PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Maximo Costa (ranked 3532 p4p, 3811 weight class) and Sam Barnes (ranked 510 p4p, 539 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Costa
vs
Barnes

195 cm
21
198
5 - 3 - 0

187 cm
22
194
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Gatoroids

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Maximo Costa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sam Barnes!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Costa lands with a straight right. Barnes didn't see that one coming.
Barnes misses with a wild combination.
Barnes has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Barnes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Costa.
Barnes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Barnes gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Costa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Costa doesn't manage to clinch there - Barnes circles away.
The fighters circling - Costa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Costa throws an off balance right hand
and Barnes counters with a nice uppercut.

Oooooh!!! Costa has knocked Barnes down with a huge combo! Costa steps away and waves a wobbly Barnes back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Barnes is rocked!

It looks like Sam Barnes has been cut.
Maximo Costa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Costa misses with a hook. Barnes ducked under it nicely.
Barnes lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
A jab from Costa misses.
Barnes misses with the combination.
Costa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barnes is looking for the big counter here.
Barnes jabs Costa right on the nose. Costa blinks but takes it well.
A big right from Costa misses.

Barnes gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa is trying to break free.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Barnes.

Barnes breaks the clinch.
Barnes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Barnes tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Costa throws a body punch but Barnes moves out of range.
Costa throws a hook but Barnes blocks it.

Barnes moves into the clinch.

Barnes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barnes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Barnes throws out a counter right but Costa avoids it with no problem.
Costa looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Jab from Costa.
Barnes connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Costa throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Costa throws a poor cross that misses
and Costa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Costa jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barnes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costa throws a hook but Barnes avoids it easily.
Costa throws a hook but Barnes blocks it.
Barnes doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Barnes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Costa.
Costa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Costa lands a glancing blow to the side of Barnes's head.
Barnes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Costa.
Costa is looking to clinch but Barnes is avoiding it.
Costa misses with an uppercut.
Barnes moves away from the strike by Costa.
Barnes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Costa.
Barnes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Costa.
Costa missing with a left hand there. Barnes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barnes throws a counter combo.
Nice cross by Costa.

Costa sends Barnes crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Costa is motioning to the referee to let Barnes up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
Costa looks to throw the jab but Barnes is out of range.
Costa misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes scores with a shot to the body.
Barnes circles away from the clinch attempt
and Barnes counters with a nice uppercut.
Costa misses with a straight right.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Barnes! But no joy.
A big left from Costa misses.
Barnes moves away from the strike by Costa.
Jab, jab by Costa - just one landing.
Costa throws a leg kick
and Barnes counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Costa missing with a left hand there. Barnes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Barnes has taken the fight to the clinch.

Barnes breaks from the clinch.
Costa keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Costa blocks a jab.
Barnes defending well as Costa loads up on a big left hand.
Barnes walks into a stiff left hand from Costa.
Barnes displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes slips a jab from Costa.
Costa jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Costa throws an overhand right that lands on Barnes's shoulder, as Barnes tries to avoid the shot.
Barnes lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Barnes slips under a jab.
Barnes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Barnes throws a counter combo.
Costa throws an off balance right hand
letting Barnes counter with a right hand.
Barnes moves out of range as Costa strikes.
Barnes throws a counter combo.
Barnes lands a nice shot that snaps Costa's head back.
Costa walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Barnes checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Costa misses with a takedown attempt
and Barnes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Barnes scores with a head kick.
Costa throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Costa misses with a hook. Barnes ducked under it nicely.
Barnes defending well as Costa loads up on a big left hand.
Costa scores with a nice head shot.
Barnes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Costa.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maximo Costa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sam Barnes's cut.
That's time! Costa's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice body punch from Barnes.
Barnes scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Costa. Those never looked like landing.
Barnes looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Costa throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barnes throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Barnes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Costa.
Costa misses with an uppercut
and Barnes counters with a three punch combo that has Costa backing up. Costa nods at Barnes to acknowledge the strikes.
Barnes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barnes throws a counter combo.
Costa throws an off balance right hand
and Costa takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnes shoots in for a takedown but Costa shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Costa missing with a left hand there. Barnes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barnes blocks a jab.
Costa throws a lazy right hand but Barnes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barnes might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Barnes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barnes. Costa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Maximo Costa is winning the standup battle so far.
Good shot there by Costa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Costa.
Barnes scores with a hook.
Costa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Barnes darts in and clinches Costa up against the cage.
Costa tries to break the clinch but Barnes is controlling the position.
Barnes has Costa pressed against the cage, preventing Costa from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Barnes breaks from the clinch.
Barnes slips under a jab from Costa.
Barnes takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Barnes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barnes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Barnes moves out of range of the strikes.
Barnes lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Barnes defending well as Costa loads up on a big left hand.
Barnes unleashes a big counter combination but Costa bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Costa misses with a hook. Barnes ducked under it nicely.
Costa misses with an uppercut. Barnes saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes moves out of range as Costa strikes.
Barnes connects with a leg kick.
Costa swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Barnes appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Barnes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Costa.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Costa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sam Barnes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Costa looks to land a right hand but Barnes moved out of range.
As Costa backs off Barnes throws a huge counter combo but Costa manages to avoid it all.
Costa throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Barnes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Costa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Barnes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Costa thows a left - swing and a miss!
Costa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A swing and a miss from Costa.
Costa misses with a hook. Barnes ducked under it nicely.
Barnes lands a nice shot that snaps Costa's head back.
A big right from Costa misses.
Costa throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Costa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barnes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Barnes slips under a jab.
Barnes chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Costa throws a lazy right hand but Barnes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Costa misses with a straight right.

