PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roy Baker (ranked 4991 p4p, 4997 weight class) and Rafael Da Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Baker
vs
Da Silva

225 cm
18
300
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Roy Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rafael Da Silva!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Ryoma Takatsuka and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker has his takedown stuffed
and Da Silva counters with a nice body shot.
Da Silva misses with a wild combination.
Da Silva throws a right and a left that both miss.
Baker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Da Silva takes the fight into the clinch.
Da Silva goes for a takedown attempt but Baker pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Baker shoots for a takedown but Da Silva saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Silva throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Baker sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Da Silva misses with a body kick.
Baker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Da Silva.
Baker appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Baker takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Roy Baker has been cut.

Baker gets tackled into the cage by Da Silva. Da Silva maintains the clinch.

Baker manages to break the clinch.
Da Silva slips a jab and a cross from Baker.

Baker gets a clinch.

Da Silva breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Da Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Baker is looking for a counter combo.
Roy Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Da Silva.
Da Silva checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker shoots in but no luck this time.
A nice side step and Da Silva releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Da Silva looks for a takedown but Baker sprawls well.
Baker shoots in for a takedown but Da Silva shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Baker has Da Silva up against the cage in a clinch.

Da Silva's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Da Silva stuffs the takedown attempt from Baker. Baker gets slowly back to his feet.
Baker leaves Da Silva with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Baker misses with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker tries for a takedown but Da Silva sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Da Silva throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Da Silva misses with the combination.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Da Silva is defended easily by Baker.
Baker wants to clinch up but Da Silva keeps it at a distance.
Da Silva tries for a takedown but Baker sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Da Silva looks winded!
Baker shoots and misses
and Da Silva counters with a left and a right that stings Baker.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Baker tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva is trying to drag Baker to the mat but Baker just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Da Silva pulls guard.
Baker throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Da Silva keeping full guard, as Baker tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Baker stands up and waves to Da Silva to follow him.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Da Silva dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Roy Baker's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Baker closes the distance and clinches up with Da Silva, looking for a takedown. Baker pushes Da Silva against the cage but Da Silva circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Da Silva looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Da Silva fails to land the takedown.
Baker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Baker closes this distance looking for a takedown but Da Silva circles away.
Da Silva unleashes a big counter combination but Baker bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roy Baker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Da Silva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker throws a leg kick but Da Silva sees it coming and moves out of range.
Da Silva darts in looking for a takedown but Baker gets double underhooks and turns Da Silva into the cage.
Baker shoots in looking for a takedown but Da Silva manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Baker's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Da Silva has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Da Silva misses with a takedown attempt
and Baker counters with a stiff right hand.
Da Silva is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Silva tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Baker clinches up with Da Silva and pushes him back against the cage.
Baker tries to break the clinch but Da Silva is controlling the position.
Da Silva tries to pull guard but Baker won't allow it.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Baker.

Baker breaks the clinch.
Baker scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Da Silva doesn't manage to clinch there - Baker circles away.
Rafael Da Silva seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Baker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Da Silva, pushing him back against the cage.

Baker pulls guard.
Da Silva wanted to stand there but Baker had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baker has his foot on Da Silva's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Da Silva works his way back into a safe position though.
Baker wants to sweep but no luck.
Da Silva trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Baker wants to sweep here but Da Silva controlling him for the moment.
Baker trying to keep a closed guard but Da Silva is proving a slippery customer.
Baker tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Da Silva's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Baker gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Da Silva has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Baker after a bit of a struggle.

Da Silva gets control of Baker's arms and successfully pulls guard. Da Silva will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Da Silva has control of Baker's left arm, preventing Baker from doing any damage.

Baker stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baker instigates a clinch.
Da Silva jumps guard but Baker turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Baker tries to score a body lock takedown but Da Silva shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Da Silva breaks the clinch.
Da Silva shoots in for a takedown but Baker shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Baker stuffs the takedown.
Da Silva displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Baker.
Da Silva tries to counter by closing the distance.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baker steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Da Silva.
Baker tries for a takedown but Da Silva circles away easily
and Da Silva counters with a lovely straight right hand!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roy Baker dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Roy Baker's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Baker defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Da Silva.
Da Silva lands with a shot to the body.
Da Silva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Baker sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Da Silva wants to clinch up but Baker keeps it at a distance.
Baker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Da Silva shoots in for a takedown but Baker shows good takedown defense.
Roy Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Da Silva.

Baker takes the fight into the clinch.
Baker tries to land knees in the clinch but Da Silva avoids the damage to the body.
Da Silva takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Baker.
Da Silva drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Baker gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker keeps control of Da Silva as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Da Silva working hard to break the clinch.
Baker can't find room to land a body shot as Da Silva controls the action.
Baker lands a shoulder strike.
Baker prevents the takedown attempt.

Baker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baker fails in his attempt to clinch.

Baker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Da Silva, pushing him back against the cage.
Baker wants a takedown.
Baker jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Da Silva walks away with a smile on his face. Baker gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva tries for a takedown but Baker circles away easily
and Baker counters with a left and a right that stings Da Silva.
Da Silva keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick misses from Baker.
Da Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Baker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Da Silva throws a head kick that misses.
Baker shoots in for a takedown but Da Silva shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Da Silva swats away the attempt to clinch by Baker.
Baker shoots in but no luck this time.
Da Silva is looking to clinch.
Baker lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Baker as Da Silva shoots in.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Baker.
Da Silva is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Da Silva will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Baker throws a push kick but Da Silva slaps the foot to one side.
Baker dives in and grabs Da Silva's left leg, looking for a takedown. Da Silva pushes down on Baker's head and hops out.

Baker has closed the distance and engaged Da Silva in a clinch.

Da Silva breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Da Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Baker darts in and clinches Da Silva up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Da Silva pulls guard effortlessly.
Da Silva manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Baker manages to get himself to full guard.

Baker had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Da Silva defends it easily.

Da Silva drops back, looking for a kneebar! Baker looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Baker looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Baker!

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Da Silva can't do much from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roy Baker showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Baker 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 Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roy Baker!