PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tom Barrows (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Junichi Watanabe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Watanabe has chosen "One Thing Leads to Another" by The Fixx as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Tom Barrows has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Barrows
vs
Watanabe

167 cm
18
155 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

170 cm
26
160 lbs
13 - 6 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

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MFS Voodoo Labs - 159+ Energy - $50 *SALE*

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 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Barrows!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Junichi Watanabe!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Igor Prikhodko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Barrows misses.
Barrows throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Barrows gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Watanabe tries for a takedown. No joy.

Watanabe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A punch combination from Barrows misses.
Watanabe lands a jab-cross combination.

Oh, that's a big right hand from Watanabe and Barrows goes tumbling to the canvas! Watanabe follows him to the ground and looks to finish from half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Watanabe working the head and body with strikes.
Watanabe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barrows tries to get to full guard but Watanabe has control of the leg.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Watanabe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Watanabe thows a huge punch but Barrows dodges it nicely.
Nice strikes from Watanabe there.
Barrows is looking to improve his position.
Watanabe is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Barrows on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Barrows is looking to escape.
Barrows is breathing heavily.
Watanabe lands strikes from half guard.
Barrows has hold of Watanabe's hands but Watanabe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Nice strikes from Watanabe there.
Watanabe lands strikes from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Barrows with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Watanabe looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Watanabe slips a nice elbow through Barrows's hands, connecting with Barrows's forehead.
Watanabe drops an elbow to the side of Barrows's head.
Barrows has hold of Watanabe's hands but Watanabe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Watanabe looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Barrows with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Watanabe drops an elbow to the side of Barrows's head.
Watanabe working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Watanabe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Watanabe working over Barrows with some ground and pound. Barrows looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Watanabe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Watanabe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Watanabe looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Barrows has hold of Watanabe's hands but Watanabe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
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. Watanabe connects with a nice short shot to Barrows's temple.
Watanabe seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barrows taking some punishment here, with Watanabe in his half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Watanabe prevents Barrows from standing back up.
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. Watanabe connects with a nice short shot to Barrows's temple.
Watanabe lands with a punch from half guard.
Watanabe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Barrows wants to get back to full guard.
Barrows knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Watanabe on the ground.
Barrows taking some punishment here, with Watanabe in his half guard.
Watanabe scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Watanabe working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nice strikes from Watanabe there.
Watanabe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Watanabe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Watanabe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Watanabe working Barrows over with strikes.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barrows manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Watanabe postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Watanabe chips away with some ground and pound.
Watanabe lands a couple of elbows.
Barrows on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Barrows tries to get out of the position.
Watanabe is in close to Barrows's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Watanabe decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Watanabe feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Watanabe postures up and lands a big shot to Barrows's brow.
Watanabe landing with the ground and pound.
Watanabe postures up and lands a big shot to Barrows's brow.
Barrows is looking to stand up but Watanabe isn't so interested in that idea.
Barrows looking to hit a scissor sweep but Watanabe is one step ahead there.
Watanabe stops Barrows from standing up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Watanabe is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Watanabe lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Watanabe working some strikes from top position.
Watanabe lands a couple of digs.
Watanabe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Watanabe lands a couple of digs.
Watanabe working some strikes from top position.
Watanabe connects with a couple of short punches.
Watanabe postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Watanabe throwing strikes but missing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barrows wants to get back to his feet but Watanabe is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Watanabe dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Barrows takes one to the side of the head.

