PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Da Silva (ranked 25351 p4p, 24821 weight class) and Roy Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Da Silva
vs
Baker

225 cm
18
300
0 - 2 - 0

225 cm
18
300
1 - 2 - 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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rafael Da Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Roy Baker!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Ryoma Takatsuka and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baker fails in his attempt to clinch.
Da Silva shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baker pinned against the cage. Baker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Da Silva fails with an attempt to clinch.
Baker shoots in and drives through. Da Silva sprawls well.
Baker misses with a kick to the body.
Da Silva misses with a takedown
and Baker counters with a right hand to the body.

Baker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Da Silva, pushing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Da Silva manages to break the clinch.
Baker moves out of range of the strikes.
Baker tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Da Silva circles away from the clinch attempt.

Baker forces Da Silva back against the cage and clinches.
Baker is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Da Silva is defending well for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Baker moves into range and clinches up with Da Silva.

Da Silva breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Da Silva throws a hook but Baker blocks it.
Da Silva misses with a takedown attempt - Baker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Da Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Baker throws a fast counter high kick but Da Silva manages to duck under it in time.

Baker instigates a clinch.

Baker's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Da Silva is looking to score with low kicks.
Some wild striking there from Baker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Baker with that takedown attempt.
Baker tries to close the distance and clinch up but Da Silva swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Da Silva is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Baker.
Da Silva throws a head kick that misses.
Baker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Da Silva circles away quickly and effectively.
Baker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Da Silva's waist but Da Silva gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Baker off to one side.
Da Silva has a takedown stuffed.
Da Silva wants to clinch.
Baker shoots and misses
and Da Silva counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Baker! But no joy.
Baker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Da Silva.
Baker looks to land a combination. Da Silva sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Rafael Da Silva has been cut.
Baker fails to land with a series of punches.
Baker defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Da Silva.
Da Silva is breathing heavily.
Da Silva shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Baker counters with a series of strikes. Da Silva will be more careful next time no doubt.
Da Silva tries to clinch up.
Da Silva tries to clinch there but Baker circles away.
Baker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Da Silva is fending him off so far but Baker persists. Nope, Da Silva circles away and we're back to standing.
Da Silva is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Baker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baker darts in and clinches Da Silva up against the cage.
Baker has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Da Silva after a bit of a struggle.

Baker gets control of Da Silva's arms and successfully pulls guard. Baker will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
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!
Baker controlling the position.
Da Silva engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Baker trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Baker holds on and takes a little breather.
Da Silva wants to control from the top but Baker keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Da Silva stuffs the takedown attempt from Baker. Baker gets slowly back to his feet.
Rafael Da Silva is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Da Silva shoots in for a takedown but Baker shows good takedown defense.
Nice takedown defense from Baker. No joy for Da Silva on that attempt.
Baker steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Da Silva.
Da Silva gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Baker is looking to clinch but Da Silva is avoiding it.
Roy Baker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Da Silva tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Baker swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Da Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Da Silva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Baker appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Da Silva sprawls well. Da Silva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Baker gets slowly back to his feet.
Baker shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Da Silva as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Da Silva has taken the fight to the clinch.
Da Silva is trying to push Baker away but Baker has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Da Silva wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Baker breaks the clinch.
Da Silva lands with a right hand.

Baker moves into the clinch.
Da Silva is trying to pull guard but Baker has him pressed against the cage.
Da Silva is looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baker fails to pull the fight into his guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva swinging wildly here.
Da Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Baker feints a counter leg kick.

Baker gets a clinch.
Baker effectively controlling the action here.
Da Silva jumps guard but Baker stands there with Da Silva around his waist. Da Silva gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Da Silva tries to pull guard but Baker forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Da Silva goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baker prevents it.
Baker is pushing Da Silva up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Baker taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Baker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Da Silva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Baker manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice shot by Baker.

Baker moves into the clinch successfully.
Da Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker wants a takedown.
Baker has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Da Silva avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Baker gets underhooks to prevent Da Silva's takedown attempt.
Baker has Da Silva pushed against the cage.
Da Silva looking for a takedown.

Baker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Baker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Da Silva swivels and escapes.
Baker shoots in for a takedown but Da Silva shows good takedown defense.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Da Silva tries to score a power double leg takedown but Baker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Da Silva somewhat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roy Baker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Rafael Da Silva's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Da Silva misses with a series of wild punches.
Da Silva is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Baker.
Da Silva looks for a takedown but Baker sprawls well.
Da Silva throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Baker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Baker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Baker darts in looking for a takedown but Da Silva gets double underhooks and turns Baker into the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Da Silva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Baker manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Baker misses with a head kick.
Da Silva misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Da Silva. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Da Silva wants to clinch up but Baker keeps it at a distance.
Baker uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Da Silva.
Baker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Da Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Baker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Da Silva misses with a jab, cross combination.
Da Silva looks to clinch
and Baker counters with a series of strikes. Da Silva will be more careful next time no doubt.
Da Silva shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Baker pinned against the cage. Baker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Da Silva sets himself, and Baker steps forward looking for the clinch! Da Silva avoids it this time.
Baker shoots in for a double leg but Da Silva sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
Baker is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Baker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Da Silva, pushing him back against the cage.
Baker trying to land knees to the body.
Da Silva can't get the takedown.
Roy Baker seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A nice right hand lands inside from Baker.

Baker pulls guard successfully.
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!

Baker working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Da Silva doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Da Silva manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Baker is on top in guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baker gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Baker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Da Silva sprawls well. Da Silva wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Baker gets slowly back to his feet.
Da Silva walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Baker checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Baker doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Da Silva counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Baker trying to control the position but instead, Da Silva has worked for underhooks and has pushed Baker into the cage.

Da Silva breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Da Silva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Da Silva fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Da Silva is looking to clinch.
Baker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Da Silva wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roy Baker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baker has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30

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