PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Daryl Baird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edwin Valero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Edwin Valero looks lathargic as he enters the arena. Wake up son, you're about to have a fight!

Baird
vs
Valero

202 cm
22
151 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
25
145 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Daryl Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Edwin Valero!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Baird looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Valero goes for a double leg but Baird avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Baird continues to drive forward.
Valero is looking to clinch but Baird is avoiding it.
Valero tries to clinch up but Baird circles away and keeps his distance.
Valero goes for a double leg but Baird avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Baird continues to drive forward.
Valero moves in looking to clinch but Baird pushes him off.
Valero is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baird keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Daryl Baird has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Edwin Valero.
Valero looks winded!
Valero darts in looking for a takedown but Baird gets double underhooks and turns Valero into the cage.
Edwin Valero seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A low kick from Valero is predictable there

and Baird counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Valero tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Baird just stands there and leans against the cage.
Valero told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird tries to pull guard but Valero holds him up against the cage and eventually Baird drops back down to his feet.

Baird pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Valero tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Baird manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Baird wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Valero slips a jab and a cross from Baird.
Valero dives in for a single leg takedown but Baird sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Valero tries to close the distance and clinch up but Baird swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Baird is looking to counter the offense by Valero and move into the clinch.

Baird moves into the clinch.
Valero is trying to break the clinch but Baird is controlling him.

Baird gets a double leg takedown into Valero's guard.
Baird missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird works over Valero with some ground and pound from guard.
Baird throws a big right hand that misses.
Baird 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.
Baird lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Baird in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Valero avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Baird landing with the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valero avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Baird lands a couple of elbows.
Baird throws a big right hand that misses.
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!
Valero preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Valero wants to sweep but no luck.
Baird throws a big right hand that misses.
Baird connects with a couple of short punches.
Baird loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Baird will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Baird with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird scoring with punches to the head and body.
Baird is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Baird in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Baird works over Valero with some ground and pound from guard.
Valero throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Valero utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Baird with a nice head shot there.
Baird working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Baird distracts Valero with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Valero avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Valero utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Valero trying to strike off his back.
Baird is working Valero over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird won't allow Valero to sweep him here.
Baird throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Baird throws a big right hand that misses.
Baird throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Valero wants to clinch.
Valero tries for a takedown but Baird sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Valero misses with a takedown attempt - Baird sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baird misses with a straight left.
Baird is looking to clinch but Valero is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daryl Baird dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Baird looks for the body kick but Valero saw that one coming.
Valero was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Baird is looking to clinch.
Valero tries to close the distance and clinch but Baird swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Baird tries to counter by clinching up but Valero breaks away and moves out of range.

Valero shoots in and gets a takedown into Baird's guard.
Baird looking to control but Valero passes into half guard.

Valero gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baird avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Baird is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Valero can do to turn this around?
Valero is breathing heavily.
Valero tries to clinch up but Baird circles away and keeps his distance.
Baird tries to clinch up.
Valero tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Baird paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Valero defends it nicely.
Valero tries to close the distance and clinch but Baird swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Valero wants to clinch

and Baird counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Valero!
Baird landing strikes.
Baird really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Baird working the body and head with strikes.
Baird landing strikes.
Baird is chipping away with strikes.
Baird scoring with punches and elbows.
Baird lands some shots froms side control.
Baird throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Baird working away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baird looks up at the clock and then as Valero takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Baird smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Baird lands a nice forearm strike.
Baird landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Baird connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Valero some visible discomfort.
Valero takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Baird working the ground and pound but Valero is defending the strikes.
Valero taking punishment in the form of punches.
Valero is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Valero takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Baird lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird working the head and body with strikes.
Baird in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Valero struggling a bit here.
Baird scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Valero to see if he's OK.
The strikes coming from Baird are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Valero is looking to regain half guard here but Baird keeps moving and retains side control.
Check out the look on Baird's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Baird cracks Valero with a big elbow.
Baird working the ground and pound.
Baird wants to lay and pray for a moment but Valero keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Baird working the ground and pound.
Baird working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Baird works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Baird misses with the ground and pound.
Baird cracks Valero with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Baird works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Baird misses with the ground and pound.
Valero takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Baird looks up at the clock and then as Valero takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Baird smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Baird landing strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Check out the look on Baird's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Valero wants to get back to his feet but Baird drags him back down.
Daryl Baird overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Baird trying to control the position but Valero is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daryl Baird dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Baird shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Valero napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Baird misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Valero pushes Baird away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Baird gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Baird tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Check out the look on Baird's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Baird in side control lands a decent elbow.
Baird is chipping away with strikes.
Baird wants to control but Valero is keeping him busy.
Valero regains half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baird seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Valero blocking the ground and pound attempt from Baird.
Valero taking some punishment here, with Baird in his half guard.
Valero takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Valero is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Valero avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Baird.
Baird not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Baird looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Baird winds up and cracks Valero with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Baird thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Valero's head.
Baird looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Baird winds up and cracks Valero with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Baird working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Valero keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Baird winds up and cracks Valero with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Baird is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Valero is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird trying to control from half guard but Valero is working away.
Baird keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Valero pushes Baird off looking to stand but Baird dives back in and keeps control.
Baird is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Valero trying to hold on to Baird's head to control him but Baird postures up.
Baird throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Valero wants to control but Baird is keeping busy.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Baird working over Valero with some ground and pound. Valero looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Baird scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird drops an elbow to the side of Valero's head.
Baird throwing shots but Valero is blocking nicely.
Baird lands with a punch from half guard.
Nice strikes from Baird there.
Baird lands strikes from half guard.
Valero on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Baird not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Valero is trying to control but can't.
Valero tries to get to full guard but Baird has control of the leg.
Baird working over Valero with some ground and pound. Valero looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Valero avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Baird.
Baird drops an elbow to the side of Valero's head.
Baird looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Baird landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird working the head and body with strikes.
Baird seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Baird throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Valero avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Baird.
Baird throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Baird lands with a punch from half guard.
Baird lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Baird missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baird takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Valero actively working from the bottom here.
Edwin Valero has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Daryl Baird is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Valero looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Daryl Baird showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Baird has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:25
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:25
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daryl Baird!