Barnes rushes Costa and presses him up against the cage.

Costa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice body punch from Barnes.
Barnes moves out of range as Costa strikes.

Barnes fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Costa to the ground. Barnes is now in Costa's guard.
Barnes slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Costa is keeping the position for now.
Costa wants to stand up but Barnes is controlling him.

Barnes gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nice defenses there by Barnes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Barnes moves into the clinch.
Barnes tries a body shot but Costa blocks it.

Barnes manages to break the clinch.
Barnes defending well as Costa loads up on a big left hand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Barnes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sam Barnes's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. And we move into the final round!

A big left from Costa misses.
Costa misses with a left hand
and Barnes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nice jab there from Costa.
Barnes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Costa circles away quickly and effectively.
Costa throws a looping overhand right but Barnes ducks down to avoid it.
Costa throws a big shot that misses.
Barnes looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Barnes takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Costa misses the jab.
Costa misses with a straight left.
A big right from Costa misses.
Barnes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Costa throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes thuds his right hand into Costa's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Costa misses with a lunging right hand
and Barnes counters with a right hand to the body.
Barnes looks to score with a jab to the body but Costa is just out of range.
Costa cracks Barnes with a right hand to the side of the head.
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!

Barnes shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Costa napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barnes decides to stand up, so the ref orders Costa to his feet.
Barnes throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Costa tries to clinch up.
Nice defenses there by Barnes.
Barnes slips under a jab.
Barnes lands a really nice looking cross but Costa seems unphased.
Barnes swinging wildly here.
Costa misses with a left hand
and Barnes counters with a straight right hand.
Barnes ducks under a wild hook from Costa.
Costa moves out of range as Barnes strikes.
Costa throws a series of punches but Barnes moves out of range.
Costa rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barnes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Costa loads up on a big right hand but Barnes slips the punch.
Barnes misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costa throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnes.
Barnes swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Barnes checks a leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Costa waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barnes.
Barnes throws a low kick but Costa avoids it.
Costa fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A little jabbing left from Barnes on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Costa takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Costa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Costa misses with a looping right.
Costa misses with a hook
and Barnes counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Costa loads up on a big right hand but Barnes slips the punch.
Barnes slips under a jab.
Barnes slips a straight right by Costa.
Barnes throws a counter combo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Barnes closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Costa did well to prevent Barnes getting side control.

Costa manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Barnes keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes misses with a body punch.
Barnes lands a shot to the body.

Costa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barnes connects with the punch.

Barnes closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Costa's guard.
Barnes prevents Costa from getting back to his feet.
Barnes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Costa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barnes's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sam Barnes.
I think Barnes has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Barnes!
After the fight, Sam Barnes was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.