PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gary Dema (ranked 3218 p4p, 159 weight class) and Dax Baxter (ranked 3662 p4p, 182 weight class). The key to victory for Gary Dema has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Dema
vs
Baxter

172 cm
25
140 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
26
135 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Gary Dema!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Dax Baxter!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Damien Edna and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dema lands a really nice looking cross but Baxter seems unphased.
Dema lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Dema tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Baxter was well out of range. Poor timing from Dema.
An inside leg kick lands from Dema.
Dema cracks Baxter with a good jab.
We've been informed that Baxter has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Baxter uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Dema.
Dema is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Baxter.
Baxter fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dema manages to avoid it.
Baxter ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Baxter circles away from the clinch attempt
and Baxter counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Dema. That's going to slow Baxter down.
Dema throws a leg kick that misses.
Baxter's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Dema connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Baxter scrambles back to his feet.
Gary Dema seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dema doesn't manage to clinch there - Baxter circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dema misses with a low kick.
Baxter appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Dema does it's job there.
Dema wants to clinch but Baxter slips to the side
and Baxter connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Dema pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Baxter is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Baxter checks a leg kick.
Baxter is looking for the big counter here.
A solid leg kick lands there for Dema.
Dema throws a leg kick
and Dema takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Baxter connects with the punch.
Baxter lands a nice shot that snaps Dema's head back.
Dema throws the left hand but Baxter avoids the punch easily.
Baxter throws out a counter right but Dema avoids it with no problem.
Dema throws a front kick that sends Baxter stumbling back into the cage.
Dema with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Dema throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dema slips under a jab from Baxter.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baxter blocks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dema scores with a punch to the head.
Dema looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
A combination from Baxter does no damage.
Dema misses with a body shot.
Dema swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dema connects with a good right hand that stumbles Baxter. Baxter circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Baxter misses with the combination.
Dema throws a leg kick
and Baxter counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Dema throws a lazy uppercut
and Baxter counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Baxter slips a jab from Dema.
Baxter has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Baxter throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dema.
A jab from Dema misses.
Baxter is looking for the big counter here.
Baxter swats away the attempt to clinch by Dema.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dema ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Baxter moves away.
Baxter lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Dema. Baxter does a little dance to reset his feet.
Dema is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Baxter.
Dema throws a hook but Baxter blocks it.
Baxter is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Baxter has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Baxter there as he acknowledges the shot.

Baxter is rocked!
Today's fight clock is brought to you by... OOOH that's a huge shot by Dema! Baxter is in big trouble here - the ref steps in to save him and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gary Dema!
Gary Dema seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Dax Baxter was interviewed post fight and said 'Congratulations to my opponent. He was the better fighter tonight.'.