PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Willis (ranked 4600 p4p, 3382 weight class) and Ken Barlow (ranked 555 p4p, 432 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Willis
vs
Barlow

187 cm
23
168
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
26
170
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Willis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Ken Barlow!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Ben Watson and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barlow clinches up against the cage.
Barlow tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Barlow gets a trip takedown into half guard.

Barlow looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Willis is looking for a sweep. Barlow is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Willis is staying active underneath Barlow, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barlow sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Willis defending well though.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Willis is trying to control but can't.
Willis wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barlow landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Barlow is trying to control the action in half guard but Willis is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Willis trying to control but Barlow postures up.
Barlow tries to pass the half guard into mount. Willis knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Barlow slips a nice elbow through Willis's hands, connecting with Willis's forehead.
Barlow trying to mount his opponent but Willis defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Willis is looking to control Barlow's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Willis avoid being mounted?

Barlow is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Willis is pressing down on Barlow's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Barlow trying to control but Willis is working from the bottom.
Willis trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Barlow looking to pass the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Barlow tries for a takedown but Willis sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barlow shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Willis sprawls well. Willis wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Barlow gets slowly back to his feet.
John Willis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Barlow.
Barlow shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Willis as he avoids it easily.

Barlow shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Willis manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Barlow trying to control but Willis is working from the bottom.
Willis is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Barlow working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Barlow drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Willis dives on top into guard.

Willis trying to control the position from guard on top but Barlow is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Willis is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Barlow has his foot on Willis's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Willis works his way back into a safe position though.
Barlow wants to improve his position but instead Willis has moved into half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Willis stalling.

Barlow is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Willis pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Willis rushes Barlow and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Barlow can't get the takedown.

Barlow jumps guard.
Willis controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Barlow working for a triangle but Willis defends it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Willis controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barlow is looking to stand back up but Willis counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Barlow.
Willis seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Barlow does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Barlow works his way to full guard. Good work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Barlow is on top in guard.

Barlow is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Willis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Barlow.
Barlow pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Willis is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barlow throwing strikes from guard but Willis blocks nicely.
Willis looking to control.

Barlow drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Willis manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Barlow has Willis in his guard.

Barlow pulls Willis in close to prevent any damage.
Willis is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ken Barlow has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willis wants to pass the guard but Barlow is keeping the position.
Willis trying to control but Barlow is working from the bottom.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Barlow holds on and takes a little breather.
Barlow is trying to keep Willis in close.

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.
Barlow wants to sweep here but Willis controlling him for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Barlow misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Barlow looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
John Willis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Barlow.
Willis fails in his attempt to clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Barlow shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Willis is trying to defend but Barlow finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Willis works his way to full guard. Good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that John Willis will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Willis rushes Barlow and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Willis stalling.

Willis gets control of Barlow's arms and successfully pulls guard. Willis will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Barlow is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Barlow looking to pass the guard.
Barlow trying to control the position from guard on top but Willis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Willis wants to sweep but no luck.
Barlow stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Willis swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Willis is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Barlow is working Willis over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Willis trying to keep a closed guard but Barlow is proving a slippery customer.
Willis keeping moving, preventing Barlow from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
John Willis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barlow misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Barlow shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Willis sprawls well. Willis wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Barlow gets slowly back to his feet.
Barlow shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Willis connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
John Willis has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ken Barlow.
Barlow takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Barlow.
Willis is looking to counter punch.
Willis moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
That kick from Willis tenderised Barlow's leg. Barlow is trying to keep his angry face on.
Barlow shoots for a takedown but Willis saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Barlow throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Willis gets caught napping as Barlow dives in and scores a takedown. Willis manages to retain guard.
Willis tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Barlow is looking to work some ground and pound but Willis has wrist control.
Willis is controlling Barlow's posture.
Willis manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Barlow manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Willis passes into half guard.
Willis is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Barlow really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Willis fails to advance to Barlow's back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Willis wants to control the pace but Barlow is squirming around nicely.
Barlow wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Willis seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Barlow is holding on tight.
Barlow manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barlow is trying to get back to full guard.
Barlow is refusing to be controlled, as Willis sits in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Willis showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Willis has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Mangel scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 28:29

The fight is ruled a draw!