PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Claus Baldemnic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Macpierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Baldemnic
vs
Macpierre

175 cm
19
177 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

183 cm
20
180 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Claus Baldemnic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rory Macpierre!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baldemnic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Macpierre looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Baldemnic throws a lazy right hand but Macpierre sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Baldemnic throws a series of punches but Macpierre avoids them all with ease.
Baldemnic throws a lazy right hand but Macpierre sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Macpierre's corner calls for a 1-2. Macpierre obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A clash of legs there as Macpierre blocks the low kick.
Baldemnic lands with a hook. Macpierre tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Macpierre is trying hard to land a takedown here. Baldemnic sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Baldemnic has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Phoenix Mixed Martial Arts in the buildup to the fight.
Macpierre throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Baldemnic on the side of the head.
Baldemnic throws a series of strikes that have Macpierre backpedaling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Macpierre avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Macpierre throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Baldemnic stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Macpierre works Baldemnic's body with a nice hook.
Macpierre lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Baldemnic at a distance.
Baldemnic takes one to the chin there.

Baldemnic moves into the clinch successfully.
A short left from Baldemnic.

Baldemnic manages to break the clinch.
A low kick from Baldemnic misses
enabling Macpierre to counter with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Macpierre throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Baldemnic was covering up waiting for the punch and Macpierre finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Macpierre postures up in Baldemnic's guard and throws a big left but Baldemnic blocks it.
Baldemnic wants to stand and escape but Macpierre is having none of it.
Baldemnic can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Macpierre controls the pace.
Macpierre lands a couple of elbows.
Macpierre lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Macpierre makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Macpierre stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baldemnic swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Baldemnic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Macpierre has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Macpierre pushes down on Baldemnic's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Baldemnic taking some punishment here, with Macpierre in his half guard.
Baldemnic knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Macpierre on the ground.
Baldemnic tries to kick Macpierre off but Macpierre keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Ground and pound from Macpierre.
Baldemnic is looking to improve his position.
Baldemnic on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Baldemnic tries to get out of the position.
Macpierre trying to control the pace.
Macpierre scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Macpierre is keen to just control but Baldemnic is a slippery customer.
Macpierre winds up and cracks Baldemnic with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Macpierre is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Baldemnic!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macpierre putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Macpierre putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Baldemnic slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Macpierre slips a nice elbow through Baldemnic's hands, connecting with Baldemnic's forehead.
Macpierre is looking to take a break and control but Baldemnic is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Macpierre lands strikes from half guard.
Macpierre looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Macpierre working Baldemnic over with strikes.
Macpierre looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Baldemnic with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Macpierre sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Baldemnic defending well though.
Macpierre working Baldemnic over with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macpierre prevents Baldemnic from improving his position.
Baldemnic trying to control here.
Baldemnic is not content to let Macpierre control the position.
Ground and pound from Macpierre.
Macpierre slows the pace down in half guard.
Macpierre working Baldemnic over with strikes.
Baldemnic wants to control but Macpierre is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Macpierre dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Macpierre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baldemnic.
Baldemnic tries to clinch there but Macpierre circles away.
Macpierre lands a glancing blow to the side of Baldemnic's head.
Baldemnic fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Macpierre thuds a left hand into Baldemnic's body.
Baldemnic takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Baldemnic connects with a solid leg kick.
Baldemnic takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Claus Baldemnic is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Baldemnic tries to score with a low kick but Macpierre moves his leg out of the way.
Macpierre connects with the punch.
Macpierre shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baldemnic pinned against the cage. Baldemnic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Macpierre throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Baldemnic on the side of the head.
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!
Baldemnic fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baldemnic on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Macpierre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baldemnic.
A punch combination from Macpierre misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Baldemnic misses the target.
Macpierre drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Baldemnic defends it well.
Macpierre has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Claus Baldemnic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Baldemnic avoids the body shot from Macpierre.
Baldemnic misses with a wild body shot.
Macpierre has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Macpierre throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baldemnic misses with a leg kick

