PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Fantastic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fantastic is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by System Of A Down-Cigaro. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barksdale
vs
Fantastic

174 cm
21
185 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
180 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Perkele!
Hardcore Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Avon Barksdale!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johnny Fantastic!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fantastic misses with a hook.
Fantastic throws a big shot that misses.
Barksdale looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Fantastic throws a poor cross that misses

and Barksdale counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Barksdale.
Barksdale tries for a takedown but Fantastic manages to get underhooks.
Barksdale wants to take the fight to the mat but Fantastic manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Barksdale has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Fantastic regains guard immediately.
Barksdale won't allow Fantastic to sweep him here.
Barksdale wants to control from the top but Fantastic keeps moving.

Barksdale drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barksdale jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fantastic is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Barksdale looking to pass the guard.
Fantastic pulls Barksdale in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fantastic is keeping the position for now.
Barksdale is working hard here to advance position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Johnny Fantastic hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Barksdale scores with a jab to the head.
Fantastic misses with an uppercut.
Fantastic lands a jab to the head.
Barksdale slips a jab from Fantastic.
Fantastic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Barksdale in his tracks.
Barksdale tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic scores with a shot to the body.
Barksdale misses the shot to the body.
Fantastic just misses with a punch to the body.
Fantastic misses the jab.
Fantastic misses the shot to the body.
Barksdale thows a body shot but no joy.
Barksdale ducks under a wild hook from Fantastic.
A big right from Barksdale misses.
Barksdale shoots for a takedown but Fantastic saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Barksdale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
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!
Fantastic throws a hook but Barksdale avoids it easily.
Fantastic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barksdale misses with a body shot.
Fantastic displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Barksdale.
Fantastic misses with a hook. Barksdale ducked under it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic slips under a jab from Barksdale.
Fantastic takes a swing at Barksdale's ribcage but misses.
Barksdale bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barksdale slips a straight right by Fantastic.
Barksdale moves out of range of the strikes.
Fantastic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fantastic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fantastic just misses with a punch to the body.
Fantastic fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Barksdale misses with a straight right.
Barksdale tries to bum rush Fantastic with a series of wild strikes but Fantastic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fantastic misses with a straight left.
Barksdale scores with a jab to the jaw.
Barksdale takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Fantastic goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barksdale.
Nice body punch from Barksdale.
Fantastic throws a right hand that Barksdale ducks under and follows up with a left that Barksdale also avoids with ease.
Barksdale moves out of range as Fantastic throws a body kick.
Fantastic blocks a leg kick.
Fantastic swinging wildly here.
Barksdale has a takedown stuffed.
Johnny Fantastic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantastic scores with a nice right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barksdale stuns Fantastic with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Fantastic lands a right hook to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A left lands for Fantastic.
Fantastic throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Barksdale slips under a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Fantastic dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Barksdale takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fantastic misses with an uppercut.
Barksdale wants to clinch up but Fantastic keeps it at a distance.
Fantastic throws a right and a left that Barksdale avoids nicely.
Barksdale lands a right hook to the body.
Barksdale shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Barksdale is looking to wear down Fantastic with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Barksdale throws an overhand right that lands on Fantastic's shoulder, as Fantastic tries to avoid the shot.
Fantastic thows a body shot but no joy.
Barksdale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fantastic scores with a sloppy right hand. Barksdale should have avoided that one.
Fantastic misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Fantastic takes a swing at Barksdale's ribcage but misses.
Barksdale scores with a hook to the body. Fantastic takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Barksdale fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fantastic looks to land a left hand but Barksdale moved out of range nicely.
Barksdale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fantastic manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale throws a shot from downtown. Fantastic moves away and avoids it.
Barksdale wants to clinch up but Fantastic keeps it at a distance.
Barksdale throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Fantastic counter with a right hand.
Barksdale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fantastic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A jab from Fantastic misses.
Barksdale ducks right into an uppercut from Fantastic.
Fantastic leaves Barksdale with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Barksdale fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fantastic misses with a hook. Barksdale ducked under it nicely.

