PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brian Baker (ranked 2036 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Mason (ranked 2999 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Baker
vs
Mason

190 cm
31
220 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

194 cm
26
222 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brian Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Max Mason!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mason walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Baker checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Baker throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Mason counters with a straight right hand.
A chopping leg kick lands by Baker.
Baker tries to clinch there but Mason circles away.

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

Baker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Baker lands a right hook to the body.
Mason misses with a jab, cross combination.
Baker avoids the body shot from Mason.
Baker tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Baker, right into the meat.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Mason - that will leave a mark!
Mason digs a good hook to Baker's body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Mason tries to keep at a distance but Baker has taken the fight into the clinch.
Baker blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baker breaks the clinch.

Baker moves into the clinch.

Baker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Baker looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mason rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Baker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Baker looks to throw the jab but Mason is out of range.
Baker changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Baker darts in trying to clinch
and Mason cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mason closes the distance and lands a one-two.
A combination from Mason does no damage.
Brian Baker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baker fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Mason on the side of the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baker fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mason throws a right and a left that Baker avoids nicely.

Baker closes the distance and pushes Mason back into the cage.
Baker's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Baker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Baker wants to clinch but Mason slips to the side
and Mason counters with a left and a right that stings Baker.
A bone on bone clash there as Baker blocks the leg kick.
Mason avoids a kick to the body.
Baker just misses with a punch to the body.
Mason throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Baker.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Baker.

Baker lands a big head kick that sends Mason tumbling to the mat! Baker takes a step backwards and waves Mason back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Mason is rocked!

It looks like Max Mason has been cut.
Mason takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Mason is still on wobbly legs! Can Baker finish him?
Baker checks the leg kick nicely there.
Baker tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Mason paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Mason lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mason swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Baker counters with a huge left! Mason is in big trouble! He's backing up but Baker isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Mason from any more damage. A dominating finish by Baker!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:06 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Brian Baker!