PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lukas Stojanov (ranked 2078 p4p, 5560 weight class) and Steve Barnes (ranked 102 p4p, 238 weight class). Stojanov comes to the cage accompanied by Strapo - Sebaklam. Lukas Stojanov has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Stojanov
vs
Barnes

184 cm
23
142
4 - 5 - 0

170 cm
21
144
4 - 3 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

CHURCH OF ZOIDBERG - FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Lukas Stojanov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steve Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes tries to close the distance and clinch but Stojanov swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Barnes stuffs the takedown attempt from Stojanov. Stojanov gets slowly back to his feet.
A thudding body kick lands there by Barnes!
Barnes misses with a wild combination.
Stojanov attempts a counter takedown but Barnes avoids it well and moves away.
Barnes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stojanov manages to avoid it.
Stojanov attempts a counter takedown but Barnes avoids it well and moves away.
Barnes turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes cracks Stojanov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Barnes misses the jab.
Barnes stuns Stojanov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Barnes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A left and a right from Barnes both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stojanov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've been informed that Barnes has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Barnes bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Stojanov steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barnes.
Stojanov attempts a counter takedown but Barnes avoids it well and moves away.

Barnes has closed the distance and engaged Stojanov in a clinch.
Barnes is pressed up against the cage. Stojanov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Barnes down to the mat. Barnes avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lukas Stojanov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barnes stuffs the takedown attempt from Stojanov. Stojanov gets slowly back to his feet.
We've been told by Stojanov's head coaches at DK MMA that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Barnes fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Stojanov checks the leg kick.
Stojanov half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Barnes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Stojanov manages to avoid it.
Stojanov tries to counter with a takedown but Barnes is quick to defend against it.
Barnes misses with a jab to the body

and Stojanov counters with a shoot takedown. Barnes fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stojanov is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Barnes wants to get back to his feet but Stojanov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Barnes is on top in guard.

We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barnes wants to stand but Stojanov has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Barnes is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

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

Stojanov working for a triangle but Barnes defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stojanov is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Barnes frees his head nicely. Oh but Stojanov has switched to an armbar! Barnes is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:22 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Lukas Stojanov!