PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Constantin Niculescu (ranked 703 p4p, 547 weight class) and Bento Barboza (ranked 93 p4p, 69 weight class). Barboza has chosen Angel Of Death as his entrance music. 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.

Niculescu
vs
Barboza

183 cm
29
230
18 - 11 - 0

190 cm
30
265
28 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Urban Fighter

Conquer
Hoarse Pills

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 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Constantin Niculescu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bento Barboza!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A kick lands to the mid section there for Barboza.
The fighters circle momentarily. Barboza darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Niculescu just misses with a punch to the body.
Niculescu bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Barboza gets off balance looking for a body kick

so Niculescu counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Barboza wants to sweep but no luck.
Barboza seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
We've been hearing that Niculescu has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Niculescu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Barboza looking for a sweep. Not yet Barboza, not yet.
Niculescu postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niculescu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Niculescu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Niculescu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Niculescu loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Barboza is adopting a defensive guard.
Niculescu chips away with some ground and pound.
Niculescu throwing strikes from guard but Barboza blocks nicely.
Barboza is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

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.
Niculescu throws an elbow that misses. Barboza uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Niculescu's guard. Nice move by Barboza!

Niculescu wants to sweep but no luck.
Barboza showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Niculescu has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barboza is one step ahead there.
Barboza controlling from the top position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Barboza is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Niculescu.
Barboza tries to work over Niculescu's front leg with a kick but Niculescu checks it.
Niculescu attempts a counter takedown but Barboza avoids it well and moves away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu misses with a takedown
and Barboza counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Constantin Niculescu has been cut.
Niculescu fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Barboza on the side of the head.
Niculescu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barboza.
It seemed like Barboza was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A bone on bone clash there as Niculescu blocks the leg kick.
Niculescu throws a body punch but Barboza moves out of range.
Barboza uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Niculescu.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice body punch from Niculescu.
Barboza misses the shot to the body.
Barboza throws a wild body kick that Niculescu sees coming a mile off.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Constantin Niculescu dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Constantin Niculescu's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Barboza keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Niculescu moves out of range of the body kick.
Niculescu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Niculescu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Niculescu misses with a hook. Barboza ducked under it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barboza throws a hook to the side of Niculescu's head but Niculescu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Constantin Niculescu is winning the standup battle so far.
Donk. Niculescu catches Barboza right on the button with a cross.
Niculescu misses the body punch
letting Barboza counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niculescu loads up on a big right hand but Barboza slips the punch.
Bento Barboza is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Niculescu misses with a wild combination.
Niculescu takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Barboza sends Niculescu crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Barboza is motioning to the referee to let Niculescu up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
Niculescu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Niculescu displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Niculescu misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Barboza counters with a right hand from hell and Niculescu is out cold! A vicious knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Bento Barboza!
After winning the bout, Bento Barboza thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.