PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Christian Baier (ranked 3938 p4p, 185 weight class) and Chad Stronghold (ranked 7444 p4p, 293 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Baier
vs
Stronghold

167 cm
19
138 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

175 cm
24
145 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Christian Baier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Chad Stronghold!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Gwen Towbar and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stronghold misses the jab.
Stronghold comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Stronghold has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Baier is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Baier throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Baier fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stronghold manages to avoid it.
Stronghold takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Baier blocks a jab.
Baier wants to clinch up but Stronghold keeps it at a distance.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stronghold! But no joy.
Baier throws a head kick but Stronghold moves out of range.
Stronghold throws an overhand right that lands on Baier's shoulder, as Baier tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stronghold slips under a jab from Baier.
Baier swinging wildly here.
It seemed like Stronghold was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Stronghold takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baier scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Baier throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Baier misses with a body kick.
Baier connects with a body shot.
Baier looks to land a body kick but Stronghold moved away.
Baier takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Baier tries to close the distance and clinch but Stronghold swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Stronghold moves out of range of the body kick from Baier.
Baier works the jab nicely.
Baier catches Stronghold with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Baier tries to clinch there but Stronghold circles away.
Baier cracks Stronghold with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stronghold thows a left - swing and a miss!
Baier is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Stronghold.
Baier takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stronghold closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Baier does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Baier tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Stronghold manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Stronghold lands a jab.
Baier throws a leg kick but Stronghold sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Stronghold swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Baier just misses with a punch to the body.
Baier takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Stronghold slips a straight right by Baier.
Baier ducks under a wild hook from Stronghold.
Baier avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Baier tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Stronghold manages to circle out of the way.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baier throws a head kick that misses
and Stronghold counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A clash of legs there as Stronghold blocks the low kick.
A little jabbing left from Stronghold on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Baier throws a lazy head kick
and Stronghold cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Christian Baier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stronghold loads up on a big right hand but Baier slips the punch.
Baier throws a lazy head kick
and Stronghold counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Baier throws a head kick but Stronghold moves out of range.
Stronghold looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Baier jabs Stronghold to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Stronghold avoids the body shot from Baier.
Stronghold misses with a looping left.
Baier slips under a jab.
Stronghold checks a leg kick nicely.
Baier slips under a jab from Stronghold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baier throws a head kick that misses
and Stronghold counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Baier takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Baier throws a head kick that misses
and Stronghold makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baier with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Stronghold with a hook.
Stronghold pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Baier throws a push kick but Stronghold slaps the foot to one side.
Baier on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Stronghold missing with a left hand there. Baier was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baier slips under a jab from Stronghold.
Baier lands a slapping body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chad Stronghold will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Baier slips a jab from Stronghold.
Baier tries to counter by clinching up but Stronghold breaks away and moves out of range.
Baier ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Stronghold works Baier's body with a nice hook.
Nice shot by Stronghold.
Stronghold 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.
Baier will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Stronghold avoids the body shot from Baier.
A swing and a miss from Stronghold.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baier tries a head kick but it misses.
A little jabbing left from Stronghold on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Baier rushes Stronghold and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Baier is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Stronghold to keep the fight standing.
Baier tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stronghold smiles and moves away.
Baier takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baier misses the body punch
letting Stronghold counter with a right hand.
Baier tries to clinch there but Stronghold circles away.
Baier throws a head kick but Stronghold moves out of range.
Stronghold misses with a looping left.
Stronghold connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Baier's hands.
Baier is looking to wear down Stronghold with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Baier looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Stronghold throws out a counter right but Baier avoids it with no problem.
Baier swings away with a body shot that misses
and Stronghold counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Baier tries to clinch there but Stronghold circles away.
Baier tries a head kick but it misses.
Stronghold blocks a head kick by Baier.
It seemed like Stronghold was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baier closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Stronghold is trying to push Baier away but Baier has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Stronghold wants to break free but Baier has control.
Nice body punch from Stronghold.
Baier is trying to pull guard but Stronghold has him pressed against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Christian Baier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baier jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Stronghold walks away with a smile on his face. Baier gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Stronghold has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Stronghold thuds his right hand into Baier's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Baier drives through and clinches with Stronghold against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baier prevents Stronghold from breaking the clinch.
Baier tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Baier jumps guard but Stronghold stands there with Baier around his waist. Baier gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Stronghold pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Stronghold finds it's way through Baier's defenses.

Baier gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baier fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Stronghold lands a left hand.
Baier jumps guard but Stronghold turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Stronghold breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Stronghold jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Baier is looking to clinch.
Baier tries a low kick but Stronghold avoids it.
Decent striking displayed by Stronghold there.
Baier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
It seemed like Stronghold was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Stronghold rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Baier moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Stronghold has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Baier finds it's way round the side to connect with Stronghold's head.
Stronghold checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stronghold throws an overhand right that lands on Baier's shoulder, as Baier tries to avoid the shot.
Stronghold blocks the body kick.
Baier is looking to clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stronghold! But no joy.
Stronghold throws a series of punches but Baier moves out of range.

Baier closes the distance and clinches.
Baier tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Stronghold can't break the clinch.

Baier gets control of Stronghold's arms and successfully pulls guard. Baier will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
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!
Baier manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Stronghold manages to get himself to full guard.

Baier advances position into side control!
Stronghold is trying to get back to his feet.
Stronghold is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Chad Stronghold showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Stronghold will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Baier avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Baier tries to clinch
and Stronghold counters with a one-two to the body.
Stronghold pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Baier darts in trying to clinch
and Stronghold counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stronghold misses with a hook. Baier ducked under it nicely.
Stronghold checks a leg kick.
Baier looks for the body kick but Stronghold saw that one coming.
Baier throws a sloppy head kick and Stronghold moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stronghold misses with a hook. Baier ducked under it nicely.
Baier is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Stronghold.
Stronghold takes a swing at Baier's ribcage but misses.
Baier darts in trying to clinch
and Stronghold counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stronghold circles away from the clinch attempt.
Baier bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Stronghold keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Baier looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Stronghold takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Baier tries to close the distance and clinch up but Stronghold swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stronghold avoids the head kick by Baier.
It seemed like Stronghold was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baier tries to clinch
and Stronghold counters with a stiff right hand.
Stronghold moves forwards but Baier connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Stronghold keeps the fight on the outside.
Stronghold looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Baier misses with a leg kick
and Stronghold counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Baier misses with a body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Baier clinches up against the cage.
Baier tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Stronghold smiles and moves away.
Stronghold scores with the left hand. Baier knows he should have avoided that one.
Stronghold just misses with a punch to the body.
Stronghold misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baier misses with a head kick.
Baier wants to clinch but Stronghold slips to the side
and Stronghold cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stronghold throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Baier sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Baier moves away from the strike by Stronghold.
Stronghold loads up on a big right hand but Baier slips the punch.
Christian Baier has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Baier tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Stronghold was well out of range. Poor timing from Baier.
Stronghold looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Baier on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Baier scores with a three punch combo!
Baier bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Baier throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Chad Stronghold seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Baier thows a leg kick but Stronghold checks it
and Stronghold counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stronghold misses with a combination

and Baier counters by clinching up.
Stronghold misses with a body punch.
A short left from Stronghold.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baier tries to pull guard but Stronghold forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Baier manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Stronghold really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Baier. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Baier throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stronghold trying to stand up but can't free himself from Baier's guard.
Chad Stronghold is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Baier is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Stronghold has his hands clasped together but Baier extends and breaks Stronghold's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Baier.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Christian Baier!
A victorious Christian Baier thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.