PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bax Baczikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Forrest Griffin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Baczikov
vs
Griffin

190 cm
26
215 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

191 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bax Baczikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Forrest Griffin!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Wesley Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baczikov darts in and clinches Griffin up against the cage.
Griffin has Baczikov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baczikov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Baczikov landing knees to the body.
Baczikov looking to throw knees to the head but Griffin is blocking nicely.
Baczikov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Baczikov lands an elbow that stopped Griffin in his tracks for a moment.
Griffin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Knees to the body from Baczikov.
Baczikov landing knees to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Griffin tries to pull guard but Baczikov holds him up against the cage and eventually Griffin drops back down to his feet.
Bax Baczikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Forrest Griffin.
Baczikov crunches a lovely knee into Griffin's ribcage.
Griffin looks gassed!
Griffin looking for a takedown.
Baczikov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Baczikov lands a knee to the head.
Baczikov lands a nice knee to the body.
Baczikov lands an elbow inside that Griffin shrugs off.
Griffin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Baczikov lands a damaging elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baczikov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Griffin's defenses.
Baczikov unloads a knee to the mid-section. Griffin lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Griffin fails to pull guard.
Griffin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Baczikov lands a knee to the head.
Baczikov lands a knee to the body.
Baczikov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Baczikov connects with a nasty looking knee right to Griffin's face.
Baczikov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Baczikov connects with a knee to the head.
Griffin tries to pull guard but Baczikov won't allow it.
Baczikov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Baczikov lands a nice elbow.
Griffin takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baczikov landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Baczikov with a knee to the head.
Baczikov scores with a knee to the head.
Baczikov prevents the takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baczikov misses with a knee to the head.
Griffin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Griffin wants to break the clinch but can't.
Griffin is looking to break free of the clinch but Baczikov has double underhooks.
Griffin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Baczikov scores with a knee to the head.
Baczikov keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Griffin's efforts to push away.
Baczikov pushes off an throws an elbow but Griffin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Griffin jumps guard but Baczikov stands there with Griffin around his waist. Griffin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Griffin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Griffin takes an elbow to the forehead.
Griffin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Baczikov smiles and moves away.
Griffin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Baczikov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Griffin somewhat.

