PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Victor Wilhelm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frankie Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barnes is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Wilhelm
vs
Barnes

190 cm
35
188 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

185 cm
29
187 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Victor Wilhelm!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frankie Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Wagner Zegers and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wilhelm misses with a double jab

and Barnes counters by clinching up.
Barnes with a knee to the head.

It looks like Victor Wilhelm has been cut.
Barnes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Barnes lands a damaging elbow.
Barnes missing with knees to the body.

Wilhelm has picked Barnes up - he's going for a ride! Wilhelm dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnes wants to get back to full guard.

Wilhelm seems to be looking for submissions.
Barnes regains full guard. Nicely done.
Wilhelm trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Wilhelm prevents Barnes from getting back to his feet.
Wilhelm throws a big elbow that misses.
Wilhelm postures up in Barnes's guard and throws a big left but Barnes blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes wants to sweep but no luck.
Barnes preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Wilhelm stopping the sweep attempt from Barnes.
Wilhelm lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Barnes wants to sweep here but Wilhelm controlling him for the moment.
Wilhelm missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Barnes keeping moving, preventing Wilhelm from controlling successfully.
Barnes has his hands on Wilhelm's head, controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Frankie Barnes wasn't active enough on the ground.
A punch combination from Wilhelm misses.
Barnes connects with a looping right hand.
Wilhelm fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Barnes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnes thows a body shot but no joy.
Wilhelm rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Barnes counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Barnes.
Wilhelm lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wilhelm looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Barnes gets through Wilhelm's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Barnes lands with a left to the head.
Barnes lands an uppercut.
Barnes looking to throw knees to the head but Wilhelm is blocking nicely.
Barnes lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Wilhelm lands with a right to the head.
Wilhelm taking a breather.
Wilhelm is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Wilhelm takes a knee right on the jaw!
Barnes prevents Wilhelm from breaking the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnes lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Barnes tries a body shot but Wilhelm blocks it.
Barnes is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Wilhelm has a couple of punches blocked by Barnes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Barnes landing knees to the head.
Barnes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Barnes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Wilhelm.
Barnes blocking some punches.
Barnes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A short right from Barnes on the inside.
Wilhelm pushes Barnes back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Barnes tries to land knees in the clinch but Wilhelm avoids the damage to the body.
Wilhelm tries to stall but Barnes uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Barnes creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Barnes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Barnes misses with an elbow over the top.
Wilhelm misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Wilhelm.
Barnes gets through Wilhelm's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Barnes lands a right hand.
Wilhelm working hard to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Barnes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Victor Wilhelm's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Wilhelm misses with a series of wild punches.
Wilhelm pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barnes misses with a body shot.
Wilhelm takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Barnes misses with a body shot
and Wilhelm counters with a right hand to the body.
Wilhelm swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Barnes lands with a thumping leg kick.
Barnes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Wilhelm moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barnes throws a predictable looking body shot
and Wilhelm counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wilhelm misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilhelm misses with a wild body shot.
Wilhelm throws a right and a left that both miss.
Barnes throws a nice outside leg kick.
Wilhelm scores with a nice head shot.
Wilhelm misses with a series of wild punches.
Barnes is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Wilhelm rather than just go for the knockout.
Wilhelm throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Wilhelm takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Wilhelm takes a swing at Barnes's ribcage but misses.
Barnes just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Wilhelm darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Victor Wilhelm is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barnes's jab looks to have found its range, popping Wilhelm under the eye.
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!
Wilhelm goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Barnes misses with a body kick.
Nice shot by Barnes.
Wilhelm misses the body punch

