PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Junichi Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wes Barton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Watanabe comes to the cage accompanied by "One Thing Leads to Another" by The Fixx. Barton is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Linchpin. Junichi Watanabe had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Watanabe
vs
Barton

170 cm
20
160 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

179 cm
20
171 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Canadian Fighter Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Junichi Watanabe!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Wes Barton!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Alec Ball and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Watanabe.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Watanabe misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barton tries to improve position but can't.
Watanabe cracks Barton with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Watanabe looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Barton is avoiding damage well.
Watanabe 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.
Watanabe throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Watanabe fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Watanabe scoring with punches and elbows.
Barton is not content to let Watanabe control the position.
Watanabe throws an elbow but Barton slips to the side and avoids it well.
Watanabe working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Barton is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Watanabe looks up at the clock and then as Barton takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Watanabe smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Barton is trying to buck Watanabe off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barton is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Barton wants to get back to his feet.
Barton isn't going anywhere.
Watanabe throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Barton tries to bench press Watanabe off him but Watanabe keeps the position.
Barton parries the strikes from Watanabe easily there. Watanabe is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Barton to escape.
Watanabe trying to control the position but Barton is working away.
Watanabe working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Watanabe with the ground and pound but Barton regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Barton wants to control but Watanabe is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Watanabe thows a huge punch but Barton dodges it nicely.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Watanabe lands a jab-cross combination.
Barton doesn't manage to clinch there - Watanabe circles away.
Watanabe lands the left hand.

Barton is rocked!
Watanabe throws a left jab followed by a right to the body, Oh Barton colapses and takes a barrage of punches from Watanabe as he moves to mount! the ref stops the fight and Barton is left battered and dazed whilst Watanabe and his camp cheer!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Junichi Watanabe!
Junichi Watanabe retains his lightweight title!