PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Damon Wayans (ranked 3679 p4p, 3323 weight class) and Grigoriy Babikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Wayans
vs
Babikov

180 cm
25
185
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
25
174
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Damon Wayans!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Grigoriy Babikov!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Colin Fotheringham and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wayans throws a leg kick but Babikov sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Babikov darts in looking for a takedown but Wayans gets double underhooks and turns Babikov into the cage.
Babikov misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Wayans is looking for a counter combo.
Wayans slaps away a takedown attempt from Babikov, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Damon Wayans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Grigoriy Babikov.
Babikov will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Wayans looking to score a takedown here. Babikov is defending well but Wayans drives through and ends up in Babikov's guard.
Wayans forces his way into half guard.
Babikov gets full guard.
Wayans not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Babikov is looking for a triangle but Wayans pushes his legs off easily.
Babikov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Wayans trying to control the position from guard on top but Babikov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Babikov wants to sweep here but Wayans controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wayans wants to pass the guard but Babikov is keeping the position.
Wayans stands and throws Babikov's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Wayans trying to control the position but Babikov is working away.

Wayans tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Babikov is looking for a sweep.

Wayans tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Babikov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Wayans controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babikov is looking for a sweep.
Wayans trying to control the action but Babikov is working from the bottom.
Babikov manages to get back to half guard.
Babikov tries to get to full guard but Wayans has control of the leg.
Babikov is looking to get back to full guard here but Wayans has managed to pass to side control instead.
Babikov seems a little lost for a moment, as Wayans dominates the positioning.
Babikov tries to bench press Wayans off him but Wayans keeps the position.
Wayans is staying tight to Babikov's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Babikov is not content to let Wayans control the position.
Wayans controlling the position from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babikov is looking to reverse the position.
Wayans wants to control but Babikov is keeping him busy.
Babikov manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Wayans keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Wayans manages to get to full guard.
Wayans is trying to control the position but Babikov postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babikov pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Wayans is keeping the position for now.
Babikov stands up over Wayans, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Wayans working a defensive guard here.
Babikov is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Babikov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Babikov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Wayans works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Babikov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Babikov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Babikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Wayans throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Babikov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Babikov works over Wayans with some ground and pound from guard.
Babikov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Damon Wayans will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Wayans stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Wayans wants it to stay on the feet.

Babikov gets tackled into the cage by Wayans. Wayans maintains the clinch.
Wayans looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Wayans jumps guard and drags Babikov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Babikov throwing strikes but missing.
Babikov cracks Wayans with a solid left hand.
Wayans is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Babikov passes into half guard.
Wayans avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Babikov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Babikov is thwarting Wayans's attempts to control the position.
Babikov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Wayans defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wayans taking some punishment here, with Babikov in his half guard.
Babikov wants to pass the guard but Wayans is defending well.
Wayans is positioning himself well to prevent Babikov advancing to mount.
Babikov prevents Wayans from improving his position.
Babikov tries to pass to full mount but Wayans defends it.
Babikov looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Wayans has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Babikov is working away from the top position though.
Babikov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wayans gets back to full guard.
Babikov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Wayans wants to control but Babikov is keeping busy.

Wayans looking for submissions off his back.
Wayans taking some punishment here, with Babikov in his half guard.
Wayans blocking the ground and pound attempt from Babikov.
Wayans gets back to full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Babikov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Babikov working some strikes from top position.
Wayans can't keep his opponent in guard - Babikov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Babikov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Wayans defending well though.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Babikov connects with a nice short shot to Wayans's temple.
Babikov not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Wayans wants to improve his position but Babikov is controlling well.
Wayans is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Babikov's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Babikov's back!
A lull in the action here.
I really don't envy Babikov right now.
Babikov tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wayans controlling from the full mount.
Wayans works his way to his opponent's back.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.

Wayans is persistently looking for the submission but Babikov is defending it well.
Babikov rolls, trying to escape but Wayans keeps control of the position.

Wayans is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Babikov is defending well though. Wayans let's go of the attempt for now.
Babikov rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Babikov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Grigoriy Babikov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Babikov shoots and misses

and Wayans counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Wayans.
Babikov is working for takedown but Wayans is calmly controlling the position for now.
Babikov is trying to drag Wayans to the mat but Wayans just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Damon Wayans has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Grigoriy Babikov.
Babikov has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Wayans avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Wayans manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Wayans pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Wayans has closed the distance and engaged Babikov in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Babikov is looking for a takedown.
Babikov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Wayans decides to pull guard.
Wayans seems keen to control Babikov's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wayans wants to sweep but no luck.
Babikov throws a big right hand that misses.
Babikov is working Wayans over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Babikov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wayans swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Babikov is still trying to improve position.
Babikov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Babikov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Wayans looking to hit a scissor sweep but Babikov is one step ahead there.
Babikov landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Babikov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Wayans swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Wayans is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Babikov connects with a couple of short punches.
Babikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Wayans is retaining full guard.
Wayans is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Babikov postures up and lands a big shot to Wayans's brow.
Babikov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wayans pulls Babikov in to control the position.
Babikov preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wayans has momentary wrist control but Babikov slips an elbow through the middle.
Wayans is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Babikov is looking to pass into half guard but Wayans pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Wayans is in guard.

Grigoriy Babikov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Wayans passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Babikov tries to get to full guard but Wayans has control of the leg.
Wayans performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Babikov is looking to improve his position.
Wayans slows the pace down in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Babikov won't allow Wayans to pass to mount.
Wayans is keen to just control but Babikov is a slippery customer.
Babikov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Babikov is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Wayans gets back to full guard.
Babikov preventing the sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Wayans working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Babikov.
Babikov tries to free his leg and advance position but Wayans is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Damon Wayans.
I think Wayans 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Damon Wayans!