PBP Commentary

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

Paul
vs
Baldwin

178 cm
22
186 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
190 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, David Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Baz Baldwin!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, John Kavanagh and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paul gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Paul throws a low kick but Baldwin avoids it.
Baldwin tries a head kick but it misses.
Baldwin cracks Paul with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Baldwin lands a big shot that drops Paul! Can he finish him?

Paul is rocked!

Paul isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Baldwin stacks Paul on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Baldwin!
Oh Paul is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Paul is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Paul seems to have got his legs back now.
Paul is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Baldwin.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Paul fails to land the takedown.
Baldwin throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Paul stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Paul is breathing heavily.
Baldwin slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Baldwin lands a head kick that stumbles Paul and the fighters go to the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baldwin controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baldwin's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Baldwin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Paul is looking for a triangle but Baldwin pushes his legs off easily.
Baldwin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul 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.
Baldwin slips nicely into half guard.
Paul wants to get back to full guard.
Baldwin moves nicely into side control.
Paul tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baldwin controlling the position from side mount.
Baldwin trying to control the action but Paul is working from the bottom.
Paul tries to bench press Baldwin off him but Baldwin keeps the position.
An elbow from Baldwin crashes against the mat.
Paul is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

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.
A lull in the action here as Baldwin stalls from top position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Paul has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Baldwin scoring well with a low kick there.
No luck for Paul with that takedown attempt.
Paul steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Baldwin. That one must have hurt.
Baldwin lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Paul sprawling to the canvas. Baldwin follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Paul hang on?
Paul is staying active underneath Baldwin, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baldwin trying to control the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Baz Baldwin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A nice inside leg kick there by Baldwin. That's going to slow Paul down.

Baldwin forces Paul back against the cage and clinches.
Baldwin connects with a nasty looking knee right to Paul's face.
Paul misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baldwin landing knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A knee to the head by Baldwin.
Baldwin scores a nice knee to the body.
Baldwin is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Paul takes an elbow to the forehead.
A knee to the head by Baldwin.
Knees to the body from Baldwin.
Baldwin with a knee to the head.
Baldwin landing knees to the head.
Baldwin landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Baldwin lands a nice knee to the body.
Baldwin scores a nice knee to the body.
Baldwin controlling the action here for a moment.
Paul takes a knee right on the jaw!

Baldwin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Baz Baldwin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Baldwin scoring well with a low kick there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baldwin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Baldwin drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Paul is not content to let Baldwin control the position.
Paul is looking to regain half guard here but Baldwin keeps moving and retains side control.
Baldwin wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paul keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Paul manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Paul seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are battling for position here. Baldwin manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Paul stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baldwin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Baldwin is trying to control the position but Paul postures up.
Baldwin is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Paul trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paul stopping the sweep attempt from Baldwin.
Baldwin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baldwin is keeping the position for now.
Baldwin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Baldwin goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
No luck for Paul with that takedown attempt.

Baldwin rushes Paul and presses him up against the cage.
Baldwin scores with a knee to the head.
Baldwin lands a knee to the head.
Baldwin landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Baldwin scores with a knee to the head.
Baldwin prevents Paul from breaking the clinch.
Baldwin comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Paul tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Baldwin has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul is trying to break the clinch but Baldwin has him pressed against the cage.
Baldwin lands a knee to the body.
Baldwin lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Baldwin with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Paul goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baldwin blocking some punches.
Baldwin connects with a nasty looking knee right to Paul's face.
Knees to the body from Baldwin.
Paul tries to break the clinch but Baldwin is controlling the position.
A knee to the head by Baldwin.
Baldwin lands a knee to the body.
Paul tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knees to the body from Baldwin.
Paul tries to throw a body punch but Baldwin avoids it by throwing Paul back against the cage.
Baldwin prevents Paul from breaking the clinch.

Baldwin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Baldwin lands a jab to the head.
Paul throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Baldwin to counter with a crisp jab.
Baldwin goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Baz Baldwin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Paul tries to work over Baldwin's front leg with a kick but Baldwin checks it.
Baldwin lands a jab-cross combination.
Paul misses the shot to the body.
Baldwin scores with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Baz Baldwin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Baldwin throws a series of punches but Paul avoids them all with ease.
Paul closes the distance and clinches up with Baldwin, looking for a takedown. Paul pushes Baldwin against the cage but Baldwin circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Baldwin lands a high kick!
Baldwin jabs Paul right on the nose. Paul blinks but takes it well.
Baldwin misses with a wild combination.
Paul takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Baldwin is looking to score with low kicks.
Paul thows a leg kick but Baldwin checks it
and Baldwin counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
A clash of legs there as Baldwin blocks the low kick.

