PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hannabil Barka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Etienne Dubois (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dubois has chosen Fatboy Slim-Push The Tempo as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. This should be a great matchup!

Barka
vs
Dubois

182 cm
18
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
150 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Hannabil Barka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Etienne Dubois!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Colin Fotheringham and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barka swats away the attempt to clinch by Dubois.
Dubois slaps away a takedown attempt from Barka, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Barka closes the distance and clinches up with Dubois, looking for a takedown. Barka pushes Dubois against the cage but Dubois circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Barka tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Dubois manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dubois tries to clinch there but Barka circles away.

Dubois gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Barka on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Barka tries to score a body lock takedown but Dubois shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hannabil Barka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dubois prevents a takedown attempt there.
Barka is working for takedown but Dubois is calmly controlling the position for now.
Dubois trying to land knees to the body.
Barka avoiding damage as Dubois throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dubois is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barka is defending well for now.

Barka is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Dubois can't fight it off and eventually Barka manages to take the fight to the floor. Dubois looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Barka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Dubois lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Barka!
Barka is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Dubois tries to control but Barka wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You get the feeling that Barka really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Dubois takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dubois's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Barka is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Etienne Dubois was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Dubois wants to clinch up but Barka keeps it at a distance.
Barka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dubois sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Barka really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Barka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Dubois but Dubois pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Dubois has taken the fight to the clinch.
Barka wants to take the fight to the mat but Dubois manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Dubois with a knee to the head.
Dubois landing knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dubois putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Barka in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Barka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Dubois gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Dubois stalling.
Dubois tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Barka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Dubois prevents it.
A knee to the head by Dubois.
Dubois landing knees to the body.
Dubois lands a nice knee to the body.
Barka is breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dubois tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barka avoids it.
Dubois is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Barka is keeping busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dubois using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Barka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dubois effectively controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Etienne Dubois dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Dubois tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Barka shoots in for a takedown but Dubois shows good takedown defense.

Dubois clinches with his opponent.
Barka tries to break the clinch but Dubois is controlling the position.
Dubois lands a knee to the head.
Barka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Dubois is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Barka drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dubois pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hannabil Barka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Barka gets tackled into the cage by Dubois. Dubois maintains the clinch.
Barka drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dubois pulls his leg out and moves away.
Barka has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Dubois.
Dubois tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barka shoots for a takedown but Dubois saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Dubois throws a quick inside leg kick.
Barka shoots in but no luck this time.
Dubois connects with a crisp jab.

Dubois has closed the distance and engaged Barka in a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barka lands a takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Dubois is on top in guard.
Dubois working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Dubois sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Barka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dubois looking to sit in guard and control but Barka gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Dubois looking for a sweep. Not yet Dubois, not yet.
Barka makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Barka is looking to work some ground and pound but Dubois has wrist control.
Barka throws an elbow that misses. Dubois uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Barka's guard. Nice move by Dubois!

Dubois stands and steps away. Barka gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barka shoots in looking for a takedown but Dubois manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Barka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Dubois slaps away a takedown attempt from Barka, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Dubois tries to clinch there but Barka circles away.
Barka shoots in for a double leg but Dubois sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Dubois, right into the meat.

Barka looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Dubois!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Dubois in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Etienne Dubois will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Dubois instigates a clinch.
Dubois lands an elbow that stopped Barka in his tracks for a moment.
Barka tries to break free but Dubois pushes him back against the cage.
Barka wants to get back to striking at distance but Dubois won't allow it.
Dubois landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Dubois lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Dubois unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Dubois lands a knee to the body.
Dubois creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Barka's defenses.
Dubois gets underhooks to prevent Barka's takedown attempt.
Dubois is pressed up against the cage. Barka has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dubois down to the mat. Dubois avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Dubois tries to clinch up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barka gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Dubois.
Some wild striking there from Dubois.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dubois has managed to clinch.
Barka has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Dubois avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hannabil Barka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dubois connects with a nasty looking knee right to Barka's face.
Dubois is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barka is defending well for now.
Dubois stalling in the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Dubois.
Dubois missing with knees to the body.
Etienne Dubois seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Dubois is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Dubois tries to land knees in the clinch but Barka avoids the damage to the body.
Dubois lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Dubois prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barka drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dubois unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Dubois with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dubois is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Barka is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Dubois is defending well.
Dubois is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dubois crunches a lovely knee into Barka's ribcage.
Dubois lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dubois lands an elbow just above Barka 's eye.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Dubois obliges.
Barka avoiding damage as Dubois throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dubois tries to land knees in the clinch but Barka avoids the damage to the body.
Dubois taking a breather.
Dubois crunches a lovely knee into Barka's ribcage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Dubois.
Dubois lands a nice knee to the body.
Hannabil Barka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dubois unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Dubois tries to land knees in the clinch but Barka avoids the damage to the body.
Barka is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Dubois taking a breather.
Knees to the body from Dubois.
Dubois connects with a nasty looking knee right to Barka's face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dubois is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Dubois unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Dubois landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Dubois scores a nice knee to the body.
Barka drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dubois pulls his leg out and moves away.
Barka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dubois sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hannabil Barka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That kick from Dubois tenderised Barka's leg. Barka is trying to keep his angry face on.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
No luck for Barka with that takedown attempt.
Barka takes one on the chin but seems OK.

And that's the end of the fight!
Etienne Dubois comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Dubois 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Etienne Dubois!
After the fight, Etienne Dubois was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.