PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Baird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mustafa Barbari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Baird
vs
Barbari

163 cm
18
214 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

170 cm
21
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Joseph Baird!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mustafa Barbari!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Illya Tyunina and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbari misses with a head kick.

Baird clinches up against the cage.
Barbari is trying to force a seperation but Baird has the dominant position.
Baird is trying to maintain a safe position but Barbari gets an underhook and turns Baird into the cage.

Barbari manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbari keeping moving, preventing Baird from controlling successfully.
Barbari is trying to hold Baird in close to prevent damage but Baird has managed to pass into half guard.
Baird trying to control from half guard but Barbari is working away.
Baird throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Baird is thwarting Barbari's attempts to control the position.

Barbari has one foot on Baird's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird fails with an attempt to clinch.
Baird blocks a head kick by Barbari.
Barbari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barbari stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Barbari wants it to stay on the feet.

Barbari moves into the clinch.
Barbari is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Baird tries to circle away but Barbari has him pinned against the cage.
Barbari digs a right hand into Baird's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Baird's gas tank.

Barbari is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Baird can't fight it off and eventually Barbari manages to take the fight to the floor. Baird looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Barbari sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Barbari stopping the sweep attempt from Baird.
Barbari controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Baird could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Mustafa Barbari wasn't active enough on the ground.

Barbari moves into the clinch.
Baird wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joseph Baird. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barbari looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Barbari has Baird pressed against the cage, preventing Baird from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Baird's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Barbari scores with a takedown into Baird's guard.
Barbari tries to stand but Baird is controlling from the bottom.
Barbari must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Barbari controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbari throws a strike but Baird rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Baird throws a big elbow that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baird wants to control from the top but Barbari keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mustafa Barbari dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Barbari tests Baird's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Barbari clinches.

Barbari works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Barbari looking to pass the guard.
Barbari trying to move into half guard but instead Baird has managed to sweep!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barbari is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Baird presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Barbari is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Baird is keeping busy.
Baird wants to break free but Barbari has control.
Barbari pressing his opponent against the cage.
Still in the clinch, Barbari scores with a nice short uppercut.
Baird looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Barbari has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Baird looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Barbari can't break the clinch.
Baird is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird trying to stall but Barbari improves his position.

Barbari has Baird pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Barbari pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Baird tumbling to the mat - Barbari dives into Baird's guard.

Barbari avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Baird is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Barbari controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbari trying to control the position from guard on top but Baird is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Barbari gets to his feet - Baird follows without any prompting.
Joseph Baird is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Barbari scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Baird struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbari creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Baird sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Baird trying to remain calm as Barbari controls from the top position.
Barbari looking to control but instead Baird has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Baird trying to control here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Still in half guard, Barbari seems content to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mustafa Barbari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Barbari keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

It looks like Joseph Baird has been cut.

Barbari takes the fight into the clinch.

Barbari manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Baird throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Barbari is looking to stand up but Baird isn't so interested in that idea.
Baird throwing strikes from guard but Barbari blocks nicely.
Barbari wants to sweep here but Baird controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baird postures up.
Barbari is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Barbari keeping moving, preventing Baird from controlling successfully.
Barbari trying to keep a closed guard but Baird is proving a slippery customer.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Mustafa Barbari hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Baird tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Barbari counters with a stiff right hand.
Baird misses with a kick to the body.
Baird misses with the combination.
Barbari misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baird tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barbari paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Barbari gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Baird is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Baird has Barbari pressed against the cage, preventing Barbari from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Baird has had enough of the clinch but Barbari keeps him there for the moment.
Barbari working hard to break the clinch.

Barbari turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Baird being controlled for a moment.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A bit of a lull in the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baird is not content to let Barbari control the position.
Sloppy strikes there by Barbari.
Baird is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Barbari is looking to take a break and control but Baird is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mustafa Barbari was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Barbari looking to score a takedown here. Baird is defending well but Barbari drives through and ends up in Baird's guard.
Barbari throwing strikes from guard but Baird blocks nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barbari tries to free his leg and advance position but Baird is retaining full guard.
Joseph Baird has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mustafa Barbari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Barbari stands and steps away. Baird gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mustafa Barbari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Barbari has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mustafa Barbari!