PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johan Witten (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mirko Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barnett has chosen Alaj volim kad je pomalena as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Witten has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Johan Witten looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Witten
vs
Barnett

182 cm
22
220 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

188 cm
22
240 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Prefers standup

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Johan Witten!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mirko Barnett!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Witten moves in looking to clinch but Barnett pushes him off.
Witten throws a nice looking combination but Barnett bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Witten throws a half hearted mid kick.
Witten moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Witten could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Witten misses with a two punch combination.
Witten is breathing heavily.
Witten finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Barnett has managed to clinch.
Barnett wants a takedown but no success here.
Witten wants to get back to striking at distance but Barnett won't allow it.
Barnett scores with a knee to the head.
Barnett connects with a knee to the head.
Barnett working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Barnett landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Barnett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barnett tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Witten counters with a left to the body.
Witten tries to clinch

and Barnett holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Witten tries to break the clinch but Barnett is controlling the position.
Barnett scores a nice knee to the body.
Witten wants to get back to striking at distance but Barnett won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett tries a knee to the head but Witten blocks it.
Witten takes a knee right on the jaw!
Witten is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Barnett is keeping busy.
Barnett tries to score a body lock takedown but Witten shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Barnett breaks the clinch.
Witten swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Barnett holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Knees to the body from Barnett.
Witten tries to break the clinch but Barnett is controlling the position.
Barnett lands with a right to the head.
Barnett with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Witten is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Barnett is keeping busy.
Witten tries to break the clinch but Barnett is controlling the position.

Witten breaks from the clinch.
Witten throws a left and a right that both miss

and Barnett moves into the clinch.
Witten wants to break free but Barnett has control.
Witten letting Barnett take a breather here.
Knees to the body from Barnett.
Barnett'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.
Witten avoiding damage as Barnett throws knees to the body.
Witten working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witten tries to stall but Barnett uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Barnett lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Witten tries to break the clinch but Barnett is controlling the position.
Witten wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Barnett has him pressed against the cage.

Barnett breaks the clinch.

Barnett closes the distance and clinches.
Barnett prevents Witten from breaking the clinch.
Witten has a couple of punches blocked by Barnett.
Witten wants to break free but Barnett has control.
Barnett lands a nice knee to the body.
Barnett landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Barnett is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Witten gets underhooks to prevent Barnett's takedown attempt.
Johan Witten has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mirko Barnett.
Barnett keeps control of Witten as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Barnett cracks Witten with a nice body shot.
Witten can't break the clinch.
Witten tries a knee to the head but Barnett blocks it.
Barnett scores with a knee to the head.
Witten prevents the takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Barnett connects with a knee to the head.
Barnett lands a body shot.
Barnett using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Barnett pushes Witten back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Barnett lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Barnett is leaning against Witten and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barnett manages to break the clinch.
Barnett shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Witten as he avoids it easily.
Barnett circles away from the clinch attempt

and Barnett counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Barnett.
A head punch on the inside from Witten fails to land.
Barnett holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Barnett throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Wittens head.
Barnett prevents Witten from breaking the clinch.

Barnett breaks the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barnett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barnett.
Witten throws a head kick that misses

and Barnett counters by clinching up.
Barnett lands a knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Barnett.
Barnett crunches a lovely knee into Witten's ribcage.
Witten has a couple of punches blocked by Barnett.

Barnett gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barnett distracts Witten with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett postures up and lands a big shot to Witten's brow.
Barnett postures up and lands a big shot to Witten's brow.

Barnett gets to his feet. Witten looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Barnett forces Witten back against the cage and clinches.
Barnett lands a left hand that snaps the head of Witten backwards.
Barnett tries to land a knee to the head but Witten blocks with his arms.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Barnett.