and Barnes counters by moving into the clinch.
Nice body punch from Barnes - that landed with a thud.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Barnes taking a breather.
A body shot lands from Barnes.
Barnes throws a knee to the head but misses.
Barnes lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Barnes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wilhelm's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes pushes Wilhelm back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Barnes lands with a short shot to the head.
Barnes lands a nice knee to the body.
Wilhelm's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Barnes pushes Wilhelm back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
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 misses with a knee to the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Wilhelm prevents a body shot from Barnes.
Barnes lands with a light punch inside.
Barnes misses with a body punch.
Barnes tries to land a knee to the head but Wilhelm blocks with his arms.
Barnes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Knees to the body from Barnes.
Barnes trying to land knees to the body.
Wilhelm misses with some punches.
Barnes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wilhelm blocks an elbow strike from Barnes.
A right handed body shot lands from Barnes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wilhelm's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Barnes lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Nice body punch from Barnes.
Barnes digs a right hand into Wilhelm's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Wilhelm's gas tank.
Barnes digs a right hand underneath Wilhelm's ribcage. Wilhelm let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Wilhelm avoids a wild elbow strike from Barnes.
Barnes throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A short left from Barnes.
Barnes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Wilhelm's defenses.
Barnes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Barnes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Barnes lands a right hand.
Wilhelm is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barnes throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Barnes lands a left hand.
Wilhelm tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Wilhelm misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Barnes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Victor Wilhelm's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Barnes dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Wilhelm. That did some damage!
Wilhelm looks to score with a jab to the body but Barnes is just out of range.
Wilhelm throws out a leg kick but Barnes moves out of range and Wilhelm only half commits.
Barnes scores with a nice body kick.
Barnes misses with a wild combination.
Wilhelm takes one to the side of the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barnes tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Wilhelm manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wilhelm takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Barnes thuds his right hand into Wilhelm's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilhelm tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barnes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wilhelm.
Victor Wilhelm seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Barnes.
Barnes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
That kick from Barnes tenderised Wilhelm's leg. Wilhelm is trying to keep his angry face on.
Barnes buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Barnes throws a body punch but Wilhelm moves out of range.
Barnes lands a jab.
Barnes lands a right hook to the body.
Wilhelm misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throws a head kick that half lands.
Barnes fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Wilhelm.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wilhelm takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Barnes lands with a right hand.
Barnes looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Barnes lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A nice inside leg kick there by Barnes. That's going to slow Wilhelm down.
Frankie Barnes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wilhelm throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barnes tries a head kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Barnes.
Wilhelm tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Barnes moves into the clinch successfully.
Wilhelm misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barnes prevents Wilhelm from breaking the clinch.
Barnes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Wilhelm struggles to land a body shot inside as Barnes controls his hands.
Barnes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barnes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Wilhelm's elbow.
Wilhelm avoiding damage as Barnes throws knees to the body.
Barnes blocks a body shot from Wilhelm.
A nice left hand lands by Barnes.
Wilhelm is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Barnes throws a knee to the head but misses.
Barnes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Wilhelm lands an elbow that stopped Barnes in his tracks for a moment.
Barnes lands with a short head shot on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Wilhelm creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
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 misses with a punch to the body.
Wilhelm tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Barnes has a couple of punches blocked by Wilhelm.
Barnes blocks a body shot from Wilhelm.
Wilhelm goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Wilhelm takes a knee to the side of the body.
Barnes lands a body shot in the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Wilhelm is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Nice elbow from Barnes.
Frankie Barnes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Barnes can't find room to land a body shot as Wilhelm controls the action.
Wilhelm blocks a body shot from Barnes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Barnes really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Victor Wilhelm's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Barnes lands a right hook to the body.
Wilhelm loads up on a big right hand but Barnes slips the punch.
Barnes thows a body shot but no joy.
Wilhelm misses with a double jab.
Wilhelm misses with the combination.
Barnes connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Wilhelm.
Barnes tries to clinch but Wilhelm is having none of it.
Barnes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilhelm misses with a few strikes there.
Wilhelm circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barnes lands a jab to the nose.
Wilhelm stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Barnes.
Wilhelm looks to land a combination but Barnes avoids it well.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Wilhelm tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Barnes throws a leg kick but Wilhelm sees it coming and moves out of range.
Barnes dodges the punch combination from Wilhelm.
Wilhelm needs to keep his hands up - Barnes had a free shot at his head there.
Frankie Barnes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wilhelm throws a right hand that misses

