PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Petcharon Darawan (ranked 1136 p4p, 2282 weight class) and Michael Barnes (ranked 106 p4p, 200 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Darawan
vs
Barnes

176 cm
28
155
14 - 6 - 0

170 cm
30
149
14 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Knock Out Sups
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Petcharon Darawan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Michael Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Colin Fotheringham and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Darawan.
Nice defenses there by Darawan.
Barnes throws the left hand but Darawan avoids the punch easily.
Barnes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barnes defending well as Darawan loads up on a big left hand.
Darawan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Barnes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Darawan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barnes takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Barnes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Darawan takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A jab from Barnes misses.
Darawan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Darawan misses with a body kick.
Barnes has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Darawan is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Barnes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Darawan throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Barnes finds it's way through Darawan's defenses.
Darawan throws a body kick that misses.
Darawan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Barnes.
Barnes ducks right into an uppercut from Darawan.
Barnes moves out of range of the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnes misses the shot to the body.
Darawan connects with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darawan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Barnes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barnes listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Barnes misses with a wild body shot.
Darawan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barnes.
Barnes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Good work by Barnes as he checks the leg kick.
Barnes misses with a wild body shot.
Darawan misses with a straight right.
Barnes walks into a straight right hand from Darawan.
A clash of legs there as Barnes blocks the low kick.
Barnes lands with a straight right. Darawan didn't see that one coming.
Darawan slips under a jab.
A swing and a miss from Darawan.
Barnes takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barnes. Darawan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Darawan tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Barnes ducks under a wild hook from Darawan.
Barnes jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darawan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Darawan missing with a left hand there. Barnes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Darawan throws a wild body kick that Barnes sees coming a mile off.
Darawan looks to throw the jab but Barnes is out of range.
Barnes blocks a head kick by Darawan.

Barnes throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Darawan was covering up waiting for the punch and Barnes finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Darawan uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Barnes blocks a low kick nicely.
Darawan looks to score with a jab to the body but Barnes is just out of range.
Barnes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Barnes checks a leg kick.
Barnes tries to work over Darawan's front leg with a kick but Darawan checks it.
Darawan misses with a body shot.
Barnes lands with a nice body punch.
Darawan throws a jab when Barnes was well out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darawan connects with a solid leg kick.
Barnes throws a quick inside leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Barnes.
A clash of legs there as Barnes blocks the low kick.
Barnes displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Darawan throws out the jab.
Barnes is looking to score with low kicks.
Darawan throws a big shot that misses.
Barnes with the counter takedown but Darawan avoids it easily.
Barnes attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Barnes. Darawan shrugs it off though.
Barnes slips a jab from Darawan.
Darawan slips a jab from Barnes.
Darawan gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Barnes counters with a shoot takedown. Darawan fights it but they end up in guard.
Barnes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Darawan keeping full guard, as Barnes tries to pass.
Barnes throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnes throwing strikes from guard but Darawan blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barnes looking to pass the guard.
Barnes passes Darawan's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Barnes is trying to control the action in half guard but Darawan is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Barnes wants to free his trapped foot but Darawan is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Darawan keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Barnes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Darawan is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Michael Barnes will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Darawan swings widly with a right hand
and Barnes counters with a nice leg kick.
Darawan looks to land a body kick but Barnes moved away.
Barnes ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Barnes throws a body punch but Darawan moves out of range.
Petcharon Darawan is winning the standup battle so far.
Darawan throws a body shot but no joy.
Barnes misses with an uppercut. Darawan saw that one coming.
Darawan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barnes.
Barnes tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Barnes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Darawan.
Barnes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Barnes missing with a left hand there. Darawan was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barnes scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Barnes slips a jab from Darawan.
Barnes fails to land the takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Darawan moves away.
Barnes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Darawan was well out of range. Poor timing from Barnes.
Barnes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Barnes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Darawan.
Darawan slips a jab from Barnes.
Petcharon Darawan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Darawan. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Darawan.
Barnes moves forwards but Darawan connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Barnes misses with an uppercut.
An attempted straight right counter from Darawan misses the target.
Darawan misses with a body kick.
Barnes looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Crunch! Darawan slams his shin into Barnes's torso.
Darawan blocks a jab.
A bone on bone clash there as Barnes blocks the leg kick.
Barnes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Darawan.
Barnes scores with a shot to the body.
Barnes moves out of range of the strikes.
Barnes misses with a low kick.
Darawan throws a shot from downtown. Barnes moves away and avoids it.
Darawan misses with a looping right.
Barnes scores with a kick to the body.
Darawan throws a leg kick
and Barnes counters with a good low kick that Darawan was not able to check.
Darawan throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnes connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darawan throws a body kick that misses

