PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Barnes (ranked 3474 p4p, 4596 weight class) and Israel Kirzner (ranked 333 p4p, 415 weight class). Michael Barnes has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Barnes
vs
Kirzner

170 cm
21
149
4 - 3 - 0

170 cm
20
143
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Insanely flexible

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Israel Kirzner!
The judges for this bout are Gwen Towbar, Robert Twigg and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirzner looks to land a left hand but Barnes moved out of range nicely.
Barnes has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Barnes getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Barnes cracks a nice hook into Kirzner's ribs.
Barnes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kirzner misses with a double jab

and Barnes counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Barnes's corner is telling him to maintain position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirzner is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Barnes looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Kirzner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirzner wants to stand up but Barnes is controlling him.
Barnes content to stall in guard here.
Barnes passes easily into side control. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kirzner is being controlled here.
Barnes trying to control the position but Kirzner is working away.
Kirzner tries to buck Barnes off but Barnes is having none of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Barnes cracks Kirzner with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Kirzner is not content to let Barnes control the position.

Barnes looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kirzner can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kirzner is not content to let Barnes control the position.
Kirzner is looking for a sweep.
Kirzner is trying to buck Barnes off.
Kirzner struggling a bit here.
Barnes working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes working the ground and pound.
Barnes wants to control but Kirzner is keeping him busy.
Barnes is putting a hurting on Kirzner here, landing some big shots from side control.
Kirzner really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Barnes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kirzner takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Barnes trying to control the action but Kirzner is working from the bottom.
Kirzner looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Kirzner is trying to buck Barnes off.
Barnes trying to control the position but Kirzner is working away.
Barnes staying calm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barnes in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Kirzner is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Michael Barnes!
A very excited looking Michael Barnes made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.