PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Dave Linsky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brody Barthelman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Linsky
vs
Barthelman

160 cm
25
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dave Linsky!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brody Barthelman!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barthelman digs a good body shot into Linsky's ribs.
Linsky dives in and grabs Barthelman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Barthelman pushes down on Linsky's head and hops out.

Barthelman looking to score a takedown here. Linsky is defending well but Barthelman drives through and ends up in Linsky's guard.
Linsky could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Linsky managing to control the position.
Linsky looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Linsky seems keen to control Barthelman's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dave Linsky.

Barthelman feints and as Linsky raises his hands in defense, Barthelman changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Barthelman trying to control the position from guard on top but Linsky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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!
Linsky is pulling down on Barthelman's head. It's preventing any offense from Barthelman, at least for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barthelman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Linsky wants to sweep here but Barthelman controlling him for the moment.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Linsky.

Barthelman shoots in and bounces Linsky off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Linsky has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barthelman trying to control the position from guard on top but Linsky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barthelman stopping the sweep attempt from Linsky.
Barthelman being controlled here momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Brody Barthelman was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Crunch! Barthelman slams his shin into Linsky's torso.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barthelman scores with a three punch combo!

Barthelman closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Linsky manages to get back to half guard.
Barthelman is keen to just control but Linsky is a slippery customer.
Linsky is holding on to half guard well.
Barthelman is looking to take a break and control but Linsky is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Linsky manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Brody Barthelman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheers as Barthelman lands an impressive looking overhand right. Linsky doesn't seem phased though.
Linsky will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dave Linsky. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Barthelman gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Linsky is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Linsky looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Linsky might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dave Linsky.
Linsky shoots in looking for a takedown but Barthelman manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Linsky's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Barthelman drives through with a takedown into Linsky's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Brody Barthelman will probably get the nod.
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.

Linsky drives through with a takedown into guard.
Linsky preventing the sweep.
Barthelman wants to stand but Linsky is controlling the position.

Linsky got a little sloppy there for a moment and Barthelman has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Linsky has managed to get both his arms back between Barthelman's legs - danger averted.
Linsky stays in close to Barthelman's body and controls the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Barthelman can do anything to dispel that myth.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dave Linsky wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Barthelman darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Barthelman is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Linsky manages to escape and get back to his feet!

Barthelman gets the takedown into side control.
Linsky struggling a bit here.

Barthelman goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Linsky has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Barthelman but great work by Linsky.
Barthelman is looking to reverse the position.
Linsky controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linsky's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Dave Linsky overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Linsky advances to full mount.
Barthelman can't escape the position.
Linsky tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Linsky forces the positional change into back control.
Linsky is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barthelman tries to escape the position.
Linsky is riding his opponent, not letting Barthelman buck him off.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Linsky is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Barthelman knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Barthelman for a finish.
Barthelman trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
What can Barthelman do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Dave Linsky wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Barthelman tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barthelman fails with an attempt to clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barthelman closes the distance looking to clinch

and Linsky holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Linsky dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Linsky misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Barthelman throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Linsky tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Barthelman is in Linsky's guard.
Linsky is pulling down on Barthelman's head. It's preventing any offense from Barthelman, at least for the moment.
Linsky keeping moving, preventing Barthelman from controlling successfully.
Linsky wants to sweep but no luck.
Barthelman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Barthelman trying to control the position from guard on top but Linsky is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Brody Barthelman hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Linsky shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linsky works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Linsky not doing much here.
Barthelman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Linsky uses his free foot to push down on Barthelman's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Barthelman.
Barthelman tries to hold on but Linsky postures up.
Barthelman is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Linsky unloading with bombs!
Barthelman is bucking up trying to escape but Linsky cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Linsky looking to control and managing it successfully.
Linsky moves to back control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barthelman tries to break free.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
What can Barthelman do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Linsky is persistently looking for the submission but Barthelman is defending it well.
I would not like to be Barthelman right now.
Linsky is hanging on to Barthelman's back as he tries to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linsky biding his time, looking for the opening.
Linsky has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Linsky is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Barthelman is defending well though. Linsky let's go of the attempt for now.
Linsky really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Barthelman.
Barthelman trying to control but not successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barthelman trying to get back to his feet but Linsky is in full control for now.
Linsky controlling from the back.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Linsky gets his hands free as Barthelman looks to control.

Barthelman showing good submission defense here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Linsky is riding his opponent, not letting Barthelman buck him off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dave Linsky showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Linsky 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dave Linsky!