PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nick Tropper (ranked 2254 p4p, 2193 weight class) and Ronnie Barnhardt (ranked 283 p4p, 274 weight class). Barnhardt has chosen James Brown, living in America as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tropper
vs
Barnhardt

182 cm
25
188
8 - 7 - 0

182 cm
23
191
6 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

The Stuff
Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

Hot Spunk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Nick Tropper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ronnie Barnhardt!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnhardt with a nice calf kick.
Tropper fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Tropper throws a right hand that Barnhardt ducks under and follows up with a left that Barnhardt also avoids with ease.
Tropper misses with an uppercut. Barnhardt saw that one coming.
Barnhardt is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tropper 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.
Barnhardt is looking to clinch.
Tropper throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tropper misses with a two punch combination.
Barnhardt tries to land a leg kick but Tropper saw it coming and moves away.
Barnhardt throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Tropper.
Tropper connects with a crisp jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Tropper drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Tropper goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Barnhardt has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Tropper but great work by Barnhardt.
Tropper is looking to reverse the position.
You can see the frustration on Tropper's face as Barnhardt controls the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tropper is looking to regain half guard here but Barnhardt keeps moving and retains side control.
Tropper is not content to let Barnhardt control the position.
Tropper wants to control but Barnhardt postures up.
Tropper regains half guard.
Tropper is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tropper trying to get back to full guard but Barnhardt takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Tropper is desperately trying to improve his position but Barnhardt has a good base and remains in mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnhardt controlling the pace for now.
Tropper really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Barnhardt fails to move to back control.
Barnhardt takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tropper sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Tropper is looking for a sweep. Barnhardt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Barnhardt controlling the action here.

Tropper is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barnhardt pulls his head out easily.
Tropper is looking for a sweep. Barnhardt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Barnhardt not doing much here.
Tropper wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Still in half guard, Barnhardt seems content to control.
Barnhardt trying to control the action but Tropper is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Barnhardt moves into range and clinches up with Tropper.

Barnhardt breaks from the clinch.
Barnhardt throws a half hearted mid kick.
Barnhardt takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tropper lands with an overhand left.
Tropper misses with a wild body shot.
Tropper moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromBarnhardt.
Barnhardt throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Barnhardt scores with a push kick.
Tropper looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Barnhardt takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Barnhardt scores with a head kick.
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 Nick Tropper will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Barnhardt throws an off balance right hand
and Tropper counters with a one-two to the body.
Barnhardt scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Barnhardt throws a half hearted mid kick.
A head kick misses from Barnhardt.
Tropper swings for the body but Barnhardt moves out of range.
Barnhardt swings for the body but Tropper moves out of range.
Barnhardt scores with a jab to the jaw.
Barnhardt tries a head kick but it misses.
Barnhardt thuds his shin into the meat of Tropper's side.
Nick Tropper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tropper looks for a takedown but Barnhardt sprawls well.
Barnhardt wants to clinch up but Tropper keeps it at a distance.
Barnhardt tries to clinch there but Tropper circles away.
Tropper moves out of range of the body kick from Barnhardt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Tropper.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnhardt is looking to clinch.
Tropper throws a big counter combination but Barnhardt scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tropper moves away from the strike by Barnhardt.
It looked like Tropper wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Barnhardt throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Barnhardt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Barnhardt, as that shot connected.

Barnhardt has managed to clinch.
Tropper is looking to break free of the clinch but Barnhardt has double underhooks.
Tropper is trying to break free.
Barnhardt works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Tropper is trying to push Barnhardt away but Barnhardt has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tropper misses with a punch on the inside.