and Barnes counters with a nice double leg into side control. Darawan won't be happy with that.
The ground and pound from Barnes seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Michael Barnes has got the better of the ground game so far.
Darawan is looking for a sweep.
Barnes throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Barnes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Darawan keeps working.
Barnes throws an elbow but Darawan slips to the side and avoids it well.
Darawan regains half guard, as Barnes was trying to land strikes.
Barnes seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Darawan does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Darawan regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Barnes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throws a big elbow that misses.
Barnes is looking to work some ground and pound but Darawan has wrist control.
Darawan keeping moving, preventing Barnes from controlling successfully.
Barnes working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Darawan keeping moving, preventing Barnes from controlling successfully.
Darawan is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Barnes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Barnes slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Barnes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Darawan is keeping the position for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Darawan pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Darawan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Darawan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barnes throws an overhand right that lands on Darawan's shoulder, as Darawan tries to avoid the shot.
Petcharon Darawan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barnes throws a body shot but no joy.
Barnes moves out of range as Darawan throws a body kick.
And Barnes tries to counter it with a takedown but Darawan pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Darawan lands a really nice looking cross but Barnes seems unphased.
A telegraphed right hand from Darawan misses the target.
Darawan slips a straight right by Barnes.
Barnes with a nice calf kick.
A jab from Barnes misses.
Barnes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Michael Barnes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Darawan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Barnes.
Barnes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Darawan.
Barnes throws a body punch but Darawan moves out of range.
Darawan staying out of range there.
Darawan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barnes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Barnes with a nice cross.
Barnes defending well as Darawan loads up on a big left hand.
Darawan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Barnes slips under a jab.

Darawan moves into the clinch successfully.

Barnes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barnes avoids the body shot from Darawan.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Darawan.
Darawan throws a looping overhand right but Barnes ducks down to avoid it.
Darawan tries to clinch up but Barnes circles away and keeps his distance.
Barnes throws a big shot that misses.
Darawan looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Barnes connects with a leg kick.
Barnes just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darawan misses with an uppercut. Barnes saw that one coming.
Barnes thumps Darawan with a low kick.
Darawan throws the kick towards the body but Barnes avoids it.
Darawan slips under a jab from Barnes.
Darawan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barnes manages to avoid it.
Darawan throws the left hand but Barnes avoids the punch easily.
Barnes is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nice body punch from Barnes.
Barnes fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Darawan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Barnes turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Barnes throws the left hand but Darawan avoids the punch easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Barnes.
Darawan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Darawan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Barnes tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Darawan defends well and Barnes ends up having to push Darawan into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Barnes slips a jab from Darawan.
Barnes just misses with a punch to the body.
Barnes goes for a double leg but Darawan avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Darawan continues to drive forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Darawan is looking to chop away at Barnes's legs.
A big right from Darawan misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Darawan throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Darawan is looking to chop away at Barnes's legs.
Barnes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barnes ducks under a wild hook from Darawan.
Darawan scores with a leg kick.
Darawan looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Darawan throws the left hand but Barnes avoids the punch easily.
Barnes scores with a jab to the body.
Darawan misses with an uppercut. Barnes saw that one coming.
Barnes defending well as Darawan loads up on a big left hand.
Darawan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barnes misses the jab.
Darawan moves in looking to clinch but Barnes pushes him off.
Barnes throws a looping overhand right but Darawan ducks down to avoid it.
Barnes slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Darawan misses with a straight right.
Darawan goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Darawan needs to keep his hands up - Barnes had a free shot at his head there.
Darawan takes a swing at Barnes's ribcage but misses.
Barnes shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Darawan eats them both and turns towards Barnes to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Darawan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barnes lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Barnes connects with a leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Barnes. Darawan shrugs it off though.
Darawan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Barnes moves out of range of the strikes.
Darawan feints and then cracks Barnes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Barnes down.
Darawan throws a hook but Barnes blocks it.
Barnes with the counter takedown but Darawan avoids it easily.
Barnes shoots in and drives through. Darawan sprawls well.
Petcharon Darawan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Petcharon Darawan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Michael Barnes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Darawan connects with a right hand. Barnes shakes it off.
Barnes lands a nice looking body shot.
Barnes stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darawan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Darawan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Barnes throws a jab but it's blocked by Darawan.
Barnes thumps Darawan with a low kick.
Darawan throws a hook to the side of Barnes's head but Barnes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barnes fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Barnes misses with a straight right.
Darawan scores with a hook.
Barnes looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Darawan wants to land a leg kick but Barnes is out of range.
Darawan lands a nice leg kick that just misses Barnes's sensitive parts.
Barnes lands a slapping body shot.

Barnes scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnes passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Darawan!
Michael Barnes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Darawan has left one of his arms exposed and Barnes doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Darawan screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Michael Barnes!
An out of breath Michael Barnes thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
The defeated Petcharon Darawan had this to say: 'I have nothing to say.'.