PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raprap Baltazar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bakir Dzano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Baltazar
vs
Dzano

188 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Raprap Baltazar!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bakir Dzano!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yuuki Gou and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Dzano closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Baltazar did well to prevent Dzano getting side control.
Dzano prevents Baltazar from improving his position.
Dzano works his way into full mount!
Baltazar can't escape the position.
Baltazar flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.

Dzano jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Baltazar manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Baltazar is looking to regain half guard here but Dzano keeps moving and retains side control.

Dzano is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Baltazar is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Dzano tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dzano has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Dzano looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dzano looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Baltazar gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Baltazar manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Baltazar looking for a sweep. Not yet Baltazar, not yet.
Dzano looking to pass the guard.
Dzano is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Dzano won't allow Baltazar to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Dzano slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Dzano is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Baltazar knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Baltazar's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Baltazar misses with a strike from the bottom.

Dzano is trying to get an arm triangle but Baltazar is defending well.
Dzano has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Dzano looks gassed!
Baltazar tries to reverse the position but Dzano maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltazar gets back to half guard.

Dzano is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baltazar wants to get back to full guard.

Dzano is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Baltazar sees it coming and defends easily.

Dzano is trying to work for a kimura but Baltazar is defending well.
Baltazar wants to get back to full guard.
Baltazar is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dzano's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dzano's back!
Baltazar doesn't have the hooks in and Dzano manages to turn into his guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dzano won't allow Baltazar to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baltazar manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Dzano manages to get himself to full guard.
Baltazar is working Dzano over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Dzano preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Baltazar got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dzano has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Baltazar has managed to get both his arms back between Dzano's legs - danger averted.
Baltazar throwing strikes from guard but Dzano blocks nicely.
Dzano preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Dzano escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Baltazar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Dzano working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Baltazar doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Baltazar manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Baltazar distracts Dzano with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Baltazar throwing strikes from guard but Dzano blocks nicely.
Baltazar postures up in Dzano's guard and throws a big left but Dzano blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bakir Dzano dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Baltazar ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dzano moves away.
Baltazar wants to clinch

and Dzano counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Baltazar is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Dzano thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Baltazar wants to sweep here but Dzano controlling him for the moment.

Dzano drops back looking for a leg! Baltazar is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Baltazar manages to kick Dzano off! Dzano jumps back into Baltazar's guard.
Baltazar wants to sweep here but Dzano controlling him for the moment.
Baltazar is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Baltazar thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Dzano's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baltazar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dzano defending well though.
Dzano is breathing heavily.
Dzano on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Dzano on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Dzano wants to get back to full guard.
Nice strikes from Baltazar there.
Baltazar knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dzano on the ground.
Dzano avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Baltazar.
Baltazar not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Baltazar missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Baltazar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dzano defending well though.
Baltazar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Dzano defending well though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Dzano manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Dzano has momentary wrist control but Baltazar slips an elbow through the middle.
Dzano avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Baltazar working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Dzano's head.
Bakir Dzano has got the better of the ground game so far.

Baltazar got a little sloppy there for a moment and Dzano has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Baltazar has managed to get both his arms back between Dzano's legs - danger averted.
Baltazar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baltazar postures up in Dzano's guard and throws a big left but Dzano blocks it.
Baltazar has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Dzano 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.

Dzano is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Baltazar defends well.

Dzano is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Baltazar cracks Dzano with a solid left hand.
Baltazar lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Baltazar throwing strikes but missing.
Baltazar is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Dzano is looking for a triangle but Baltazar pushes his legs off easily.
Baltazar connects with a couple of short punches.
Baltazar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Baltazar chips away with some ground and pound.
Baltazar postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baltazar postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Baltazar won't allow Dzano to sweep him here.
Baltazar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baltazar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Dzano is looking for a triangle but Baltazar pushes his legs off easily.
Baltazar working some strikes from top position.
Baltazar loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Dzano utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Baltazar wanted to stand there but Dzano had control of the position.
Baltazar postures up and lands a big shot to Dzano's brow.
Baltazar throwing strikes but missing.
Dzano has a closed guard, preventing Baltazar from standing up.
Baltazar stands up over Dzano, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Dzano is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Baltazar forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Baltazar slips a nice elbow through Dzano's hands, connecting with Dzano's forehead.

Dzano is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Baltazar pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Baltazar throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Dzano blocking the ground and pound attempt from Baltazar.
Baltazar thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Dzano blocking the ground and pound attempt from Baltazar.
Baltazar lands with a punch from half guard.
Dzano avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Baltazar.
Baltazar wants to pass the guard but Dzano is defending well.
Baltazar not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Dzano blocking the ground and pound attempt from Baltazar.
Baltazar thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Dzano looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Dzano is looking for a sweep. Baltazar is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Bakir Dzano will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Dzano chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Baltazar can pounce on him.
Dzano checks the leg kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A head kick misses from Baltazar.

Baltazar shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Baltazar stopping the sweep attempt from Dzano.

Dzano has his foot on Baltazar's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Baltazar works his way back into a safe position though.
Baltazar throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Baltazar working some strikes from top position.
Baltazar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Dzano 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.

Dzano has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Baltazar can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Baltazar makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Dzano is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Baltazar defends well.
Baltazar working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dzano takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baltazar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Baltazar stands up over Dzano, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Dzano manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Baltazar is looking to get to half guard.

Dzano jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Baltazar is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Baltazar and Dzano has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baltazar tries to bench press Dzano off him but Dzano keeps the position.

Dzano tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Baltazar is looking to reverse the position.
Baltazar misses with an elbow from the bottom.

Dzano tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Baltazar tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dzano wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Baltazar, who protects the arm well.
You can see the frustration on Baltazar's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Dzano wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Baltazar, who protects the arm well.
Baltazar wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Baltazar manages to get back to half guard.
Baltazar is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Baltazar manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Dzano drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dzano jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Baltazar is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Baltazar is looking to stand up but Dzano isn't so interested in that idea.
Baltazar lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Dzano!
Dzano is desperately trying to improve his position but Baltazar has a good base and remains in mount.
Baltazar throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Dzano working to try and regain half guard.
Baltazar lands with some strikes.
Raprap Baltazar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bakir Dzano is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Baltazar throws some wild stikes that Dzano manages to avoid easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raprap Baltazar showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dzano 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bakir Dzano!