PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Corey Baird (ranked 5798 p4p, 402 weight class) and George Backman (ranked 6211 p4p, 414 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Baird
vs
Backman

170 cm
20
148 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
26
145 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Corey Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, George Backman!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Viktor Lagutenko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Backman rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Baird moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Backman thows a left - swing and a miss!
Backman shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Backman has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Baird connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Backman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Backman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Baird seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Backman has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Baird.
Nice shot by Baird.
Sloppy strikes from Backman. Those never looked like landing.
Baird scores with a nice strike.
Baird scores with a nice head shot.
Baird throws a poor cross that misses
and Backman counters with a nice body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Backman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Baird slips under a jab from Backman.
Baird is looking to counter punch.
Baird lunges at Backman with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Backman's hand.
Backman swinging wildly here.
A little feinted left hand from Baird on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Baird throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Backman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Backman misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Backman takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird missing with a left hand there. Backman was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Backman tries to bum rush Baird with a series of wild strikes but Baird uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Baird turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Baird bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Backman takes a swing at Baird's ribcage but misses.
Backman has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Backman there as he acknowledges the shot.

Baird takes the fight into the clinch.
Baird tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Backman's elbow.
Backman blocking some punches.
Backman wants to get back to striking at distance but Baird won't allow it.
Baird throws a head punch that misses.
Backman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baird.
Baird misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Backman has had enough of the clinch but Baird keeps him there for the moment.
Baird tries a body shot but Backman blocks it.
Backman tries to break free but Baird pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Backman tries to break free but Baird pushes him back against the cage.
Baird tries to work over Backman's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Still in the clinch, Baird scores with a nice short uppercut.
Baird has Backman pressed against the cage, preventing Backman from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A left hand lands to the body for Baird.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baird.
Baird keeps control of Backman as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Baird misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baird misses with a hook to the ribs.
Baird throws a punch but it's blocked by Backman.
Baird scores with a shoulder strike.
Baird tries to throw a body punch but Backman avoids it by throwing Baird back against the cage.
Backman is trying to break the clinch but Baird has him pressed against the cage.
Baird tries a body shot but Backman blocks it.
Baird goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird tries to throw a body punch but Backman avoids it by throwing Baird back against the cage.
Baird keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Backman's efforts to push away.
Backman looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Baird doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baird scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Baird doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Backman blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Backman wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Baird tries to throw a body punch but Backman avoids it by throwing Baird back against the cage.
Backman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Baird lands a body punch in the clinch.
Backman wants to get back to striking at distance but Baird won't allow it.
Baird lands with a left to the head.
Baird lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Baird goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baird tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Baird scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Baird throws a head punch that misses.
Backman prevents a body shot from Baird.
Backman tries to break the clinch but Baird is controlling the position.
Backman blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baird is working Backman over against the cage.
Baird can't find room to land a body shot as Backman controls the action.
Backman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nice body punch from Baird - that landed with a thud.
Baird tries to work over Backman's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baird goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Backman blocks a body shot from Baird.
Baird lands a body punch in the clinch.
Backman tries to circle away but Baird has him pinned against the cage.
A short uppercut from Baird.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Baird dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Baird throws a lazy right hand but Backman sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Backman scores with a hook to the body. Baird takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Backman throws a poor cross that misses
and Baird counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Backman lands a nice shot to the body.
Baird smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Backman fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baird manages to avoid it.
Corey Baird seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Backman takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Baird delivers a nice body kick.
Baird avoids a punch combination nicely.
Backman just misses with a punch to the body.
Baird keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Backman.
Baird fires out a quick counter leg kick but Backman just manages to avoid it.
Baird scores with a hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baird fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Baird is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Corey Baird is winning the standup battle so far.
Backman misses with a two punch combination.
Baird scores with a crisp jab that stopped Backman in his tracks.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Baird, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Backman misses with a hook to the body
and Baird connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Baird ducks under a wild hook from Backman.
Backman scores with a body shot.
Baird lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Backman is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Baird rather than just go for the knockout.
Backman takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Baird misses with a straight right.
Backman blocks a jab.
A jab from Baird misses.
Baird is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Backman can do to turn this around?
A looping hook to the body misses from Baird. Backman does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baird lands with a kick to the temple. Backman shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Backman misses with a double jab
and Baird counters with a good low kick that Backman was not able to check.
Baird darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
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!
Backman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baird.
Backman slips under a jab.
Backman appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Baird is looking to slow Backman down with leg kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Backman. Baird does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baird pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Backman uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baird.
