PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Demetrious Waters (ranked 3505 p4p, 319 weight class) and Jonny Baker (ranked 3979 p4p, 347 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Waters
vs
Baker

187 cm
27
158 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

174 cm
29
157 lbs
7 - 7 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Demetrious Waters!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jonny Baker!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Kenichi Hosakawa and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Waters tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Baker defends well and Waters ends up having to push Baker into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
As Waters backs off Baker throws a huge counter combo but Waters manages to avoid it all.
Baker changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Baker.
Waters gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Baker counters by moving into the clinch.
Waters can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demetrious Waters. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Waters is looking to take this one to the mat.
Baker has Waters pushed against the cage.
Baker pressing his opponent against the cage.
Waters drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baker pulls his leg out and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Waters takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Waters with a lazy takedown attempt

and Baker counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Waters really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Baker creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker lands a right hand that snaps the head of Waters backwards.
Waters has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Baker avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Waters tries for a takedown. No joy.
Waters can't get the takedown.
Baker lands an uppercut.
Waters tries for a takedown but Baker manages to get underhooks.
Waters has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Baker is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Waters is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Baker is defending well.
Waters wants to take the fight to the mat but Baker manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Baker is pushing Waters up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Baker leaning against his opponent.
Baker continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
A right hook to the body lands for Baker.
Baker lands a right hand.
Baker is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker slowing the pace effectively.
Baker stalling.
The crowd are getting on Baker's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jonny Baker.
Waters shoots in but no luck this time.
Waters takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Waters dives in and grabs Baker's left leg, looking for a takedown. Baker pushes down on Waters's head and hops out.
Baker changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Waters has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Waters shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Baker as he jumps to the side.
Baker stuffs the takedown.
Waters is breathing heavily.
Waters tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Baker defends well and Waters ends up having to push Baker into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Waters dodges the punch combination from Baker.

Baker takes the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Baker to work.
Baker displaying some good clinch control by pressing Waters up against the cage.
Waters being controlled against the cage.
Waters has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Baker is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Baker manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Baker dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jonny Baker.
Horrible takedown attempt by Waters or perhaps it was just good defense by Baker, which made it look bad.
Baker doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nice body punch from Baker.
Baker is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Waters rather than just go for the knockout.
Waters has his takedown stuffed
and Baker counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Waters misses with a takedown

and Baker counters by moving into the clinch.
Waters has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Baker is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Baker stalling against the cage.
Waters drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baker pulls his leg out and moves away.
Waters needs to keep his hands up - Baker had a free shot at his head there.
Waters shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Baker sprawls well. Baker wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Waters gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonny Baker dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Waters doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Baker to counter with a crisp jab.
Baker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Waters.
Waters takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Baker connects with the punch.
Waters takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Baker wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Waters shoots and misses

and Baker holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demetrious Waters. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Waters can't get the takedown.
Baker's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Baker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Waters goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baker prevents it.
Waters changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Baker fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Baker scores with the left hand. Waters knows he should have avoided that one.
Baker scores with a jab to the body.
Baker stuffs the takedown.
Jonny Baker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Baker lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Baker looks to land a combination. Waters sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Waters is defended easily by Baker.
Waters misses with a takedown

and Baker counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Baker lands a body punch.
Jonny Baker seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Baker stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Baker receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Baker is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Baker lands a shot to the body.
Baker has Waters pushed against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Baker is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Baker holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Jonny Baker.
Waters will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Baker slaps away a takedown attempt from Waters, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Baker fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker stuffs the takedown.
Baker lands a nice shot to the body.
Waters tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Baker swivels and escapes.

Baker moves into the clinch.
Baker is leaning against Waters and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Baker takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Nice body punch from Baker - that landed with a thud.
Waters has Baker pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baker manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Baker taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
The referee is keeping an eye on Baker - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Baker lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baker lands a shot to the body.
Waters being controlled against the cage.
Baker lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Waters.
Baker is pressed up against the cage. Waters has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Baker down to the mat. Baker avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Waters fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Waters takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Waters shoots and misses

and Baker holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body punch from Baker.
Baker lands a hook that snaps the head of Waters backwards.
Baker stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Baker avoiding damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonny Baker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Waters gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Baker counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Baker slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Baker lands a body shot.
Waters with a lazy takedown attempt
and Baker counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Baker jabs Waters to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Waters fails with the takedown

and Baker counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Demetrious Waters. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Baker is pushing Waters up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A right handed body shot lands from Baker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baker lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Waters tries to score a body lock takedown but Baker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Waters tries for a takedown. No joy.
Nice body punch from Baker - that landed with a thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baker will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Waters up against the cage.
A short uppercut from Baker.
Waters drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Baker gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Waters is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Baker pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Baker is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Baker.
Waters goes for a takedown in the clinch but Baker prevents it.
A nice left hand lands by Baker.
Baker has Waters pressed against the cage.
Baker throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baker stalls.
Come on Baker - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Baker scores with an uppercut up the middle.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Baker.
Waters goes for a takedown attempt but Baker pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Waters tries for a takedown but Baker circles away easily
and Baker counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Waters shoots for a takedown but Baker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jonny Baker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Waters shoots and misses
and Baker counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
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!
Waters has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Waters takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Baker lands with a good body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baker throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Baker has taken the fight to the clinch.
Baker lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baker scores with a hook to the body.
Waters letting Baker take a breather here.
Waters has Baker pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Baker manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Good body shot from Baker.
A hook to the body from Baker.
Baker pressing his opponent against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Baker takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Baker holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Baker is stalling here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Baker.
Baker lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Waters or not.
Waters is working for takedown but Baker is calmly controlling the position for now.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Baker.
Waters drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baker pulls his leg out and moves away.
Waters closes the distance and clinches up with Baker, looking for a takedown. Waters pushes Baker against the cage but Baker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Waters walks into a stiff left hand from Baker.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baker leaves Waters with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Baker jabs Waters to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Baker lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Waters at a distance.
Demetrious Waters has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jonny Baker is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Baker lands a slapping body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jonny Baker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Baker has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 24:30
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 24:30
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jonny Baker!
Jonny Baker seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.