PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ryo Hazuki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hazuki's entrance music is Gaff's Eulogy by Andrew Bayer. A fine choice. Avon Barksdale has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hazuki
vs
Barksdale

189 cm
24
185 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

174 cm
23
185 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

LOD: Affordable Quality

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ryo Hazuki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Avon Barksdale!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hazuki scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Barksdale takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Hazuki, as that shot connected.
Barksdale takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hazuki throws an off balance right hand

and Barksdale moves into the clinch.

Barksdale has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Hazuki uses from the top position.

Barksdale working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hazuki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hazuki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hazuki wants to stand but Barksdale has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hazuki has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Hazuki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Barksdale has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hazuki has managed to get both his arms back between Barksdale's legs - danger averted.
Hazuki wanted to stand there but Barksdale had control of the position.
Hazuki is looking to pass into half guard but Barksdale pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Barksdale is in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barksdale drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hazuki dives on top into guard.

Hazuki stands and steps away. Barksdale gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Barksdale cracks Hazuki with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Hazuki's jab looks to have found its range, popping Barksdale under the eye.
Hazuki bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Barksdale's head.
Hazuki misses with a looping left.
Barksdale pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barksdale takes a swing at Hazuki's ribcage but misses.
Hazuki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barksdale.
Barksdale looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Barksdale throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hazuki moves out of range as Barksdale throws a body kick.
Hazuki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Barksdale takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barksdale takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A big right from Hazuki misses.
Barksdale wants to clinch up but Hazuki keeps it at a distance.
Hazuki is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Hazuki moves out of range of the body kick.
Barksdale lands with a nice body punch.
Hazuki throws a nice looking combination but Barksdale bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hazuki throws a lazy right hand but Barksdale sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hazuki is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Hazuki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barksdale defending well as Hazuki loads up on a big left hand.
Hazuki connects with a good right hand that stumbles Barksdale. Barksdale circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hazuki throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Barksdale counters by clinching up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hazuki working hard to break the clinch.
Hazuki has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Barksdale is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Hazuki is defending well.
Hazuki is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Barksdale is keeping busy.
Barksdale has Hazuki pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hazuki manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hazuki stalls.
Barksdale has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hazuki is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ryo Hazuki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Avon Barksdale.
Barksdale tries to pull guard but Hazuki holds him up against the cage and eventually Barksdale drops back down to his feet.

Barksdale jumps guard.
Hazuki is looking to stand up but Barksdale won't let him.
Barksdale keeping moving, preventing Hazuki from controlling successfully.
Hazuki will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hazuki has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Barksdale is proving hard to escape from.
Barksdale manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Hazuki is looking to get to half guard.
Hazuki is controlling an arm, preventing Barksdale from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barksdale works his way to his opponent's back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryo Hazuki dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hazuki cracks Barksdale with a right hand to the side of the head.
Barksdale looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Barksdale fakes the leg kick and cracks Hazuki in the body.
Barksdale moves away from the strike by Hazuki.
Hazuki defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Barksdale.
Ryo Hazuki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barksdale throws a hook but Hazuki blocks it.
Barksdale on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Barksdale gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Barksdale thumps Hazuki with a low kick.
Barksdale uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hazuki.
Hazuki throws a lazy right hand but Barksdale sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hazuki is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

Barksdale closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
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!

Barksdale is working for a kimura but Hazuki is defending it quite comfortably.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barksdale is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hazuki is trying to control but can't.
Barksdale trying to advance position but Hazuki counters by regaining guard.
Barksdale trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hazuki dives on top into guard.

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

Hazuki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Barksdale has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hazuki has managed to get both his arms back between Barksdale's legs - danger averted.
Barksdale looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hazuki is one step ahead there.
Hazuki wants to stand but Barksdale has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hazuki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hazuki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hazuki wants to stand but Barksdale has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Barksdale working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Hazuki has passed into half guard!

Hazuki gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Hazuki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale misses with an uppercut. Hazuki saw that one coming.
Hazuki throws a shot from downtown. Barksdale moves away and avoids it.
Hazuki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barksdale just misses with a punch to the body.
Barksdale connects with a jab.
Hazuki swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hazuki misses with a hook

and Barksdale counters with a single leg into guard. Hazuki didn't expect that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barksdale stands and throws Hazuki's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Barksdale tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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.

Avon Barksdale showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hazuki lands with a hook. Barksdale tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hazuki with a jab.
Hazuki moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Barksdale is rocked!
Hazuki misses with a straight right.
Barksdale motions for Hazuki to come forward. Barksdale throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hazuki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hazuki misses with a hook

and Barksdale counters by moving into the clinch.
Barksdale changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hazuki fights it off and pushes away nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hazuki checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hazuki smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Barksdale walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hazuki misses the jab.
Hazuki thuds his right hand into Barksdale's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Barksdale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hazuki moves away.
Hazuki stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Hazuki misses with a straight right.
Barksdale is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hazuki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hazuki throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Barksdale counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Barksdale.
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!
Hazuki pulls Barksdale in close to his closed guard and prevents Barksdale from doing any damage or advancing position.
Barksdale wants to pass the guard but Hazuki is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale trying to control but Hazuki is working from the bottom.
Barksdale tries to free his leg and advance position but Hazuki is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Avon Barksdale wasn't active enough on the ground.
Hazuki avoids the body shot from Barksdale.
Hazuki connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Barksdale staying out of range there.
Barksdale tries a head kick but it misses.
Barksdale throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Hazuki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hazuki misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hazuki. Barksdale does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Barksdale misses the target.
Hazuki misses with an uppercut.
Barksdale fails with a takedown attempt.
Barksdale moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hazuki throws a big shot that misses.
Hazuki throws a left and a right that both miss

and Barksdale counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hazuki's guard now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barksdale works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Hazuki won't allow Barksdale to pass to mount.
Hazuki is trying to get back to full guard.
Avon Barksdale has got the better of the ground game so far.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryo Hazuki showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hazuki 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryo Hazuki!
An out of breath Ryo Hazuki thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.