Barrows gets caught napping as Watanabe dives in and scores a takedown. Barrows manages to retain guard.
Watanabe scoring with some ground and pound.
Watanabe connects with a couple of short punches.
Watanabe is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Barrows tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Watanabe makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Watanabe is working Barrows over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Junichi Watanabe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Watanabe works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Watanabe landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Watanabe lands strikes from half guard.
Watanabe working Barrows over with strikes.
Watanabe seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Watanabe slips a nice elbow through Barrows's hands, connecting with Barrows's forehead.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Watanabe wants to pass to mount but Barrows is defending the position.
Watanabe scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Watanabe seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nice strikes from Watanabe there.
Barrows is trying to stand back up but Watanabe is controlling him
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Watanabe lands a nice short elbow.
Watanabe scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Watanabe scoring with strikes to the body and head.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Watanabe lands a nice short elbow.
Watanabe is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Watanabe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Watanabe has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Watanabe looking to finish Barrows with some ground and pound. This is bad for Barrows!
Watanabe is in the full mount, landing strikes.
BOOM! Watanabe connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Barrows really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Watanabe dominating with strikes here.
Barrows keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Watanabe landing strikes from the mount.
Watanabe landing shots from mount.
Watanabe landing strikes from the mount.
Watanabe fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Watanabe scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Barrows?
Barrows really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Barrows tries to hold on but Watanabe postures up.
Watanabe scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Barrows?
Watanabe scores with a couple of good head shots there.
BOOM! Watanabe connects with a massive shot to the dome!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Barrows can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Watanabe unloading with bombs!
BOOM! Watanabe connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Watanabe lands a heavy elbow.
Barrows is working to get back to half guard.
Watanabe scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Barrows is bucking up trying to escape but Watanabe cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Watanabe looking to finish Barrows with some ground and pound. This is bad for Barrows!
Watanabe is landing with some decent strikes but Barrows is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Watanabe has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Barrows's face.
Watanabe lands a heavy elbow.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Watanabe cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Watanabe won't let Barrows get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Watanabe working Barrows over with strikes here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe prevents Barrows from getting the reversal.
Watanabe with good strikes from the mount here!
Watanabe with the ground and pound from mount.
Watanabe is landing with some decent strikes but Barrows is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Watanabe is landing with some decent strikes but Barrows is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Watanabe has his opponent pinned against the ropes, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Barrows's face.
Barrows really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Watanabe scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Watanabe looking to finish Barrows with some ground and pound. This is bad for Barrows!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barrows is working to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Watanabe with shots to the head and body - Barrows looks very uncomfortable down there.
Watanabe lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Barrows takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Junichi Watanabe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Barrows's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Watanabe lands a really nice looking cross but Barrows seems unphased.
Barrows tries to clinch but Watanabe moves out of range.
Watanabe shoots in looking for a takedown but Barrows manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Watanabe's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Barrows lands a slapping body shot.
Watanabe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Watanabe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Barrows lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Watanabe has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Watanabe and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barrows looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Watanabe connects with a nice looking jab.
Watanabe cracks Barrows with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.
Watanabe doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Barrows throws a right hand that Watanabe ducks under and follows up with a left that Watanabe also avoids with ease.
Watanabe lands a head shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Barrows has Watanabe up against the ropes in a clinch.
Watanabe lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Barrows backwards.

Watanabe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barrows lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Watanabe circles away quickly and effectively.
Watanabe throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barrows is looking to clinch but Watanabe is avoiding it.
Barrows takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Barrows throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Tom Barrows is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Watanabe smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Watanabe throws a left and a right that both miss

and Barrows counters by moving into the clinch.
Barrows is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Watanabe lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Barrows wants to break the clinch but can't.

Watanabe breaks the clinch.
Barrows throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No joy there for Watanabe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Watanabe throws a right hand that Barrows ducks under and follows up with a left that Barrows also avoids with ease.
Watanabe shoots in looking for a takedown. Barrows tries to sprawl out of it but Watanabe keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Barrows manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Watanabe showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barrows.
Barrows staying out of range there.
Barrows throws a right and a left that Watanabe avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Watanabe shoots in for a takedown but Barrows shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tom Barrows has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Junichi Watanabe.
The fighters circle momentarily. Barrows darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Barrows enables Watanabe to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Barrows manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Barrows wants to stand and escape but Watanabe is having none of it.
Watanabe lands a couple of elbows.
Watanabe working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Barrows's head.
Watanabe throwing strikes from guard but Barrows blocks nicely.
Watanabe thows a big elbow that misses.
Watanabe keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barrows's head.
Barrows preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Watanabe postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barrows avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Barrows bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Watanabe's guard.
Watanabe keeping moving, preventing Barrows from controlling successfully.
Barrows in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barrows trying to control the position from guard on top but Watanabe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Watanabe pulls Barrows in close to his closed guard and prevents Barrows from doing any damage or advancing position.
Barrows throws and elbow that misses. Watanabe uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Barrows's guard. Nice move by Watanabe!
Watanabe forces his way into half guard.
Watanabe seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
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. Watanabe connects with a nice short shot to Barrows's temple.
Tom Barrows has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Watanabe lands with a punch from half guard.
Barrows is trying to stand back up but Watanabe is controlling him
Watanabe is nestled in close to Barrows, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Watanabe lands with a punch from half guard.
Watanabe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Watanabe working over Barrows with some ground and pound. Barrows looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Ground and pound from Watanabe.
Watanabe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Barrows is trying to control but can't.
Barrows is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Watanabe scores with a couple of nice shots.
Barrows taking some punishment here, with Watanabe in his half guard.
Watanabe working over Barrows with some ground and pound. Barrows looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Watanabe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Junichi Watanabe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nice strikes from Watanabe there.

Barrows looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Junichi Watanabe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Watanabe winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 25:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 25:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Junichi Watanabe!