PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ein Stein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). al-Baghdadi has chosen Till I Collapse - Eminem Feat. Nate Dogg as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Stein
vs
Bakr al-Baghdadi

167 cm
32
145 lbs
27 - 10 - 1

178 cm
28
142 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160
Perkele!

Bullet Proof System

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ein Stein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stein misses with an uppercut
and Stein takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
al-Baghdadi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Stein.
Stein changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. al-Baghdadi tries to avoid it but Stein manages to keep hold of a leg and drag al-Baghdadi to the ground. al-Baghdadi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Stein has been working on his balance at Gutz Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by al-Baghdadi.
Stein turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Stein misses with a straight left.
al-Baghdadi scores with a nice head shot.
Stein throws a shot from downtown. al-Baghdadi moves away and avoids it.
Stein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from al-Baghdadi.
al-Baghdadi checks the leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Stein misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stein pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
al-Baghdadi throws out a counter right but Stein avoids it with no problem.
Stein takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Stein jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Stein staying out of range there.
Stein scores with a spinning back kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stein thumps al-Baghdadi with a low kick.
Stein misses with a leg kick.
Stein scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. al-Baghdadi doesn't seem bothered though.
Stein looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
al-Baghdadi tries a quick counter leg kick but Stein is wise to it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Stein.
al-Baghdadi looks to score with a jab to the body but Stein is just out of range.
Stein is really struggling to find his range with his punches. al-Baghdadi's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Nice defenses there by al-Baghdadi.
al-Baghdadi tries to work over Stein's front leg with a kick but Stein checks it.
Stein blocks a jab.
Stein needs to keep his hands up - al-Baghdadi had a free shot at his head there.
Stein throws the kick towards the body but al-Baghdadi avoids it.
al-Baghdadi has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
al-Baghdadi throws a big shot that misses.
Nice shot lands for Stein.
Ein Stein seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stein jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Stein cracks al-Baghdadi with a good jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A combination from Stein does no damage.
al-Baghdadi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Stein steps to the side to avoid the strikes from al-Baghdadi.
al-Baghdadi checks the leg kick nicely there.
It seemed like al-Baghdadi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
al-Baghdadi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
al-Baghdadi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Stein throws an overhand right that lands on al-Baghdadi's shoulder, as al-Baghdadi tries to avoid the shot.
al-Baghdadi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Stein misses with a straight right.
Stein is looking to score with low kicks.
al-Baghdadi throws out a counter right but Stein avoids it with no problem.
al-Baghdadi jabs Stein right on the nose. Stein blinks but takes it well.
al-Baghdadi throws the kick towards the body but Stein avoids it.
al-Baghdadi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Stein changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
al-Baghdadi throws a body punch but Stein moves out of range.
al-Baghdadi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stein manages to avoid it.
Stein lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A swing and a miss from Stein.
Stein tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but al-Baghdadi was well out of range. Poor timing from Stein.
al-Baghdadi throws out a counter right but Stein avoids it with no problem.
al-Baghdadi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Stein misses with an uppercut
and al-Baghdadi counters with an inside leg kick.
al-Baghdadi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Stein swings for the body but al-Baghdadi moves out of range.
al-Baghdadi swings widly with a right hand

and Stein counters with a nice double leg into guard.
al-Baghdadi wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Stein manages to pass to side control.

al-Baghdadi trying to get back to full guard but Stein takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
al-Baghdadi tries to lock up and control but Stein gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Stein works his way to his opponent's back.

Stein is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. al-Baghdadi defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
al-Baghdadi can't escape the position.

Stein is persistently looking for the submission but al-Baghdadi is defending it well.
al-Baghdadi manages to reverse the position and now he's in Stein's guard. Nice work there by al-Baghdadi.

Stein has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but al-Baghdadi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ein Stein dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

al-Baghdadi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Stein is out of range.
Stein scores with a leg kick.
Stein connects with a body shot.
Stein waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract al-Baghdadi.
al-Baghdadi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
al-Baghdadi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stein manages to avoid it.
al-Baghdadi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
al-Baghdadi cracks Stein with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ein Stein is winning the standup battle so far.
Stein ducks under a wild hook from al-Baghdadi.
Stein avoids a kick to the body.
al-Baghdadi is looking to land body kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
al-Baghdadi throws a hook to the side of Stein's head but Stein sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
al-Baghdadi throws an overhand right that lands on Stein's shoulder, as Stein tries to avoid the shot.
Stein drops down looking for a counter takedown but al-Baghdadi sprawls and moves away.
al-Baghdadi ducks under a wild hook from Stein.
al-Baghdadi misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
al-Baghdadi lands a right hook to the body.
Stein misses with a kick to the body.
Stein misses with a kick to the body.
al-Baghdadi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Stein misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
al-Baghdadi steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Stein throws a good cross that connects.
al-Baghdadi slips under a jab.
al-Baghdadi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stein sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stein misses with a straight left.
al-Baghdadi misses the shot to the body.
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
al-Baghdadi slips a straight right by Stein.
Stein fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
al-Baghdadi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Stein checks it well.
Stein appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
al-Baghdadi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stein avoids the body shot from al-Baghdadi.
Stein misses with the body kick
and al-Baghdadi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stein has his takedown stuffed
and al-Baghdadi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Stein lands a jab to the nose.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stein takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Stein misses with an uppercut
and al-Baghdadi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stein misses with a hook to the body
enabling al-Baghdadi to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Ein Stein has been cut.
al-Baghdadi lands with a hook. Stein tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Stein bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
al-Baghdadi is looking to regain half guard here but Stein keeps moving and retains side control.

