PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Zack Barch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buddy Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Barch
vs
Stevens

190 cm
23
192 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

155 cm
20
170 lbs
2 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zack Barch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Buddy Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Chris Saunders, Josh West and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barch getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Barch cracks Stevens with a good jab.
Zack Barch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Barch dives in and scores a takedown into Stevens's guard.
Barch scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Barch slips nicely into half guard.

Barch seems to be working for a kimura but Stevens defends the submission attempt.
Ground and pound from Barch.
Stevens keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Barch missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Still in half guard, Barch seems content to control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barch missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Barch thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Stevens's head.
Barch scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Barch not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Barch lands a nice short elbow.

Barch seems to be working for a kimura but Stevens defends the submission attempt.
Stevens is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Barch scores with a couple of nice shots.
Stevens looks winded!

Stevens is defending against the submission attempts here by Barch.
Stevens avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Barch.

Barch is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Stevens taking some punishment here, with Barch in his half guard.
Barch will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Barch seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Barch 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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barch working Stevens over with strikes.
Barch trying to control from half guard but Stevens is working away.
Stevens on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Barch.

Barch is working for a submission of some sort.
Stevens is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Barch scores with a couple of nice shots.
Barch lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barch lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Barch working the head and body with strikes.
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. Barch connects with a nice short shot to Stevens's temple.
Ground and pound from Barch.

Stevens is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barch has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Stevens defend it? Barch steps over the head and cranks it - Stevens is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Barch!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:07 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Zack Barch!