PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Barbaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Augusto Soto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barbaro comes to the cage accompanied by Fight - Future World Music. Soto comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Valesca Popozuda - Beijinho No Ombro kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Joe Barbaro could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Augusto Soto's chin.

Barbaro
vs
Soto

188 cm
31
185 lbs
17 - 2 - 0

181 cm
30
193 lbs
20 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

HGH Nutrients Q160 Tycoons Best Quality supps
Kore Fight Nutrition [TG]

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 17 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joe Barbaro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Augusto Soto!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Ackerman and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbaro scores with a kick to the body.
Barbaro has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Barbaro comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Soto moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Barbaro fails to land.
Barbaro controlling the action here for a moment.
Barbaro lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Soto or not.
Soto doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Soto.
Barbaro lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Soto lands a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barbaro misses with a knee to the head.
A short right from Barbaro on the inside.
Soto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Soto lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barbaro backwards.
Barbaro gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Soto.
Soto throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbaro working aggressively here.
Barbaro lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Barbaro misses with a punch on the inside.
Barbaro looking to throw knees to the head but Soto is blocking nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barbaro.
Nice body punch from Soto - that landed with a thud.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Barbaro lands a shoulder strike.
Barbaro is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Soto working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barbaro.
Barbaro tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Soto throws a knee to the head but misses.

Soto has clasped his hands together around Barbaro's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
You can see the frustration on Barbaro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Soto tries for a kimura but Barbaro is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Soto swings around for an armbar but Barbaro sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Soto's guard.
Soto keeping moving, preventing Barbaro from controlling successfully.
Barbaro looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Soto can't keep his opponent in guard - Barbaro advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Soto pushes Barbaro off looking to stand but Barbaro dives back in and keeps control.
Soto won't allow Barbaro to pass to mount.
Soto tries to roll over but Barbaro keeps him under control.
Soto pushes Barbaro off looking to stand but Barbaro dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Barbaro wants to lay and pray for a moment but Soto keeps working.

We're going to have a standup here because Joe Barbaro wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Soto wants to clinch up but Barbaro keeps it at a distance.
Barbaro throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barbaro scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soto closes the distance looking to clinch
and Barbaro makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Soto tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barbaro manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barbaro throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Barbaro throws a sloppy head kick and Soto moves out of range easily.

Soto moves into the clinch.
Soto struggles to land a body shot inside as Barbaro controls his hands.
A short right from Soto.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head punch on the inside from Barbaro fails to land.
Barbaro misses with a knee to the head.
Soto throws a punch but it's blocked by Barbaro.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A knee to the head by Barbaro.
Barbaro scores with a nice hook to the head.
Soto blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Barbaro scores with a hook to the body.
Barbaro is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Soto is defending well for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Barbaro misses with a body punch

and Soto counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Barbaro misses with a knee strike.
Barbaro misses with a knee strike.
Barbaro lands a knee to the head.
Still in the clinch, Soto scores with a nice short uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Barbaro.
Barbaro using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Soto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Barbaro working aggressively here.
Barbaro can't find room to land a body shot as Soto controls the action.
Barbaro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barbaro throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Soto blocks it with crossed arms.
Soto lands with a light punch inside.
Soto lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Soto gets through Barbaro's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barbaro tries to land a knee to the head but Soto blocks with his arms.
Soto lands a left hand.
Barbaro gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Soto.
Barbaro working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbaro misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barbaro swings wildly with an uppercut but Soto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Soto struggles to land a body shot inside as Barbaro controls his hands.
Barbaro throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Soto blocks it with crossed arms.
Barbaro tries to land a knee to the head but Soto blocks with his arms.
Barbaro tries a knee to the head but Soto blocks it.
Soto blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Barbaro misses with the head strike.
Barbaro blocks an elbow strike from Soto.
Barbaro lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Soto lands a hook that snaps the head of Barbaro backwards.
Barbaro misses with a punch on the inside.
Barbaro with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Come on Barbaro - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Soto.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Soto backwards.
Joe Barbaro has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A nice right hand lands inside from Soto.
Barbaro can't find room to land a body shot as Soto controls the action.
A head punch on the inside from Soto fails to land.
Barbaro tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbaro throws a punch but it's blocked by Soto.
Barbaro with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Barbaro wants to stall.
Barbaro slows down the pace here.
Soto lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Barbaro throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Soto blocks it with crossed arms.
Barbaro lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Soto lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Barbaro backwards.
Barbaro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Soto's elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Soto is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Soto lands a shot to the body.
Soto tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Soto presses Barbaro against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Soto working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barbaro lands a shoulder strike.
Soto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Soto lands a hook that snaps the head of Barbaro backwards.
Soto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Barbaro.
Barbaro with a knee to the head.
Soto lands a good knee to the midsection. Barbaro won't want to take too many of those.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Soto lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

It looks like Joe Barbaro has been cut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Barbaro lands a knee to the head.
Soto lands with a right to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barbaro.
Soto scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro misses with a punch on the inside.
Barbaro trying to stall but Soto improves his position.
Soto throws a knee to the head but misses.
Soto misses with a body punch.
Barbaro throws a punch but it's blocked by Soto.
Barbaro scores with a knee to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Soto.
Barbaro throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Soto blocks it with crossed arms.
Soto lands a body shot.
Soto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Barbaro swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barbaro tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Barbaro tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barbaro lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Soto wants the takedown. Barbaro is fighting it off but Soto persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Barbaro's guard against the cage.
Barbaro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Soto.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Augusto Soto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Joe Barbaro's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Barbaro throws a half hearted mid kick.
Barbaro walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Soto checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Barbaro wants to slow Soto down by chopping away at his legs.

Barbaro clinches.
Soto presses Barbaro against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Good body shot from Soto.
Soto lands a body punch in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Soto as the two fighters clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Soto lands a shot to the body.
Soto working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Soto is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Barbaro pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Barbaro tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Soto's elbow.
Barbaro looking to slow down the pace here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Soto lands with a light punch inside.

Soto is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Barbaro can't fight it off and eventually Soto manages to take the fight to the floor. Barbaro looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Soto wants to control from the top but Barbaro keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Soto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Barbaro looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Soto looking to sit in guard and control but Barbaro gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Soto wants to sweep but no luck.
Soto is pulling down on Barbaro's head. It's preventing any offense from Barbaro, at least for the moment.
Barbaro prevents Soto from getting back to his feet.
Barbaro passes Soto's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Soto is trying to stand up here but Barbaro is controlling him well.
Soto is refusing to be controlled, as Barbaro sits in half guard.
Soto has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Barbaro is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro wants to take a breather but Soto is having none of it.
Barbaro missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Barbaro seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Soto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Soto has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Joe Barbaro wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Soto tries to clinch
and Barbaro counters with a stiff right hand.

Soto has Barbaro up against the cage in a clinch.
Soto blocks an uppercut.
Soto's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Barbaro misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barbaro misses with a punch to the body.
Barbaro is working Soto over against the cage.
Soto is leaning against Barbaro and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Soto gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Barbaro regains guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Soto postures up in Barbaro's guard and throws a big left but Barbaro blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Soto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Barbaro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Soto trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Soto trying to control but Barbaro is working from the bottom.
Soto chips away with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Soto throwing strikes from guard but Barbaro blocks nicely.
Soto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Augusto Soto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Soto has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Augusto Soto!
A victorious Augusto Soto thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.