PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Samuraimo Rassi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barksdale is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Three Six Mafia - Its A Fight . I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Rassi
vs
Barksdale

183 cm
31
184 lbs
18 - 9 - 1

185 cm
32
188 lbs
17 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 18 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Samuraimo Rassi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Avon Barksdale!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rassi misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barksdale takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Barksdale looks for the body kick but Rassi saw that one coming.
Rassi swings for the body but Barksdale moves out of range.

Rassi moves into the clinch.
Barksdale lands a damaging elbow.
Barksdale lands a nice elbow.
Barksdale lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Barksdale taking a breather.
Rassi lands with a left to the head.
Rassi can't break the clinch.
Rassi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Barksdale fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Barksdale just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rassi's brow.
Barksdale pushes off an throws an elbow but Rassi leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rassi with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Barksdale lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rassi blocks the elbow strike.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Barksdale told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Barksdale throws an elbow but it misses.
Barksdale lands with a right to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nice elbow from Barksdale.
Barksdale blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rassi avoids a wild elbow strike from Barksdale.
Rassi is trying to stall.
Barksdale is trying to maintain a safe position but Rassi gets an underhook and turns Barksdale into the cage.
Barksdale landing knees to the head.
Barksdale lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Barksdale scores with a shot to the side of Rassi's head.

Rassi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Some bone on bone action there as Rassi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Rassi throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barksdale takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Barksdale misses with a body kick.
Barksdale blocks a head kick by Rassi.
Rassi throws a shot from downtown. Barksdale moves away and avoids it.
Barksdale moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice body kick from Rassi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale scores with a leg kick.
Barksdale uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rassi.
Rassi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rassi takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.

Rassi takes the fight into the clinch.
The referee calls for Rassi to work.
Barksdale is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Barksdale as Rassi tries to tie him up.
Barksdale tries to work over Rassi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short left from Barksdale.
Rassi tries to break the clinch but Barksdale is controlling the position.
Barksdale being controlled against the cage.
Nice elbow from Barksdale.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale lands an elbow just above Rassi 's eye.
Rassi looking to slow down the pace here.
Rassi can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.

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

Rassi clinches.
Barksdale lands a good knee to the midsection. Rassi won't want to take too many of those.
Rassi is breathing heavily.
A frustrated look appears on Rassi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A short left from Barksdale.
Rassi takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Samuraimo Rassi has been cut.
Barksdale lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barksdale gets through Rassi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Barksdale lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Barksdale scores with a nice short uppercut.
Barksdale misses with an elbow over the top.
Rassi takes an elbow to the temple.
Rassi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Barksdale lands an elbow that stopped Rassi in his tracks for a moment.
The referee is keeping an eye on Barksdale - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rassi lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barksdale backwards.
Rassi wants to stall.
Barksdale lands an elbow that stopped Rassi in his tracks for a moment.
Rassi blocks an elbow strike.
Barksdale lands an elbow just above Rassi 's eye.
Barksdale misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rassi.
Barksdale lands a knee to the head.
Barksdale blocks an elbow strike.
Barksdale with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rassi trying to stall but Barksdale improves his position.
Barksdale with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Barksdale just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rassi's brow.
Rassi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barksdale lands a nice knee to the body.
Rassi holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Rassi tries a body shot but Barksdale blocks it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avon Barksdale dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Samuraimo Rassi's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Barksdale is looking to score with low kicks.
Rassi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barksdale throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Barksdale connects with an inside leg kick.

