PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Professor Xe (ranked 611 p4p, 86 weight class) and Madik MBaku (ranked 444 p4p, 63 weight class). MBaku comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Flex (Ooh, Ooh, Ooh) kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Xe
vs
MBaku

190 cm
23
265 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

198 cm
24
246 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Dark Knight Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Professor Xe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Madik MBaku!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Colin Fotheringham and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
MBaku fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Xe swings for the body but MBaku moves out of range.
MBaku was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
MBaku shoots in for a takedown but Xe shows good takedown defense.
The fighters circling - MBaku throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
MBaku lands a right hook to the body.
Professor Xe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xe cracks MBaku with an open hand slap.
Xe swings widly with a right hand
and MBaku counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MBaku throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
MBaku gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Xe.
Xe tests MBaku's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Xe rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and MBaku makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
MBaku lands a body shot.
MBaku is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Xe rather than just go for the knockout.
Xe misses with a looping right.
MBaku looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Xe throws an overhand right that lands on MBaku's shoulder, as MBaku tries to avoid the shot.
MBaku swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
An attempted straight right counter from Xe misses the target.
Xe takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

It looks like Professor Xe has been cut.
A left lands for Xe.
A big right from Xe misses.
Xe misses with a looping left.
Xe lands a jab to MBaku's midsection.
MBaku shoots in but Xe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Professor Xe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Madik MBaku.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
MBaku looks to land a left hand but Xe moved out of range nicely.
MBaku takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Xe keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
MBaku blocks a jab.
MBaku looks like he wants to counter punch here.
MBaku blocks a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xe throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent MBaku stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
MBaku throws a lazy uppercut
and Xe counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Xe swings for the body but MBaku moves out of range.

MBaku shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Xe is trying to defend but MBaku finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
MBaku tries to pass to full mount but Xe defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MBaku thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Xe trying to control from the bottom.

MBaku is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Xe defends it well.

Xe is defending against the submission attempts here by MBaku.
Xe is trying to get back to full guard.
Xe keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Xe wants to improve his position but MBaku is controlling well.

That's four 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.
Xe is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Xe is staying active underneath MBaku, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

MBaku is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Xe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time MBaku.
MBaku passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Xe!
MBaku throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Madik MBaku will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Professor Xe's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Xe misses with an uppercut. MBaku saw that one coming.
MBaku lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
No joy there for MBaku, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Xe swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
MBaku throws a hook to the side of Xe's head but Xe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Xe lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
MBaku tries to clinch but Xe is having none of it.
MBaku slips a jab from Xe.
MBaku throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
MBaku slips a jab from Xe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
MBaku fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Xe manages to avoid it.
Nice defenses there by MBaku.
A jab from MBaku misses.
Xe connects with a body shot that sends MBaku's belly button to the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Xe.
MBaku takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Xe lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Xe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but MBaku was well out of range. Poor timing from Xe.
MBaku has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
MBaku closes this distance looking for a takedown but Xe circles away.
Xe misses with a body shot.
A little jabbing left from MBaku on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Professor Xe is winning the standup battle so far.
MBaku throws an off balance right hand
and Xe counters with a stiff right hand.
Xe misses with a hook to the body
and MBaku counters with a stiff right hand.
Xe throws a shot to the body.
Xe bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xe throws a shot from downtown. MBaku moves away and avoids it.
Xe scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
MBaku walks into a jab.
Xe scores with a jab to the body.
Xe throws a lazy right hand but MBaku sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
MBaku looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Xe is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Xe looks to throw the jab but MBaku is out of range.
MBaku swings widly with a right hand
and Xe counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
MBaku takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Xe is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that MBaku can do to turn this around?
Xe lands a nice shot to the body.
MBaku fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xe connects with a nice looking jab.
Xe throws out a powerful jab.
Xe misses the shot to the body.
MBaku tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Xe was well out of range. Poor timing from MBaku.
MBaku fails with a takedown attempt.
Professor Xe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Madik MBaku.
MBaku avoids the body shot from Xe.
MBaku misses with a looping left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
MBaku's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Xe connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! MBaku scrambles back to his feet.
MBaku misses with a takedown attempt - Xe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Xe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Xe lands the left hand.
MBaku walks into a stiff left hand from Xe.
Xe fakes high and swings low for a body shot but MBaku manages to avoid it.
MBaku has his takedown stuffed
and Xe counters with a right hand to the body.
MBaku is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
MBaku avoids the body shot from Xe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Professor Xe dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Professor Xe's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Xe throws a hook to the side of MBaku's head but MBaku sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Xe slips a jab from MBaku.
MBaku swings and misses with a hook to the body.
An attempted straight right counter from Xe misses the target.
Xe cracks MBaku with a right hand to the side of the head.
MBaku pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
MBaku throws out a loose jab but Xe uses good head movement to avoid it.

MBaku drives through with a takedown into guard.
MBaku wants to control from the top but Xe keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Xe is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
MBaku trying to control but Xe is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xe wants to sweep here but MBaku controlling him for the moment.
Xe not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Xe is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
MBaku scoring with some ground and pound.
MBaku not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
MBaku wants to control from the top but Xe keeps moving.

Xe looking for a guillotine here but MBaku defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
MBaku is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Xe trying to control the position.
MBaku looking to pass the guard.
Xe looking for a sweep. Not yet Xe, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Xe is on top in guard.

Xe won't allow MBaku to sweep him here.
MBaku can't keep his opponent in guard - Xe advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
MBaku is looking to improve his position.
Xe content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Xe prevents MBaku from improving his position.
MBaku is staying active underneath Xe, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
MBaku flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Xe is looking to take a break and control but MBaku is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Madik MBaku has got the better of the ground game so far.
Xe is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's four 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.
The fighters are battling for position here. MBaku manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xe pushes down on MBaku's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Well, if Xe is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Xe is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. MBaku doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Xe.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
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. Xe connects with a nice short shot to MBaku's temple.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Professor Xe.
I think Xe has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Professor Xe!
During a confident post fight interview, Professor Xe thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.