so Macpierre counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Baldemnic pushes Macpierre off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Macpierre scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Baldemnic connects with an inside leg kick.
Macpierre punishes Baldemnic's body with a nice straight punch.
Macpierre takes a swing at Baldemnic's ribcage but misses.
Macpierre fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baldemnic has Macpierre up against the cage in a clinch.
Macpierre tries to work over Baldemnic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Macpierre misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Baldemnic escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Baldemnic throws a series of punches but Macpierre moves out of range.
Baldemnic throws a leg kick but Macpierre moved away.
Macpierre lands a nice hook to Baldemnic's body. Baldemnic takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Macpierre on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Baldemnic scores with a nice right hand.
Macpierre is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Macpierre fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Macpierre punishes Baldemnic's body with a nice straight punch.
Macpierre takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Macpierre lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Baldemnic needs to keep his hands up - Macpierre had a free shot at his head there.
Macpierre smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macpierre fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Macpierre lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Macpierre lands a nice shot that snaps Baldemnic's head back.
Baldemnic tries to bum rush Macpierre with a series of wild strikes but Macpierre uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A decent looking cross lands there for Macpierre.
Macpierre fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baldemnic manages to avoid it.
Macpierre works the jab nicely.
Macpierre lands a body shot.
Baldemnic looks to score with a jab to the body but Macpierre is just out of range.
Baldemnic tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Macpierre moves out of range of the strikes.
Baldemnic fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Macpierre scores with a jab to the body.
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!
Macpierre dives in for a single leg takedown but Baldemnic sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A slow jab from Baldemnic misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Macpierre swings for the body but Baldemnic moves out of range.
Macpierre comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Baldemnic throws a leg kick but Macpierre sees it coming and moves out of range.

Baldemnic has Macpierre up against the cage in a clinch.
Baldemnic lands a right hand.
Macpierre is working for takedown but Baldemnic is calmly controlling the position for now.
Claus Baldemnic has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rory Macpierre.

Baldemnic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baldemnic throws a leg kick but Macpierre moved away.
Good standup being displayed there by Macpierre as he connects with a hook.
Baldemnic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Macpierre moves away.
Macpierre lands a right hook to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Macpierre throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Macpierre scores with a nice strike.
Baldemnic takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Macpierre feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Baldemnics jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Macpierre showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Macpierre lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Baldemnic at a distance.
Baldemnic misses with an uppercut. Macpierre saw that one coming.
Baldemnic dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Macpierre. That did some damage!
Baldemnic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Macpierre punishes Baldemnic's body with a nice straight punch.
Macpierre ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Baldemnic tries to clinch but Macpierre moves out of range.
Macpierre throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Macpierre lands a lovely overhand right.
Baldemnic walks into a straight right hand from Macpierre.
Baldemnic throws a right and a left that Macpierre avoids nicely.
Macpierre looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Baldemnic is looking to clinch.

Baldemnic gets in close and instigates a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Macpierre swings wildly with an uppercut but Baldemnic uses good head movement to avoid it.

Baldemnic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baldemnic tries a low kick but Macpierre avoids it.
Macpierre uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Baldemnic has time to react.

Baldemnic drives through and clinches with Macpierre against the cage.
Baldemnic looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Baldemnic just misses with a elbow thrown towards Macpierre's brow.
Macpierre doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baldemnic with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Macpierre wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Baldemnic has him pressed against the cage.
Baldemnic using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Macpierre has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Macpierre misses with some punches.
Macpierre wants to get back to striking at distance but Baldemnic won't allow it.
Macpierre misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Baldemnic.
Baldemnic blocking some punches.
Macpierre tries to break free but Baldemnic pushes him back against the cage.

Baldemnic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Macpierre takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Baldemnic is looking to clinch.
Claus Baldemnic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Macpierre as he checks the leg kick.
Baldemnic takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice defenses there by Macpierre.
Baldemnic will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Macpierre has a takedown stuffed.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baldemnic takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Baldemnic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nice jab there from Macpierre.
Baldemnic moves forwards but Macpierre connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Macpierre lands with an uppercut that bounces Baldemnic off the cage and back into range.
Macpierre on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Baldemnic lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Macpierre fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baldemnic manages to avoid it.
Baldemnic walks into a stiff left hand from Macpierre.
Macpierre misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baldemnic.
Macpierre scores with a jab to the body.
Baldemnic walks into a jab.
Some wild striking there from Baldemnic.
Macpierre dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rory Macpierre is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Macpierre throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Baldemnic.
Baldemnic is looking to clinch but Macpierre is avoiding it.
Macpierre fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Baldemnic throws a body shot but no joy.
Baldemnic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Macpierre is out of range and Baldemnic settles back down.
Baldemnic misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Baldemnic.
Baldemnic misses with a looping right.

Macpierre shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Macpierre controlling the action here.
Macpierre is continuing to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rory Macpierre comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Macpierre 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rory Macpierre!
Rory Macpierre decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.