Barksdale gets a clinch.
Barksdale is looking for a takedown.
Barksdale jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fantastic walks away with a smile on his face. Barksdale gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Barksdale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic connects with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fantastic with a hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fantastic jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fantastic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barksdale.
Barksdale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fantastic moves away.
Johnny Fantastic seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barksdale slips under a jab.
Barksdale throws a lazy right hand but Fantastic sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barksdale jabs at Fantastic's body.
Barksdale closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fantastic circles away.
Barksdale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fantastic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Good exchange - Fantastic coming out on top.
Barksdale shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fantastic pinned against the cage. Fantastic gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Barksdale ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fantastic was well out of range. Poor timing from Barksdale.
Fantastic attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Barksdale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fantastic.
Fantastic misses with a looping left.
Barksdale is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barksdale takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Fantastic scores with a crisp jab that stopped Barksdale in his tracks.
Fantastic throws a head kick that Barksdale semi-blocks.
Barksdale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fantastic manages to avoid it.
Barksdale avoids a kick to the body.
Barksdale displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fantastic throws out the jab.
Fantastic thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Barksdale if he has to take too many more of those.
Fantastic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barksdale.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fantastic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barksdale works Fantastic's body with a nice hook.
Fantastic loads up on a big right hand but Barksdale slips the punch.
Fantastic lands a lovely overhand right.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barksdale jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fantastic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barksdale.
Fantastic misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nice jab there from Fantastic.
Fantastic misses with a looping left.
Fantastic looks to land a right hand but Barksdale moved out of range.
Barksdale uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fantastic.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barksdale wants to clinch up but Fantastic keeps it at a distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Barksdale.

Barksdale thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Fantastic showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Fantastic throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Barksdale sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Barksdale slips a jab from Fantastic.
Fantastic misses with a wild body shot.
Fantastic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fantastic listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fantastic looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Barksdale keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Fantastic throws a looping overhand right but Barksdale ducks down to avoid it.
Barksdale misses with a hook.
Fantastic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Barksdale.
Barksdale takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Barksdale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fantastic moves away.
Fantastic throws a good cross that connects.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fantastic as he avoids it easily.
Barksdale ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fantastic misses with a body shot.
Fantastic looks to land a combination. Barksdale sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Fantastic's jab looks to have found its range, popping Barksdale under the eye.
Barksdale sizes up Fantastic with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Fantastic slaps away a takedown attempt from Barksdale, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A combination from Fantastic does no damage.
Nice jab there from Fantastic.
Fantastic moves out of range as Barksdale strikes.
Barksdale misses with a body shot.
Barksdale chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Barksdale looks to throw the jab but Fantastic is out of range.
Fantastic lands a nice hook to Barksdale's body. Barksdale takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale moves out of range as Fantastic strikes.
Barksdale shoots in but Fantastic avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Barksdale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot lands for Fantastic.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fantastic misses with an attempted mid kick.
Fantastic is looking to slow Barksdale down with leg kicks.
Fantastic is looking to land body kicks.
Fantastic connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Barksdale uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fantastic.
Barksdale moves in looking to clinch but Fantastic pushes him off.
Barksdale looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Barksdale misses with a looping right.

Barksdale is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Fantastic's half guard.
Fantastic is controlling Barksdale's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic is looking to control Barksdale's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fantastic avoid being mounted?
Barksdale is pressing down on Fantastic's thigh, looking to free his foot. Fantastic is holding on for now.

Barksdale is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Fantastic wants to get back to full guard.
Barksdale prevents Fantastic from standing back up.
Barksdale wants to pass the guard but Fantastic is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic wants to control but Barksdale is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Barksdale is working for a submission of some sort.

