick.
Baker tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Shankoli paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Baker misses with a head kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shankoli! But no joy.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Baker.
Nice body kick from Baker.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baker is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Baker tries to clinch but Shankoli moves out of range.
Baker fails in his attempt to clinch.
And Shankoli responds with a good body kick, but Baker manages to step out the way in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baker has closed the distance and engaged Shankoli in a clinch.
Baker softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Baker is leaning against Shankoli and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Baker misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Shankoli lands a shot to the body.
Shankoli blocking some punches.
Shankoli misses with a punch on the inside.
Baker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shankoli blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shankoli misses with a punch to the body.
Baker lands a shoulder strike.
Shankoli takes a shot to the head.

Shankoli breaks the clinch.
A head kick from Baker lands but Shankoli takes it in his stride.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli moves out of range of the body kick.
Shankoli tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
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!
Baker throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Baker works Shankoli's body with a nice hook.
Shankoli blocks a jab.
Shankoli tries a quick counter leg kick but Baker is wise to it.
Baker throws a leg kick but Shankoli sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Shankoli looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Shankoli checks a leg kick.
Shankoli is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Baker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Shankoli, pushing him back against the cage.
Shankoli lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Baker backwards.
Shankoli is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Shankoli blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Humphrey Baker clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Baker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shankoli! But no joy.
Shankoli swats away the attempt to clinch by Baker.
Baker throws a shot from downtown. Shankoli moves away and avoids it.
Shankoli throws a big counter head kick but Baker avoids it with no problem.
Baker delivers a nice body kick.
Baker misses with an uppercut. Shankoli saw that one coming.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shankoli! But no joy.
Baker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Shankoli doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
The crowd cheers as Baker lands an impressive looking overhand right. Shankoli doesn't seem phased though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker throws a leg kick that misses.
Baker backing away here, and Shankoli unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Baker tries to clinch
and Shankoli counters with a three punch combo that has Baker backing up. Baker nods at Shankoli to acknowledge the strikes.
Baker paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shankoli avoids a punch combination nicely.
Baker moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromShankoli.
Baker throws a nice inside leg kick.
Baker wants to clinch
and Shankoli counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Baker connects with the punch.
Shankoli swats away the attempt to clinch by Baker.
Shankoli looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Baker loads up on a big right hand but Shankoli slips the punch.
As Baker backs off Shankoli throws a huge counter combo but Baker manages to avoid it all.
Baker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker lands a nice looking kick to the body. Shankoli takes a step back to recover.
Baker lands a nice looking body kick.
Shankoli ducks under a wild hook from Baker.
Baker wants to clinch up but Shankoli keeps it at a distance.
Shankoli looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Baker uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Shankoli has time to react.
Baker lands a really nice looking cross but Shankoli seems unphased.
Shankoli has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Shankoli moves out of range as Baker throws a body kick.
Baker tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Shankoli raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Shankoli has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Baker.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baker scores with a nice head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Baker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shankoli is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
The fighters circling - Baker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Baker misses with a body shot
and Shankoli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Baker throws a looping overhand right but Shankoli ducks down to avoid it.
Shankoli's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Baker missing with a left hand there. Shankoli was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Shankoli flicks out a counter leg kick but Baker steps away.
Baker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Baker has Shankoli up against the cage in a clinch.
Baker lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shankoli swings wildly with an uppercut but Baker uses good head movement to avoid it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Shankoli.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker scores with a shoulder strike.
Shankoli blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baker lands a right hand.
Shankoli blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Shankoli throws a punch but it's blocked by Baker.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Baker tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Baker lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Baker doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baker misses with a punch to the body.
Baker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Shankoli backwards.
Shankoli lands a left hand that snaps the head of Baker backwards.
Baker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shankoli wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Baker has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Humphrey Baker had his way with Ravi Shankoli in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Baker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Baker looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Shankoli! But no joy.
Baker lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Baker is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Shankoli.
Shankoli only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Shankoli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Baker loads up on a big right hand but Shankoli slips the punch.
Shankoli is looking for the big counter here.
Baker connects with the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Baker, right into the meat.
Baker misses with an uppercut
and Shankoli counters with a two punch combo.
Baker connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Shankoli uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker lunges at Shankoli with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Shankoli's hand.
Baker swings and misses with a shot to the body
and as Baker loses concentration momentarily, Shankoli counters with a picture perfect head kick! Baker goes down, out cold! The referee rushed in to check on his condition - I'm sure he'll be ok but that was a massive knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:15 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Ravi Shankoli!
Ravi Shankoli is the new middleweight champion!
An intense looking Ravi Shankoli took to the microphone post fight and gave a little speech: 'His spirit was strong, but my intention was to crush him. Psychologically, as well as physically with my boxing. I knew that he would be a willing opponent, and he showed heart, but my soul wanted this more! I feel strongly against animal violence, but in this case taking the hammer to the panda wa'.