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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Barbaro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yakubu Okoroji (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barbaro comes to the cage accompanied by Fight - Future World Music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?
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| 188 cm
32
185 lbs
17 - 3 - 0 |
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190 cm
26
198 lbs
9 - 4 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin |
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Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin |
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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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joe Barbaro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Yakubu Okoroji!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, William Gold and Andrew Berry.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbaro throws a lazy right hand but Okoroji sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barbaro just misses with a punch to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Okoroji as he connects with a hook.
Okoroji uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Barbaro.
Nice straight punches there by Okoroji. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Okoroji.
Okoroji dives in for a single leg takedown but Barbaro sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Okoroji's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barbaro swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Okoroji misses with a left hand
and Barbaro counters with a body kick that stops Okoroji in his tracks momentarily.
Barbaro has managed to clinch.
Barbaro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Barbaro with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Barbaro misses with a hook from the clinch.
Barbaro looking to throw knees to the head but Okoroji is blocking nicely.
Nice body punch from Barbaro.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbaro misses with a knee to the head.
Okoroji controlling the action here for a moment.
Okoroji wants to break the clinch but can't.
Okoroji managing to block the knees to the body from Barbaro.
Okoroji has hold of one of Barbaro's legs. Barbaro is fighting the takedown attempt but Okoroji gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Okoroji throws a strike but Barbaro rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Barbaro sitting in guard here, content to control.
Okoroji trying to keep a closed guard but Barbaro is proving a slippery customer.
Barbaro's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Okoroji working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barbaro doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barbaro manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okoroji escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barbaro gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Barbaro stands up from Okoroji's guard - Barbaro perhaps looking for a knockout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Okoroji misses with a takedown attempt - Barbaro sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Barbaro throws a leg kick but Okoroji checks it.
Okoroji steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barbaro.
Okoroji connects with a nice looking jab.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro throws a body kick that misses.
Okoroji lands a nice shot that snaps Barbaro's head back.
Okoroji throws an off balance right hand
and Barbaro counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Barbaro misses with a kick to the body.
Barbaro misses with an uppercut.
Okoroji ducks under a wild hook from Barbaro.
Barbaro throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Okoroji sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Barbaro throws a lazy right hand but Okoroji sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barbaro thumps Okoroji with a low kick.
Barbaro cracks Okoroji with an open hand slap.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro looks to land a left hand but Okoroji moved out of range nicely.
Okoroji fails with the takedown.
Joe Barbaro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yakubu Okoroji.
Barbaro looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Barbaro misses with a leg kick
and Okoroji connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
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!
Barbaro throws a jab but it's blocked by Okoroji.
Barbaro missing with a left hand there. Okoroji was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barbaro rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Okoroji moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barbaro swings widly with a right hand
and Okoroji counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Okoroji wants to pass the guard but Barbaro is keeping the position.
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 Joe Barbaro will probably get the nod.
That's time! Barbaro's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Barbaro keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Okoroji looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barbaro is fending him off so far but Okoroji persists. Nope, Barbaro circles away and we're back to standing.
Barbaro throws a wild body kick that Okoroji sees coming a mile off.
Joe Barbaro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Okoroji misses with the combination.
Barbaro tries a head kick but it misses.
Okoroji takes one on the button.
Barbaro misses with a body shot.
Jab, jab by Okoroji - just one landing.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Okoroji dodges the punch combination from Barbaro.
Okoroji throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Barbaro.
A nice inside leg kick there by Barbaro. That's going to slow Okoroji down.
Joe Barbaro seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barbaro throws a sloppy head kick and Okoroji moves out of range easily.
Barbaro is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Barbaro throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Okoroji counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Okoroji trying to control but Barbaro is working from the bottom.
Barbaro is pulling down on Okoroji's head to control his posture.
Okoroji stands and steps away. Barbaro gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Okoroji misses with a left hand
and Barbaro counters with a nice uppercut.
Barbaro feints and then cracks Okoroji's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Okoroji down.
Barbaro goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Okoroji fails with a takedown attempt.
Joe Barbaro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yakubu Okoroji.
A solid body kick from Barbaro.
Okoroji uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barbaro.
Okoroji drops his hands momentarily and Barbaro takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Barbaro looks for the body kick but Okoroji saw that one coming.
Barbaro looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okoroji lands a jab-cross combination.
A jab from Barbaro misses.
Barbaro bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Barbaro swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Okoroji.
Okoroji scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Okoroji throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
You can see the frustration on Barbaro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Okoroji wants to control but Barbaro is keeping him busy.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Barbaro's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Okoroji lands some shots froms side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Okoroji trying to control the position but Barbaro is working away.
Okoroji has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Barbaro keeps Okoroji at a distance using the push kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barbaro lands with an overhand left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close second round but Yakubu Okoroji will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!
Okoroji steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barbaro.
Okoroji dives in and grabs Barbaro's left leg, looking for a takedown. Barbaro pushes down on Okoroji's head and hops out.
Barbaro misses with a hook.
Okoroji misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barbaro.
Okoroji darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Okoroji shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Barbaro's guard.
Okoroji is in close to Barbaro's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Barbaro has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Barbaro looking to control.
Barbaro is adopting a defensive guard.
Yakubu Okoroji has got the better of the ground game so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbaro keeping full guard, as Okoroji tries to pass.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Barbaro is trying to keep Okoroji in close.
The ref stands the fighters back up because Joe Barbaro just wasn't active enough.
Okoroji loads up on a big right hand but Barbaro slips the punch.
Barbaro throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Okoroji's head.
It looks like Yakubu Okoroji has been cut.
Okoroji avoids a kick to the body.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Okoroji takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Barbaro walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Okoroji checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Okoroji has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Barbaro punishes Okoroji's body with a nice straight punch.
Barbaro misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Okoroji.
Barbaro swings widly with a right hand
and Okoroji counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
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!
Barbaro working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Okoroji.
Okoroji wants to control from the top but Barbaro keeps moving.
Okoroji stands up from Barbaro's guard - Okoroji perhaps looking for a knockout.
Barbaro throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro looks for the body kick but Okoroji saw that one coming.
Okoroji might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Barbaro throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Barbaro blocks a jab.
Okoroji connects with a single shot there.
Okoroji misses with a takedown
and Okoroji takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Okoroji shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barbaro as he avoids it easily.
Joe Barbaro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Yakubu Okoroji.
Okoroji takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbaro misses with a hook
and Okoroji counters with a single leg into guard. Barbaro didn't expect that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Okoroji wants to control from the top but Barbaro keeps moving.
Okoroji is fighting to break Barbaro's control of his arms but Barbaro is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Barbaro keeping full guard, as Okoroji tries to pass.
Okoroji postures up in Barbaro's guard and throws a big left but Barbaro blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barbaro working a defensive guard here.
Okoroji controlling from the top position.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Yakubu Okoroji.
I think Okoroji 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yakubu Okoroji!
After winning the bout, Yakubu Okoroji thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
67% |
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