PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tear Drop Drake (ranked 2977 p4p, 3726 weight class) and Andrei Baltaretu (ranked 391 p4p, 461 weight class). Baltaretu has chosen Roy Jones Jr - Can't be touched. as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Drake
vs
Baltaretu

185 cm
19
198
2 - 0 - 0

189 cm
19
192
3 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Un-Kaged Nutrition

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tear Drop Drake!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andrei Baltaretu!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Tiny Johnson and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baltaretu tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Drake defends well and Baltaretu ends up having to push Drake into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Baltaretu feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Drake definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Baltaretu throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Drake is trying to keep Baltaretu in close.
Baltaretu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Drake works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Drake trying to control the position here.
Baltaretu content to stall in guard here.
Baltaretu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Drake is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baltaretu postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Baltaretu works over Drake with some ground and pound from guard.
Drake on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Drake tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baltaretu throwing strikes but missing.
Baltaretu throws a big right hand that misses.
Baltaretu keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Drake's head.
Baltaretu is in close to Drake's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Drake preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baltaretu throws a big right hand that misses.
Drake has momentary wrist control but Baltaretu slips an elbow through the middle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Baltaretu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Baltaretu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Baltaretu scoring with some ground and pound.
Drake controls Baltaretu momentarily but Baltaretu frees himself.
Baltaretu cracks Drake with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baltaretu chips away with some ground and pound.
Baltaretu trying to control but Drake is working from the bottom.
Baltaretu content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Baltaretu is looking to work some ground and pound but Drake has wrist control.
Baltaretu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baltaretu looking to sit in guard and control but Drake gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Baltaretu wants to stand up but Drake is controlling him.
Baltaretu wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Baltaretu is looking to stand up but Drake isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltaretu managing to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Baltaretu shoots in but Drake avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Baltaretu looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Drake avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Drake utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Baltaretu is looking to work some ground and pound but Drake has wrist control.
Baltaretu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Drake knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Baltaretu on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drake wants to get back to his feet but Baltaretu is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Baltaretu stays in close to Drake's body and controls the position.
Baltaretu trying to control the position from guard on top but Drake is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Baltaretu shoots for a double leg takedown but Drake sprawls well. He's pushed Baltaretu's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Tear Drop Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Baltaretu.
Baltaretu ducks under a wild hook from Drake.
Baltaretu tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Drake defends well and Baltaretu ends up having to push Drake into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Drake rushes Baltaretu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Baltaretu drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Drake with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Andrei Baltaretu will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Drake misses with a straight right.

It looks like Andrei Baltaretu has been cut.
Baltaretu shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Drake as he jumps to the side.

Baltaretu closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Drake to the mat! Drake manages to get full guard.
Baltaretu won't allow Drake to get back to his feet.
Drake preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baltaretu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Baltaretu connects with a couple of short punches.
Baltaretu with a nice head shot there.
Baltaretu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baltaretu working some strikes from top position.
Baltaretu has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Wolves Fight Club. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Baltaretu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Baltaretu landing some decent shots from guard.
Baltaretu won't allow Drake to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baltaretu lands a couple of digs.
Baltaretu lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Drake controls Baltaretu momentarily but Baltaretu frees himself.
Baltaretu showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Baltaretu wants to control from the top but Drake keeps moving.
Drake trying to keep a closed guard but Baltaretu is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Drake throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baltaretu shoots for a double leg takedown but Drake sprawls well. He's pushed Baltaretu's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Baltaretu looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Drake is fending him off so far but Baltaretu persists. Nope, Drake circles away and we're back to standing.
Tear Drop Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Baltaretu.
Baltaretu shoots in but no luck this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baltaretu will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Drake wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Baltaretu manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Drake on his heels. He'll look to pass Drake's guard now, I'm sure.
Baltaretu throws a big elbow that misses.
Baltaretu content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Baltaretu is looking to work some ground and pound but Drake has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baltaretu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baltaretu throwing strikes from guard but Drake blocks nicely.
Baltaretu throws a strike but Drake rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Baltaretu tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Andrei Baltaretu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Drake tries to free his leg and advance position but Baltaretu is retaining full guard.
Baltaretu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Drake stays in close to Baltaretu's body and controls the position.
Baltaretu is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltaretu wants to get back to his feet but Drake is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Baltaretu is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Baltaretu is looking to stand up but Drake isn't so interested in that idea.
Baltaretu is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Drake drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Drake jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Baltaretu wants to get back to his feet but Drake is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Drake tries to sprawl but Baltaretu drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baltaretu thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Drake's head.
Drake on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Baltaretu is nestled in close to Drake, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Drake trying to control from the bottom.
Baltaretu lands strikes from half guard.
Baltaretu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Drake defending well though.
Baltaretu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Drake defending well though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baltaretu trying to mount his opponent but Drake defends it.
Ground and pound from Baltaretu.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baltaretu with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Baltaretu lands with a punch from half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Baltaretu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Andrei Baltaretu's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Drake keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Baltaretu fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Drake avoids it really well and circles away.
Baltaretu throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Drake's waist but Drake gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Baltaretu off to one side.
Baltaretu misses with a takedown attempt - Drake sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tear Drop Drake has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Andrei Baltaretu.
Nice defenses there by Baltaretu.

Drake clinches with his opponent.
Drake landing knees to the head.
Drake connects with a knee to the head.
Baltaretu tries for a takedown. No joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drake scores with a knee to the head.
Drake using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Baltaretu drops down looking for an ankle pick but Drake pulls his leg out and moves away.
Baltaretu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Baltaretu gets tackled into the cage by Drake. Drake maintains the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baltaretu has Drake pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Drake manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Drake drops Baltaretu with a big knee straight up the middle! Baltaretu is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!
Drake throws a looping overhand right but Baltaretu ducks down to avoid it.
Drake misses with a straight left.

Baltaretu drives through with a takedown into guard.
Drake tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Drake utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Baltaretu sitting in guard here, content to control.
Baltaretu throws a big right hand that misses.
Baltaretu with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baltaretu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Drake works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Drake wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Tear Drop Drake has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Andrei Baltaretu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Baltaretu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Baltaretu's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Baltaretu lands a couple of elbows.
Baltaretu connects with a couple of short punches.
Baltaretu postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Drake tries to clinch up.
Drake defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Baltaretu.

Baltaretu looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Baltaretu is trying to control the action in half guard but Drake is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Drake actively working from the bottom here.
Drake blocking the ground and pound attempt from Baltaretu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Baltaretu lands a nice short elbow.
Baltaretu wants to take a breather but Drake is having none of it.
Drake has hold of Baltaretu's hands but Baltaretu slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Baltaretu missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Baltaretu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Drake does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nice strikes from Baltaretu there.
Ground and pound from Baltaretu.
Baltaretu lands strikes from half guard.
Baltaretu seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Baltaretu takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
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. Baltaretu connects with a nice short shot to Drake's temple.
Baltaretu slips a nice elbow through Drake's hands, connecting with Drake's forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baltaretu working the head and body with strikes.
Drake has hold of Baltaretu's hands but Baltaretu slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Baltaretu working the head and body with strikes.
Baltaretu landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Baltaretu wants to lay and pray for a moment but Drake keeps working.
Baltaretu working over Drake with some ground and pound. Drake looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Baltaretu lands a nice short elbow.
Baltaretu is nestled in close to Drake, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Baltaretu is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Baltaretu is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Baltaretu lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tear Drop Drake showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Baltaretu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrei Baltaretu!
A less than humble Andrei Baltaretu misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.