PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Laguna Lunaris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Barnett
vs
Lunaris

191 cm
24
284 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

170 cm
32
280 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

Project Mayhem
BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Barnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Laguna Lunaris!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Hugh Johnson and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Lunaris tries to clinch up

and Barnett counters with a single leg into guard. Lunaris didn't expect that.
Lunaris is trying to control the position but Barnett postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Barnett accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lunaris preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lunaris really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Barnett. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lunaris 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.

Barnett drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barnett jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Barnett will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Barnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Lunaris is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnett creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Lunaris sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Barnett thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Barnett lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

It looks like Laguna Lunaris has been cut.
Barnett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lunaris keeps working.
Lunaris is trying to get back to half guard.
Barnett is looking to take a break and control but Lunaris is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lunaris tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnett is trying to get an arm triangle but Lunaris is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barnett tries to move to mount but Lunaris blocks the move with his legs.
Sloppy strikes there by Barnett.
Barnett tries to move to mount but Lunaris blocks the move with his legs.

Barnett is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Lunaris knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Barnett swings around for an armbar but Lunaris sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Barnett's guard.

Barnett is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett keeping moving, preventing Lunaris from controlling successfully.
Lunaris looking to pass the guard.
Lunaris trying to control but Barnett is working from the bottom.
Barnett is looking to stand up but Lunaris isn't so interested in that idea.
Barnett trying to control the position.
Barnett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lunaris is one step ahead there.

Laguna Lunaris has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Lunaris moves to clinch but Barnett breaks away

and Barnett counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Lunaris!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lunaris is trying to control Barnett's posture but Barnett avoids it.
Lunaris is looking for a sweep.
Barnett sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Lunaris is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lunaris struggling a bit here.

Barnett thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Barnett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lunaris keeps working.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Barnett working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Barnett dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Laguna Lunaris's cut.
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.

Lunaris tries to clinch

and Barnett counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Barnett is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Lunaris has managed to free his arm - good work.
Lunaris trying to control but Barnett postures up.
Barnett wants to pass the guard but Lunaris is defending well.

Lunaris is defending against the submission attempts here by Barnett.
Lunaris is staying active underneath Barnett, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Lunaris is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Barnett wants to pass the guard but Lunaris is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lunaris is defending against the submission attempts here by Barnett.
Lunaris tries to kick Barnett off but Barnett keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Lunaris tries to roll over but Barnett keeps him under control.

Barnett is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lunaris is just riding it out for now. Barnett eventually gives up the hold.

Barnett is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Barnett is stalling here. Lunaris is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Barnett seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Lunaris has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lunaris controlling the position from side mount.
Lunaris working away.
Barnett is looking to reverse the position.
The referee asks Lunaris politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Lunaris prefers to stall for the moment though.
Barnett is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lunaris trying to control the position but Barnett is working away.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Barnett tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Lunaris wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barnett keeps working.
Lunaris controlling the action here.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Laguna Lunaris.
Lunaris misses the jab.
Lunaris looks to land a left hand but Barnett moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Lunaris wants to clinch up but Barnett keeps it at a distance.
Lunaris tries to clinch but Barnett is having none of it.
Lunaris fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barnett tries to move into range but Lunaris moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

It looks like Josh Barnett has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lunaris tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barnett manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Laguna Lunaris will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Lunaris closes the distance looking to clinch
and Barnett counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lunaris is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barnett swats away the attempt to clinch by Lunaris.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Lunaris doesn't manage to clinch there - Barnett circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett keeps the fight on the outside.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barnett.
Laguna Lunaris seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lunaris stuffs the takedown.
Lunaris fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Lunaris clinches up with Barnett and pushes him back against the cage.
Lunaris lands an elbow inside.

Barnett lands a takedown into guard.

Barnett has gone for a leg lock! Lunaris slips out almost immediately though and dives into Barnett's guard.

Barnett working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lunaris doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lunaris manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Barnett has his foot on Lunaris's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lunaris works his way back into a safe position though.
Lunaris sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lunaris postures up.
Lunaris controls from within his opponent's guard.

Barnett has his foot on Lunaris's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lunaris works his way back into a safe position though.
Lunaris content to stall in guard here.

Barnett is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Lunaris frees his head nicely. Oh but Barnett has switched to an armbar! Lunaris is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Josh Barnett!
A relieved looking Josh Barnett thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.