Rivals XV: Freak vs. Graves PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Curry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Soichirou Nagi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Curry
vs
Nagi

185 cm
19
198 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
18
184 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 Tokyo, Arthur Curry!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Soichirou Nagi!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Curry takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nagi misses with a wild combination.
Nagi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Curry counters with a low kick, right behind Nagi 's knee.
Nagi misses with a series of wild punches.
No joy there for Nagi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Curry.
Curry swinging wildly here.
Nagi drops his hands momentarily and Curry takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

It looks like Soichirou Nagi has been cut.
Curry scores with a leg kick.
Arthur Curry seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nagi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Curry moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Curry gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nagi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Curry lands with a right to the head.
Nagi is trying to break free.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nagi wants to get back to striking at distance but Curry won't allow it.
Nagi looks gassed!
Curry makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Curry lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Nagi is rocked!
Curry creates some distance for himselfand unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Nagi's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Nagi drops to his knees and Curry pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Arthur Curry!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
63%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hwang Yang Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alan Martin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Yang Lee
vs
Martin

177 cm
25
156 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

170 cm
25
160 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Hwang Yang Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alan Martin!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Martin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Lee tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lee keeps the fight on the outside.
Martin fails with a takedown attempt.

Martin scores with a takedown into Lee's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Martin trying to control but Lee is working from the bottom.
Martin pushes down on Lee's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Martin not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Martin with the ground and pound but Lee uses the opportunity to regain guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Martin stands and throws Lee's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Martin throws an elbow but Lee slips to the side and avoids it well.
Lee on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Martin grinds an elbow into Lee's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Martin has hold of Lee's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Lee tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Martin cranks the arm and Lee screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Lee, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Alan Martin!
Alan Martin thanked the fans post fight for their support.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
49%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenichi Atoshi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacob Hadley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Atoshi kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Samourai. Jacob Hadley has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Atoshi
vs
Hadley

168 cm
22
162 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenichi Atoshi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jacob Hadley!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hadley throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Atoshi was covering up waiting for the punch and Hadley finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Hadley trying to control but Atoshi is working from the bottom.
Hadley postures up in Atoshi's guard and throws a big left but Atoshi blocks it.

Atoshi has his foot on Hadley's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hadley works his way back into a safe position though.
Atoshi looking for a sweep. Not yet Atoshi, not yet.
Atoshi trying to keep a closed guard but Hadley is proving a slippery customer.
Atoshi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hadley manages to get himself to full guard.
Hadley working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Atoshi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atoshi stands and throws Hadley's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Atoshi tries to move into full mount but can't pass Hadley's legs.
Hadley tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Atoshi wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Atoshi working the body and head with strikes.
Hadley tries to escape but Atoshi is in control.

Atoshi is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Hadley is trying to escape and Atoshi transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Hadley is forced to tap! Nice work there by Atoshi! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kenichi Atoshi!
Kenichi Atoshi decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
38%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Reggie Watkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenji Yoshihira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenji Yoshihira is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Watkins
vs
Yoshihira

179 cm
25
160 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
24
160 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Reggie Watkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kenji Yoshihira!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Taro Takaoka and Shirou Masuda.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yoshihira attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Yoshihira avoids the head kick by Watkins.
Yoshihira misses with a wild combination.
Yoshihira throws a nice looking combination but Watkins bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Watkins gets caught napping as Yoshihira dives in and scores a takedown. Watkins manages to retain guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Yoshihira would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Yoshihira trying to control the position from guard on top but Watkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Watkins wants to sweep here but Yoshihira controlling him for the moment.
Watkins keeping full guard, as Yoshihira tries to pass.
Yoshihira throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yoshihira wants to pass the guard but Watkins is keeping the position.
Yoshihira trying to control the position from guard on top but Watkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Yoshihira pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Watkins is keeping the position for now.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Kenji Yoshihira was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A head kick misses from Watkins.
A nice inside leg kick there by Watkins. That's going to slow Yoshihira down.
Watkins blocks the body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Watkins feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Yoshihira's calf.

Yoshihira gets the takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Watkins prevents Yoshihira from moving into mount.
Watkins is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Yoshihira working away.
Watkins is looking to reverse the position.
Watkins is working hard here to advance position.
Watkins can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watkins defending against the ground and pound.
Watkins dodges the ground and pound from Yoshihira.
Sloppy strikes there by Yoshihira.
Watkins is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Yoshihira has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Watkins!

Yoshihira working for a submission but Watkins is keeping him at bay.
Yoshihira connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yoshihira looking to control but Watkins is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Yoshihira content just to control the position here.
Watkins can't escape the position.

Yoshihira working for a guillotine from mount but Watkins is in no mood to give up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yoshihira throwing strikes here but Watkins is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenji Yoshihira dominated that round.
That's time! Watkins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A head kick misses from Watkins.
Watkins tries a head kick but it misses.
Watkins throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Yoshihira misses with a low kick as Watkins jumps back.
Yoshihira shoots in for a takedown but Watkins shows good takedown defense.
Yoshihira is trying hard to land a takedown here. Watkins sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kenji Yoshihira seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Watkins misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Watkins lands with a kick to the ribs.
Yoshihira misses with a wild combination.

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

Yoshihira is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Watkins throws a quick head kick that knocks Yoshihira silly! This fight is all over! What a finish! Watkins is up on the cage, taking in the applause from the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Reggie Watkins!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Siegfried Freak (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Graves (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Freak
vs
Graves

190 cm
19
210 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
210 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp (95% quick laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Siegfried Freak!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marcus Graves!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Freak blocks a head kick by Graves.
Freak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Freak gets tackled into the cage by Graves. Graves maintains the clinch.
Freak is trying to break free.
Graves looking to throw knees to the head but Freak is blocking nicely.
Graves tries to land a knee to the head but Freak blocks with his arms.
Graves misses with a knee strike.
Graves connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Siegfried Freak has been cut.
Graves is trying to maintain a safe position but Freak gets an underhook and turns Graves into the cage.

