PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kent Baird (ranked 24964 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Storm (ranked 8346 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Baird
vs
Storm

166 cm
21
278 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

200 cm
20
220 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kent Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michael Storm!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baird closes the distance and clinches.

Baird has clasped his hands together around Storm's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Storm avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Baird.
Baird tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

Baird tries for a kimura but Storm is defending well.
Baird wants to stand but Storm is controlling his arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Storm is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Storm's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baird has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Baird takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Storm shoots in but no luck this time.
Baird with a poor takedown
and Storm counters with a right hand to the body.
Storm lands with a nice body punch.
Storm swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Baird counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Baird.
Baird keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Storm's efforts to push away.

Baird breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baird tries to keep at a distance but Storm has taken the fight into the clinch.

Baird escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Baird gets caught napping as Storm dives in and scores a takedown. Baird manages to retain guard.
Storm controlling from the top position.
Baird keeping moving, preventing Storm from controlling successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baird trying to control the position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird keeping full guard, as Storm tries to pass.
Baird has control of Storm's left arm, preventing Storm from doing any damage.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Storm working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four 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.

Storm stands up and waves to Baird to follow him.
We've been informed that Storm has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Baird really is a fat lump.
Baird changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Storm tries to avoid it but Baird manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Storm to the ground. Storm escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Baird looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Storm!
Storm bucks up and tries to throw Baird off but instead Baird has got his back!
Baird not allowing Storm to control his hands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Baird is hanging on to Storm's back as he tries to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michael Storm will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Baird has taken the fight to the clinch.
Baird doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baird keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Storm's efforts to push away.
Baird can't break the clinch.
Baird has Storm pressed against the cage, preventing Storm from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Baird has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Storm is trying to keep an underhook but Baird manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Storm wants to improve his position but Baird is controlling well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Baird connects with a nice short shot to Storm's temple.
Storm taking some punishment here, with Baird in his half guard.
Storm wants to control but Baird is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Storm might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Baird haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Baird looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Storm on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Baird prevents Storm from improving his position.
Storm pushes Baird off looking to stand but Baird dives back in and keeps control.
Baird controlling the action here.
Storm is looking to improve his position.
Storm is breathing heavily.

That's two 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.
Storm is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Baird scores with a couple of nice shots.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Baird in particular looking to stall.
Baird working the head and body with strikes.
Storm moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Baird is looking to stand up but Storm won't let him.
Baird postures up and lands a big shot to Storm's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm wants to get back to his feet but Baird is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Baird trying to control the position from guard on top but Storm is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Baird gets a double leg takedown into Storm's guard.
Storm working a defensive guard here.
Baird wants to control from the top but Storm keeps moving.
Baird is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Storm can do to turn this around?
Baird has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Storm is proving hard to escape from.
Storm not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Baird might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Baird scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Baird loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Baird has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Storm is proving hard to escape from.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Baird closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Storm breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kent Baird dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Baird drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Baird working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Baird working away.
Baird lands a nice forearm strike.
Storm is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Baird stands up and beckons Storm to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Storm takes the fight into the clinch.
Storm takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baird gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Baird is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Baird has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Baird wanted to stand there but Storm had control of the position.

Baird decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Baird shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Storm sprawls well. Storm wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Baird gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Storm.
Storm fails to land the takedown.
Baird seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Storm with a lazy takedown attempt

and Baird decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Storm's guard.
Kent Baird has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Storm.
Baird wants to stand but Storm has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Storm is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Baird is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baird stands and steps away. Storm gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Baird looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Storm trying to control the position here.
Baird not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Baird lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Baird stands and steps away. Storm gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Baird goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Storm is looking for the big counter here.

Storm moves into the clinch successfully.
Baird goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Storm is looking to break free of the clinch but Baird has double underhooks.
Storm tries to circle away but Baird has him pinned against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Baird gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Storm regains guard.
Storm wants to get back to his feet but Baird passes into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michael Storm comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

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