Barnhardt's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barnhardt misses with a head kick.
Tropper throws a right and a left that both miss.
Barnhardt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barnhardt slips a jab and a cross from Tropper.
Tropper cracks Barnhardt with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Barnhardt blocks a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnhardt takes a swing at Tropper's ribcage but misses.
Barnhardt throws a head kick that misses.
Barnhardt lands with a thumping leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tropper throws a right and a left that Barnhardt avoids nicely.
No joy there for Tropper, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tropper misses with a hook.
Barnhardt throws a solid leg kick but Tropper takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Barnhardt.
Tropper lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Barnhardt circles away quickly and effectively.
A big left from Tropper misses.
Barnhardt pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nick Tropper seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tropper cracks Barnhardt with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Barnhardt misses with a head kick.
Barnhardt throws a head kick that misses.
Barnhardt looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Barnhardt shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Tropper misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tropper throws a right hand that Barnhardt ducks under and follows up with a left that Barnhardt also avoids with ease.
Barnhardt connects with a leg kick.
Barnhardt pivots, looking for a leg kick but Tropper is out of range and Barnhardt settles back down.
Tropper blocks a head kick by Barnhardt.
Barnhardt throws a solid leg kick but Tropper takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Barnhardt.
Tropper stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Barnhardt.
Tropper shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Barnhardt eats them both and turns towards Tropper to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Barnhardt throws a sloppy head kick and Tropper moves out of range easily.
Tropper fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Tropper lands with an uppercut that bounces Barnhardt off the cage and back into range.
A shot to the liver by Tropper. Beautiful body shot.
Nick Tropper is winning the standup battle so far.
Barnhardt throws a wild body kick that Tropper sees coming a mile off.
Barnhardt misses with a straight right.
Barnhardt misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tropper misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Tropper does no damage.
Barnhardt lands with a slapping head kick.
Tropper tries to bum rush Barnhardt with a series of wild strikes but Barnhardt uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ronnie Barnhardt is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tropper scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Tropper moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Barnhardt.
Barnhardt throws a nice head kick!
Tropper with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Barnhardt tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Tropper manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tropper changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Tropper ducks under a wild hook from Barnhardt.
A head kick misses from Barnhardt.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnhardt stuffs the takedown attempt from Tropper. Tropper gets slowly back to his feet.
Tropper shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barnhardt but Barnhardt pushes him off and we're back to square one.
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 Nick Tropper will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Tropper lands with a hook. Barnhardt tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Tropper blocks a head kick by Barnhardt.
Barnhardt takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tropper throws a body punch but Barnhardt moves out of range.
Barnhardt throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Tropper closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Barnhardt's guard.
Tropper preventing the sweep.
Barnhardt working a defensive guard here.
Our spies down at at Crapollas Gym inform us that Barnhardt has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Barnhardt throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tropper wants to control from the top but Barnhardt keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tropper wants to pass the guard but Barnhardt is keeping the position.
Barnhardt is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Tropper wants to control from the top but Barnhardt keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barnhardt. Tropper does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tropper connects with a body shot that sends Barnhardt's belly button to the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tropper lands a head shot.
Tropper avoids the head kick by Barnhardt.
Tropper misses with a wild body shot.
Tropper misses with a wild body shot.
Barnhardt throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Barnhardt throws a head kick but Tropper moves out of range.
Barnhardt takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Tropper throws a body punch but Barnhardt moves out of range.
Tropper digs a good body shot into Barnhardt's ribs.
Tropper lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Barnhardt circles away quickly and effectively.
Barnhardt does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Tropper checks a leg kick.
Tropper digs a good hook to Barnhardt's body.
Barnhardt misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice shot by Barnhardt.
Barnhardt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tropper lands a nice looking body shot.
Tropper fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barnhardt manages to avoid it.
Tropper goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Barnhardt throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tropper lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Barnhardt backs up against the cage.
Tropper fails to land with a series of punches.
Barnhardt delivers a nice body kick.
No luck for Tropper with that takedown attempt.
Barnhardt wants to clinch.
Tropper scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tropper misses with a double jab.
Ronnie Barnhardt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barnhardt slips a jab and a cross from Tropper.
Barnhardt raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Barnhardt throws a nice inside leg kick.
Barnhardt throws a sloppy head kick and Tropper moves out of range easily.
Tropper scores with a punch to the head.
Tropper throws a looping overhand right but Barnhardt ducks down to avoid it.
Barnhardt throws a right hand that Tropper ducks under and follows up with a left that Tropper also avoids with ease.
Tropper just misses with a punch to the body.
Tropper avoids the head kick by Barnhardt.
Tropper fails to land with a series of punches.
Barnhardt takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Barnhardt throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Barnhardt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nick Tropper is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Tropper looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Tropper showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tropper, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Tropper!
An out of breath Nick Tropper thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.