PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mike Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Torsti Turjake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Barnes might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Torsti Turjake was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Barnes
vs
Turjake

178 cm
26
159 lbs
17 - 12 - 2

170 cm
29
161 lbs
23 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 17 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Torsti Turjake!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes throws a right and a left that both miss.
Barnes fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Turjake fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Turjake throws a shot from downtown. Barnes moves away and avoids it.
Turjake lands a two punch combo.
A jab from Turjake finds it's way through Barnes's defenses.
Turjake displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barnes throws out the jab.
Barnes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The fighters circling - Turjake throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A big right from Turjake misses.
Mike Barnes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Barnes, as that shot connected.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnes throws a low kick but it's checked well by Turjake.
Barnes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Turjake missing with a left hand there. Barnes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A right-left combo lands from Turjake.
Barnes wants to clinch up but Turjake keeps it at a distance.
Barnes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Turjake.
Barnes tries to clinch there but Turjake circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes misses with a wild combination.
Barnes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mike Barnes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barnes has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Turjake.
Barnes misses with a wild body shot.
Barnes's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Barnes duly obliges.
A good leg kick by Barnes.
Barnes throws a right hand that Turjake ducks under and follows up with a left that Turjake also avoids with ease.
Barnes on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Barnes closes the distance looking to clinch
and Turjake counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Turjake takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Barnes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Sloppy strikes from Barnes. Those never looked like landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes ducks under a wild hook from Turjake.

Turjake is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Barnes's half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Turjake is trying to work for a kimura but Barnes is defending well.
Barnes trying to control from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Turjake.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Turjake is thwarting Barnes's attempts to control the position.
Turjake is nestled in close to Barnes, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Turjake throwing shots but Barnes is blocking nicely.
Turjake has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Turjake not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnes wants to improve his position but Turjake is controlling well.
Turjake not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Barnes gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Turjake stopping the sweep attempt from Barnes.
Turjake scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Turjake stands up over Barnes, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Turjake stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barnes swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Turjake throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Turjake throwing strikes from guard but Barnes blocks nicely.
Turjake working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Turjake throws a big right hand that misses.
Turjake forces his way into half guard.
Barnes moves into full guard.
Turjake wants to control from the top but Barnes keeps moving.
Turjake lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Barnes keeping moving, preventing Turjake from controlling successfully.
Turjake throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Turjake tries to free his leg and advance position but Barnes is retaining full guard.
Barnes managing to control the position.
Barnes bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Turjake's guard.

Turjake is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Barnes defends well.
Barnes passes Turjake's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
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. Barnes connects with a nice short shot to Turjake's temple.
Turjake is trying to stand up here but Barnes is controlling him well.
Turjake is pressing down on Barnes's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Torsti Turjake dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Barnes throws a nice looking combination but Turjake bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Turjake fails to land with a series of punches.
Turjake throws a shot from downtown. Barnes moves away and avoids it.
Barnes tries to clinch but Turjake moves out of range.
Turjake throws a low kick but it's checked well by Barnes.
Barnes throws a right and a left that Turjake avoids nicely.
Turjake jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Mike Barnes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A chopping leg kick lands by Barnes.
Barnes scores with a hook.
Turjake misses with an uppercut.
Turjake thows a body shot but no joy.
A nice combination there by Turjake.
Turjake lands a right hook to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Turjake checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Barnes throws a nice outside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Turjake misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes moves out of range as Turjake throws a body kick.
Turjake pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Turjake shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barnes as he avoids it easily.
Barnes connects with a right hand. Turjake shakes it off.
Turjake throws a hook but Barnes blocks it.
Barnes misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Turjake counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Barnes lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Turjake is rocked!
The fighters circling - Turjake throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Turjake lands a jab to Barnes's midsection.
Turjake swats away the attempt to clinch by Barnes.
Barnes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Turjake looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnes throws a leg kick
and Turjake counters with a right hand to the body.
Turjake's jab looks to have found its range, popping Barnes under the eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes dips to his left and cracks Turjake with an uppercut!
Turjake dives in and grabs Barnes's left leg, looking for a takedown. Barnes pushes down on Turjake's head and hops out.
Barnes is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Barnes misses with a looping left.
Turjake lands with a straight right. Barnes didn't see that one coming.
Turjake moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Turjake fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barnes manages to avoid it.
Turjake swings for the body but Barnes moves out of range.
Barnes throws a left and a right that both miss
and Turjake counters with a two punch combo.
A head kick misses from Barnes.
Turjake connects with a single shot there.
Turjake avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Turjake is looking to land body kicks.
A slapping body kick lands there for Turjake.
Turjake looks to throw the jab but Barnes is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Turjake throws the left hand but Barnes avoids the punch easily.
Turjake throws a quick inside leg kick.
Barnes throws a left and a right that both miss
enabling Turjake to counter with a crisp jab.

