PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Harry Baals (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thorn Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Black has chosen Enter the Sandman as his entrance music. Harry Baals has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Baals
vs
Black

185 cm
19
155 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

160 cm
25
157 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Island's Forbidden Fruits

VALOR Clothing - Everything $20

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Harry Baals!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thorn Black!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Peter Branson and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Black with a poor takedown
and Baals counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Black clinches with his opponent.
Black doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Black jumps guard but Baals turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Black doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baals lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Baals prevents a body shot from Black.
A short uppercut from Baals.
Black tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baals's elbow.
Baals lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Still in the clinch, Baals scores with a nice short uppercut.
Baals dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Baals prevents a body shot from Black.
Baals lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Baals lands a body shot in the clinch.
Baals lands a hook that snaps the head of Black backwards.
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!
Baals slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baals prevents a body shot from Black.
Black tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Baals lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Black backwards.
Baals lands with a light punch inside.
Black goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baals goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Black tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baals's elbow.
Black taking a breather.
A shot in the inside from Baals.
Baals works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Baals.

Black pulls guard successfully.

Black looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Baals engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Baals will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Black is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Baals is aware though and is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Black striking off his back but it's not causing Baals any problems.

Black is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Baals won't allow Black to sweep him here.
Baals sitting in guard here, content to control.
Black looking to control.
Baals is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Black has his foot on Baals's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Baals works his way back into a safe position though.
Baals really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Black throws his legs up looking for a submission but Baals uses it to pass to side control.
You can see the frustration on Black's face as Baals controls the position.
Black can't do much from the bottom here.
Baals knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Black on the ground.
Black is looking for a sweep.
Black looks to move to half guard but instead Baals has passed into mount! Damn!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Black tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Black is still trying to improve position.
Baals controlling his opponent.
Black wants to hold on but Baals pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black throws a strike from the bottom but Baals uses the opportunity to take his back.
Black can't escape the position.
What can Black do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Baals not allowing Black to control his hands.
Black tries to break free.
Baals really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Black.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Baals dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Black walks into a jab.

Black rushes Baals and presses him up against the cage.
Black goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Black fails to pull guard.
Baals lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Black backwards.
Black is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Baals lands a left hand that snaps the head of Black backwards.
Baals scores with a shoulder strike.
Baals lands a body punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baals works on Black's body with a couple of short punches.
Baals works on Black's body with a couple of short punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Baals creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Good body shot from Baals.
Black is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Baals.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Black misses with a body punch.
Black misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baals dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Black gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Baals regains guard.
Baals looking to hit a scissor sweep but Black is one step ahead there.
Black wants to control from the top but Baals keeps moving.
Baals has Black pulled in close to control his posture.
Black stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baals swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Baals keeping moving, preventing Black from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baals trying to control the position here.
Baals is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Black can do to turn this around?
Black wants to pass the guard but Baals is keeping the position.
Baals looking to hit a scissor sweep but Black is one step ahead there.
Black looking to pass the guard.
Harry Baals overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Black throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Black is fighting to break Baals's control of his arms but Baals is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baals lands a jab-cross combination.

Black rushes Baals and presses him up against the cage.

Black jumps into guard, dragging Baals to the mat.
Baals content to stall in guard here.
Black keeping full guard, as Baals tries to pass.
Baals has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Black trying to control the position.
Black might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Baals haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black looking for a sweep. Not yet Black, not yet.

Baals got a little sloppy there for a moment and Black has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Baals has managed to get both his arms back between Black's legs - danger averted.
Black 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.
Baals looking to pass the guard.
Baals showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Black is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baals lands with an overhand left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Baals dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Black has taken the fight to the clinch.
Black misses with a hook to the ribs.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Black as Baals tries to tie him up.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Black is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Baals to keep the fight standing.
Black misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Black has Baals pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baals manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Black is trying to drag Baals to the mat but Baals just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Harry Baals has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thorn Black.
Baals working some nice short punches in the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Black taking a breather.
Black tries to throw a body punch but Baals avoids it by throwing Black back against the cage.
Black is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Black can't find room to land a body shot as Baals controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baals works on Black's body with a couple of short punches.
Baals lands with a right to the head.
Black tries to work over Baals's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A left hand lands to the body for Baals.
A nice right hand lands inside from Baals.
Baals scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Baals pushes Black back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Baals holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Black misses with a body punch.
Baals digs a right hand underneath Black's ribcage. Black let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Baals lands with a left to the head.
Black is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Baals to keep the fight standing.
Black jumps guard but Baals stands there with Black around his waist. Black gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Black takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Baals stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Baals is working Black over against the cage.
Thorn Black has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Harry Baals is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baals prevents a body shot from Black.
Black tries to work over Baals's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Black tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Black tries to work over Baals's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baals pressing his opponent against the cage.
Baals blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baals lands on the inside with an uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baals prevents a body shot from Black.
Baals blocks a body shot from Black.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black misses with a body punch.
Baals scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Black tries a body shot but Baals blocks it.
Black misses with a punch to the body.
Baals lands a nice uppercut.
Black misses with a body punch.
Black misses with the head strike.
Black tries to work over Baals's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Black has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Baals regains guard immediately.
Black has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Young Achievers (All Elite Coach) . Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Baals is pulling down on Black's head to control his posture.
Black trying to control the position from guard on top but Baals is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baals seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Baals bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Black's guard.

Baals is looking to pass into half guard but Black pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Black is in guard.

Black pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Baals is keeping the position for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Black throws a big elbow that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Black tries to free his leg and advance position but Baals is retaining full guard.
Baals wants to get back to his feet but Black is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Black throws a big right hand that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harry Baals showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Baals, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harry Baals!
Harry Baals retains his featherweight title!
After winning the bout, Harry Baals thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.