PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Todd Haskins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Barbaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haskins comes to the cage accompanied by Kid Rock - Bawitdaba. Barbaro has chosen Fight - Future World Music as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Haskins
vs
Barbaro

185 cm
37
188 lbs
22 - 17 - 0

188 cm
29
185 lbs
12 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Todd Haskins!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Joe Barbaro!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circle momentarily. Haskins darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Barbaro throws a head kick that misses.
Barbaro will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barbaro feints and then cracks Haskins's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Haskins down.
Barbaro throws an off balance right hand
and Barbaro takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Joe Barbaro has been cut.
Barbaro misses with a low kick.
Barbaro misses with an uppercut.
Haskins with a poor takedown
and Barbaro counters with a flying knee. Nice.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbaro looks to score with a jab to the body but Haskins is just out of range.
Barbaro scores with a crisp jab that stopped Haskins in his tracks.
Barbaro leaves Haskins with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Barbaro throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haskins.
Haskins fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Todd Haskins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barbaro clobbers Haskins with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haskins tries to score a power double leg takedown but Barbaro sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Haskins somewhat.
Barbaro misses with a lunging right hand
and Haskins counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Haskins ducks under a wild hook from Barbaro.
Barbaro moves into range and connects with a jab.
Haskins avoids the head kick by Barbaro.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Barbaro lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Haskins has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Haskins and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Joe Barbaro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barbaro looks to score with a jab to the body but Haskins is just out of range.
Haskins on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Haskins throws a right and a left that Barbaro avoids nicely.
Haskins fails to land the takedown.
Barbaro has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
Barbaro tries a low kick but Haskins avoids it.
Haskins is trying hard to land a takedown here. Barbaro sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barbaro thows a body shot but no joy.
Barbaro throws a nice looking combination but Haskins bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Barbaro swinging wildly here.
Barbaro misses the shot to the body.
Haskins looks for a takedown but Barbaro sprawls well.
Joe Barbaro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Haskins walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Barbaro misses with a low kick.
Haskins dives in for a single leg takedown but Barbaro sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Haskins tightens his grip and picks Barbaro up, before dumping him to the ground. Barbaro manages to land in guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Barbaro wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Barbaro looking to hit a scissor sweep but Haskins is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro controlling the position.
Haskins stopping the sweep attempt from Barbaro.
Haskins postures up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Joe Barbaro hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Barbaro lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Haskins ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Haskins moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haskins checks a leg kick.
Barbaro tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Haskins was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbaro.

Barbaro gets caught flat footed, as Haskins shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barbaro keeping moving, preventing Haskins from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Haskins accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Haskins lands a couple of elbows.
Haskins controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Barbaro is pulling down on Haskins's head. It's preventing any offense from Haskins, at least for the moment.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Haskins lands a couple of digs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Barbaro dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joe Barbaro's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Haskins has managed to clinch.
Haskins has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Barbaro after a bit of a struggle.
Barbaro tries to land a knee to the head but Haskins blocks with his arms.

Haskins manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Barbaro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barbaro wants to control from the top but Haskins keeps moving.
Haskins seems keen to control Barbaro's posture.
Haskins wants to sweep here but Barbaro controlling him for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joe Barbaro was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Barbaro misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbaro lands a leg kick that knocks Haskins off balance momentarily.
Barbaro misses with a hook to the body

and Haskins counters with a takedown into side control.
Haskins tries to score with some ground and pound. Barbaro controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbaro defending against the ground and pound.
Haskins trying to control the position but Barbaro is working away.
Barbaro is looking for a sweep.
Haskins working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
I wouldn't like to be where Barbaro is right now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barbaro prevents Haskins from improving position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haskins throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Haskins fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Haskins 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.

Haskins thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Haskins wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barbaro keeps working.
The strikes coming from Haskins are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Haskins throws an elbow but Barbaro slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haskins advances to mount.
Haskins fails to advance to Barbaro's back.
Haskins throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Barbaro because Haskins loaded up on that one.
Haskins tries to control but Barbaro wriggling away.
Barbaro is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Haskins controls Barbaro momentarily but Barbaro frees himself.

Haskins looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Barbaro passes into half guard.
Haskins is trying to maintain the position but Barbaro is very close to passing his half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Haskins is looking for a sweep. Barbaro is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Todd Haskins dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joe Barbaro's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Haskins swats away the attempt to clinch by Barbaro.
Haskins defending well as Barbaro loads up on a big left hand.
Haskins uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barbaro.
Jab, jab by Barbaro - just one landing.
Joe Barbaro seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barbaro displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Haskins.
Barbaro misses with a straight right.
Barbaro misses with a hook

and Haskins moves into the clinch.
Barbaro working aggressively here.
A shot in the inside from Barbaro.

Barbaro breaks the clinch.
Barbaro lands the left hand.

Haskins shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Barbaro's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haskins being controlled here momentarily.
Todd Haskins overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barbaro wants to sweep here but Haskins controlling him for the moment.
Haskins throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Haskins throws a big elbow that misses.
Haskins trying to control but Barbaro is working from the bottom.
Haskins trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Haskins is in close to Barbaro's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haskins in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Barbaro pulls Haskins in to control the position.
Haskins stopping the sweep attempt from Barbaro.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Barbaro controls Haskins momentarily but Haskins frees himself.

