PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joe Average (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donny Baxton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Average has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Average
vs
Baxton

170 cm
20
161 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
22
162 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joe Average!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Donny Baxton!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Average is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Average gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Baxton managing to block the knees to the body from Average.
Average using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Baxton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Average with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Average misses with a knee to the head.
Baxton can't break the clinch.
Average throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Average using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Baxton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Average has Baxton pushed against the cage.
Average throws an elbow that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Average scores a nice knee to the body.
Average pushes off an throws an elbow but Baxton leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Average with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Baxton takes an elbow to the temple.
Average tries to land knees in the clinch but Baxton avoids the damage to the body.
Baxton blocks an elbow strike from Average.
Average tries to land a knee to the head but Baxton blocks with his arms.
Average throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Baxton blocks it with crossed arms.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Average misses with an elbow over the top.
Average changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Baxton fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Baxton keeps the fight on the outside.
Average tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A decent looking cross lands there for Baxton.
Average has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Average there as he acknowledges the shot.
Baxton digs a good hook to Average's body.
Danga de danga de dang - Baxton scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Joe Average has been cut.
Baxton keeps the fight on the outside.
Baxton moves out of range of the body kick.
Baxton bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Average's head.

Average is rocked!
Joe Average seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Average darts in and clinches Baxton up against the cage.
Oh Average is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Average tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Average is breathing heavily.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Average.
Average seems to have got his legs back now.
Baxton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Average taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Average tries to land knees in the clinch but Baxton avoids the damage to the body.
Average comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Average misses with an elbow strike.
Baxton takes an elbow to the forehead.
Baxton is looking to break free of the clinch but Average has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Average misses with a knee strike.
Baxton is trying to break free.
Average trying to land knees to the body.
Average scores with a knee to the head.

Baxton gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Average regains guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Average throws his legs up looking for a submission but Baxton uses it to pass to side control.
Average is looking for a sweep.
Baxton in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Let's hope that Baxton has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Baxton tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Baxton trying to control the action but Average is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Some wild striking there from Baxton.
Baxton throws a head kick but Average moves out of range.

Baxton tries to keep at a distance but Average has taken the fight into the clinch.
Baxton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Average smiles and moves away.

Average forces Baxton back against the cage and clinches.
Baxton can't break the clinch.
Average misses with a knee strike.
Baxton avoids the elbow strike from Average, against the cage.
Nice elbow from Average.
Baxton is trying to break free.
Average tries to land knees in the clinch but Baxton avoids the damage to the body.
Average trying to land knees to the body.
Baxton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Average goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baxton prevents it.

That's four 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.
Average stalling against the cage.
Average creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Average misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Baxton.
Average lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Average misses with a knee to the head.
The referee calls for Average to work.
Average tries a knee to the head but Baxton blocks it.
Average has Baxton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baxton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Average. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Average creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Average with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Average stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Average.
Baxton can't break the clinch.
Baxton is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Average is keeping busy.
Average landing knees to the head.
Average stalling against the cage.

Baxton escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donny Baxton dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Average's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Baxton throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

Average closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Average.
Average throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Baxton managing to block the knees to the body from Average.
Baxton is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Average throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Baxton blocks it with crossed arms.
Average using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Baxton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Average throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Baxton blocks it with crossed arms.
Average tries a knee to the head but Baxton blocks it.
Average goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baxton blocks an elbow strike.
Baxton leaning his opponent against the cage.
Average looking to throw knees to the head but Baxton is blocking nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Average lands a damaging elbow.
Average scores a nice knee to the body.
Average tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Average throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Baxton blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Average misses with a knee strike.
Average tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Average throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Baxton is trying to maintain a safe position but Average gets an underhook and turns Baxton into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Average tries to land a knee to the head but Baxton blocks with his arms.
Average stalls.
Average working aggressively here.
Average throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Average pushes off an throws an elbow but Baxton leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Average with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Baxton is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Average drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baxton pulls his leg out and moves away.
Baxton moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Average has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Average tries to clinch up.
Baxton goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Baxton moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Baxton tries a head kick but it misses.
Average tries to close the distance and clinch but Baxton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Average avoids the head kick by Baxton.
Average tries to close the distance and clinch up but Baxton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Baxton goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Baxton lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baxton smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Baxton throws a series of strikes that have Average backpedaling.
Average tries to close the distance and clinch but Baxton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Average wants to clinch up but Baxton keeps it at a distance.
Baxton misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Average fails with an attempt to clinch.
Average fails with an attempt to clinch.
An inside leg kick lands from Average.
Average wants to clinch up but Baxton keeps it at a distance.
Average wants to clinch.
Good standup being displayed there by Baxton as he connects with a hook.
A head kick by Average misses
and Baxton counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Average wants to clinch.
Average tries to clinch there but Baxton circles away.
Baxton throws a right and a left that both miss.
Average avoids a punch combination nicely.
Baxton fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Average looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Average tries to close the distance and clinch up but Baxton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Average tries to clinch
and Baxton counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Average looks for the body kick but Baxton saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Average takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Baxton keeps the fight on the outside.
Average tries to clinch up but Baxton circles away and keeps his distance.
Average tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Baxton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Baxton lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Average at a distance.
Nice defenses there by Average.

