PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tom Baker (ranked 4880 p4p, 202 weight class) and Brian Marais (ranked 7508 p4p, 247 weight class). Marais has chosen The Offspring - Come Out And Play as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Baker
vs
Marais

150 cm
18
138 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
18
138 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tom Baker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brian Marais!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Marais with a lazy takedown attempt
and Baker cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Marais throws a nice looking combination but Baker bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A little feinted left hand from Baker on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Baker thows a left - swing and a miss!
Marais needs to keep his hands up - Baker had a free shot at his head there.
Baker blocks a low kick nicely.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Marais is defended easily by Baker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marais is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Marais is rocked!
Marais shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tom Baker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Marais.
Baker connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Marais is still on wobbly legs! Can Baker finish him?
Marais tries for a takedown but Baker circles away easily
and Baker connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Baker is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Marais misses with a takedown

and Baker counters with a crisp right hand that drops Marais! Baker lets Marais back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Marais tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Baker defends well and Marais ends up having to push Baker into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Marais seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker moves out of range as Marais strikes.
A little feinted left hand from Baker on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Marais fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Baker lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Baker stuffs the takedown attempt from Marais. Marais gets slowly back to his feet.

Baker cracks Marais with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Marais looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Baker finish him?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marais walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Baker checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Baker pounces like a tiger and cracks Marais with a vicious hook! Marais is down but not out! Baker follows up with more strikes forcing the ref to jump in and stop it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:16 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Tom Baker!
A victorious Tom Baker thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.
Brian Marais spoke after the fight, saying 'Not to get too technical, but according to chemistry, alcohol is a solution.'.