PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Azamat Bagatov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ronnie Barnhardt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bagatov kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Curtis Stigers & The Forest Rangers - John The Revelator . Azamat Bagatov has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Bagatov
vs
Barnhardt

180 cm
26
220 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

185 cm
23
208 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Azamat Bagatov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ronnie Barnhardt!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, George Francis and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bagatov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bagatov avoids the head kick by Barnhardt.
Barnhardt slips a jab and a cross from Bagatov.
No luck for Barnhardt with that takedown attempt.
Barnhardt looks for a takedown but Bagatov sprawls well.
Bagatov tries to bum rush Barnhardt with a series of wild strikes but Barnhardt uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barnhardt takes a swing at Bagatov's ribcage but misses.
Barnhardt shoots in but no luck this time.
Azamat Bagatov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronnie Barnhardt.
Bagatov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barnhardt tries for a takedown but Bagatov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Barnhardt looks gassed!
No joy there for Bagatov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Barnhardt fails with a takedown attempt.
Barnhardt avoids a punch combination nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bagatov misses with a wild combination.
Bagatov misses with a double jab.
No joy there for Bagatov, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bagatov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A combination from Bagatov does no damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagatov fails to land with a series of punches.
A combination from Bagatov does no damage.
Bagatov looks to land a combination. Barnhardt sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Ronnie Barnhardt has been cut.
Barnhardt throws a sloppy head kick and Bagatov moves out of range easily.
A combination from Bagatov does no damage.
Bagatov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Azamat Bagatov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnhardt dives in and grabs Bagatov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bagatov pushes down on Barnhardt's head and hops out.
A head kick misses from Barnhardt.
Bagatov looks to land a combination but Barnhardt avoids it well.
Bagatov misses with a series of wild punches.
Bagatov swinging wildly here.
Barnhardt shoots in for a double leg but Bagatov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Bagatov tries to bum rush Barnhardt with a series of wild strikes but Barnhardt uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bagatov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bagatov misses with a few strikes there.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barnhardt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Bagatov does no damage.
Bagatov misses with the combination.
A punch combination from Bagatov misses.
Barnhardt throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bagatov throws a right and a left that both miss.
Bagatov misses with the combination.
Bagatov misses with a two punch combination.

Barnhardt drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Barnhardt swings around for an armbar but Bagatov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Barnhardt's guard.
Bagatov throwing strikes from guard but Barnhardt blocks nicely.
Bagatov with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnhardt wants to sweep but no luck.
Bagatov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bagatov won't allow Barnhardt to sweep him here.
Bagatov with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bagatov is looking to work some ground and pound but Barnhardt has wrist control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Barnhardt is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bagatov.
Bagatov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Barnhardt circles away quickly and effectively.
Barnhardt fails to land the takedown.
Azamat Bagatov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bagatov throws a series of punches but Barnhardt avoids them all with ease.
Bagatov misses with a series of wild punches.
Bagatov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bagatov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Barnhardt closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

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.
Barnhardt tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Bagatov smiles and moves away.
Bagatov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Barnhardt.
Some wild striking there from Barnhardt.
Bagatov falls off balance throwing a combination
and Barnhardt counters with a nice body shot.
Bagatov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bagatov misses with a few strikes there.
Barnhardt misses with a head kick.
Bagatov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Barnhardt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bagatov misses with a two punch combination.
Barnhardt shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bagatov pinned against the cage. Bagatov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Bagatov throws a right hand that Barnhardt ducks under and follows up with a left that Barnhardt also avoids with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Azamat Bagatov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ronnie Barnhardt's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Barnhardt scores with a hook to the body. Bagatov takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bagatov misses with a combination

and Barnhardt counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Bagatov is trying to stand up here but Barnhardt is controlling him well.

Bagatov is defending against the submission attempts here by Barnhardt.

