PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Corey Baird (ranked 1881 p4p, 1525 weight class) and Bert River (ranked 207 p4p, 176 weight class). River has chosen Five Finger Death Punch- Bad Company as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Baird
vs
River

170 cm
30
148
10 - 13 - 0

170 cm
29
145
11 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Iraqi Steroids, Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Corey Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bert River!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Yves DeLean and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baird misses with a straight left.
Nice cross by River.
River bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A big right from Baird misses.
Baird rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and River counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
River feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bairds jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
River keeps Baird at a distance using the push kick.
River walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

It looks like Bert River has been cut.
Baird throws an uppercut from half a mile away. River sees it coming and avoids it easily.
River uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Baird has time to react.
River looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baird is fending him off so far but River persists. Nope, Baird circles away and we're back to standing.
Baird swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
River feints and then cracks Baird's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Baird down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
The fighters circling - Baird throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
River scores with a body shot.
Baird avoids a kick to the body.
River lands a nice leg kick that just misses Baird's sensitive parts.
River tests Baird's chin there with a solid looking shot.

River moves into range and clinches up with Baird.
Baird works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Baird breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice cross by River.
Baird stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
River avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
River appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A head kick misses from River.
Baird avoids a kick to the body.
Baird keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from River.
River moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
River on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Baird has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Rabid Dog in the buildup to the fight.
River steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baird.

Baird gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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!
River trying to control but Baird is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
River prevents Baird from getting back to his feet.
River tries to free his leg and advance position but Baird is retaining full guard.
River throwing strikes from guard but Baird blocks nicely.
Baird pulls River in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Corey Baird is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
River throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

River fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Baird, pushing him back against the cage.
River tries a body shot but Baird blocks it.
Baird prevents a body shot from River.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird misses with a hook from the clinch.
River struggles to land a body shot inside as Baird controls his hands.
River is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Baird is defending well.
River works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Baird prevents a body shot from River.
Baird misses with a hook to the ribs.
River tries a body shot but Baird blocks it.
River lands with a left to the head.

Baird breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Baird throws a big shot that misses.
Baird throws a hook but River blocks it.
River scores with a hook.
River lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Good shot there by River.
Baird loads up on a big right hand but River slips the punch.
Baird has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from River.
Baird misses with a hook
and River counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
River steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Baird.
Baird throws the left hand but River avoids the punch easily.
Baird rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and River connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Baird misses with a left hand
and River counters with a nice uppercut.

River closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Baird throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
A telegraphed right hand from Baird misses the target.

River shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Baird keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
River wants to pass to mount but Baird is defending the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bert River dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bert River's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

River slips under a jab.
River misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
River slips a jab from Baird.
River appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Baird throws a right hand that misses
and River counters with a lovely straight right hand!
River has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
River bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
River throws out a counter right but Baird avoids it with no problem.
Baird blocks a head kick by River.
River fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Baird lands the left hand.
Nice cross by Baird.
River lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
River moves out of range as Baird strikes.
River bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Baird shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab from Baird.
Baird on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by River. River obviously looking to wear him down.
River uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Baird.
Baird is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Baird misses the jab.
Baird swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Baird throws a big shot that misses.
River connects with a body shot that sends Baird's belly button to the back.
River uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baird.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird misses with a lunging right hand
and River connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Baird is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Baird takes one to the side of the head.
A cross from River lands.
Baird tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Baird's jab looks to have found its range, popping River under the eye.
Baird throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Baird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River.
River moves out of range as Baird strikes.
River slips a jab from Baird.
Baird throws a lazy right hand but River sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A jab from Baird misses.
A kick lands to the mid section there for River.
Baird throws a big shot that misses.

River gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baird lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of River backwards.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short right from River.

River has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Baird is trying to keep an underhook but River manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Baird pushes River off but River dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird is looking to reverse the position.
River wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baird keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baird tries to improve position but can't.
River tries to score with some ground and pound. Baird controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
River tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Bert River has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Baird works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
River looks to land a strike but Baird avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
River engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
River stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Baird swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

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

River is trying to control Baird's posture but Baird avoids it.

Baird has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
River closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

River scores with a takedown into Baird's guard.

Baird manages to escape and get back to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Corey Baird will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bert River's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

River tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Baird paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Baird was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Baird looks to land a right hand but River moved out of range.
Nice defenses there by River.
River lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Baird misses the jab.
River cracks Baird with an open hand slap.
A looping hook to the body misses from River. Baird does a little dance to reset his feet.
River misses with a double jab.
River ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Baird throws a jab when River was well out of range.
Baird misses the jab.
Nice defenses there by Baird.
A punch lands to the side of Baird 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Baird throws a right hand that misses
and River counters with a stiff right hand.
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!
River on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Baird misses with a straight left.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
River ducks under a wild hook from Baird.
River looks to land a body kick but Baird moved away.
Baird takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
An attempted straight right counter from Baird misses the target.
Corey Baird seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baird fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches River on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
River connects with an inside leg kick.
Baird throws a jab but it's blocked by River.
Baird throws the left hand but River avoids the punch easily.
River shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Baird as he jumps to the side.
Baird throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
River paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
River works Baird's body with a nice hook.
River bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Baird missing with a left hand there. River was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A low kick lands for River.
Baird looks to land a left hand but River moved out of range nicely.
River appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

Baird tries to keep at a distance but River has taken the fight into the clinch.
River tries to throw a body punch but Baird avoids it by throwing River back against the cage.
River tries to work over Baird's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baird is trying to force a seperation but River has the dominant position.
A right handed body shot lands from Baird.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird blocks a body shot from River.
River softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Baird looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
River throws a punch but it's blocked by Baird.
This has been an exciting period of action!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for River.
River tries to work over Baird's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
River has a couple of punches blocked by Baird.
River tries to throw a body punch but Baird avoids it by throwing River back against the cage.
River misses with a hook to the ribs.
River doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baird wants to break the clinch but can't.
Baird blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for River.
River missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by River.
River tries to throw a body punch but Baird avoids it by throwing River back against the cage.
River creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
River misses with a short punch on the inside.
River blocks a body shot from Baird.
Baird has a couple of punches blocked by River.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Baird.

Baird breaks the clinch.
Baird throws an uppercut from half a mile away. River sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A swing and a miss from Baird.
River swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
River tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Baird pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Baird feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Rivers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
River connects with an inside leg kick.
River throws a head kick that half lands.
River connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baird throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bert River seems to be getting the better of the standup.
River slips under a jab from Baird.
River tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Baird was well out of range. Poor timing from River.
Baird misses with a looping left.
River listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Baird throws a jab when River was well out of range.
River connects with a body shot.
Baird uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by River.
A looping hook to the body misses from River. Baird does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baird has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from River.
River misses with a hook.
Baird throws a big shot that misses.
A nice side step and River releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Baird throws a looping overhand right but River ducks down to avoid it.
Baird throws a shot from downtown. River moves away and avoids it.
Baird rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and River counters with a good, hard body kick but Baird shrugs it off.
Baird walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Baird stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Baird wants it to stay on the feet.
River swings and misses with a hook to the body.
River tries to clinch up but Baird circles away and keeps his distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bert River comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think River has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bert River!
A very excited looking Bert River made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.