Baczikov closes the distance and clinches.
Baczikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Baczikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Baczikov tries to land a knee to the head but Griffin blocks with his arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Griffin can't break the clinch.
Griffin tries to pull guard but Baczikov won't allow it.
Griffin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Griffin is looking to break free of the clinch but Baczikov has double underhooks.
Griffin fails to pull guard.
Baczikov trying to land knees to the body.
Griffin jumps guard but Baczikov stands there with Griffin around his waist. Griffin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Baczikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Griffin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Baczikov walks away with a smile on his face. Griffin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Bax Baczikov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Griffin has Baczikov up against the cage in a clinch.
Griffin has had enough of the clinch but Baczikov keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bax Baczikov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Griffin closes the distance and pushes Baczikov back into the cage.
Baczikov landing knees to the head.
Baczikov tries to land a knee to the head but Griffin blocks with his arms.
Nice elbow from Baczikov.
Baczikov using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Baczikov lands a nice knee to the body.
Baczikov tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Griffin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Griffin takes a knee to the side of the body.
Griffin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Baczikov avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bax Baczikov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Griffin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Griffin is looking to control Baczikov's arms but Baczikov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Griffin has his back to the cage.
Griffin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bax Baczikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Forrest Griffin.
Baczikov with a knee to the head.
Baczikov scores with a knee to the head.
Griffin is trying to break the clinch but Baczikov is controlling him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Griffin tries to pull guard but Baczikov holds him up against the cage and eventually Griffin drops back down to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baczikov misses with an elbow over the top.
Griffin is trying to push Baczikov away but Baczikov has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Baczikov lands a knee to the head.
Griffin is trying to break the clinch but Baczikov is controlling him.
Baczikov throws an elbow that misses.
Griffin has Baczikov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baczikov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Griffin can't get the takedown.
Baczikov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Baczikov throws an elbow that misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Baczikov throws an elbow but misses.
Griffin tries to pull guard but Baczikov won't allow it.
Nice elbow from Baczikov.
Griffin looking to slow down the pace here.
Baczikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Griffin blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baczikov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Griffin tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Baczikov avoids it.
Griffin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Baczikov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Griffin can't get the takedown.
Griffin wants to break free but Baczikov has control.
Griffin avoids the elbow strike from Baczikov, against the cage.
Baczikov tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Griffin trying to control the position but instead, Baczikov has worked for underhooks and has pushed Griffin into the cage.
Griffin fails to pull guard.
Baczikov tries to land knees in the clinch but Griffin avoids the damage to the body.
Griffin tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Baczikov smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Griffin closes the distance and pushes Baczikov back into the cage.
Griffin looking to throw knees to the head but Baczikov is blocking nicely.
Baczikov misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Griffin.
Griffin fails to pull guard.
Griffin takes an elbow to the forehead.
Baczikov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Griffin can't get the takedown.
Griffin managing to block the knees to the body from Baczikov.
Baczikov looking to throw knees to the head but Griffin is blocking nicely.
Baczikov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Griffin tries to break free but Baczikov pushes him back against the cage.
Griffin wants a takedown.
Griffin has Baczikov pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baczikov manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baczikov with a knee to the head.
Baczikov stops a takedown attempt from Griffin.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Baczikov.
Baczikov misses with a knee to the head.
Griffin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Baczikov has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Baczikov tries to land a knee to the head but Griffin blocks with his arms.
Baczikov prevents Griffin from breaking the clinch.
Baczikov throws a knee to the head but misses.
Baczikov trying to land knees to the body.
Griffin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Griffin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baczikov is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Griffin is defending well for now.
Griffin is trying to force a seperation but Baczikov has the dominant position.
Griffin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bax Baczikov dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Griffin shoots in for a takedown but Baczikov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Griffin gets tackled into the cage by Baczikov. Baczikov maintains the clinch.
Baczikov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Baczikov.
Baczikov with a knee to the head.
Baczikov lands a nice elbow.
Baczikov scores a nice knee to the body.
Griffin tries to throw a body punch but Baczikov avoids it by throwing Griffin back against the cage.
Griffin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Baczikov keeps control of Griffin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Baczikov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Griffin's defenses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Baczikov.
Baczikov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Baczikov throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Griffin blocks it with crossed arms.
Griffin managing to block the knees to the body from Baczikov.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Baczikov keeps control of Griffin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baczikov pushes off an throws an elbow but Griffin leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Baczikov trying to land knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Baczikov throws an elbow but misses.
Griffin is trying to break the clinch but Baczikov has him pressed against the cage.
Griffin has had enough of the clinch but Baczikov keeps him there for the moment.
Griffin avoiding damage as Baczikov throws knees to the body.
Baczikov gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Griffin.
Baczikov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Baczikov misses with a knee to the head.
Griffin jumps guard but Baczikov stands there with Griffin around his waist. Griffin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Bax Baczikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Forrest Griffin.
Griffin tries to pull guard but Baczikov won't allow it.
Griffin wants a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Griffin looking to stall.
With the fighters up against the cage, Baczikov throws an elbow but misses.
Baczikov with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Griffin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Baczikov gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Griffin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Griffin blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Griffin wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Baczikov has him pressed against the cage.
Baczikov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Baczikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Griffin avoids it.
Griffin misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Baczikov.
Griffin is trying to break the clinch but Baczikov has him pressed against the cage.
Griffin wants a takedown but no success here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Baczikov throws an elbow but misses.
Griffin is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Baczikov is keeping busy.
Griffin on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Griffin can't break the clinch.
Baczikov prevents a body shot from Griffin.
Baczikov misses with a knee to the head.
Griffin tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Baczikov trying to land knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Griffin's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Baczikov with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Griffin wants a takedown but no success here.
Griffin is trying to break free.
Griffin has had enough of the clinch but Baczikov keeps him there for the moment.
Baczikov misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baczikov looking to throw knees to the head but Griffin is blocking nicely.
Griffin can't break the clinch.
Griffin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Baczikov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Baczikov connects with a knee to the head.
Griffin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Griffin blocks an elbow strike.
Baczikov stops a takedown attempt from Griffin.
Griffin trying to stall but Baczikov improves his position.
Griffin avoids the elbow strike from Baczikov, against the cage.
Griffin missing with knees to the body.
Baczikov lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baczikov prevents the takedown attempt.
Baczikov trying to land knees to the body.
Forrest Griffin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Griffin is looking to control Baczikov's arms but Baczikov gets an underhook and turns him. Now Griffin has his back to the cage.
Baczikov prevents a body shot from Griffin.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bax Baczikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Baczikov, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight for Bax Baczikov!
Judge George Francis scores the fight for Bax Baczikov!
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Bax Baczikov!

Bax Baczikov wins by unanimous decision!