PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hagen Germanicus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Germanicus is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Now We Are Free. Josh Barnett had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Barnett
vs
Germanicus

191 cm
28
284 lbs
18 - 7 - 0

195 cm
39
274 lbs
28 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

BeastMode

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Barnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Hagen Germanicus!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Hugh Johnson and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Germanicus throws a head kick that misses

and Barnett decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Germanicus's guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Barnett wants to control from the top but Germanicus keeps moving.

Barnett thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Barnett throws a big elbow that misses.
Barnett is pushing down on Germanicus's leg trying to pass to half guard. Germanicus is fighting to maintain full guard but Barnett has managed to sneak the leg through.
Germanicus is trying to stand back up but Barnett is controlling him

Barnett is working for a submission of some sort.

Barnett looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Barnett wants to work for an arm triangle but Germanicus is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Germanicus has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Barnett is working away from the top position though.

Barnett is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Germanicus keeping hold of Barnett's head, controlling as best he can.

Barnett is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Germanicus wants to improve his position but Barnett is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Germanicus is in trouble now - Barnett has advanced to mount!
Germanicus is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Germanicus can't escape the position.
Barnett mounts Germanicus! Really nice guard pass there!
Germanicus keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Barnett is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Germanicus can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Germanicus tries to hold on but Barnett pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett is trying to take his opponent's back.

Barnett looking to secure an arm triangle but Germanicus defends it well.
Barnett fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Barnett wants to control the pace but Germanicus is squirming around nicely.
Barnett working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Barnett thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Barnett trying to control but Germanicus is having none of it.
Germanicus tries to hold on but Barnett pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barnett goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Germanicus turns into him and now he's in Barnett's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Germanicus postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Barnett working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Germanicus doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Germanicus manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Barnett looking for a guillotine here but Germanicus defends easily.

Germanicus avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Germanicus keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barnett's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Barnett dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Barnett shoots for a double leg takedown but Germanicus sprawls well. He's pushed Barnett's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Germanicus lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Barnett shoots in for a takedown but Germanicus shows good takedown defense.
Josh Barnett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Germanicus with a nice cross.
Barnett misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Barnett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barnett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Germanicus moves away.
Barnett throws a hook but Germanicus blocks it.
Germanicus moves out of range of the body kick.
Germanicus displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barnett throws out the jab.
Barnett takes one on the button.

It looks like Josh Barnett has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett misses with a kick to the body.
Barnett shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Germanicus pinned against the cage. Germanicus gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Barnett throws the left hand but Germanicus avoids the punch easily.
Barnett fails to land the takedown.
Germanicus connects with the punch.
Barnett is looking to land body kicks.
Germanicus tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnett feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Barnett throws a big elbow that misses.

Barnett drops back, looking for a kneebar! Germanicus looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Germanicus looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Germanicus!
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!
Germanicus wants to control but Barnett is keeping him busy.
Germanicus scores with a couple of short elbows.
Germanicus scores with punches from side control.
Barnett manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Barnett is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at The Shield, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Germanicus slips a nice elbow through Barnett's hands, connecting with Barnett's forehead.

Barnett actively working from the bottom here.
Barnett blocking the ground and pound attempt from Germanicus.
My spies in Palazzo Paisano inform me that Germanicus has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Germanicus thows a huge punch but Barnett dodges it nicely.

Barnett looking for submissions off his back.

Barnett kicks off Germanicus and gets to his feet.
Germanicus pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barnett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Germanicus.
Barnett fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Barnett checks a leg kick.
Barnett uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Germanicus finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Germanicus with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Germanicus cracks Barnett with a good jab.

Barnett gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Barnett lands a nice short elbow.
Germanicus is looking for a sweep. Barnett 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!

Barnett is working for a submission of some sort.
Germanicus wants to control but Barnett is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hagen Germanicus will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Josh Barnett's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Barnett with a lazy takedown attempt
and Germanicus counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Germanicus uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barnett.
Barnett stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Barnett tries for a takedown but Germanicus sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Germanicus throws an off balance right hand
and Barnett counters with a nice body kick.
Barnett doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Germanicus counter with a right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Barnett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Germanicus misses with a looping left.
Germanicus misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barnett.
Germanicus tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett scores with a one two! Germanicus had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Hagen Germanicus has been cut.
Barnett takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Barnett lands with a nice body punch.
Hagen Germanicus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barnett closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnett ducks right into an uppercut from Germanicus.
Hagen Germanicus seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Germanicus pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barnett works the jab nicely.
Germanicus thuds his right hand into Barnett's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Barnett looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett throws a nice looking combination but Germanicus bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Germanicus displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Barnett.
Barnett throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Germanicus counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Germanicus buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Barnett with a poor takedown
and Germanicus counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Germanicus misses the jab.
Barnett looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Barnett tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Germanicus swivels and escapes.
Germanicus throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett needs to keep his hands up - Germanicus had a free shot at his head there.
Barnett tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice shot by Germanicus.
Germanicus takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Barnett slips a jab from Germanicus.
Barnett misses with a hook. Germanicus ducked under it nicely.
Barnett has his takedown stuffed
and Germanicus counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Germanicus lands with a nice body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Germanicus lunges at Barnett with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barnett's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Germanicus throws a leg kick which misses Barnett's front leg but catches the back leg as Barnett tries to avoid it.
Barnett takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Germanicus looks to score with a jab to the body but Barnett is just out of range.
Germanicus swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Barnett.

Barnett is rocked!
Are you kidding me?! Germanicus ducked down and unloaded an uppercut from hell that sent Barnett clean off his feet! Someone make me a GIF - that's knockout of the night for sure!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Hagen Germanicus!
Hagen Germanicus made sure to mention his sponsor, Tokyo United Fightwear in his post fight interview.