PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sergei jr Janakoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Donny Baxton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Janakoff kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich - Bend It. Baxton comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Tech N9ne-Red Nose kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Sergei jr Janakoff has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

jr Janakoff
vs
Baxton

172 cm
19
164 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

184 cm
22
162 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Determined

Takomo

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sergei jr Janakoff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Donny Baxton!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Janakoff feints and as Baxton raises his hands in defense, Janakoff changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Baxton wants to sweep here but Janakoff controlling him for the moment.
Janakoff pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baxton is keeping the position for now.
Janakoff is working hard here to advance position.
Janakoff postures up.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Baxton holds on and takes a little breather.
Janakoff wants to pass the guard but Baxton is keeping the position.
Janakoff might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Baxton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Baxton keeping full guard, as Janakoff tries to pass.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Janakoff shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baxton pinned against the cage. Baxton gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Janakoff closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Baxton to the mat! Baxton manages to get full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Janakoff throws a big right hand that misses.
Janakoff has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Janakoff pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baxton is keeping the position for now.
Janakoff wants to control from the top but Baxton keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baxton controlling the position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Baxton is trying to control the position but Janakoff postures up.
Baxton seems keen to control Janakoff's posture.

Janakoff drops back looking for a leg! Baxton is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Baxton manages to kick Janakoff off! Janakoff jumps back into Baxton's guard.
Baxton preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Baxton keeping full guard, as Janakoff tries to pass.
Baxton keeping moving, preventing Janakoff from controlling successfully.
Janakoff working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Janakoff shoots in for a double leg but Baxton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Baxton.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Baxton.
Jab by Baxton.
Baxton throws a series of strikes that have Janakoff backpedaling.
Janakoff is breathing heavily.
Janakoff misses with a takedown attempt - Baxton sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei jr Janakoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baxton lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Sergei jr Janakoff has been cut.
Good shot there by Baxton.
Baxton drops Janakoff with a nice combination! Baxton dives into Janakoff's guard, looking to finish!

Janakoff is rocked!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baxton wants to stand but Janakoff is controlling his posture from full guard.
Oh Janakoff is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Baxton is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Janakoff seems to have got his legs back now.
Janakoff looking for a sweep. Not yet Janakoff, not yet.
Baxton looking to pass the guard.
Janakoff working a defensive guard here.
Baxton sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baxton passes Janakoff's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Baxton trying to control the action but Janakoff is working from the bottom.
Baxton prevents Janakoff from improving his position.
Baxton trying to control the pace.
Baxton is trying to control the action in half guard but Janakoff is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Janakoff looking for submissions off his back.

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.
Janakoff tries to get to full guard but Baxton has control of the leg.
Baxton wants to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Janakoff takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
No luck for Janakoff with that takedown attempt.
Baxton moves into range and connects with a jab.
Baxton throws a sloppy head kick and Janakoff moves out of range easily.
Baxton lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Janakoff shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Janakoff moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baxton clobbers Janakoff with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Janakoff gets the takedown into side control.
Baxton is looking for a sweep.
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 Sergei jr Janakoff's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Baxton clobbers Janakoff with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Janakoff shoots for a double leg takedown but Baxton sprawls well. He's pushed Janakoff's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Janakoff changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Baxton tries to avoid it but Janakoff manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Baxton to the ground. Baxton escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A punch lands to the side of Janakoff 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Baxton lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Baxton throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Janakoff.
Baxton throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Baxton lands a really nice looking cross but Janakoff seems unphased.
Janakoff fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei jr Janakoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baxton throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Janakoff.
Baxton throws a head kick that misses.
Baxton lands a nice hook to Janakoff's body. Janakoff takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Baxton cracks Janakoff with an open hand slap.
Janakoff fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Janakoff takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
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 lands a high kick!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baxton works over Janakoff's head and body with a nice combination.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baxton scores with a three punch combo!
Donny Baxton seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Janakoff has a takedown stuffed.
Janakoff tries to move into range but Baxton moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Janakoff looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Donny Baxton is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jab from Baxton.
Baxton connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Baxton is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Baxton lands a two punch combo.
Baxton scores with a jab to the jaw.
Baxton is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Baxton throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A telegraphed right hand from Janakoff misses the target.
Janakoff has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Baxton stuffs the takedown attempt from Janakoff. Janakoff gets slowly back to his feet.
Baxton scores with a decent looking hook.
Janakoff shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baxton pinned against the cage. Baxton gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Baxton's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Baxton duly obliges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baxton lands with a straight right. Janakoff didn't see that one coming.
Janakoff misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Janakoff takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nice jab there from Baxton.
Baxton connects with a nice looking jab.
Baxton stuffs the takedown attempt from Janakoff. Janakoff gets slowly back to his feet.
Janakoff takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Baxton lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Baxton throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Janakoff moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

