PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kai Chen (ranked 5450 p4p, 4073 weight class) and Channing Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Chen
vs
Barnes

172 cm
16
150
0 - 1 - 0

177 cm
18
145
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kai Chen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Channing Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chen feints and then cracks Barnes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Barnes down.
Chen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Barnes looks for a takedown but Chen sprawls well.
Barnes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Chen defends it nicely.
Chen fails with the takedown.
Chen moves out of range of the strikes.

Chen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Chen showed some decent athleticism there.
Barnes missing with punches from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chen is keen to just control but Barnes is a slippery customer.
Chen prevents Barnes from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Chen wants to control but Barnes is keeping him busy.
Chen definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Barnes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Chen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Barnes wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Chen is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Barnes knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Barnes for a finish.
Chen trying to control momentarily.

Barnes showing good submission defense here.
Barnes is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Chen off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnes is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Barnes is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Chen is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Barnes has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Barnes is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barnes fending off the submission attempt from Chen.
Barnes is really stuck here.

Barnes showing good submission defense here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Chen is persistently looking for the submission but Barnes is defending it well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Chen is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Barnes knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Barnes for a finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chen looking for the RNC.

Chen looking to break Barnes's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Barnes remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Chen will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barnes is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Chen is looking for the choke from the back position but Barnes is controlling his hands well.

Chen has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Barnes is in real trouble here. Chen gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Barnes is tapping out! Chen wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kai Chen!
Kai Chen bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.