Rassi rushes Barksdale and presses him up against the cage.
Rassi tries to land knees in the clinch but Barksdale avoids the damage to the body.
Barksdale lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rassi backwards.
Barksdale is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rassi is defending well for now.
Barksdale lands an elbow that stopped Rassi in his tracks for a moment.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rassi.
Rassi putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Barksdale in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Avon Barksdale seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barksdale.
Barksdale tries to land a knee to the head but Rassi blocks with his arms.
Rassi pressing his opponent against the cage.
Rassi blocks an uppercut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Barksdale.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rassi is defending well for now.
A short body shot lands from Barksdale as the two fighters clinch.
Barksdale tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rassi takes an elbow to the temple.
Barksdale throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Barksdale misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rassi.
Rassi has had enough of the clinch but Barksdale keeps him there for the moment.
Rassi misses with the head strike.
Barksdale is trying to maintain a safe position but Rassi gets an underhook and turns Barksdale into the cage.
Rassi blocks a body shot from Barksdale.
Rassi looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Rassi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rassi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Rassi has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rassi dodges an elbow strike from Barksdale.
Rassi taking a breather.
Barksdale managing to block the knees to the body from Rassi.
Rassi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rassi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rassi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Barksdale.
Rassi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rassi working aggressively here.
Rassi lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barksdale lands an elbow that stopped Rassi in his tracks for a moment.
Rassi avoids a wild elbow strike from Barksdale.
Barksdale throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rassi is trying to push Barksdale away but Barksdale has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Barksdale tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rassi avoids it.
Barksdale tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rassi avoids it.
A short right from Rassi on the inside.
Rassi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Barksdale lands an elbow just above Rassi 's eye.
Knees to the body from Rassi.
Barksdale pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Barksdale blocks an elbow strike.
Rassi swings wildly with an uppercut but Barksdale uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rassi takes an elbow to the forehead.
Barksdale pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Barksdale misses with a knee strike.
Barksdale makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Barksdale is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rassi is defending well for now.
Rassi pushes off an throws an elbow but Barksdale leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Rassi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rassi trying to control the position but instead, Barksdale has worked for underhooks and has pushed Rassi into the cage.
Rassi misses with a punch to the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rassi.
Rassi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Barksdale's face.
Rassi avoiding damage as Barksdale throws knees to the body.
Rassi's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Rassi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Rassi closes the distance and clinches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rassi avoids the elbow strike from Barksdale, against the cage.
Barksdale scores with a hook to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Rassi.
Rassi is trying to force a seperation but Barksdale has the dominant position.
Rassi connects with a knee to the head.
Rassi lands with a short shot to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Barksdale.
Barksdale tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rassi avoids it.
Rassi is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Barksdale throws an elbow but it misses.
Rassi wants to break free but Barksdale has control.
Barksdale looking to slow down the pace here.
Rassi lands a nice knee to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rassi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barksdale looking to throw knees to the head but Rassi is blocking nicely.
A left hand lands to the body for Barksdale.
With the fighters up against the cage, Barksdale throws an elbow but misses.
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 Samuraimo Rassi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Samuraimo Rassi's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Barksdale takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Rassi throws a body kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Rassi.

Rassi clinches with his opponent.
Rassi creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Barksdale on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Barksdale's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Barksdale trying to stall but Rassi improves his position.

Rassi breaks the clinch.
Rassi misses with a wild body shot.
Barksdale avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rassi blocks a head kick by Barksdale.
Barksdale misses with an uppercut. Rassi saw that one coming.
Rassi throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rassi stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Barksdale.
Rassi checks the leg kick.
Barksdale connects with a nice looking jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barksdale instigates a clinch.
Rassi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Barksdale takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rassi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rassi scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rassi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Rassi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rassi misses with a head kick.
Rassi tries a head kick but it misses.
Avon Barksdale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barksdale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barksdale misses with a straight right.
Barksdale lands with a nice body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rassi has closed the distance and engaged Barksdale in a clinch.
Barksdale misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rassi.
A shot in the inside from Rassi.
Rassi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rassi lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Barksdale fails to land.
Barksdale with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Barksdale throws an elbow that misses.
Barksdale throws an elbow but it misses.
Still in the clinch, Rassi scores with a nice short uppercut.
Rassi blocks the elbow strike.
Barksdale looking to throw knees to the head but Rassi is blocking nicely.
Barksdale blocking some punches.

Rassi breaks the clinch.
Barksdale looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Samuraimo Rassi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barksdale tests Rassi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rassi moves out of range as Barksdale throws a body kick.
Barksdale throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rassi throws a body punch but Barksdale moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Rassi lands but Barksdale takes it in his stride.
Rassi is pawing at Barksdale, trying to feel the distance before throwing out a cross that crashes into Barksdale's nose. Barksdale is badly hurt! Rassi pounces, throwing wild strikes as both fighters end up on the ground! Barksdale tries desperately to hold on but Rassi is relentless in his assault! As Barksdale receives an ever increasing number of unanswered strikes the referee pulls Rassi away and this one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:12 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Samuraimo Rassi!
Samuraimo Rassi bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.