PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charles Cooper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cooper comes into a darkened arena with his song building. s.mouse - slap my elbow kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barksdale
vs
Cooper

174 cm
23
185 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

178 cm
24
182 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

DJs Locker

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Avon Barksdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Charles Cooper!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cooper is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cooper tries to clinch

and Barksdale counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Cooper!
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Cooper is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Barksdale is controlling him well.

Barksdale goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Cooper has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Barksdale but great work by Cooper.
Cooper wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barksdale keeps working.
Barksdale tries to improve position but can't.
Cooper tries to stand but Barksdale is controlling his head.
Barksdale is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Cooper really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Barksdale. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Barksdale is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Cooper off and has taken his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barksdale is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Cooper knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Cooper for a finish.

Cooper defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Barksdale's arms.
Cooper is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Barksdale off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Cooper trying to control the position but Barksdale manages to sink in the hooks.

Barksdale has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Cooper has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Cooper fending off the submission attempt from Barksdale.

Barksdale has his arm under Cooper's chin here. Game over son! Barksdale squeezes tightly and Cooper is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Avon Barksdale!
In his post fight interview, Avon Barksdale started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.