PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Peter Barcelo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avery River (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barcelo
vs
River

168 cm
25
142 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
140 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Peter Barcelo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Avery River!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barcelo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
River is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
River can't break the clinch.

Barcelo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Avery River seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Barcelo has River up against the cage in a clinch.
Barcelo managing to block the knees to the body from River.

Barcelo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barcelo shoots in for a double leg but River sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Barcelo circles away from the clinch attempt.

River darts in and clinches Barcelo up against the cage.
River is trying to force a seperation but Barcelo has the dominant position.
Barcelo is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Barcelo blocks the elbow strike.

Barcelo pulls guard successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Barcelo throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
Barcelo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
River wants to get up but he can't break Barcelo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Barcelo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
River throwing strikes but missing.
River tries to stand but Barcelo is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barcelo 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.
River would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

River gets to his feet - Barcelo follows without any prompting.

Barcelo closes the distance and clinches.

Barcelo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
River tries to clinch up
and Barcelo counters with a thumping low kick.
River stuffs the takedown attempt from Barcelo. Barcelo gets slowly back to his feet.
River tries to clinch up
and Barcelo counters with a left to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
River tries to clinch up.
River shoots in for a double leg but Barcelo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Barcelo keeps the fight on the outside.
River throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
River throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Barcelo lands a jab-cross combination.
River throws a head kick that misses.
River looks winded!
River tries to close the distance and clinch but Barcelo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barcelo shoots in for a takedown but River shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peter Barcelo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
River tries to clinch but Barcelo moves away
and Barcelo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Barcelo misses with the combination.
Barcelo looks for a takedown but River sprawls well.
River misses with a double jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Barcelo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barcelo shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as River sprawls well. River wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Barcelo gets slowly back to his feet.
Barcelo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts River as he jumps to the side.
River throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
River takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Barcelo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with River but River pushes him off and we're back to square one.

River tries to keep at a distance but Barcelo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Barcelo tries for a takedown. No joy.
River stalling in the clinch.
River tries to break the clinch but Barcelo is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barcelo missing with knees to the body.
Barcelo has River pressed against the cage, preventing River from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
River misses with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by River.
Barcelo lands a body punch in the clinch.
River missing with knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
River has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Barcelo jumps guard but River stands there with Barcelo around his waist. Barcelo gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Barcelo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barcelo is trying to drag River to the mat but River just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
River pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Peter Barcelo will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Barcelo scores with a head kick.
Barcelo swats away the attempt to clinch by River.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from River.
Barcelo avoids the head kick by River.
Barcelo shoots in looking for a takedown. River tries to sprawl out of it but Barcelo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. River manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
River tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Barcelo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
River tries to clinch up.
Barcelo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barcelo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. River tries to avoid it but Barcelo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag River to the ground. River escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
River tries to close the distance and clinch but Barcelo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
River is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barcelo.
River tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barcelo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barcelo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
River tries a knee to the head but Barcelo blocks it.
With the fighters up against the cage, River throws an elbow but misses.
River tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Barcelo smiles and moves away.
Barcelo slaps away a takedown attempt from River, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Peter Barcelo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Avery River.
River is breathing heavily.
River tries to clinch there but Barcelo circles away.
River misses with a takedown attempt - Barcelo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
River stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and River wants it to stay on the feet.
River tries to clinch but Barcelo moves out of range.
River has a takedown stuffed.
Barcelo throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barcelo moves into the clinch.
River is trying to push Barcelo away but Barcelo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Barcelo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barcelo shoots in for a double leg but River sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
River tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Barcelo lands with a slapping head kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
River doesn't manage to clinch there - Barcelo circles away.
River looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barcelo is fending him off so far but River persists. Nope, Barcelo circles away and we're back to standing.
Peter Barcelo is winning the standup battle so far.
River defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Barcelo.
Barcelo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Barcelo lands a nice hook to River's body. River takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Barcelo moves into range and clinches up with River.
River lands an elbow that stopped Barcelo in his tracks for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barcelo throws an elbow that misses.
Barcelo looking to slow down the pace here.
River is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Barcelo pulls guard successfully.

River gets to his feet. Barcelo looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
River wants to clinch up but Barcelo keeps it at a distance.
River fails with an attempt to clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - River looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
River is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
River is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River swings for the body but Barcelo moves out of range.
Barcelo stuffs the takedown attempt from River. River gets slowly back to his feet.
River tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barcelo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Barcelo, as that shot connected.

Barcelo forces River back against the cage and clinches.
Barcelo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
River tries to break free but Barcelo pushes him back against the cage.
River is trying to push Barcelo away but Barcelo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Barcelo is trying to pull guard but River has him pressed against the cage.
Barcelo effectively controlling the action here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Barcelo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Barcelo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Peter Barcelo will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

River doesn't manage to clinch there - Barcelo circles away.
River tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Barcelo swivels and escapes.

River gets tackled into the cage by Barcelo. Barcelo maintains the clinch.
River tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
River tries to circle away but Barcelo has him pinned against the cage.
Barcelo displaying some good clinch control by pressing River up against the cage.

Barcelo breaks from the clinch.

Barcelo moves into the clinch.
Barcelo lands a good knee to the midsection. River won't want to take too many of those.
River has had enough of the clinch but Barcelo keeps him there for the moment.
River throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Barcelo manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barcelo moves into the clinch.
River gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Barcelo.
Barcelo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. River avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
River with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Barcelo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Barcelo avoids the elbow strike from River, against the cage.
Barcelo has River pressed against the cage, preventing River from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Barcelo breaks the clinch.
Peter Barcelo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
River looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barcelo is fending him off so far but River persists. Nope, Barcelo circles away and we're back to standing.
River tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barcelo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barcelo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peter Barcelo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
River misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barcelo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Barcelo pulls guard.

River decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Barcelo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts River as he jumps to the side.
Barcelo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barcelo moves out of range of the body kick.
River tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Barcelo counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Barcelo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - River looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
River tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
River moves in looking to clinch but Barcelo pushes him off.
River tries to clinch but Barcelo is having none of it.
A combination from Barcelo does no damage.
Barcelo takes a swing at River's ribcage but misses.
River is looking to clinch but Barcelo is avoiding it.
River is looking to clinch but Barcelo is avoiding it.
River throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
River moves in looking to clinch but Barcelo pushes him off.
Barcelo keeps the fight on the outside.
Barcelo shoots for a double leg takedown but River sprawls well. He's pushed Barcelo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
River shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barcelo as he avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Barcelo clinches.
Barcelo is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
River looking to throw knees to the head but Barcelo is blocking nicely.

Barcelo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

River clinches up with Barcelo and pushes him back against the cage.
River tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Barcelo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
River tries to clinch up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barcelo fails with the takedown.
Avery River has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
River pulls out of a head kick attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Avery River.
I think Barcelo has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 30:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Peter Barcelo!
Peter Barcelo spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.