Janakoff drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baxton can't do much from the bottom here.
Baxton is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Janakoff working away.
Janakoff working the ground and pound but Baxton is defending the strikes.
Janakoff trying to control the action but Baxton is working from the bottom.
Janakoff working away.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.

Janakoff gets the takedown into side control.
Baxton is trying to control Janakoff's posture but Janakoff avoids it.

Janakoff is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Baxton has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baxton is trying to improve his position.
Baxton is pushing Janakoff's head away, looking to escape. Janakoff manages to hold on to the position though.
Janakoff throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Baxton works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Baxton wants to control but Janakoff is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Baxton is staying active underneath Janakoff, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Janakoff scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Janakoff shoots in but Baxton avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Baxton throws a sloppy head kick and Janakoff moves out of range easily.

Janakoff closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Baxton wants to get back to his feet.
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 Sergei jr Janakoff's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Some wild striking there from Baxton.
Baxton tries a head kick but it misses.

Janakoff shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Janakoff showed some decent athleticism there.
Baxton is looking to escape.
Janakoff keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Janakoff missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Janakoff is looking for a kimura here.
Baxton is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Janakoff's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Janakoff's back!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Janakoff tries to escape but Baxton has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Janakoff's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Sergei jr Janakoff overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Baxton is riding his opponent, not letting Janakoff buck him off.
Baxton has the hooks in. Janakoff is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Baxton keeps control of the position easily here as Janakoff tries to buck him off.
Baxton wants to control but Janakoff is keeping busy.
Janakoff can't escape the position.
Janakoff turns into Baxton and is now in his guard.
Baxton wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Janakoff pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baxton is keeping the position for now.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Baxton lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
A decent looking cross lands there for Baxton.
Janakoff takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Baxton displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Janakoff throws out the jab.
Sergei jr Janakoff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Janakoff is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Baxton with a nice cross.
Baxton connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Baxton misses with a jab, cross combination.
Baxton fails to land with a series of punches.
Janakoff fails with the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Baxton. No joy for Janakoff on that attempt.
Janakoff on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Janakoff shoots in for a double leg but Baxton sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sergei jr Janakoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baxton scores with a decent looking hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baxton is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Janakoff fails with a takedown attempt.
Baxton's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Baxton duly obliges.
Janakoff gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Janakoff shoots in for a takedown but Baxton shows good takedown defense.
Nice takedown defense from Baxton. No joy for Janakoff on that attempt.
Baxton throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Janakoff.
A thudding body kick lands there by Baxton!

Janakoff shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Baxton is working to get back to half guard.
Baxton is bucking up trying to escape but Janakoff cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Baxton blocking the ground and pound.
Baxton regains half guard.
Baxton keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sergei jr Janakoff has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baxton has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Janakoff is working away from the top position though.

Janakoff is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Baxton gets back to full guard.
Baxton looking to hit a scissor sweep but Janakoff is one step ahead there.
Janakoff postures up.
Janakoff is looking to work some ground and pound but Baxton has wrist control.
Janakoff is looking to work some ground and pound but Baxton has wrist control.
Donny Baxton is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Baxton slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Baxton lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Donny Baxton.
I've got Baxton winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

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