PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Barzakov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miyamoto Musashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barzakov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Alexander The Great by Iron Maiden. Musashi is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Andrea Bocelli- Time to Say Goodbye. Alexander Barzakov could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Miyamoto Musashi's chin.

Barzakov
vs
Musashi

180 cm
28
164 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

182 cm
24
170 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp
Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Barzakov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Miyamoto Musashi!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Robert Douchet and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barzakov thuds a left hand into Musashi's body.
Musashi lands a glancing blow to the side of Barzakov's head.
Musashi misses with a shot to the body

and Barzakov counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Musashi taking some punishment here, with Barzakov in his half guard.
Musashi is trying to control but can't.

Musashi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Musashi wants to improve his position but Barzakov is controlling well.
Musashi taking some punishment here, with Barzakov in his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barzakov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Musashi wants to improve his position but Barzakov is controlling well.
Barzakov winds up and cracks Musashi with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Musashi throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Musashi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Barzakov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barzakov keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Musashi tries to get to full guard but Barzakov has control of the leg.
Barzakov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Musashi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Musashi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Musashi.
Barzakov wants to control from the top but Musashi keeps moving.

Musashi has his foot on Barzakov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barzakov works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Musashi looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Barzakov has picked Musashi up and slammed him! Musashi can't keep hold of the triangle and Barzakov manages to pass to side control!
Barzakov grinds an elbow into Musashi's temple.
Barzakov working away.
Musashi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Musashi looks gassed!
Musashi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Barzakov knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Musashi on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barzakov is nestled in close to Musashi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Musashi is looking to improve his position.
Barzakov content to control rather than advance.
Barzakov tries to pass the half guard into mount. Musashi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Musashi is looking for a sweep. Barzakov is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Musashi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Musashi is looking to control Barzakov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Musashi avoid being mounted?
Barzakov wants to free his trapped foot but Musashi is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Musashi manages to get to full guard.
Barzakov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Musashi throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Musashi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Barzakov defends it easily.
Barzakov landing with the ground and pound.

Musashi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Barzakov defends well.
Barzakov slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Musashi thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Musashi is trying to control the position but Barzakov postures up.
Musashi will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Musashi keeping moving, preventing Barzakov from controlling successfully.
Musashi thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Barzakov wants to control from the top but Musashi keeps moving.
Barzakov in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Musashi working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Barzakov has passed into half guard!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Barzakov connects with a nice short shot to Musashi's temple.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Barzakov dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Barzakov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Musashi.
Barzakov misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Barzakov throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Musashi tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Barzakov is in Musashi's guard.

Musashi is looking for a triangle but Barzakov pushes his legs off easily.
Barzakov stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Musashi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barzakov trying to control but Musashi is working from the bottom.
Barzakov postures up and lands a big shot to Musashi's brow.
Musashi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Barzakov trying desperately to get to his feet.
Barzakov wants to control but Musashi is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musashi pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.

Musashi is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Musashi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Musashi tries to bum rush Barzakov with a series of wild strikes but Barzakov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Musashi gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Barzakov slips nicely into half guard.

Musashi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Musashi is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Musashi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Barzakov is working away from the top position though.

Musashi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Alexander Barzakov overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barzakov takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Barzakov is nestled in close to Musashi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Barzakov wants to control but Musashi is keeping him busy.
Musashi manages to get to full guard.
Barzakov wants to control from the top but Musashi keeps moving.

Musashi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barzakov trying to control the position from guard on top but Musashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Musashi working for a triangle but Barzakov defends it easily.
Musashi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Barzakov.
Barzakov trying to control but Musashi is working from the bottom.
Musashi being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four 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.

Musashi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barzakov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Musashi can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Barzakov controls the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Alexander Barzakov just wasn't active enough.
Barzakov throws a left and a right that both miss
and Musashi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Musashi lands a jab to Barzakov's midsection.
Barzakov bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barzakov fails with a takedown attempt.
Musashi avoids a punch combination nicely.
Musashi bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Barzakov's head backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alexander Barzakov will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Musashi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Musashi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barzakov swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Barzakov shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Barzakov showed some decent athleticism there.
Barzakov sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Musashi defending well though.
Barzakov is trying to control. Musashi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Musashi actively working from the bottom here.
Barzakov blocks the strikes from Musashi.
Musashi trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Barzakov manages to pass to mount!
Musashi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Barzakov punishing his opponent with strikes.
Musashi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Musashi regains half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Musashi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Musashi is trying to keep Barzakov in close.
Barzakov scoring with punches to the head and body.
Barzakov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Musashi's head.
Barzakov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Musashi looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Barzakov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barzakov loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Musashi looking to control but Barzakov passes into half guard.

Musashi actively working from the bottom here.
Barzakov trying to control the action but Musashi is working from the bottom.
Musashi tries to get to full guard but Barzakov has control of the leg.
Barzakov trying to control the pace.
Musashi is trying to stand back up but Barzakov is controlling him
Musashi wants to control but Barzakov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Musashi wants to improve his position but Barzakov is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Barzakov wants to pass the guard but Musashi is defending well.
Barzakov trying to control from half guard but Musashi is working away.
Musashi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Barzakov slows the pace down in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Alexander Barzakov just wasn't active enough.
Barzakov looks to score with a jab to the body but Musashi is just out of range.
Miyamoto Musashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barzakov closes the distance and clinches up with Musashi, looking for a takedown. Barzakov pushes Musashi against the cage but Musashi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Alexander Barzakov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barzakov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's four 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.
Barzakov keeps the fight on the outside.
Barzakov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Musashi looks to land a combination. Barzakov sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Barzakov throws a jab but it's blocked by Musashi.
Barzakov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Musashi avoids it really well and circles away.
Barzakov with a poor takedown
and Musashi counters with a series of strikes. Barzakov will be more careful next time no doubt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Barzakov. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Musashi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Alexander Barzakov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Musashi moves into range and clinches up with Barzakov.
Musashi lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Barzakov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Barzakov takes a shot to the head.
Barzakov blocking some punches.
Musashi lands a nice uppercut.
Musashi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Musashi misses with some punches.
A short uppercut from Musashi.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Miyamoto Musashi.
I think Barzakov 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Barzakov!