PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mirko Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Power House (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barnett kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Alaj volim kad je pomalena. House has chosen Die MF Die as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Barnett
vs
House

188 cm
23
240 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

187 cm
24
230 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Absinth Clothing
MMA's Best Nutrition

MMA's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mirko Barnett!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Power House!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
House avoids the head kick by Barnett.
Barnett throws a right and a left that both miss.
House slips a straight right by Barnett.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

House closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

House seems to be working for a kimura but Barnett defends the submission attempt.
Barnett avoiding damage under a succession of punches from House.
House missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Barnett wants to get back to full guard.
Barnett looks like he's trying to stand up.
House takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
House throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
House throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Barnett knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for House on the ground.
House throwing shots but Barnett is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett is trying to stand up here but House is controlling him well.
House lands strikes from half guard.
Barnett is trying to maintain the position but House is very close to passing his half guard.
House thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barnett's head.
House missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Barnett is trying to defend against the ground and pound but House scores with a couple of nice shots.
House not landing any meaningful shots this time.
House is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
House has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
House scoring with strikes but Barnett is staying in there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett is looking to improve his position but House isn't that keen on the idea.
House looking to finish Barnett with some ground and pound. This is bad for Barnett!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
House throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
House looking to finish with strikes here!
Barnett manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
House works his way into full mount!
House sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
House with a couple of short strikes.
House throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Poor strikes thrown by House there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Barnett is in a horrible position here. House smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
House won't let Barnett get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
House throws some wild stikes that Barnett manages to avoid easily.
House fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

It looks like Mirko Barnett has been cut.
Barnett is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barnett is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett wants to hold on but House pushes him away.
House throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
House breaks from Barnett's wrist control and lands an elbow.
House throws a sloppy strike and Barnett uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Barnett has ended up in House's guard.
Barnett stopping the sweep attempt from House.
House is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Barnett decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Barnett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Power House dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mirko Barnett's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

House fails with the takedown.
House tries for a takedown but Barnett sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
House takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

It looks like Power House has been cut.
Barnett throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
House shoots in and drives through. Barnett sprawls well.
Mirko Barnett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Power House.
House shoots for a takedown but Barnett saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Barnett tries to clinch up but House circles away and keeps his distance.
Barnett throws a head kick that misses.
Barnett lands with a slapping head kick.
Barnett rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but House moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barnett connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Barnett stuffs the takedown.
House keeps the fight on the outside.
Mirko Barnett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barnett throws a head kick that House semi-blocks.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnett throws a nice looking combination but House bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Excellent takedown into side control there by House.
House sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Barnett is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
House looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Barnett with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Barnett is positioning himself well to prevent House advancing to mount.
House takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

House is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Barnett doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time House.
Barnett is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
House not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Barnett won't allow House to pass to mount.
House thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barnett's head.
House works his way into side control.
House tries to score with some ground and pound. Barnett controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
The strikes coming from House are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Barnett tries to close the distance and clinch but House swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett throws a head kick but House moves out of range.
Barnett is looking to clinch but House is avoiding it.

House gets a takedown into half guard.
House thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barnett's head.

House is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Barnett keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Barnett looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from House.
Barnett is trying to stand.
House scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
House thows a huge punch but Barnett dodges it nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
House passes to full mount!
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
House is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Barnett can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
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 Mirko Barnett will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Barnett throws a head kick but House moves out of range.
Barnett loads up on a big right hand but House slips the punch.
House avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
House closes this distance looking for a takedown but Barnett circles away.
House avoids the head kick by Barnett.
House looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Jab from Barnett.
Barnett scores with a one two! House had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
House tries for a takedown but Barnett sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mirko Barnett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Power House.
House avoids the head kick by Barnett.
No luck for House with that takedown attempt.
Barnett throws a head kick that misses.
House takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Barnett scores with a sloppy right hand. House should have avoided that one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
House looks for a takedown but Barnett sprawls well.
Barnett tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by House.
House tries for a takedown but Barnett sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mirko Barnett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnett stuffs the takedown.

Barnett clinches with his opponent.
House is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Barnett has had enough of the clinch but House keeps him there for the moment.
Barnett with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Barnett wants to get back to striking at distance but House won't allow it.
Barnett is trying to break the clinch but House has him pressed against the ropes.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Barnett doesn't manage to clinch there - House circles away.
Barnett tries to clinch up but House circles away and keeps his distance.

House shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
House is looking to work some ground and pound but Barnett has wrist control.
House throws a big right hand that misses.
House scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
House postures up and lands a big shot to Barnett's brow.
House throwing strikes from guard but Barnett blocks nicely.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as House accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
House throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Power House has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
House throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Barnett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
House trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Barnett manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
House tries to land a sweep but no joy.
House has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barnett is looking to stand up but House won't let him.
Barnett stopping the sweep attempt from House.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

House drives through with a takedown into guard.
House cracks Barnett with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett wants to stand and escape but House is having none of it.
House loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
House with a flurry of punches that miss.
House slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
House postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
House tries to move into full mount but can't pass Barnett's legs.
House throwing strikes but Barnett manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
House tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Mirko Barnett did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Barnett tries to clinch there but House circles away.
Barnett throws a sloppy head kick and House moves out of range easily.
Barnett connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Barnett is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Barnett tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barnett fails with an attempt to clinch.
House stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Barnett.
Barnett pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
House looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barnett is fending him off so far but House persists. Nope, Barnett circles away and we're back to standing.
House shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barnett but Barnett pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Barnett throws a nice head kick!
Barnett is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
House shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Mirko Barnett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Power House.
Barnett tries to clinch up.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
House avoids the head kick by Barnett.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Barnett stuffs the takedown attempt from House. House gets slowly back to his feet.

Barnett takes the fight into the clinch.
House has Barnett pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Barnett manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Barnett breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Barnett clinches up with House and pushes him back against the ropes.
House prevents Barnett from breaking the clinch.

Barnett breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barnett throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett tries to score with a low kick but House moves his leg out of the way.
Barnett moves in looking to clinch but House pushes him off.
House shoots in but no luck this time.
House tries for a takedown but Barnett sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Barnett connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Barnett clinches with his opponent.
Barnett gets underhooks to prevent House's takedown attempt.

Barnett breaks the clinch.
Barnett throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
House throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barnett's waist but Barnett gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing House off to one side.
Barnett goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
House shoots in for a double leg but Barnett sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Barnett throws a quick inside leg kick.
Barnett scores with a punch to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Barnett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
House has a takedown stuffed.
Mirko Barnett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barnett wants to clinch.
Barnett misses with a head kick.
House fails with the takedown.
House takes one on the chin but seems OK.
House takes a head kick and keeps coming.

House fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Barnett sprawls well initially but House persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
House prevents Barnett from standing back up.
House sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Barnett defending well though.
House throwing shots but Barnett is blocking nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
House not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Barnett keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
House missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
House throwing shots but Barnett is blocking nicely.
Barnett tries to roll over but House keeps him under control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barnett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
House checks the leg kick.
Barnett is looking to clinch but House is avoiding it.

Barnett gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
House content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Barnett had his way with Power House in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Barnett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barnett wants to clinch up but House keeps it at a distance.
House shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barnett as he avoids it easily.
Barnett tries to clinch there but House circles away.
Barnett throws a sloppy head kick and House moves out of range easily.
Barnett is looking to clinch but House is avoiding it.
Barnett throws a series of strikes that have House backpedaling.
House shoots for a double leg takedown but Barnett sprawls well. He's pushed House's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Barnett.
House swats away the attempt to clinch by Barnett.
House misses with a takedown attempt - Barnett sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Mirko Barnett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Power House.
House avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barnett tries to clinch there but House circles away.
Barnett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barnett throws a front kick aimed at House's knee but House avoids it well.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
House shoots in for a double leg but Barnett sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Barnett tries to clinch but House moves out of range.
Barnett scores with a head kick.
Barnett cracks the inside of House's front leg.
Barnett throws a head kick but House moves out of range.

House decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
House thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barnett's head.
Barnett avoiding damage under a succession of punches from House.
Barnett is looking to escape.
House thows a huge punch but Barnett dodges it nicely.
House working the head and body with strikes.
House looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
House works his way into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by House.
House throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
House throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Barnett because House loaded up on that one.
House misses with a head shot.
House throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Barnett because House loaded up on that one.
House misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Barnett is desperately trying to improve his position but House has a good base and remains in mount.
House throwing strikes but Barnett bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
House thows a big elbow that misses.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A head kick from Barnett lands but House takes it in his stride.
House fails with a takedown attempt.
Barnett tries to close the distance and clinch up but House swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Power House has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barnett throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
House closes the distance and clinches up with Barnett, looking for a takedown. House pushes Barnett against the ropes but Barnett circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Barnett clinches up against the ropes.
House has Barnett pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Barnett manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Barnett breaks from the clinch.
House shoots in for a double leg but Barnett sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A head kick misses from Barnett.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barnett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Barnett tries a head kick but it misses.
House shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barnett as he avoids it easily.
House takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
House tries for a takedown but Barnett sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Barnett doesn't manage to clinch there - House circles away.
Barnett throws a head kick that misses.
House fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
House fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Mirko Barnett is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Barnett lands with a slapping head kick.
Barnett misses with a head kick.

Barnett gets caught flat footed, as House shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
House is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mirko Barnett.
I think Barnett 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 49:48
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 49:46
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 49:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirko Barnett!
Mirko Barnett retains his heavyweight title!