Baird throws a hook but Backman avoids it easily.
Baird is looking to slow Backman down with leg kicks.
Backman misses with an uppercut.
Backman misses with a body shot.
Baird misses with a straight left.
Baird throws a hook but Backman avoids it easily.
Backman lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Corey Baird has been cut.
A jab from Baird misses.
Backman throws a series of punches but Baird avoids them all with ease.
Baird ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Baird throws a hook but Backman blocks it.
Backman tries to bum rush Baird with a series of wild strikes but Baird uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A combination from Backman does no damage.
Backman walks into a stiff left hand from Baird.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Backman slips a jab from Baird.
Backman misses the shot to the body.
Baird delivers a nice body kick.
Backman displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baird throws out the jab.
Baird scoring well with a low kick there.
Backman takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Baird ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jab, jab by Baird - just one landing.
Backman uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Baird.
Baird throws out a loose jab but Backman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Backman gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Baird.
Backman's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Baird thuds his right hand into Backman's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Baird moves into range and clinches up with Backman.
A bit of stalling here from Backman.
Baird lands a body punch in the clinch.
Backman has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baird misses with a punch to the body.
Baird is leaning against Backman and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird is leaning against Backman and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Baird scores with a hook to the body.
Baird goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baird misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baird doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baird misses with a punch to the body.
Baird throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Baird throws a head punch that misses.
A right hand to the body from Baird.
Corey Baird has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A shot in the inside from Baird.
Baird tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Backman's elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baird blocks an uppercut.
Baird tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Backman's elbow.
Baird tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Backman's elbow.
Baird works on Backman's body with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corey Baird dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Corey Baird's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Backman misses with a looping right.
No joy there for Backman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
George Backman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Baird throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Backman on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Backman looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Baird was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Baird works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Backman takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Backman on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Baird. Baird obviously looking to wear him down.
Baird keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baird is looking to clinch but Backman is avoiding it.
Backman will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A big right from Backman misses.
Baird throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Backman.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Backman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Backman walks into a stiff left hand from Baird.
Baird changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird cracks Backman with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Baird thumps Backman with a low kick.
Baird throws a quick inside leg kick.
Backman looks to land a combination but Baird avoids it well.
No joy there for Backman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Backman throws a lazy uppercut
and Baird counters with a series of strikes. Backman will be more careful next time no doubt.
Backman slips a straight right by Baird.
Baird connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Backman momentarily.
Backman misses with a combination
and Baird counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Baird is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Backman is rocked!
Baird connects with a solid leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baird throws a leg kick which misses Backman's front leg but catches the back leg as Backman tries to avoid it.
A slow jab from Baird misses its intended target.
Backman misses with a lunging right hand
and Baird counters with a good, hard body kick but Backman shrugs it off.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Baird, as that shot connected.
Backman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Backman gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Backman lands a nice hook to Baird's body. Baird takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Backman misses with a jab to the body
and Baird makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Baird as he connects with a hook.
Baird swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Baird buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Backman misses with a wild body shot.
Baird feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Backman's calf.
Baird feints and then cracks Backman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Backman down.
Baird moves out of range of the strikes.
Baird is looking to slow Backman down with leg kicks.
Backman throws a body shot but no joy.
Baird fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Backman on the side of the head.
Baird throws an overhand right that lands on Backman's shoulder, as Backman tries to avoid the shot.
Baird catches Backman with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Baird waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Backman.
Baird waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Backman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Backman takes a swing at Baird's ribcage but misses.
Backman throws a nice looking combination but Baird bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
It looked like Baird wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Baird.
Backman swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Baird counters with a stiff right hand.
Baird lands an overhand right.
Nice shot lands for Baird.
Backman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Backman misses with a body punch
and Baird counters with a nice leg kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Baird. That snapped Backman's head back.
Backman is still on wobbly legs! Can Baird finish him?
A slapping leg kick lands for Baird.
Backman seems to have recovered his senses.
Baird takes a swing at Backman's ribcage but misses.
No joy there for Backman, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Baird, as that shot connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Backman walks into a left hand.
Baird throws out a loose jab but Backman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Backman looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Baird, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baird is looking to slow Backman down with leg kicks.
Backman misses with the combination.
Baird is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Backman.
Baird lands an overhand right.
Backman stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Baird.
Baird lands with a nice body kick.
Baird swings for the body but Backman moves out of range.
Baird misses with a jab to the body

and Backman counters by clinching up.
Backman is trying to force a seperation but Baird has the dominant position.
Backman blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baird misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baird prevents Backman from breaking the clinch.
Baird misses with a punch to the body.
George Backman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Baird misses with a body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Corey Baird showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Baird 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Corey Baird!
Corey Baird decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.