Barnett breaks from the clinch.
Witten throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Barnett counters by clinching up.
Witten has had enough of the clinch but Barnett keeps him there for the moment.
Barnett misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Witten.
Barnett tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Barnett misses with a knee to the head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Witten has had enough of the clinch but Barnett keeps him there for the moment.
Witten has had enough of the clinch but Barnett keeps him there for the moment.
Barnett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Witten wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Witten tries to break the clinch but Barnett is controlling the position.
Barnett lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Barnett lands a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Barnett dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Witten misses with a few strikes there.
Barnett is looking to clinch but Witten is avoiding it.

Barnett clinches up with Witten and pushes him back against the cage.

Barnett breaks from the clinch.
Witten throws a combination that misses

and Barnett counters by moving into the clinch.
Barnett is stalling here.
Barnett lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Knees in the clinch landing for Barnett.
Barnett can't get the takedown.
Barnett is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Barnett manages to break the clinch.

Barnett clinches with his opponent.
Witten dodges an elbow strike from Barnett.
Witten wants to break the clinch but can't.
Barnett crunches a lovely knee into Witten's ribcage.
Barnett throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Witten blocks it with crossed arms.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Barnett'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.
A shot in the inside from Barnett.
Barnett using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Barnett landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Witten has had enough of the clinch but Barnett keeps him there for the moment.
Barnett stalling the fight.
Barnett tries to land a knee to the head but Witten blocks with his arms.
Witten wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Barnett lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Witten or not.
A knee to the head by Barnett.
Witten is trying to stall.
A left hand lands to the body for Barnett.
Mirko Barnett seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Witten wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Barnett leaning against his opponent.
Witten wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Barnett has him pressed against the cage.
Barnett scores a nice knee to the body.
Witten taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Barnett tries to land knees in the clinch but Witten avoids the damage to the body.
Witten letting Barnett take a breather here.
Barnett lands a knee to the body.
Witten is trying to break free.
Barnett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Witten wants to get back to striking at distance but Barnett won't allow it.
Barnett lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Witten backwards.
Barnett has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Witten is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Barnett pulls guard.
Witten preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Witten won't allow Barnett to get back to his feet.
Barnett throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Barnett looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Barnett kicks Witten off and gets to his feet.

Barnett has taken the fight to the clinch.
Witten wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Barnett lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Witten manages to break the clinch.
Johan Witten is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Witten throws a combination that misses

and Barnett counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Witten wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Barnett has him pressed against the cage.
Witten wants to break the clinch but can't.
Witten works on Barnett's body with a couple of short punches.
Good body shot from Barnett.
Witten managing to block the knees to the body from Barnett.
Barnett prevents Witten from breaking the clinch.
Witten scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Witten throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Witten on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Witten breaks the clinch.
Barnett tries to clinch but Witten moves out of range.

Barnett darts in and clinches Witten up against the cage.
Barnett connects with a nasty looking knee right to Witten's face.

Witten is rocked!
Witten wants to break the clinch but can't.
Oh Witten is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Witten trying to stall but Barnett improves his position.
Barnett pressing his opponent against the cage.
Witten seems to have got his legs back now.
Barnett has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Witten is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Johan Witten has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mirko Barnett.
Barnett tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Barnett has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Barnett tries for a takedown. No joy.
Barnett landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Barnett throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Witten blocks it with crossed arms.

Barnett escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Witten lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Witten misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A right-left combo lands from Witten.
A clash of legs there as Barnett blocks the low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witten tries to clinch

and Barnett counters by moving into the clinch.
Witten tries to break the clinch but Barnett is controlling the position.
Barnett stalling the fight.
Witten misses with a hook from the clinch.
Witten takes a knee right on the jaw!
Good body shot from Barnett.
Barnett changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Witten fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Barnett closes the distance but Witten moves to the side
and Witten counters with a left to the body.
Barnett is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barnett ducks under a wild hook from Witten.
Witten tries to clinch
and Witten takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Barnett fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Witten, pushing him back against the cage.
Barnett stalling.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Witten takes a knee right on the jaw!
Barnett using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

