PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abel Koponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Barnes could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Abel Koponen's chin.

Barnes
vs
Koponen

195 cm
27
210 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

187 cm
31
215 lbs
10 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

THRIFTY THREADS

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ben Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abel Koponen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes tries to land a front kick but Koponen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Koponen throws a low kick but Barnes avoids it.
We've been told by Barnes's head coaches at Qube Striking that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Barnes takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Koponen getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Some bone on bone action there as Barnes checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Good standup being displayed there by Koponen as he connects with a hook.
Barnes leaves Koponen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Barnes misses with a wild body shot.
Koponen fails with a takedown attempt.
Koponen scores with the left hand. Barnes knows he should have avoided that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koponen swings widly with a right hand
and Barnes counters with a stiff right hand.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Koponen.
Ben Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abel Koponen.
Barnes takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Barnes throws a body punch but Koponen moves out of range.
Barnes takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Koponen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Koponen misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Koponen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Ben Barnes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick from Barnes lands but Koponen takes it in his stride.

It looks like Abel Koponen has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnes ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Koponen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Good body shot from Barnes.
Barnes landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Koponen looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Barnes landing knees to the head.

Koponen is rocked!
Barnes tries to land a knee to the head but Koponen blocks with his arms.
Koponen is still on wobbly legs! Can Barnes finish him?
Barnes tries to land a knee to the head but Koponen blocks with his arms.
Barnes lands a big right hand that drops Koponen! The killer instinct kicks in and Barnes finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Barnes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ben Barnes!
A relieved looking Ben Barnes thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.