PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Grigoriy Babikov (ranked 4229 p4p, 4379 weight class) and Casey Thunderbird (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.

Babikov
vs
Thunderbird

179 cm
25
174
0 - 0 - 0

177 cm
18
174
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Grigoriy Babikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Casey Thunderbird!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Babikov feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Thunderbird has his feet on Babikov's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Babikov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Thunderbird is fending him off so far but Babikov persists. Nope, Thunderbird circles away and we're back to standing.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Babikov shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Thunderbird manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Thunderbird is wriggling around but Babikov manages to pass to half guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Babikov lands with a punch from half guard.
Babikov looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Babikov is thwarting Thunderbird's attempts to control the position.
Thunderbird makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Thunderbird.
Babikov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Babikov scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Babikov working over Thunderbird with some ground and pound. Thunderbird looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Babikov lands with a punch from half guard.
Babikov trying to mount his opponent but Thunderbird defends it.
Babikov uses his free foot to push down on Thunderbird's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Thunderbird.
Babikov postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Thunderbird looks a forlorn figure.
Babikov has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Thunderbird's face.
Thunderbird really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Babikov. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Babikov scoring with strikes but Thunderbird is staying in there.
Babikov working the ground and pound effectively.
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!
Babikov unloading with bombs!
Babikov has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Thunderbird's face.
Babikov working Thunderbird over with strikes here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babikov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Babikov dominating with strikes here.
Thunderbird wants to control but Babikov is having none of it.
Babikov has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Babikov lands a couple of good shots and Thunderbird has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Babikov softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Babikov cracks Thunderbird with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Thunderbird from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

Thunderbird is rocked!
Thunderbird is trying to remain composed but Babikov is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Thunderbird is still in real trouble! Can Babikov finish him?
Thunderbird looks winded!
Babikov is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Thunderbird up.
A helpless look comes across Thunderbird 's face. He knows he's trapped as Babikov lands a series of unanswered strikes. The ref steps in to stop the fight and this one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Grigoriy Babikov!