and Barnes moves into the clinch.
Wilhelm doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Wilhelm is trying to drag Barnes to the mat but Barnes just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Barnes lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Barnes takes a shot to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A shot in the inside from Barnes.
Barnes tries to work over Wilhelm's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wilhelm throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Barness head.
Wilhelm is trying to stall.
Wilhelm throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barnes blocks it with crossed arms.
Wilhelm managing to block the knees to the body from Barnes.
Wilhelm goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Wilhelm's defenses.
Wilhelm throws a knee to the head but misses.
Barnes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Wilhelm is defending well for now.
Wilhelm blocks a body shot from Barnes.
Barnes looking to throw knees to the head but Wilhelm is blocking nicely.
Knees in the clinch landing for Barnes.
Barnes is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Wilhelm struggles to land a body shot inside as Barnes controls his hands.
Barnes lands with a right to the head.
Wilhelm takes a knee right on the jaw!
Barnes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Barnes lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Barnes looking to slow down the pace here.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Barnes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnes landing knees to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Barnes.
Barnes lands a right hand.
Barnes has Wilhelm pressed against the ropes.
Barnes has a couple of punches blocked by Wilhelm.
Barnes lands a nice elbow.
Barnes misses with a knee strike.
Wilhelm wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Barnes has him pressed against the ropes.
Wilhelm tries to throw a body punch but Barnes avoids it by throwing Wilhelm back against the ropes.
Wilhelm misses with an elbow over the top.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Wilhelm.

Wilhelm's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Wilhelm works over Barnes's head and body with a nice combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wilhelm misses the shot to the body.
Wilhelm throws a low kick, looking for Barnes's leg but Barnes calmly moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frankie Barnes dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Victor Wilhelm's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Barnes fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Barnes throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A jab from Wilhelm finds it's way through Barnes's defenses.
Wilhelm throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barnes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Barnes is looking to clinch.
Wilhelm misses with a body kick.
Wilhelm misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barnes lands with a shot to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Wilhelm fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wilhelm takes one on the button.
Wilhelm avoids the head kick by Barnes.
Wilhelm blocks a head kick by Barnes.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wilhelm.
Wilhelm tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Wilhelm lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Barnes circles away quickly and effectively.
Barnes misses with an attempted mid kick.
Wilhelm lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Wilhelm. Those never looked like landing.
Barnes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Barnes works over Wilhelm's head and body with a nice combination.
Barnes thumps Wilhelm with a low kick.
Barnes takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnes misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barnes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Wilhelm throws a combination that misses

and Barnes counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Barnes.
Wilhelm tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Wilhelm stalling the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes tries a body shot but Wilhelm blocks it.
Wilhelm lands a left hand that snaps the head of Barnes backwards.
Barnes lands with a short shot to the head.
Wilhelm is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Barnes lands a body punch.
Barnes lands a right hand.
Barnes is trying to maintain a safe position but Wilhelm gets an underhook and turns Barnes into the ropes.
Barnes lands a body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnes using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Wilhelm has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wilhelm misses with a short punch on the inside.
Wilhelm with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Barnes obliges.
Barnes landing knees to the head.
Wilhelm takes a knee right on the jaw!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Barnes as Wilhelm tries to tie him up.
Victor Wilhelm has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barnes lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes lands a hook that snaps the head of Wilhelm backwards.
Barnes cracks Wilhelm with a nice body shot.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Barnes.
Barnes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Barnes is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Barnes lands a hook that snaps the head of Wilhelm backwards.
Wilhelm lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Barnes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nice body punch from Barnes - that landed with a thud.
Barnes throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A hook to the body from Barnes.
Barnes makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Barnes lands an elbow inside that Wilhelm shrugs off.
Frankie Barnes is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Barnes softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Wilhelm trying to control the position but instead, Barnes has worked for underhooks and has pushed Wilhelm into the ropes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frankie Barnes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Barnes 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 45:50
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 45:50
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frankie Barnes!
Frankie Barnes is the new middleweight champion!
Frankie Barnes seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.