PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Dante Firm (ranked 2881 p4p, 314 weight class) and Afeef Isa Baba (ranked 17000 p4p, 694 weight class). Baba is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Nation Arabic Orchestra. Afeef Isa Baba has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Dante Firm's chin.

Firm
vs
Isa Baba

180 cm
33
171 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

181 cm
31
172 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Riner Clothing and Laundry (85%)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dante Firm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Afeef Isa Baba!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baba looks to land a right hand but Firm moved out of range.
Firm moves out of range as Baba strikes.
Baba displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Firm throws out the jab.
Firm wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A swing and a miss from Baba.
A quick step to the side and Firm tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Firm throws an off balance right hand
and Baba counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Firm pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Firm blocks a jab.
Baba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Baba takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Firm misses the jab.
Firm backing away here, and Baba unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Baba misses with a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Firm scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Firm connects with a crisp jab.
Sloppy strikes from Baba. Those never looked like landing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Baba slips a jab from Firm.
Baba throws a sloppy head kick and Firm moves out of range easily.
It looked like Firm wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Firm drives through and clinches with Baba against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Firm scores with a nice short uppercut.

It looks like Afeef Isa Baba has been cut.
Firm blocking some punches.
Firm can't find room to land a body shot as Baba controls the action.
Firm misses with a hook from the clinch.
Firm misses with a short punch on the inside.
Firm misses with some punches.
Firm tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baba's elbow.
Baba blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baba working aggressively here.
I was talking to Firm's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Firm misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Firm misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Firm.
Baba lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Firm.
Firm doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baba misses with a body punch.
Baba lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Firm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baba lands a hook that snaps the head of Firm backwards.
Firm misses with a punch on the inside.
Firm throws a head punch that misses.
Baba has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Firm seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Baba can turn it around.
Baba tries a body shot but Firm blocks it.
Firm lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baba blocking some punches.
Firm lands with a short shot to the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Firm.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baba.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Firm.
Firm tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Firm swings wildly with an uppercut but Baba uses good head movement to avoid it.
Firm misses with a punch to the body.
Baba working aggressively here.
Firm swings wildly with an uppercut but Baba uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Firm misses with a punch on the inside.
Firm blocks an uppercut.
Firm misses with the head strike.
Firm throws a punch but it's blocked by Baba.
Baba lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Firm or not.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Firm.
Still in the clinch, Firm scores with a nice short uppercut.
A right hand to the body from Baba.
Baba cracks Firm with a nice body shot.
Baba tries a body shot but Firm blocks it.
Firm blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baba lands a left hand that snaps the head of Firm backwards.
Baba lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Baba lands a hook to the side of the head.
Firm throws a punch but it's blocked by Baba.
Firm misses with a short punch on the inside.
Firm lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Firm has a couple of punches blocked by Baba.
Firm's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
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!
Firm blocking some punches.
Baba lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch on the inside from Baba fails to land.
Baba tries to throw a body punch but Firm avoids it by throwing Baba back against the cage.
Firm struggles to land a body shot inside as Baba controls his hands.
Baba throws a head punch that misses.
Baba misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baba blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Baba blocks an uppercut.
A left hand lands to the body for Firm.
Baba doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baba misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baba throws a head punch that misses.
Baba lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Firm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dante Firm will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Afeef Isa Baba's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Baba moves out of range as Firm strikes.

Baba sends Firm crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Baba is motioning to the referee to let Firm up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Firm is rocked!

It looks like Dante Firm has been cut.
Firm moves out of range as Baba throws a body kick.
Oh Firm is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Firm moves away from the strike by Baba.
Firm ducks under a wild hook from Baba.
Firm appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Afeef Isa Baba seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Firm throws a hook to the side of Baba's head but Baba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Baba doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Firm throws a looping overhand right but Baba ducks down to avoid it.
Firm seems to have got his legs back now.
Firm keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Baba.
Baba moves away from the strike by Firm.
Baba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A little feinted left hand from Firm on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
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!
Baba misses with a straight right.
It looked like Firm wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Firm misses with a hook. Baba ducked under it nicely.
Firm has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Baba.
A shot to the body from Firm misses
and Baba counters with a nice leg kick.
Baba thumps Firm with a low kick.
Firm scores with a nice head shot.
Baba has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Baba there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baba throws the kick towards the body but Firm avoids it.
Firm looks to land a left hand but Baba moved out of range nicely.
Baba moves out of range as Firm strikes.
Baba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Firm.
Baba appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Baba tried to score with a low kick but Firm checks it.
Firm tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Baba paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Firm misses with a lunging right hand
and Baba counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Baba lands a head kick. Firm smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Firm just misses with a punch to the body.

