PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between IZRAEL KEAKUA (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conan Barringer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). KEAKUA's entrance music is pagan pay gone. A fine choice. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

KEAKUA
vs
Barringer

184 cm
18
225 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

182 cm
18
225 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, IZRAEL KEAKUA!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Conan Barringer!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Summer Carpenter and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
KEAKUA slips a jab and a cross from Barringer.
Barringer misses with the combination.
Barringer swinging wildly here.
Barringer throws a series of punches but KEAKUA avoids them all with ease.
KEAKUA avoids a punch combination nicely.
Horrible takedown by Barringer or perhaps it was just good defense by KEAKUA which made him look bad.
KEAKUA tries to clinch up.
Barringer tries to bum rush KEAKUA with a series of wild strikes but KEAKUA uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barringer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
KEAKUA tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barringer swats him away and circles back towards the center.
KEAKUA tries to clinch but Barringer is having none of it.
KEAKUA moves in looking to clinch but Barringer pushes him off.
KEAKUA shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Barringer as he jumps to the side.
KEAKUA will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barringer tries to clinch there but KEAKUA circles away.
Barringer tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Barringer tries for a takedown but KEAKUA circles away easily

and KEAKUA counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by KEAKUA.
Barringer looks gassed!
KEAKUA trying to control but Barringer is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as KEAKUA accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Barringer keeping moving, preventing KEAKUA from controlling successfully.
KEAKUA is looking to work some ground and pound but Barringer has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
KEAKUA stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barringer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
KEAKUA controls from within his opponent's guard.
KEAKUA stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barringer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
KEAKUA advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
KEAKUA trying to control the action but Barringer is working from the bottom.

That's four 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.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Barringer falls off balance throwing a combination

and KEAKUA counters by clinching up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

IZRAEL KEAKUA dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Barringer throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barringer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but KEAKUA paws at him with a jab and circles away.
KEAKUA fails with the takedown.
Barringer tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and KEAKUA counters with a takedown into side control.
KEAKUA is looking to take a break and control but Barringer is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

KEAKUA has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barringer works over KEAKUA's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like IZRAEL KEAKUA has been cut.
Barringer shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. KEAKUA defends it nicely.

Barringer gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Barringer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A frustrated look appears on Barringer's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Barringer keeps the fight in the clinch, despite KEAKUA's efforts to push away.
Barringer has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barringer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
KEAKUA is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Barringer can't break the clinch.

KEAKUA escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barringer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by KEAKUA.
Barringer wants to clinch

and KEAKUA counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
KEAKUA controlling the position from side mount.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Barringer can do anything to dispel that myth.
KEAKUA postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

KEAKUA is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Barringer knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Barringer throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Conan Barringer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barringer throws a combination but it was largely blocked by KEAKUA.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
KEAKUA stuffs the takedown attempt from Barringer. Barringer gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Barringer. No joy for KEAKUA on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for IZRAEL KEAKUA. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barringer misses with a double jab

and KEAKUA counters with a nice double leg into side control. Barringer won't be happy with that.
KEAKUA wants to control but Barringer is keeping him busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

IZRAEL KEAKUA dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on IZRAEL KEAKUA's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

KEAKUA showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barringer.

Barringer drops KEAKUA with a beautiful combination! KEAKUA stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Barringer is looking for the KO!

KEAKUA is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Barringer drives through and clinches with KEAKUA against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A frustrated look appears on Barringer's face as he tries to break the clinch.
KEAKUA is trying to stall.
Barringer tries to circle away but KEAKUA has him pinned against the cage.
KEAKUA has Barringer pressed against the cage, preventing Barringer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Barringer tries to break free but KEAKUA pushes him back against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
KEAKUA tries to pull guard but Barringer holds him up against the cage and eventually KEAKUA drops back down to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barringer wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Barringer is looking to break free of the clinch but KEAKUA has double underhooks.
Barringer tries to break free but KEAKUA pushes him back against the cage.
Barringer gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from KEAKUA.
KEAKUA prevents Barringer from breaking the clinch.
KEAKUA is working for takedown but Barringer is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for IZRAEL KEAKUA. That's going to take a lot out of him.
KEAKUA has Barringer pressed against the cage, preventing Barringer from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Barringer is pressed up against the cage. KEAKUA has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Barringer down to the mat. Barringer avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Barringer swinging wildly here.
Barringer misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barringer looks to land a combination. KEAKUA sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Barringer shoots in but KEAKUA avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Barringer throws a right and a left that both miss.
Barringer tries to clinch up but KEAKUA circles away and keeps his distance.

Barringer takes the fight into the clinch.
KEAKUA can't find room to land a body shot as Barringer controls the action.
Barringer prevents a takedown attempt there.
KEAKUA keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Barringer's efforts to push away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Barringer is trying to break the clinch but KEAKUA is controlling him.
Barringer wants to get back to striking at distance but KEAKUA won't allow it.
Barringer is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
KEAKUA is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Barringer is keeping busy.
Barringer wants to break the clinch but can't.
Barringer working hard to break the clinch.

That's four 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.
Barringer working hard to break the clinch.
IZRAEL KEAKUA is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
KEAKUA wants to break free but Barringer has control.
Barringer looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
KEAKUA lands an elbow that stopped Barringer in his tracks for a moment.
Barringer wants to get back to striking at distance but KEAKUA won't allow it.
KEAKUA wants a takedown but no success here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
KEAKUA keeps control of Barringer as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Conan Barringer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barringer wants to get back to striking at distance but KEAKUA won't allow it.
A body shot lands from Barringer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conan Barringer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think KEAKUA has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:28
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 28:28
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 28:28

The fight is ruled a draw!