PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ben Askren (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Danny Barns (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Danny Barns will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Askren
vs
Barns

180 cm
27
180 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

177 cm
20
176 lbs
11 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

GREEN!160

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 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ben Askren!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Danny Barns!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Chris Saunders and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Askren shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Barns defends it nicely.
Askren takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Askren.
Askren tries for a takedown but Barns circles away easily
and Barns counters with a stiff right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Askren. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Askren darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Barns is trying to get back to full guard.
Barns avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Askren.
Barns trying to hold on to Askren's head to control him but Askren postures up.
Askren thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Barns actively working from the bottom here.
Barns wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Barns is staying active underneath Askren, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Barns has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Askren is working away from the top position though.
Askren wants to pass the guard but Barns is defending well.
Barns is refusing to be controlled, as Askren sits in half guard.
Askren is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Barns is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Barns wants to improve his position but Askren is controlling well.
Askren missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Askren trying to control from half guard but Barns is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ben Askren has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Barns scores with a shot to the body.
Askren misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Askren looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Barns displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Askren.
Barns's corner calls for a 1-2. Barns obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Barns jabs Askren to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Barns lands a slapping body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Askren misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Askren misses with a takedown

and Barns counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Askren!
Barns fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Barns working away.
Barns creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Askren sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Askren manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barns is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Barns throwing shots but Askren is blocking nicely.
Barns is trying to control. Askren wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Barns not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Askren regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Barns.
Askren has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Barns working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Barns throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Askren works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Barns trying to control the position from guard on top but Askren is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barns slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Askren looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barns is one step ahead there.
Barns looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Askren has his hands on Barns's head, controlling the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Askren shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Barns cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Askren fails with the takedown.
Askren fails with the takedown

and Barns counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Askren!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barns landing strikes.
Barns landing a few strikes.
Askren struggling a bit here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Askren is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Askren takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Askren defending against the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Barns dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Askren on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Askren tries for a takedown but Barns circles away easily
and Barns cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Askren fails with a takedown attempt.
Askren has his takedown stuffed

and Barns counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Askren!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ben Askren. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barns cracks Askren with a big elbow.
The ground and pound from Barns seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Barns sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Askren is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Barns throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Askren struggling a bit here.
Askren tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Barns wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Barns working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Askren is not content to let Barns control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Askren wants to control but Barns postures up.
Askren is holding Barns down, trying to stall.

Barns is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Askren is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Askren manages to get back to half guard.
Barns is thwarting Askren's attempts to control the position.
Barns lands strikes from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Askren wants to control but Barns is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Barns tries to pass the half guard into mount. Askren knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Askren wants to improve his position but Barns is controlling well.
Barns is trying to control. Askren wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Barns throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Barns is keen to just control but Askren is a slippery customer.
Askren wants to improve his position but Barns is controlling well.
Barns working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Barns is working for a submission of some sort.
Barns thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Askren's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barns is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Askren works his way to full guard. Good work.
Danny Barns has got the better of the ground game so far.
Barns trying to control but Askren is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barns trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Barns trying to control but Askren is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Askren looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barns is one step ahead there.
Barns wants to control from the top but Askren keeps moving.
Askren wants to sweep but no luck.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Danny Barns wasn't active enough on the ground.
Askren darts in looking for a takedown but Barns gets double underhooks and turns Askren into the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Barns.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Barns has clasped his hands together around Askren's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Barns trying to control the position but Askren is working away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barns scoring with punches from side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Danny Barns showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Barns throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Askren was covering up waiting for the punch and Barns finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Barns drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barns jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Barns throws a big elbow that misses.
Askren managing to control the position.
Barns postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barns preventing the sweep.
Barns lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Barns throws a big elbow that misses.
Barns throwing strikes but missing.
Askren wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Askren is on top in guard.
Askren trying to control but Barns is working from the bottom.
Askren lands a couple of decent looking shots.

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

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Danny Barns!
A less than humble Danny Barns misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.