Firm has closed the distance and engaged Baba in a clinch.
Firm tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Firm lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Baba misses with a body punch.
Firm takes a shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baba.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Firm.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Firm misses with a punch on the inside.
Firm misses with a hook from the clinch.
A body shot lands from Firm.
Firm lands with a right to the head.
Baba tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Firm's elbow.
Firm blocking some punches.
Baba blocks an uppercut.
Baba blocks an uppercut.
Baba misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baba takes a shot to the head.
Firm lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A right hand to the body from Baba.
Firm lands a shoulder strike.
Firm throws a head punch that misses.
Baba doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Firm blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Firm blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Firm misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Firm lands with a right to the head.
Firm misses with a body punch.
Firm can't find room to land a body shot as Baba controls the action.
Baba throws a punch but it's blocked by Firm.
Firm misses with some punches.
Baba misses with a body punch.
Baba misses with a hook to the ribs.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Firm.
Baba lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Firm backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baba.
A hook to the body from Firm.
Baba blocking some punches.
Firm is leaning against Baba and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Firm lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baba takes a shot to the head.
A short right from Firm.
Firm gets through Baba's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Firm prevents a body shot from Baba.
Firm scores with a shoulder strike.
Baba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Baba swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baba swings wildly with an uppercut but Firm uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baba lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baba lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Baba tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Baba misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baba is working Firm over against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Firm lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Firm throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Afeef Isa Baba will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Firm's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Firm misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baba.
Baba goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Firm throws out a powerful jab.
Firm tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Baba is trying to counter with his kicks.
Baba walks into a stiff left hand from Firm.
Jab by Baba.
Firm is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Firm scores with a jab to the body.
Firm has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Baba.
Good work by Firm as he checks the leg kick.
Baba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Firm.
Baba keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Firm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baba showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Firm.
Firm misses with a wild body shot.
Baba goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Firm moves out of range as Baba throws a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Firm throws an overhand right that lands on Baba's shoulder, as Baba tries to avoid the shot.
Baba appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Firm lands a body shot.
Baba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Firm with a hook.
Baba takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Firm misses the shot to the body.
Baba tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
The fight stays on the outside here - Firm looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Firm throws a body shot but no joy.
Baba thinks about the counter body kick.
Firm misses with a body shot.
Baba feints a counter leg kick.
A combination from Firm does no damage.
Firm displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baba throws out the jab.
Firm throws a hook to the side of Baba's head but Baba sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Firm scores with a crisp jab that stopped Baba in his tracks.
Firm checks the leg kick nicely there.
Firm connects with a nice looking jab.
Firm throws a looping overhand right but Baba ducks down to avoid it.
Firm listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baba gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Baba lands with a thumping leg kick.
Firm fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Jab by Baba.
Baba with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Firm on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Firm displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baba throws out the jab.
Firm staying out of range there.
Firm is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baba throws a nice looking combination but Firm bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Baba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Firm throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Baba misses the body punch
and Firm counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Firm closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Baba uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Firm.
Firm scores with a decent looking hook.
Firm swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Firm dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Baba.
Firm misses with a hook.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Baba.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baba throws an off balance right hand
and Firm counters with a stiff right hand.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Baba. Firm shrugs it off though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baba lands the left hand.
Baba shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Baba tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Firm was well out of range. Poor timing from Baba.
Firm was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Firm fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baba manages to avoid it.
Firm connects with a body shot.
Firm lands a nice hook to Baba's body. Baba takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
A slow jab from Firm misses its intended target.
Firm fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Firm scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Baba uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Firm.
Baba fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Firm.
Baba misses with a low kick.
Firm connects with a body shot.
Firm shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Firm misses with a straight right.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dante Firm showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Firm 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 29:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!