Freak breaks from the clinch.
Marcus Graves seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Freak moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

It looks like Marcus Graves has been cut.
Graves dodges the punch combination from Freak.
Freak looks to land a combination but Graves avoids it well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Graves fails in his attempt to clinch.
Graves on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A cross from Freak lands.
Freak uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Graves has time to react.
Freak throws a lazy right hand but Graves sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Freak swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Graves tries to clinch up but Freak circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freak throws a hook but Graves avoids it easily.
Graves throws a sloppy head kick and Freak moves out of range easily.
Graves doesn't manage to clinch there - Freak circles away.
Graves doesn't manage to clinch there - Freak circles away.
Freak scores with a crisp jab that stopped Graves in his tracks.
Freak scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nice cross by Freak.
Freak uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Graves.
Freak connects with a solid leg kick.
Graves moves away from the strike by Freak.
Graves lands with a kick to the temple. Freak shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
A head kick by Graves misses
and Freak connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Freak scores with a jab.
Graves looks gassed!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Freak avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Freak displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Graves moves in looking to clinch but Freak pushes him off.
Graves takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A left lands for Freak.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freak tests Graves's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A good leg kick by Freak.
Freak lands a two punch combo.
Graves on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Freak lands a jab-cross combination.
Graves takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Freak scores with a jab.

Graves is rocked!

That has opened up Marcus Graves's cut even more.
Freak is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Freak's corner calls for a 1-2. Freak obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Graves is still on wobbly legs! Can Freak finish him?
Graves checks the leg kick.
Graves seems to have recovered his senses.
An inside leg kick lands from Freak.
Graves takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Freak scores with a shot to the body.
Graves moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Freak feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Graves's calf.
Freak works the jab nicely.
Freak throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freak lunges at Graves with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Graves's hand.
Freak throws a good cross that connects.
Freak plants his feet and throws a 3 punch combo. Miss, miss, boom! The third punch, a big right hook, connects right on the temple and drops Graves to the mat, unconscious! This fight is all over! Graves just couldn't keep out of the way of the whole flurry of punches!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:14 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Siegfried Freak!
Siegfried Freak retains his light heavyweight title!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Siegfried Freak waved his t-shirt featuring Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp (95% quick laundry)'s logo in front of the cameras.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randy Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Great Pete (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Couture comes to the cage accompanied by theres no easy way out . Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Couture
vs
Pete

185 cm
25
245 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

200 cm
25
270 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Hellbent
Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp (95% quick laundry)

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Randy Couture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Great Pete!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Hirohito Nitta and Kenichi Hosakawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Couture throws a shot to the body.
Couture misses with the combination.
Pete doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Couture counters with an outside leg kick.
Couture throws a head kick that half lands.
Couture scores with a one two! Pete had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Pete shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Pete tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Couture manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Couture goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Couture chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Pete looks gassed!
Pete misses with a takedown attempt - Couture sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Pete wants to clinch

and Couture counters with a combination of strikes to the head and body that crumple Pete!

Pete is rocked!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Couture is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pete is still in real trouble! Can Couture finish him?
Nice strikes from Couture there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pete with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Pete seems to have recovered his senses.
Pete won't allow Couture to pass to mount.

Pete is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Couture pulls his head out easily.
Couture knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Pete on the ground.

Couture gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Nice takedown defense from Couture. No joy for Pete on that attempt.
Randy Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Great Pete.
Couture lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Pete backs up against the cage.
Pete wants to clinch
and Couture counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Couture scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Pete is sent reeling backwards by a solid uppercut. He barely regains his balance and Couture moves in for the kill throwing a continuous barrage of punches that force the ref to step in.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Randy Couture!
Randy Couture seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Main event

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Milke Stouks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Baldridge (ranked 0 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.

Stouks
vs
Baldridge

182 cm
25
169 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

182 cm
26
180 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Experienced

[JMFC] Arashi Fighting Nutrition Q160 Recovery
Brand New Life

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Milke Stouks!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marcus Baldridge!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Ren Mimura and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stouks with a lazy takedown attempt
and Baldridge counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Stouks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baldridge.
Stouks shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stouks takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stouks has his takedown stuffed

and Baldridge counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Milke Stouks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

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

Stouks closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baldridge can't do much from the bottom here.
Baldridge stuck in half guard on the bottom here.
Baldridge regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baldridge is trying to get back to full guard.

Stouks is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Baldridge is just riding it out for now. Stouks eventually gives up the hold.

Stouks is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Stouks is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Baldridge moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stouks sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Baldridge's guard.
Baldridge is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Stouks wants to work for an arm triangle but Baldridge is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Baldridge is pressing down on Stouks's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Baldridge looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Baldridge seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Baldridge's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Baldridge lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Stouks!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baldridge scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stouks is working to get back to half guard.
Baldridge unloading with bombs!
Baldridge landing strikes from the mount.
Baldridge can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stouks is looking to escape.
Baldridge working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Stouks is wriggling around trying to escape.
Baldridge working the ground and pound effectively.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baldridge with the ground and pound from mount.

Stouks is rocked!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Baldridge cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Oh Stouks is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Stouks takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Baldridge's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Marcus Baldridge!
Marcus Baldridge is the new welterweight champion!
After winning the bout, Marcus Baldridge thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.