PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Zhao Zhuo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Zhuo might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Kung Fu You. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Zhuo
vs
Barksdale

184 cm
31
177 lbs
24 - 15 - 0

174 cm
26
185 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Zhao Zhuo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Avon Barksdale!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barksdale fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Zhuo is out of range.
Zhuo misses with a body shot.
Zhuo misses with a left hand

and Barksdale counters with a takedown into side control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Zhuo is trying to control Barksdale's posture but Barksdale avoids it.
Barksdale wants to stand but Zhuo has his arm trapped.
Zhuo is trying to improve his position.
Zhuo wants to control but Barksdale postures up.
Zhuo manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Barksdale is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Zhuo pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barksdale manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zhuo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Zhuo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Zhuo postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barksdale is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Zhuo is aware though and is defending well.
Zhuo trying to control the position from guard on top but Barksdale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zhuo throwing strikes but missing.
Barksdale keeping moving, preventing Zhuo from controlling successfully.
Zhuo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Barksdale is looking for a triangle but Zhuo pushes his legs off easily.
Zhuo wants to control from the top but Barksdale keeps moving.
Barksdale is trying to keep Zhuo in close.
Zhuo looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zhuo trying to control but Barksdale is working from the bottom.
Barksdale seems keen to control Zhuo's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale trying to control the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Avon Barksdale wasn't active enough on the ground.
Zhuo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Zhuo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barksdale keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Barksdale looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Barksdale passes the guard and advances to mount!
Zhuo throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Zhuo wants to control but Barksdale is having none of it.
Barksdale fails to advance to Zhuo's back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zhuo wants to hold on but Barksdale pushes him away.
Zhuo sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Barksdale wants to take a breather but Zhuo is having none of it.
My spies in Grappling Pro Helsinki inform me that Barksdale has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Zhuo is looking to control Barksdale's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Zhuo avoid being mounted?

Barksdale is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Zhuo has managed to free his arm - good work.

Zhuo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barksdale pulls his head out easily.
Zhuo wants to control but Barksdale is keeping busy.
Zhuo throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale passes to side control.
Zhuo is looking for a sweep.
Zhuo struggling a bit here.
Zhuo regains half guard.

Barksdale is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Barksdale seems to be working for a kimura but Zhuo defends the submission attempt.
Zhuo is looking for a sweep. Barksdale is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zhuo is working hard here to advance position.
Barksdale is trying to control the action in half guard but Zhuo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Zhao Zhuo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Zhuo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Zhuo misses with a looping right.
Avon Barksdale is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Barksdale shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Zhuo napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Barksdale has control of an arm but Zhuo manages to advance to Barksdale's back!

Zhuo is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Barksdale has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Zhuo trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Barksdale doesn't escape.
Barksdale tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Zhuo goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Barksdale is on top in guard.
Zhuo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Zhuo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Barksdale is posturing up here but Zhuo has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Barksdale tries to roll out but it's too tight and Barksdale has to tap! Slick submission there by Zhuo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Zhao Zhuo!
An out of breath and clearly excited Zhao Zhuo thanked Affaketion for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).
In defeat, Avon Barksdale stepped up to the mic, saying 'I'll be back.'.