Stein is trying to get an arm triangle but al-Baghdadi is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
al-Baghdadi is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
al-Baghdadi can't do much from the bottom here.
al-Baghdadi tries to bench press Stein off him but Stein keeps the position.
Stein is chipping away with strikes.

That's four 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.
al-Baghdadi manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Ground and pound from al-Baghdadi.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stein tries to get to full guard but al-Baghdadi has control of the leg.
Stein is working hard here to advance position.
al-Baghdadi thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stein's head.
al-Baghdadi throwing shots but Stein is blocking nicely.
al-Baghdadi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Stein works his way to full guard. Good work.
al-Baghdadi stands and throws Stein's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Stein is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on al-Baghdadi's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ein Stein's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

al-Baghdadi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Stein has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from al-Baghdadi.
Stein throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stein throws a hook but al-Baghdadi avoids it easily.
Stein scores with a nice strike.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as al-Baghdadi checks a leg kick.
Stein misses with a hook. al-Baghdadi ducked under it nicely.
The crowd cheers as Stein lands an impressive looking overhand right. al-Baghdadi doesn't seem phased though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stein checks a low kick from al-Baghdadi.
al-Baghdadi throws a shot to the body.
Donk. Stein catches al-Baghdadi right on the button with a cross.
al-Baghdadi connects with a nice looking jab.
Stein swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by al-Baghdadi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stein throws a poor cross that misses
and al-Baghdadi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
al-Baghdadi tries to land a front kick but Stein steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Stein changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Stein misses with a hook.
Stein defending well as al-Baghdadi loads up on a big left hand.
al-Baghdadi is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Stein misses with a kick to the body.
al-Baghdadi appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Stein will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Stein blocks a head kick by al-Baghdadi.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stein is defended easily by al-Baghdadi.
Stein avoids the head kick by al-Baghdadi.
al-Baghdadi connects with an inside leg kick.
al-Baghdadi lands an overhand right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
al-Baghdadi looks to land a left hand but Stein moved out of range nicely.
Stein changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Stein scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
al-Baghdadi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Stein pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Stein misses with a looping left.
Stein swings and misses with a hook to the body.
al-Baghdadi throws out a counter right but Stein avoids it with no problem.
Stein throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A telegraphed right hand from Stein misses the target.
Stein takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stein looks to land a left hand but al-Baghdadi moved out of range nicely.
Stein misses with a low kick as al-Baghdadi jumps back.
al-Baghdadi scores with a hook.
al-Baghdadi jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
al-Baghdadi throws an overhand right that lands on Stein's shoulder, as Stein tries to avoid the shot.
A swing and a miss from Stein.
al-Baghdadi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Stein throws an uppercut from half a mile away. al-Baghdadi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stein uses good head movement to avoid the hook from al-Baghdadi.
al-Baghdadi throws a leg kick but Stein sees it coming and moves out of range.
Stein drops down looking for a counter takedown but al-Baghdadi sprawls and moves away.
Stein throws a solid leg kick but al-Baghdadi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Stein.
al-Baghdadi swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Stein scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
al-Baghdadi can't do much from the bottom here.
Stein lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear al-Baghdadi down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stein misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Ein Stein overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stein trying to control the action but al-Baghdadi is working from the bottom.
al-Baghdadi manages to work his way to half guard, despite Stein's best efforts.
al-Baghdadi wants to get back to full guard.

Stein trying to work for an americana but al-Baghdadi has managed to regain full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
al-Baghdadi wants to sweep here but Stein controlling him for the moment.

al-Baghdadi is looking for a triangle here but Stein uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The ground and pound from Stein seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Ein Stein.
I think Stein has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi!
Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
In defeat, Ein Stein stepped up to the mic, saying 'Flames to dust. Lovers to friends. Why do all good things come to an end..'.