PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leonardo Barrera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Fuego (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Barrera
vs
Fuego

166 cm
24
194 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
25
185 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Leonardo Barrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jose Fuego!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Luis Engracia and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barrera forces Fuego back against the cage and clinches.

Barrera tightens his grip and picks Fuego up, before dumping him to the ground. Fuego manages to land in guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Barrera throwing strikes from guard but Fuego blocks nicely.
Fuego can't keep his opponent in guard - Barrera advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Barrera could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Fuego gets back to full guard.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Rio inform us that Fuego has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Barrera throwing strikes from guard but Fuego blocks nicely.
Fuego is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barrera trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fuego tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Barrera landing some decent shots from guard.

Barrera postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Fuego is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Barrera, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barrera escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fuego gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fuego trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barrera has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Barrera knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fuego on the ground.
Fuego wants to control from the top but Barrera keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fuego looking to pass the guard.
Barrera looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Fuego puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Barrera wants to improve his position but Fuego is controlling well.
Barrera moves into full guard.
Fuego trying to control the position from guard on top but Barrera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barrera not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fuego sitting in guard here, content to control.
Fuego wants to pass the guard but Barrera is keeping the position.
Fuego looks winded!
Barrera looking for a sweep. Not yet Barrera, not yet.

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

Barrera drives through and clinches with Fuego against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Barrera is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Fuego can't fight it off and eventually Barrera manages to take the fight to the floor. Fuego looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Fuego has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Barrera is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Fuego.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leonardo Barrera dominated that round.
That's time! Barrera's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fuego shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Fuego was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Barrera is looking for a sweep.
Barrera regains half guard there - taking advantage of Fuego's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Barrera trying to control but Fuego postures up.
Barrera slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fuego tries to free his leg and advance position but Barrera is retaining full guard.
Fuego is breathing heavily.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Barrera is on top in guard.
Barrera cracks Fuego with a solid left hand.
Barrera postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Barrera in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barrera pulls Fuego in close to his closed guard and prevents Fuego from doing any damage or advancing position.
Barrera is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fuego trying to control the position from guard on top but Barrera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barrera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barrera managing to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Fuego works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Barrera is looking to control Fuego's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Barrera avoid being mounted?
Well, if Fuego is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Barrera trying to control but Fuego postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Leonardo Barrera wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Fuego keeps the fight on the outside.

Fuego feints and as Barrera raises his hands in defense, Fuego changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Fuego drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Barrera dives on top into guard.
Barrera wants to control from the top but Fuego keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barrera throws a big right hand that misses.
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 Leonardo Barrera will probably get the nod.
That's time! Barrera's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Barrera gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fuego to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Fuego is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Barrera is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Barrera has escaped and now he's on top!

Fuego throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Barrera escapes and throws Fuego's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Fuego takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fuego taking punishment in the form of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barrera working the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fuego tries to improve position but can't.
Barrera lands a decent elbow from side control.
Barrera working the ground and pound from side control.
Barrera working the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barrera tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Barrera landing strikes.
Fuego takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The ground and pound from Barrera seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barrera tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Barrera in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Barrera scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Fuego to see if he's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fuego struggling a bit here.
Barrera scoring with punches from side control.
Fuego takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Barrera working the ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barrera working the ground and pound.
Fuego is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leonardo Barrera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Barrera has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 30:27
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Leonardo Barrera!