PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cristobal Arebola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Arebola
vs
Barnett

185 cm
26
245 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

190 cm
25
250 lbs
4 - 2 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cristobal Arebola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Barnett!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Summer Carpenter and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barnett scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Barnett controlling from side mount.
Let's hope that Barnett has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Arebola is trying to control Barnett's posture but Barnett avoids it.
Arebola tries to improve position but can't.

Barnett wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Arebola, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arebola is being controlled here.
Barnett tries to move into full mount but can't pass Arebola's legs.
Barnett looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Arebola is avoiding damage well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arebola being controlled for a moment.
Barnett scores with punches from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arebola is trying to control Barnett's posture but Barnett avoids it.
Barnett happy to just control the position for now.
Barnett scores with punches from side control.
Barnett passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Arebola!
Barnett lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Arebola hang on?
Barnett looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnett raining down shots from the mount!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barnett with a couple of short strikes.
Barnett working the ground and pound effectively.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Barnett dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Arebola rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barnett moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barnett dives in for a single leg takedown but Arebola sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Barnett goes for a takedown in the clinch but Arebola prevents it.
Barnett is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Arebola is defending well.
Cristobal Arebola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Barnett.

Barnett gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Arebola working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barnett doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barnett manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Barnett seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett stopping the sweep attempt from Arebola.
Barnett is stalling in the full guard.
Barnett distracts Arebola with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
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.
Barnett controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Josh Barnett has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Barnett shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Arebola is trying to defend but Barnett finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Barnett passes to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arebola tries to reverse the position but Barnett maintains control.
Barnett raining down shots from the mount!
Josh Barnett has got the better of the ground game so far.

Barnett goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Arebola turns into him and now he's in Barnett's guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Barnett can do anything to dispel that myth.
Barnett wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Arebola is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arebola trying to control the position from guard on top but Barnett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Arebola trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Arebola won't allow Barnett to get back to his feet.
Barnett is pulling down on Arebola's head. It's preventing any offense from Arebola, at least for the moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Barnett on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Barnett.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Barnett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Arebola connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Arebola pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Barnett back to the cage. Arebola follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Josh Barnett has been cut.
Barnett fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Arebola jabs Barnett to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Arebola scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Barnett avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett shoots for a takedown but Arebola saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Barnett fails with the takedown.
Cristobal Arebola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josh Barnett.
Arebola scores with a jab to the body.
Horrible takedown by Barnett or perhaps it was just good defense by Arebola which made him look bad.
Cristobal Arebola is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barnett is trying hard to land a takedown here. Arebola sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Barnett takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Arebola as he avoids it easily.
Barnett has a takedown stuffed.
Arebola bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Arebola connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Arebola fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Arebola lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arebola throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Barnett on the side of the head.
Barnett tries for a takedown but Arebola sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Barnett shoots in but Arebola avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Barnett moves forwards but Arebola connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Barnett takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Arebola lands with a hook. Barnett tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Barnett takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Arebola stuffs the takedown.
Cristobal Arebola is winning the standup battle so far.
Arebola scores with a nice strike.

Barnett is rocked!

That has opened up Josh Barnett's cut even more.
Arebola lands hard precision jab right on the jaw that stiffens Barnett up and sends him tumbling to the mat! The ref grabs Arebola from behind before he can pounce. Some folks in the crowd didn't like that stoppage, but I saw Barnett's eyes roll way back in his head, he was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Cristobal Arebola!