PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Easton Bauer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan Kesler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kesler has chosen Cancer Bats - Deathsmarch as his entrance music. Ryan Kesler told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Bauer
vs
Kesler

182 cm
27
189 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

182 cm
26
200 lbs
19 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

5th Round Clothing

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 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Easton Bauer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryan Kesler!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Eddie Farnsworth and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kesler slips a jab from Bauer.
Kesler leaves Bauer with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A combination from Bauer does no damage.
Bauer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kesler's waist but Kesler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bauer off to one side.
Bauer misses with a body shot.
Bauer misses with a looping left.
Bauer misses with a wild body shot.
Bauer misses with a body shot
enabling Kesler to counter with a crisp jab.
Kesler steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bauer.
Bauer thows a body shot but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kesler scores with a crisp jab that stopped Bauer in his tracks.
Bauer shoots in and drives through. Kesler sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Easton Bauer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kesler shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bauer defends it nicely.
A combination from Bauer does no damage.
Bauer scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kesler ducks under a wild hook from Bauer.
Bauer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kesler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bauer somewhat.
Bauer misses with a body punch
and Kesler counters with a good low kick that Bauer was not able to check.
Easton Bauer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bauer misses with a body shot
and Kesler counters with a nice low kick that buckles Bauer's knee momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bauer loads up on a big right hand but Kesler slips the punch.
Kesler moves out of range as Bauer strikes.

Kesler tries to sprawl but Bauer drives through with a takedown into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kesler wants to get back to full guard.
Bauer throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Kesler is defending against the submission attempts here by Bauer.
Kesler wants to improve his position but Bauer is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kesler is concentrating on defense, preventing Bauer from advancing position.
Bauer wants to free his trapped foot but Kesler is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kesler avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bauer.
Bauer missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kesler has his hands clasped together around Bauer's back. He's all about the action.
Kesler trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kesler gets back to full guard.
Bauer tries to free his leg and advance position but Kesler is retaining full guard.

Bauer drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kesler looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kesler looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kesler!
Kesler controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Easton Bauer will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bauer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bauer checks the leg kick.
Kesler throws a sloppy head kick and Bauer moves out of range easily.
A shot to the body from Bauer misses
and Kesler counters with a big head kick but Bauer shrugs it off.
Bauer misses with a straight left.
Kesler slaps away a takedown attempt from Bauer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kesler lands a head kick. Bauer smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Bauer is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kesler.
Bauer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kesler displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bauer throws out the jab.
Ryan Kesler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kesler walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kesler throws out a leg kick but Bauer moves out of range and Kesler only half commits.
Bauer fails to land the takedown.
Bauer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bauer tries for a takedown but Kesler sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Easton Bauer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bauer thows a body shot but no joy.
Bauer tries for a takedown but Kesler circles away easily
and Kesler counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kesler looks to throw the jab but Bauer is out of range.
Bauer misses with a looping left.
Bauer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kesler darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Bauer just misses with a punch to the body.
Bauer digs a good hook to Kesler's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bauer takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bauer drops his hands momentarily and Kesler takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kesler slips a jab and a cross from Bauer.
Bauer takes a swing at Kesler's ribcage but misses.
Nice shot lands for Kesler.
Bauer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kesler was well out of range. Poor timing from Bauer.
Bauer misses with a body punch
and Kesler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Bauer misses with a takedown attempt - Kesler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kesler lands with a good body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kesler throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Bauer.

It looks like Easton Bauer has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Bauer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kesler's waist but Kesler gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bauer off to one side.
Bauer is looking to wear down Kesler with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Donk. Kesler catches Bauer right on the button with a cross.
Kesler throws a hook to the side of Bauer's head but Bauer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kesler looks to score with a jab to the body but Bauer is just out of range.
Bauer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kesler is fending him off so far but Bauer persists. Nope, Kesler circles away and we're back to standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kesler shoots in for a takedown but Bauer shows good takedown defense.
Bauer throws a sloppy body shot
and Kesler counters with a head kick. That will keep Bauer thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
A looping hook to the body misses from Bauer. Kesler does a little dance to reset his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan Kesler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Easton Bauer's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bauer lands a glancing blow to the side of Kesler's head.
Bauer moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bauer throws a looping overhand right but Kesler ducks down to avoid it.
Bauer misses with a left hand
and Kesler counters with a nice body shot.
Bauer misses with a takedown
enabling Kesler to counter with a crisp jab.
Bauer lands with a good body shot.
Bauer dives in and grabs Kesler's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kesler pushes down on Bauer's head and hops out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kesler scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kesler throws a nice head kick!
Bauer with a poor takedown
and Kesler counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Easton Bauer. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kesler throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bauer stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kesler with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kesler lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kesler uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bauer.
Bauer connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kesler tries to clinch but Bauer is having none of it.
Bauer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kesler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bauer misses with a wild body shot.
A jab lands there for Kesler.
A jab from Bauer misses.
Bauer swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kesler counters with a nice leg kick.
Kesler misses the shot to the body.
Kesler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bauer paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bauer shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kesler sprawls well. Kesler wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bauer gets slowly back to his feet.
Kesler scores with a jab to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Bauer. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bauer.
Nice takedown defense from Kesler. No joy for Bauer on that attempt.
Bauer on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kesler. Kesler obviously looking to wear him down.
An inside leg kick lands from Kesler.
Kesler scores with a nice head shot.
Kesler throws a series of punches but Bauer moves out of range.

Kesler decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kesler is taking a breather. Bauer says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Ryan Kesler has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Kesler connects with a right hand. Bauer shakes it off.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bauer shoots for a double leg takedown but Kesler sprawls well. He's pushed Bauer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan Kesler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kesler has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan Kesler!