Barksdale is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Fantastic doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Barksdale.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Barksdale seems to be working for a kimura but Fantastic defends the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Fantastic lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Barksdale shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Barksdale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fantastic with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Barksdale tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fantastic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fantastic lands a really nice looking cross but Barksdale seems unphased.
Fantastic misses with a two punch combination.
Barksdale moves into range and connects with a jab.
Barksdale misses the shot to the body.
Fantastic loads up on a big right hand but Barksdale slips the punch.
Nice uppercut there from Fantastic.
Barksdale tries to clinch but Fantastic moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Fantastic.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fantastic.
Fantastic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Barksdale looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Fantastic lands with a right hand.
Barksdale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fantastic manages to avoid it.
Nice shot lands for Fantastic.
Fantastic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Barksdale takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Fantastic clobbers Barksdale with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Barksdale takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fantastic throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Barksdale gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fantastic stuns Barksdale with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Fantastic keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Barksdale moves out of range as Fantastic strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic throws a lazy right hand but Barksdale sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barksdale displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fantastic throws out the jab.
Barksdale throws the left hand but Fantastic avoids the punch easily.
Fantastic takes a swing at Barksdale's ribcage but misses.
A big left from Fantastic misses.
Fantastic clobbers Barksdale with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Barksdale shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fantastic as he jumps to the side.
Fantastic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Barksdale.
Fantastic throws a lazy right hand but Barksdale sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fantastic bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Barksdale's head backwards.
Barksdale misses with a wild body shot.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Barksdale.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Barksdale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fantastic swats away the attempt to clinch by Barksdale.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale swings widly with a right hand
and Fantastic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Barksdale's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Fantastic connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Barksdale scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd cheers as Fantastic lands an impressive looking overhand right. Barksdale doesn't seem phased though.

Barksdale closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Fantastic manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Fantastic wants to take a breather but Barksdale is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barksdale wants to improve his position but Fantastic is controlling well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Fantastic is keen to just control but Barksdale is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Fantastic postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Barksdale to stand up.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barksdale fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barksdale throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fantastic stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Barksdale tries to clinch up but Fantastic circles away and keeps his distance.
Fantastic throws a sloppy body shot

and Barksdale holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Fantastic gets through Barksdale's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fantastic tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fantastic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Barksdale drops down looking for an ankle pick but Fantastic pulls his leg out and moves away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice uppercut there from Barksdale.
Barksdale connects with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Fantastic dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Barksdale's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Fantastic throws a half hearted mid kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barksdale looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A nice inside leg kick there by Fantastic. That's going to slow Barksdale down.
Barksdale jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fantastic clobbers Barksdale with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Fantastic with a hook.
Barksdale takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Barksdale misses with a hook. Fantastic ducked under it nicely.
Barksdale uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fantastic.
Fantastic connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Fantastic connects with a looping right hand.
Barksdale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Barksdale closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Fantastic did well to prevent Barksdale getting side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantastic is trying to control but can't.

Barksdale is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Fantastic defends it well.

Barksdale is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
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.

Barksdale looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Fantastic is doing well to control the position and prevent Barksdale from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale trying to pass the guard but Fantastic defending well.
Fantastic trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Johnny Fantastic.
Barksdale dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fantastic avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale swings for the body but Fantastic moves out of range.
Fantastic lands a nice shot to the body.
Fantastic misses with a looping right.
Barksdale thows a body shot but no joy.
Barksdale tries to clinch up but Fantastic circles away and keeps his distance.
Fantastic connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Good standup being displayed there by Fantastic as he connects with a hook.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barksdale looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fantastic looks to land a right hand but Barksdale moved out of range.
Fantastic avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barksdale fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fantastic manages to avoid it.
Barksdale tries to close the distance and clinch but Fantastic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Barksdale bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fantastic circles away quickly and effectively.
Barksdale tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fantastic was well out of range. Poor timing from Barksdale.
Fantastic scores with a jab to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Fantastic.
Fantastic throws a body punch but Barksdale moves out of range.
Fantastic swats away the attempt to clinch by Barksdale.
Fantastic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barksdale.
Barksdale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fantastic.
Fantastic closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Avon Barksdale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barksdale swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fantastic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Barksdale doesn't seem bothered though.
Johnny Fantastic is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sloppy strikes from Barksdale. Those never looked like landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Fantastic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fantastic 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 45:50
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 45:50
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Fantastic!
Johnny Fantastic is the new welterweight champion!
Johnny Fantastic tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.