PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Murray Esson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Esson comes to the cage accompanied by Amy MacDonald - This Is The Life. Barnes has chosen Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Esson
vs
Barnes

174 cm
31
156 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

178 cm
35
153 lbs
31 - 22 - 3

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Murray Esson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 22 - 3, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Esson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barnes was well out of range. Poor timing from Esson.
Esson changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Barnes with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Esson ducks right into an uppercut from Barnes.
Esson looks to score with a jab to the body but Barnes is just out of range.
Barnes throws a one two combo.
Murray Esson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Esson thows a body shot but no joy.
We've been hearing reports that Esson has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Esson misses with a leg kick

and Barnes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Barnes goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Esson blocks the elbow strike.
Esson throws a head punch that misses.
Esson swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barnes gets through Esson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Barnes working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barnes lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Barnes lands a shoulder strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Esson lands with a left to the head.
Esson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Esson wants to get back to striking at distance but Barnes won't allow it.
Barnes pushes Esson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Barnes struggles to land a body shot inside as Esson controls his hands.
Esson working aggressively here.
Barnes lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Barnes lands a right hand.

Esson is rocked!
Barnes lands a nice shot to the body.
Oh Esson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Esson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Esson throws a punch but it's blocked by Barnes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barnes.
Barnes scores with a shot to the side of Esson's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnes is working Esson over against the cage.
Barnes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Barnes gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Barnes gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Barnes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barnes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Barnes blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Barnes scores with a shot to the side of Esson's head.
Barnes creates some distance for himselfand unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Esson's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Esson drops to his knees and Barnes pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mike Barnes!
A very excited looking Mike Barnes made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.