Average has taken the fight to the clinch.
Baxton avoiding damage as Average throws knees to the body.
Average tries to land a knee to the head but Baxton blocks with his arms.
Average is stalling here.
A knee to the head by Average.
Baxton takes an elbow to the forehead.
Average lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Average lands an elbow inside that Baxton shrugs off.
Baxton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nice elbow from Average.
Average has Baxton pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baxton manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Average. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baxton is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Come on Average - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Baxton takes an elbow to the forehead.
Baxton wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baxton avoiding damage as Average throws knees to the body.
Average looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Average misses with a knee strike.

Average lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Average wants to control but Baxton is keeping him busy.
Average throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Baxton wants to control but Average is keeping busy.
Average lands strikes from half guard.
Baxton keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Average throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Average thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Average wants to pass to mount but Baxton is defending the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Average tries to close the distance and clinch but Baxton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Donny Baxton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Average tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Baxton circles away from the clinch attempt.
Average wants to clinch.
Baxton lets loose with a powerful body kick. Average will feel that in the morning.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donny Baxton showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Joe Average's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Average fails with an attempt to clinch.
Baxton lands a right hook to the body.
Baxton lands a jab to Average's midsection.
Baxton connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Baxton is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Average rather than just go for the knockout.
Baxton moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Baxton works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Average pushes Baxton away with a front kick.
Average tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Baxton lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Average moves in looking to clinch but Baxton pushes him off.
Baxton slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Average clinches.
Average misses with a knee strike.
Average tries a knee to the head but Baxton blocks it.
Average throws an elbow that misses.
Baxton avoiding damage as Average throws knees to the body.
Average drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baxton pulls his leg out and moves away.
Average tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Baxton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
An inside leg kick lands from Baxton.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Average gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Average tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Baxton wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Average.
Baxton dodges an elbow strike from Average.
Baxton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Average will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Baxton up against the cage.
Baxton blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Baxton takes an elbow to the forehead.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Average.
Average drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baxton pulls his leg out and moves away.
Average tries to clinch but Baxton is having none of it.

Average gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Average will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Baxton up against the cage.
Average landing knees to the head.
Baxton wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Average has him pressed against the cage.
Average misses with a knee strike.
Knees to the body from Average.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Average.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Baxton is looking to break free of the clinch but Average has double underhooks.
Average throws an elbow that misses.
Baxton has had enough of the clinch but Average keeps him there for the moment.
Baxton has had enough of the clinch but Average keeps him there for the moment.
Average tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Baxton just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joe Average. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baxton wants to break free but Average has control.
Average fails to pull guard.
Average lands an elbow inside that Baxton shrugs off.
Average with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Average scores with a knee to the head.
Baxton on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Average misses with an elbow strike.
Baxton blocks an elbow strike from Average.
Average throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Baxton blocks it with crossed arms.
Average throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Average drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Baxton is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Baxton takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Donny Baxton has been cut.
Nice elbow from Average.
Average lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Average on the inside.
Average has Baxton pushed against the cage.
Average gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Average working some nice short punches in the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Average just misses with a elbow thrown towards Baxton's brow.
Baxton wants to break free but Average has control.
Average with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Average looking to throw knees to the head but Baxton is blocking nicely.
Baxton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Average pushes off an throws an elbow but Baxton leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Baxton wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Average lands a knee to the head.
Average wants a takedown but no success here.
Average comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Baxton managing to block the knees to the body from Average.
Average gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Average scores a nice knee to the body.
Baxton dodges an elbow strike from Average.
Average connects with a nasty looking knee right to Baxton's face.
Baxton takes an elbow to the temple.
Average with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Average lands a nice elbow.
Average misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Baxton.
Baxton is trying to break the clinch but Average has him pressed against the cage.
Average pressing his opponent against the cage.
Joe Average has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Average lands an elbow that stopped Baxton in his tracks for a moment.
The referee calls for Average to work.
Average drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Average tries to land a knee to the head but Baxton blocks with his arms.
Average throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Average landing knees to the head.
Baxton wants to get back to striking at distance but Average won't allow it.
Average throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Baxton blocks it with crossed arms.
Average throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Baxton blocks it with crossed arms.
Average throws a knee to the head but misses.
Average missing with knees to the body.
Baxton blocks an elbow strike.
Average's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Average using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Baxton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Average showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Baxton 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Donny Baxton!