Haskins postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Barbaro is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Haskins, into his guard.

Haskins has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Barbaro can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Barbaro stopping the sweep attempt from Haskins.
Haskins keeping moving, preventing Barbaro from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Barbaro preventing the sweep.
Barbaro wants to pass the guard but Haskins is keeping the position.

Haskins escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barbaro gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Haskins has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Barbaro is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Haskins.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haskins can't do much from the bottom here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Joe Barbaro just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Joe Barbaro's cut.
That's time! Haskins's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Barbaro misses with a wild body shot.
Haskins misses with a takedown attempt - Barbaro sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Haskins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barbaro.
Haskins tries to clinch but Barbaro is having none of it.
Joe Barbaro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A jab from Barbaro does it's job there.
Barbaro throws a right hand that Haskins ducks under and follows up with a left that Haskins also avoids with ease.
A punch combination from Barbaro misses.
Barbaro throws a right hand that misses

and Haskins holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Barbaro misses with some punches.
Haskins is trying to pull guard but Barbaro has him pressed against the cage.
Barbaro scores with a shot to the side of Haskins's head.
Barbaro lands with a left to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbaro throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Haskins blocks it with crossed arms.
Barbaro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Barbaro escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barbaro misses with a hook. Haskins ducked under it nicely.
Barbaro throws a body punch but Haskins moves out of range.
Haskins is trying hard to land a takedown here. Barbaro sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Todd Haskins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barbaro throws a low kick but it's checked well by Haskins.
Haskins dives in and grabs Barbaro's left leg, looking for a takedown. Barbaro pushes down on Haskins's head and hops out.
Barbaro throws an overhand right that lands on Haskins's shoulder, as Haskins tries to avoid the shot.
Haskins shoots for a double leg takedown but Barbaro sprawls well. He's pushed Haskins's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Barbaro swings for the body but Haskins moves out of range.
Barbaro connects with a single shot there.
Haskins on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro lands a head kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haskins avoids the body shot from Barbaro.
Haskins darts in looking for a takedown but Barbaro gets double underhooks and turns Haskins into the cage.
Barbaro tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Haskins gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Haskins misses with a head shot. Barbaro uses the momentum to regain guard.
Haskins is looking to advance position but Barbaro has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Haskins is looking to improve his position but Barbaro isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haskins wants to hold on but Barbaro pushes him away.
Haskins can't escape the position.
Haskins tries to lock up and control but Barbaro gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Haskins tries to reverse the position but Barbaro maintains control.
Barbaro wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Barbaro can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Haskins is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haskins looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Haskins wants to escape the position.
Haskins is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Barbaro.
Haskins tries to escape the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barbaro gets his hands free as Haskins looks to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Barbaro dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Joe Barbaro's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Haskins tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Barbaro defends well and Haskins ends up having to push Barbaro into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Barbaro lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Barbaro pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barbaro fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Haskins on the side of the head.
Barbaro does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Haskins ducks under a wild hook from Barbaro.
Barbaro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Haskins sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Barbaro.

Barbaro moves into range and clinches up with Haskins.
Haskins jumps guard but Barbaro stands there with Haskins around his waist. Haskins gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Barbaro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Haskins backwards.
Barbaro scores with a nice hook to the head.
Haskins wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Todd Haskins. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barbaro throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbaro swings wildly with an uppercut but Haskins uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barbaro gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Haskins.
Barbaro lands a right hand.

Barbaro breaks from the clinch.
Barbaro throws a body punch but Haskins moves out of range.
Barbaro throws a lazy right hand but Haskins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Barbaro, right into the meat.
Haskins avoids the head kick by Barbaro.
Barbaro scores with a nice right hand.
Barbaro scores with a one two! Haskins had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Haskins cracks Barbaro with a good jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haskins ducks under a wild hook from Barbaro.
Barbaro rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Haskins moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Haskins throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barbaro's waist but Barbaro gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Haskins off to one side.
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!
Barbaro throws a sloppy head kick and Haskins moves out of range easily.
Barbaro is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Barbaro throws a head kick that misses.
Barbaro attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Barbaro cracks the inside of Haskins's front leg.
Haskins wants to clinch up but Barbaro keeps it at a distance.
Barbaro digs a good body shot into Haskins's ribs.
Barbaro scores with a nice right hand.
No luck for Haskins with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro connects with a nice looking jab.
Barbaro lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Haskins fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Haskins slips under a jab from Barbaro.
Barbaro throws a head kick but Haskins moves out of range.
Barbaro throws an off balance right hand

and Haskins counters with a nice double leg into side control. Barbaro won't be happy with that.
Haskins content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Haskins moves into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Haskins looking to finish with strikes here!
Todd Haskins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haskins thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Haskins is trying to control here but Barbaro has managed to regain half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Haskins passes the guard and advances to mount!
Haskins throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Barbaro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Barbaro has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 47:49
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Barbaro!
Joe Barbaro is the new middleweight champion!
Joe Barbaro seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.