Baldwin drives through and clinches with Paul against the cage.
Baldwin landing knees to the head.
Baldwin connects with a nasty looking knee right to Paul's face.
Baldwin lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Baldwin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Paul.
Baldwin prevents a body shot from Paul.
Baldwin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Paul is trying to break the clinch but Baldwin has him pressed against the cage.
Baldwin lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Paul tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baldwin's elbow.
Baldwin with a knee to the head.
Paul is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paul drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Paul takes an elbow to the temple.
Baldwin keeps control of Paul as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Baldwin lands a knee to the body.
Baldwin connects with a nasty looking knee right to Paul's face.
Paul can't break the clinch.
Paul goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baldwin unloads a knee to the mid-section. Paul lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Baldwin scores with a knee to the head.
Baldwin scores a nice knee to the body.
Baldwin lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Good body shot from Baldwin.
Paul on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Paul is trying to break the clinch but Baldwin has him pressed against the cage.
Paul takes an elbow to the forehead.
Paul has had enough of the clinch but Baldwin keeps him there for the moment.
A short right from Baldwin on the inside.
Baldwin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paul blocks it with crossed arms.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Baldwin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paul blocks it with crossed arms.
Baldwin landing knees to the head.
Paul drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Baldwin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for David Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paul has had enough of the clinch but Baldwin keeps him there for the moment.

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

Baldwin breaks the clinch.
Paul drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Paul thows a leg kick but Baldwin checks it
and Baldwin counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Baldwin has managed to clinch.
Paul takes an elbow to the temple.
Paul is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Baldwin prevents a body shot from Paul.
Baldwin lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Baldwin landing knees to the head.
Paul wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Baldwin scores with a knee to the head.
Baldwin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Baldwin landing knees to the head.
Baldwin with a knee to the head.
Baldwin throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paul blocks it with crossed arms.
Paul misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baldwin taking a breather.
Baldwin tries a knee to the head but Paul blocks it.
Baldwin lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Baldwin keeps control of Paul as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Baldwin landing knees to the head.
Baldwin lands a nice knee to the body.
Baldwin with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baldwin unloads a knee to the mid-section. Paul lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Baldwin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Paul.
Baldwin missing with knees to the body.
Baldwin blocks a body shot from Paul.
Baldwin scores with a knee to the head.
Baldwin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Paul wants to break free but Baldwin has control.
Baldwin landing knees to the body.
Paul is trying to break free.
Baldwin lands a knee to the body.
Baldwin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Paul is looking to break free of the clinch but Baldwin has double underhooks.
Baldwin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Baldwin lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Paul wants a takedown but no success here.
Baldwin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Paul wants to break free but Baldwin has control.
Baldwin crunches a lovely knee into Paul's ribcage.
Baldwin lands an elbow that stopped Paul in his tracks for a moment.
Baldwin cracks Paul with a nice body shot.
Baldwin tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Baldwin throws a knee to the head but misses.
Paul can't break the clinch.
Knees to the body from Baldwin.
Baldwin landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Baldwin lands a knee to the body.
Paul misses with a punch to the body.

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.
Baldwin tries a knee to the head but Paul blocks it.
Paul tries to break the clinch but Baldwin is controlling the position.
Paul is trying to break the clinch but Baldwin has him pressed against the cage.
Baldwin with a knee to the head.
Baldwin scores with a knee to the head.
Baldwin with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Paul is working for takedown but Baldwin is calmly controlling the position for now.
David Paul has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Baldwin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Paul has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Paul has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Baldwin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Baldwin with a knee to the head.
Paul struggles to land a body shot inside as Baldwin controls his hands.
Paul misses with a punch to the body.
Baldwin taking a breather.
Baldwin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Paul has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Baldwin landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Paul misses with a hook to the ribs.
Paul misses with a punch to the body.
Baldwin scores with a knee to the head.
Paul wants to break free but Baldwin has control.
Baldwin landing knees to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Baldwin just misses with a elbow thrown towards Paul's brow.
Paul wants to break the clinch but can't.
Paul takes a knee right on the jaw!
Baldwin lands a nice knee to the body.
Baz Baldwin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Paul tries a body shot but Baldwin blocks it.
Baldwin unloads a knee to the mid-section. Paul lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

And that's the end of the fight!
Baz Baldwin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baldwin 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 Jonathan Paton scores the fight for Baz Baldwin!
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight for Baz Baldwin!
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight for Baz Baldwin!

Baz Baldwin wins by unanimous decision!