PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eli Barden (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aiden Kilgoe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Aiden Kilgoe is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Barden
vs
Kilgoe

191 cm
23
185 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

187 cm
27
178 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Eli Barden!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aiden Kilgoe!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Russell Pearce and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kilgoe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Barden misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kilgoe.
Barden lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kilgoe at a distance.
Kilgoe throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Barden.
Barden checks a leg kick.

Barden is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Kilgoe's half guard.
Kilgoe is trying to stand.
Barden prevents Kilgoe from improving his position.
Barden seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kilgoe does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barden thows a huge punch but Kilgoe dodges it nicely.
Barden thows a huge punch but Kilgoe dodges it nicely.
Barden trying to control the pace.
Barden works his foot free and advances to mount.
Barden 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kilgoe keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barden throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Barden thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

Barden wants to finish this one by submission but Kilgoe is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Barden.
Poor strikes thrown by Barden there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Barden wants to control the pace but Kilgoe is squirming around nicely.
Kilgoe really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Barden working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Kilgoe wants to control but Barden is having none of it.
Poor strikes thrown by Barden there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Barden controlling the pace for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgoe is bucking up trying to escape but Barden cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Barden wants to finish this one by submission but Kilgoe is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Barden.
Barden tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Barden looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Barden moves to the back position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kilgoe covering up well and avoiding damage.
Kilgoe is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Barden off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Kilgoe holding both Barden 's hands and preventing any damage.

Barden is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Barden patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Barden looking to break Kilgoe's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Kilgoe remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Barden will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Barden is looking for the choke from the back position but Kilgoe is controlling his hands well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Barden dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kilgoe ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Barden has a takedown stuffed.
Kilgoe with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Barden with a jab.
Barden feints and then cracks Kilgoe's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kilgoe down.
Kilgoe misses with a hook

and Barden counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kilgoe won't be happy with that.
Barden throws an elbow but Kilgoe slips to the side and avoids it well.

Barden tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Barden working away.
Barden throws a strike aimed at the side of Kilgoe's head but Kilgoe avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Barden working away.
Sloppy strikes there by Barden.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kilgoe can do anything to dispel that myth.

Barden is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kilgoe knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Barden wants to control but Kilgoe is keeping him busy.
Barden lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barden thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kilgoe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Barden. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kilgoe trying to remain calm as Barden controls from the top position.
Barden throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Barden goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Kilgoe rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Barden's guard! Nice work there by Kilgoe!

Barden uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgoe connects with a crisp jab.
Barden fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kilgoe on the side of the head.
Kilgoe throws a big shot that misses.

Barden closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kilgoe to the mat! Kilgoe manages to get full guard.
Barden passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kilgoe wants to control but Barden postures up.
Kilgoe manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Barden is looking to advance position but Kilgoe won't allow it.
Barden performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barden looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Barden thows a huge punch but Kilgoe dodges it nicely.
Eli Barden overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barden tries to pass to full mount but Kilgoe defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eli Barden dominated that second 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kilgoe tries to bum rush Barden with a series of wild strikes but Barden uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barden moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kilgoe throws a lazy right hand but Barden sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Barden shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kilgoe napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Kilgoe manages to work his way to half guard, despite Barden's best efforts.

Barden is looking for a kimura here.
Barden seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kilgoe does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Barden in particular looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barden is working for an americana but Kilgoe has been sneaky and has managed to get back to half guard, whilst Barden was thinking about the submission.
Barden with a flurry of punches that miss.
Barden advances to half guard.
Barden is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Barden trying to control but Kilgoe is having none of it.

Barden working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Aiden Kilgoe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barden misses with a head shot.
Barden punching from mount but Kilgoe doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Barden has control of Kilgoe's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Kilgoe regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Kilgoe is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kilgoe is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kilgoe is in a horrible position here. Barden smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Kilgoe tries to hold on but Barden postures up.
Eli Barden is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Barden has hold of Kilgoe's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Kilgoe manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Kilgoe is trying to escape the mount.
Barden controlling from the full mount.
Barden throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barden with a couple of short strikes.
Barden wants to take Kilgoe's back but he can't do it this time.
Barden content just to control the position here.

Barden looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eli Barden showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barden, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:26
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eli Barden!