PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shawn Lexsand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shawn Lexsand told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Baker
vs
Lexsand

179 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

180 cm
22
151 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Hates pizza

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

KO Kings Cloths (laundry)

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kyle Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Shawn Lexsand!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Baker both land. Nice combination.
Baker shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lexsand defends it nicely.
Baker slaps away a takedown attempt from Lexsand, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Baker swats away the attempt to clinch by Lexsand.
Baker tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lexsand paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Baker shoots in for a takedown but Lexsand shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lexsand shoots in looking for a takedown. Baker tries to sprawl out of it but Lexsand keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Baker manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Baker gets a clinch.
Lexsand tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Baker smiles and moves away.
Kyle Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shawn Lexsand.
Lexsand tries to clinch up but Baker circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lexsand closes the distance and pushes Baker back into the cage.
Baker jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Lexsand walks away with a smile on his face. Baker gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Lexsand slaps away a takedown attempt from Baker, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Lexsand stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lexsand wants it to stay on the feet.
Lexsand fails to land the takedown.
Lexsand 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.
Lexsand fails to land the takedown.
Baker throws a series of punches but Lexsand moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker shoots for a takedown but Lexsand saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Baker shoots in looking for a takedown but Lexsand manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Baker's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lexsand doesn't manage to clinch there - Baker circles away.
Baker tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Lexsand manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lexsand moves in looking to clinch but Baker pushes him off.
Lexsand is looking to clinch but Baker is avoiding it.
Lexsand displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Baker.
Baker is breathing heavily.
Lexsand changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Baker tries to avoid it but Lexsand manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Baker to the ground. Baker escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Baker fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Lexsand avoids it really well and circles away.
Baker wants to clinch up but Lexsand keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Lexsand.
Lexsand tries to clinch up
and Baker counters with a two punch combo.
Lexsand has a takedown stuffed.
Lexsand works over Baker's head and body with a nice combination.
Lexsand is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Lexsand defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Baker.
Lexsand shoots in looking for a takedown. Baker tries to sprawl out of it but Lexsand keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Baker manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lexsand looks to clinch
and Baker counters with a good low kick that Lexsand was not able to check.
Baker keeps the fight on the outside.
Baker tries to score a power double leg takedown but Lexsand sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Baker somewhat.
Lexsand fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Baker tries to bum rush Lexsand with a series of wild strikes but Lexsand uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Baker shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lexsand as he avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lexsand moves in looking to clinch but Baker pushes him off.
Baker dives in and grabs Lexsand's left leg, looking for a takedown. Lexsand pushes down on Baker's head and hops out.
Lexsand tries to score a power double leg takedown but Baker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lexsand somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Shawn Lexsand will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Baker keeps the fight on the outside.
Baker doesn't manage to clinch there - Lexsand circles away.
Lexsand fails with a takedown attempt.
Baker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lexsand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lexsand connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Baker shoots for a double leg takedown but Lexsand sprawls well. He's pushed Baker's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Lexsand fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kyle Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Shawn Lexsand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lexsand changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Baker looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Baker manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lexsand's best efforts.
Lexsand is breathing heavily.
Baker is looking for a sweep. Lexsand is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Baker wants to get back to his feet.
Lexsand throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Baker tries to get to full guard but Lexsand has control of the leg.
Lexsand looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lexsand wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baker keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker is trying to get back to full guard.
Lexsand missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lexsand takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Baker knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Lexsand on the ground.
Lexsand lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Lexsand wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baker keeps working.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Baker is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker is refusing to be controlled, as Lexsand sits in half guard.

Lexsand is working for a submission of some sort.
Baker is holding on to half guard well.
Baker trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker wants to get back to full guard.

Lexsand is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Baker is just riding it out for now. Lexsand eventually gives up the hold.

Lexsand is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Lexsand wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baker keeps working.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shawn Lexsand showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Lexsand slaps away a takedown attempt from Baker, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Baker circles away from the clinch attempt
and Baker counters with a stiff right hand.
Lexsand lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Baker throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Baker wants to clinch.
Lexsand avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Shawn Lexsand seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lexsand tries to score a power double leg takedown but Baker sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lexsand somewhat.
Baker shoots for a takedown but Lexsand saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lexsand changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Baker tries to avoid it but Lexsand manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Baker to the ground. Baker escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lexsand circles away from the clinch attempt.

Lexsand closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Baker's guard.
Lexsand wants to control from the top but Baker keeps moving.

Baker working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Lexsand has passed into half guard!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Baker is positioning himself well to prevent Lexsand advancing to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lexsand wants to stand but his hand is trapped. Baker uses the opportunity to regain full guard.
Baker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Baker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lexsand landing some decent shots from guard.
Lexsand stopping the sweep attempt from Baker.

Lexsand drops back looking for a leg! Baker is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Baker manages to kick Lexsand off! Lexsand jumps back into Baker's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baker working for a triangle but Lexsand defends it easily.
Lexsand connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Lexsand throwing strikes but missing.
Lexsand passes Baker's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Baker looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Baker trying to hold on to Lexsand's head to control him but Lexsand postures up.
Lexsand is taking a breather. Baker says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shawn Lexsand comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Lexsand 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shawn Lexsand!