PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Caio Barbosa (ranked 894 p4p, 1642 weight class) and John Rbn (ranked 115 p4p, 194 weight class). John Rbn will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Barbosa
vs
Rbn

163 cm
25
145
11 - 5 - 0

175 cm
28
157
9 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Caio Barbosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Rbn!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Ron Honeybunn and Topper Green.

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

Barbosa dives in and scores a takedown into Rbn's guard.
Barbosa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Rbn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Barbosa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Rbn working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barbosa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barbosa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbosa looking to pass the guard.

Rbn has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Barbosa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Rbn working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barbosa doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barbosa manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Barbosa sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rbn's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rbn is trying to get back to full guard.

Rbn looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Barbosa pushes past his half guard into mount!
Rbn felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Rbn is looking to get to half guard.

Barbosa is working for a guillotine from mount but Rbn frees his head quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Rbn is holding on tight.
Rbn is working to get back to half guard.

Rbn defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Barbosa.

Barbosa is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Rbn to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Rbn shrugs it off.
Rbn keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Barbosa is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Rbn to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Rbn shrugs it off.
Rbn is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rbn keeps trying to improve his position.
Barbosa tries to control but Rbn wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rbn tries to reverse the position but Barbosa maintains control.
Barbosa wants to control the pace but Rbn is squirming around nicely.
Rbn working to try and regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barbosa fails to take his opponent's back.
Rbn working to try and regain half guard.
Barbosa tries to control but Rbn wriggling away.
Rbn tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rbn is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa controlling his opponent.
Rbn is trying desperately to improve position.
Rbn wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Rbn defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Rbn is trying to break free.

Barbosa looking for the choke but no joy.
Barbosa doesn't have the hooks in and Rbn manages to turn into his guard.
Rbn makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Barbosa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rbn can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Barbosa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Barbosa wants to work for an arm triangle but Rbn is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Barbosa frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rbn is trying to escape the mount.
Barbosa looking to control but Rbn is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rbn regains half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caio Barbosa dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A slow jab from Rbn misses its intended target.

Barbosa gets the takedown into side control.
Rbn is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
We've been hearing that Barbosa has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Rbn gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Caio Barbosa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barbosa takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

Rbn defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Barbosa.
Barbosa works his way to his opponent's back.
Rbn prevents Barbosa from getting a body triangle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barbosa working for the choke.
Barbosa keeps control of the position as Rbn tries to break free.
Rbn breaks Barbosa's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa wants to sweep but no luck.
Barbosa controls Rbn momentarily but Rbn frees himself.
Barbosa has momentary wrist control but Rbn slips an elbow through the middle.
Rbn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rbn postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barbosa 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.
Rbn lands a couple of elbows.
Rbn distracts Barbosa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Barbosa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rbn in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Barbosa is looking for a triangle but Rbn pushes his legs off easily.
Rbn working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barbosa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rbn can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Barbosa has momentary wrist control but Rbn slips an elbow through the middle.
Rbn with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Barbosa is rocked!
Rbn lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Oh Barbosa is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rbn makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Rbn avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rbn preventing the sweep.
Barbosa seems to have got his legs back now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rbn trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Barbosa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rbn is one step ahead there.
Barbosa is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rbn advances position into side control!
Rbn scores with punches from side control.
Rbn grinds an elbow into Barbosa's temple.
Barbosa managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rbn.
Rbn creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Rbn lands a big left to the face of Barbosa, bouncing his head like a basketball. Another shot from Rbn and another - Barbosa is out! Rbn stands up and salutes his fans, who are going crazy in the stands.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). John Rbn!
An out of breath John Rbn thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
Caio Barbosa spoke after the fight, saying 'I think he did very well and would like the chance to avenge this victory. '.