PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roope Kuqi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Baker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul Baker is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Kuqi
vs
Baker

185 cm
20
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
24
225 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid 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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roope Kuqi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paul Baker!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Kuqi does no damage.
Kuqi lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kuqi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Baker has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Kuqi takes the fight into the clinch.
Baker prevents Kuqi from breaking the clinch.

Kuqi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Kuqi keeping full guard, as Baker tries to pass.
Baker wants to control from the top but Kuqi keeps moving.

Kuqi scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Baker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kuqi's waist but Kuqi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Baker off to one side.
Kuqi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Baker swivels and escapes.
Baker steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kuqi.
Kuqi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Baker backs up against the cage.

It looks like Paul Baker has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuqi thuds his right hand into Baker's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker takes one on the button.

Baker decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kuqi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kuqi.
Kuqi wants to get back to his feet but Baker passes into half guard.

Baker is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kuqi is just riding it out for now. Baker eventually gives up the hold.
Kuqi is in trouble now - Baker has advanced to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuqi is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

Baker stands up from mount. Strange move.
Kuqi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kuqi throws a body shot but no joy.
Baker looks for a takedown but Kuqi sprawls well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kuqi lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Baker has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Baker and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kuqi lands a jab-cross combination.
Kuqi cracks Baker with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Baker has his takedown stuffed

and Kuqi counters with a shoot takedown. Baker fights it but they end up in guard.
Roope Kuqi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Baker.
Kuqi is breathing heavily.

Kuqi stands up and waves to Baker to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kuqi.

Kuqi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Baker tries to pull guard but Kuqi holds him up against the cage and eventually Baker drops back down to his feet.
Kuqi wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Baker has him pressed against the cage.

Baker breaks the clinch.
Kuqi throws a series of strikes that have Baker backpedaling.
Baker goes for a double leg but Kuqi avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kuqi continues to drive forward.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Baker.
Kuqi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kuqi misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuqi lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Baker dives in for a single leg takedown but Kuqi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuqi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kuqi throws a body kick that misses.
Baker fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Baker takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Kuqi clinches up with Baker and pushes him back against the cage.

Baker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuqi could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Baker darts in looking for a takedown but Kuqi gets double underhooks and turns Baker into the cage.

Kuqi rushes Baker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Baker prevents Kuqi from breaking the clinch.
Kuqi is trying to push Baker away but Baker has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Baker jumps guard but Kuqi turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roope Kuqi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Paul Baker's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kuqi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kuqi or perhaps it was just good defense by Baker, which made it look bad.
Kuqi scores with a three punch combo!
Kuqi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Baker takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kuqi misses with a double jab.
Baker will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Baker shoots in looking for a takedown. Kuqi tries to sprawl out of it but Baker keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kuqi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kuqi tries to avoid it but Baker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kuqi to the ground. Kuqi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Roope Kuqi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Baker.
Baker doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuqi circles away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuqi looks to land a combination. Baker sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Roope Kuqi is winning the standup battle so far.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuqi tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kuqi shoots in but Baker avoids the takedown attempt easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Baker.
As Baker looks to move away, Kuqi throws a big counter combo but Baker just gets out of the way.
Baker takes one to the side of the head.
Horrible takedown attempt by Baker or perhaps it was just good defense by Kuqi, which made it look bad.
Kuqi tries to counter by clinching up but Baker breaks away and moves out of range.
Kuqi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Baker's head.
Kuqi goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Kuqi throws a right hand that Baker ducks under and follows up with a left that Baker also avoids with ease.
Baker shoots for a double leg takedown but Kuqi sprawls well. He's pushed Baker's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Baker goes for a double leg but Kuqi avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kuqi continues to drive forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuqi throws a nice looking combination but Baker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Baker throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Baker takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuqi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baker manages to avoid it.
Baker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuqi pinned against the cage. Kuqi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Roope Kuqi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuqi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Baker.
Kuqi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Baker shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuqi pinned against the cage. Kuqi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kuqi seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kuqi looks to land a combination but Baker avoids it well.
Kuqi jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Kuqi misses.
Baker dives in and grabs Kuqi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kuqi pushes down on Baker's head and hops out.
Baker has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kuqi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Baker gets a takedown into half guard.

Kuqi has one foot on Baker's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
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!
Baker shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kuqi sprawls well. Kuqi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Baker gets slowly back to his feet.
Kuqi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Baker moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kuqi swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baker gets a double leg takedown into Kuqi's guard.

Kuqi manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Baker keeps control of Kuqi as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Baker successfully pulls guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kuqi stands up and waves to Baker to follow him.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kuqi or perhaps it was just good defense by Baker, which made it look bad.
Baker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Baker shoots in but no luck this time.
Kuqi looks to land a combination but Baker avoids it well.
Kuqi throws a right and a left that Baker avoids nicely.

Baker closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kuqi quickly recovers to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roope Kuqi dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Paul Baker's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Baker has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kuqi finds it's way round the side to connect with Baker's head.

Kuqi clinches up with Baker and pushes him back against the cage.
Baker misses with some punches.
Kuqi is trying to break the clinch but Baker is controlling him.
Baker has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kuqi after a bit of a struggle.
Kuqi looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kuqi can't break the clinch.
Baker keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kuqi's efforts to push away.
A frustrated look appears on Kuqi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Baker breaks from the clinch.
Kuqi throws a lazy body kick

and Baker counters by moving into the clinch.
Baker is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kuqi to keep the fight standing.
Roope Kuqi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paul Baker.
Baker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Baker is trying to break the clinch but Kuqi has him pressed against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker controlling the action here for a moment.
Kuqi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Baker.
Come on Kuqi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kuqi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Baker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Kuqi clinches.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kuqi is looking to break free of the clinch but Baker has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kuqi wants to get back to striking at distance but Baker won't allow it.
Baker being controlled against the cage.
Kuqi has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Baker avoiding damage as Kuqi throws knees to the body.
Kuqi has Baker pressed against the cage.
Baker is working for takedown but Kuqi is calmly controlling the position for now.
A frustrated look appears on Kuqi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kuqi wants to get back to striking at distance but Baker won't allow it.
Kuqi working hard to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker has Kuqi pressed against the cage, preventing Kuqi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Baker jumps into guard, dragging Kuqi to the mat.

Kuqi stands up from Baker's guard - Kuqi perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kuqi misses with a body kick.
Baker shoots in and drives through. Kuqi sprawls well.
Kuqi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Kuqi rushes Baker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kuqi can't break the clinch.
Kuqi wants to get back to striking at distance but Baker won't allow it.
Kuqi is looking to break free of the clinch but Baker has double underhooks.
Kuqi is trying to break free.
Kuqi working hard to break the clinch.
Baker has Kuqi pressed against the cage, preventing Kuqi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker is trying to pull guard but Kuqi has him pressed against the cage.
Kuqi slows down the pace here.
Kuqi is trying to push Baker away but Baker has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Baker drags the fight down to the ground.
Kuqi stopping the sweep attempt from Baker.

Kuqi gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kuqi pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Baker back to the cage. Kuqi follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kuqi throws a sloppy head kick and Baker moves out of range easily.
Baker unleashes a big counter combination but Kuqi bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Horrible takedown attempt by Baker or perhaps it was just good defense by Kuqi, which made it look bad.
It looked like Kuqi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Paul Baker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Roope Kuqi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuqi misses with a double jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roope Kuqi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kuqi 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roope Kuqi!