Barnes closes the distance and clinches.

Turjake breaks the clinch.
Turjake throws a right and a left that Barnes avoids nicely.
Turjake listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Barnes throws the left hand but Turjake avoids the punch easily.
Turjake misses with a low kick.
Barnes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Turjake lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Barnes lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Barnes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barnes misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turjake scores with a nice right hand.
Turjake has his takedown stuffed
enabling Barnes to counter with a crisp jab.
Mike Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Torsti Turjake.
Barnes throws a right hand that misses
letting Turjake counter with a right hand.
Turjake lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Good standup being displayed there by Turjake as he connects with a hook.
Turjake throws a leg kick that misses.
Barnes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Turjake.

Barnes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Barnes has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Turjake's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Turjake shoots in looking for a takedown but Barnes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Turjake's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Barnes will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Turjake circles away from the clinch attempt.
Turjake misses with an uppercut. Barnes saw that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Torsti Turjake will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Barnes fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Turjake is out of range.
Barnes misses with a body shot.
A jab lands there for Turjake.
Barnes comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Barnes walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Torsti Turjake seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Turjake keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Turjake uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Turjake lands a nice shot to the body.
Barnes slips under a jab from Turjake.
Barnes digs a good body shot into Turjake's ribs.
Barnes lands with a straight right. Turjake didn't see that one coming.
Turjake throws a push kick but Barnes slaps the foot to one side.
Barnes throws a series of punches but Turjake avoids them all with ease.
Turjake lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Barnes circles away quickly and effectively.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
That kick from Turjake tenderised Barnes's leg. Barnes is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turjake jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Turjake keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Barnes.
Turjake takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
A big right from Turjake misses.
Barnes throws a big shot that misses.
Barnes lands with a hook. Turjake tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Barnes tries to clinch there but Turjake circles away.
Turjake is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barnes.
Barnes just misses with a punch to the body.
Turjake swats away the attempt to clinch by Barnes.
A right-left combo lands from Turjake.
Turjake has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Barnes finds it's way round the side to connect with Turjake's head.
Turjake misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes thows a body shot but no joy.
Barnes smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Turjake is still on wobbly legs! Can Barnes finish him?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barnes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barnes misses the shot to the body.
Barnes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Turjake lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Turjake seems to have recovered his senses.
Barnes digs a good hook to Turjake's body.

Barnes drops Turjake with a left right combo! Barnes follows him down to the ground into side control.
Turjake is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Turjake takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Turjake gets back to half guard.
Barnes not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Turjake's thigh. Turjake counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Turjake is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Turjake had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Barnes defends it easily.
Barnes preventing the sweep.
Torsti Turjake is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Torsti Turjake has got the better of the ground game so far.
Turjake pulls Barnes in close to prevent any damage.
Turjake looking to control.
Mike Barnes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barnes throws a big elbow that misses.
Barnes throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Turjake works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Barnes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Turjake seems keen to control Barnes's posture.
Turjake working a defensive guard here.

Turjake uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Barnes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Turjake works the jab nicely.
Barnes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barnes tries to move into range but Turjake moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Turjake lands the left hand.
Nice uppercut there from Turjake.
Barnes throws a leg kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Barnes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Turjake 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Torsti Turjake!
Torsti Turjake seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.