Barnett breaks the clinch.
Witten throws a combination that misses

and Barnett counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
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!
Barnett connects with a knee to the head.
Witten avoiding damage as Barnett throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Barnett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Witten falls off balance throwing a combination
and Barnett counters with a nice body kick.
Witten throws a right and a left that both miss.
Witten fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Witten darts in trying to clinch
and Barnett counters with a good, hard body kick but Witten shrugs it off.
Barnett is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barnett looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Witten misses with a double jab

and Barnett holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Witten wants to get back to striking at distance but Barnett won't allow it.
Barnett using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Witten has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Witten wants to break free but Barnett has control.
Witten has had enough of the clinch but Barnett keeps him there for the moment.
Barnett throws a head punch that misses.
Witten is trying to break free.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Witten stalling the fight.
Witten can't break the clinch.
Witten has had enough of the clinch but Barnett keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Witten up against the cage.

Witten breaks the clinch.
Barnett tries to clinch up.
Witten circles away from the clinch attempt.
Witten throws a right and a left that Barnett avoids nicely.
Witten keeps the fight on the outside.

Witten closes the distance and clinches.
Barnett prevents Witten from breaking the clinch.
Barnett connects with a knee to the head.
Witten wants to get back to striking at distance but Barnett won't allow it.
Barnett with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Witten wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Barnett has him pressed against the cage.
Witten wants to break the clinch but can't.

Barnett manages to break the clinch.

Barnett instigates a clinch.
Barnett scores with a hook to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Barnett.
Barnett using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Barnett lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A left hand lands to the body for Barnett.
Witten has had enough of the clinch but Barnett keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett lands a knee to the head.
A right hand to the body from Barnett.
Barnett pressing his opponent against the cage.
Barnett keeps control of Witten as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Barnett lands a nice knee to the body.
Witten letting Barnett take a breather here.
Barnett lands a hook to the side of the head.
Witten misses with a knee strike.
Barnett wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Witten has him pressed against the cage.
Barnett missing with knees to the body.
A short right from Witten on the inside.
Barnett is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

Witten breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barnett fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Witten swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Barnett counters with a good low kick that Witten was not able to check.
Some wild striking there from Witten.

Barnett darts in and clinches Witten up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett tries a knee to the head but Witten blocks it.

Barnett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barnett tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Witten counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Witten throws a combination that misses

and Barnett moves into the clinch.
Barnett has Witten pushed against the cage.
Barnett lands a knee to the body.
Witten lands a nice uppercut.
Barnett blocks an elbow strike from Witten.
Barnett tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Witten gets underhooks to prevent Barnett's takedown attempt.
Knees in the clinch landing for Barnett.
Witten wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Barnett has him pressed against the cage.
Barnett working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barnett has Witten pushed against the cage.
Barnett has Witten pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Witten manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Johan Witten has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mirko Barnett.
Barnett landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Witten wants to break free but Barnett has control.
Barnett lands a knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Barnett.
Witten has a couple of punches blocked by Barnett.
Barnett throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Witten blocks it with crossed arms.
Barnett with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Barnett throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Witten blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Witten managing to block the knees to the body from Barnett.
Witten works on Barnett's body with a couple of short punches.
Barnett missing with knees to the body.
A short left from Witten.
Barnett tries for a takedown but Witten manages to get underhooks.
Witten wants to get back to striking at distance but Barnett won't allow it.
Barnett lands a knee to the head.
A short uppercut from Barnett.
Barnett stalls.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnett landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Barnett using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Witten has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Johan Witten has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barnett goes for a takedown attempt but Witten pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Witten throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Witten throws a leg kick
and Barnett counters with a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Witten misses with a combination
and Barnett counters with an inside leg kick.

Barnett has managed to clinch.
Witten wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Barnett lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirko Barnett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Barnett winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirko Barnett!