PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Campbell Taylor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dane Baumgartner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taylor has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. 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?

Taylor
vs
Baumgartner

210 cm
22
264 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

188 cm
22
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Campbell Taylor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dane Baumgartner!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Taylor throws a right hand that Baumgartner ducks under and follows up with a left that Baumgartner also avoids with ease.
Baumgartner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Taylor tries to avoid it but Baumgartner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Taylor to the ground. Taylor escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Taylor throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Baumgartner gets the takedown into side control.
Taylor is not content to let Baumgartner control the position.
Taylor tries to escape but Baumgartner is in control.
Baumgartner trying to control the action but Taylor is working from the bottom.
Baumgartner scoring with punches and elbows.

Campbell Taylor's cut is getting worse.
Baumgartner is chipping away with strikes.
Taylor takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is trying to get back to his feet.
Taylor is breathing heavily.
Baumgartner connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Taylor some visible discomfort.
Taylor wants to get back to his feet.

Baumgartner working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Baumgartner working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Baumgartner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Taylor keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Baumgartner stands up and beckons Taylor to his feet.
Taylor throws a series of punches but Baumgartner moves out of range.
Baumgartner fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Taylor looks to land a combination but Baumgartner avoids it well.

Baumgartner gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Baumgartner taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Baumgartner manages to break the clinch.

Baumgartner gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baumgartner tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Taylor smiles and moves away.
Campbell Taylor has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dane Baumgartner.
A telegraphed right hand from Taylor misses the target.

Baumgartner closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Baumgartner lands in his opponent's guard.

Baumgartner gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Baumgartner scores with a jab to the body.

Baumgartner clinches.
Baumgartner just leaning against Taylor, taking a breather.
Taylor prevents a takedown attempt there.
Baumgartner drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baumgartner lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Baumgartner fails to pull guard.

Baumgartner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Taylor lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Baumgartner backs up against the cage.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Baumgartner!
Taylor misses with a combination
and Baumgartner counters with a three punch combo that has Taylor backing up. Taylor nods at Baumgartner to acknowledge the strikes.
Baumgartner defending well as Taylor loads up on a big left hand.
Baumgartner lands with a nice body kick.
Taylor takes a kick to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dane Baumgartner dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Campbell Taylor's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Taylor throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Baumgartner counters with a nice leg kick.
Campbell Taylor seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Taylor misses with a double jab

and Baumgartner counters with a takedown into side control.
Baumgartner working the ground and pound.
Baumgartner taking a breather here.

Baumgartner wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Taylor, who protects the arm well.
Taylor is pushing Baumgartner's head away, looking to escape. Baumgartner manages to hold on to the position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is looking to get back to his feet here but Baumgartner is keeping cool and he's managed to take Taylor's back.
Baumgartner lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Good control from Baumgartner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Baumgartner connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Taylor to escape the position.
Taylor is trying to stand back up.
Taylor takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Taylor is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
I would not like to be Taylor right now.
Baumgartner scores with punches to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baumgartner is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Taylor knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Taylor for a finish.
Baumgartner lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Taylor is trying to stand back up.
Baumgartner biding his time, controlling Taylor.
Let's hope that Baumgartner has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Baumgartner punishes Taylor with strikes from the back mount.
Baumgartner is punishing Taylor with strikes - can he finish him?!
Taylor is keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dane Baumgartner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Campbell Taylor's cut.
That's time! Taylor's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Baumgartner moves away from the strike by Taylor.
Taylor misses with a hook. Baumgartner ducked under it nicely.

Baumgartner decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Baumgartner seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Taylor does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Baumgartner is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Taylor manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Baumgartner shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Baumgartner can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Taylor is looking to escape.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taylor is trying to stand up.
Baumgartner with good strikes from the mount here!
Baumgartner tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Despite being in the dominant position, Dane Baumgartner just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Baumgartner forces Taylor back against the cage and clinches.
Baumgartner content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Baumgartner drops down looking for an ankle pick but Taylor pulls his leg out and moves away.

Baumgartner gets the takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taylor is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Baumgartner asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Taylor is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Baumgartner is looking to advance position but Taylor won't allow it.
Baumgartner trying to control from half guard but Taylor is working away.
Taylor looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Taylor looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Taylor tries to kick Baumgartner off but Baumgartner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Baumgartner ducks under a wild hook from Taylor.
Taylor throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Baumgartner counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Baumgartner.

Taylor working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Baumgartner doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Baumgartner manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Baumgartner slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baumgartner tries to advance to mount but Taylor denies him.

Taylor throws Baumgartner to one side and escapes!
Taylor misses with a straight left.
Baumgartner shoots for a double leg takedown but Taylor sprawls well. He's pushed Baumgartner's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Taylor throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Baumgartner sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Taylor throws a combination that misses

and Baumgartner holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Taylor tries to break the clinch but Baumgartner is controlling the position.
Campbell Taylor has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dane Baumgartner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Taylor wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dane Baumgartner comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Baumgartner winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dane Baumgartner!