Bagatov manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Some wild striking there from Bagatov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnhardt looks for a takedown but Bagatov sprawls well.
Bagatov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bagatov misses with a series of wild punches.
Barnhardt shoots in for a takedown but Bagatov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bagatov throws a right and a left that Barnhardt avoids nicely.
Barnhardt avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bagatov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bagatov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Barnhardt fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bagatov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Barnhardt counters with a shoot takedown. Bagatov fights it but they end up in guard.

Barnhardt is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bagatov is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bagatov has escaped and now he's on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bagatov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Barnhardt works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bagatov scoring with some ground and pound.
Bagatov stopping the sweep attempt from Barnhardt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnhardt has momentary wrist control but Bagatov slips an elbow through the middle.
Barnhardt throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Bagatov postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bagatov scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bagatov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Bagatov misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov misses with a combination
and Barnhardt counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bagatov throws a right and a left that Barnhardt avoids nicely.
Barnhardt tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bagatov swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A head kick misses from Barnhardt.
Left hook, right uppercut from Bagatov.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Barnhardt.
Azamat Bagatov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronnie Barnhardt.
Bagatov misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barnhardt misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Bagatov lands a two punch combo.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barnhardt is defended easily by Bagatov.
Bagatov throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barnhardt tries a head kick but it misses.
Bagatov lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov misses with a combination
and Barnhardt counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bagatov thinking.
A combination from Bagatov does no damage.
Barnhardt throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Bagatov's waist but Bagatov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barnhardt off to one side.
Bagatov misses with a double jab.
Bagatov throws a left and a right that both miss

so Barnhardt counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Barnhardt postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Bagatov is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Barnhardt, into his guard.
Bagatov postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bagatov stands up over Barnhardt, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Barnhardt is trying to keep Bagatov in close.
Barnhardt wants to stand but Bagatov is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ronnie Barnhardt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ronnie Barnhardt's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Bagatov throws a combination that misses

and Barnhardt counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Barnhardt throws a strike but Bagatov rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Bagatov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bagatov postures up in Barnhardt's guard and throws a big left but Barnhardt blocks it.
Bagatov postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barnhardt is adopting a defensive guard.
Bagatov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barnhardt's head.
Bagatov stands up over Barnhardt, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bagatov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bagatov distracts Barnhardt with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barnhardt is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagatov postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bagatov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Barnhardt utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bagatov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Barnhardt wants to stand up but Bagatov is controlling him.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Bagatov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bagatov scoring with some ground and pound.
Barnhardt trying to keep a closed guard but Bagatov is proving a slippery customer.
Bagatov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Barnhardt dives in and grabs Bagatov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Bagatov pushes down on Barnhardt's head and hops out.
Barnhardt misses with a body kick.
Bagatov misses with a wild combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Barnhardt shoots in for a takedown but Bagatov shows good takedown defense.
Some wild striking there from Bagatov.
Barnhardt shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bagatov pinned against the cage. Bagatov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Azamat Bagatov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ronnie Barnhardt.
Bagatov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Barnhardt.
Bagatov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Some wild striking there from Bagatov.
Barnhardt looks for a takedown but Bagatov sprawls well.
Azamat Bagatov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barnhardt looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bagatov falls off balance throwing a combination

and Barnhardt counters with a takedown into side control.
Barnhardt throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barnhardt swings around for an armbar but Bagatov sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Barnhardt's guard.
Barnhardt wants to sweep here but Bagatov controlling him for the moment.
Barnhardt is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Bagatov is working Barnhardt over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bagatov is looking to work some ground and pound but Barnhardt has wrist control.
Bagatov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bagatov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Barnhardt is trying to control the position but Bagatov postures up.
Bagatov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barnhardt's head.
Bagatov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bagatov forces his way into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bagatov working the head and body with strikes.

Barnhardt looking for submissions off his back.
Bagatov works his way into full mount!
Bagatov lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Bagatov working the ground and pound effectively.
Bagatov in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Barnhardt is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ronnie Barnhardt.
I think Barnhardt has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 29:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Ronnie Barnhardt!