PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Bartles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Costea Dinescu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Bartles
vs
Dinescu

175 cm
18
176 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
166 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, James Bartles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Costea Dinescu!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Phil Schofield and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dinescu displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Dinescu scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Dinescu misses with a low kick.
Bartles misses with a takedown attempt
and Dinescu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bartles with a poor takedown
and Dinescu counters with a left to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bartles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Bartles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bartles takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Dinescu ducks under a wild hook from Bartles.
Bartles looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
That kick from Dinescu tenderised Bartles's leg. Bartles is trying to keep his angry face on.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bartles moves out of range of the leg kick from Dinescu.
Dinescu lands with a thumping leg kick.
Dinescu throws the left hand but Bartles avoids the punch easily.
Dinescu scores with a one two! Bartles had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Dinescu with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nice body punch from Dinescu.
Dinescu bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Bartles's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bartles ducks right into an uppercut from Dinescu.
Bartles moves out of range of the leg kick from Dinescu.
Bartles has his takedown stuffed
and Dinescu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Dinescu throws a jab but it's blocked by Bartles.
Dinescu tests Bartles's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Dinescu smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Dinescu cracks Bartles with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Dinescu fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Bartles is out of range.
Bartles tries to move into range but Dinescu moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bartles thows a left - swing and a miss!
Bartles avoids the head kick by Dinescu.
Bartles takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!

Bartles drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dinescu is looking to reverse the position.

Bartles tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Bartles has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Dinescu tries to bench press Bartles off him but Bartles keeps the position.
Bartles works to advance to full mount. Dinescu defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Dinescu can do anything to dispel that myth.
Dinescu avoids a series of strikes thrown by Bartles.
Bartles breaks from Dinescu's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Dinescu really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bartles. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bartles lands a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dinescu is working to get back to half guard.

Bartles jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Dinescu manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Bartles is breathing heavily.
Who's going to make the next move?
Bartles is looking to take a break and control but Dinescu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Dinescu is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bartles trying to control the action but Dinescu is working from the bottom.
Dinescu tries to bench press Bartles off him but Bartles keeps the position.
Dinescu dodges the ground and pound from Bartles.
The strikes coming from Bartles are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Bartles trying to control the action but Dinescu is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Costea Dinescu dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dinescu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bartles tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dinescu swivels and escapes.
Dinescu lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Dinescu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A slow jab from Bartles misses its intended target.
Costea Dinescu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dinescu displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bartles.
Dinescu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dinescu avoids the body shot from Bartles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dinescu moves out of range as Bartles strikes.
A head kick misses from Dinescu.
Dinescu throws a combination. Bartles tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Bartles uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Dinescu.
Donk. Dinescu catches Bartles right on the button with a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dinescu lands a slapping body shot.
Dinescu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bartles.
Dinescu fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bartles.
Bartles walks into a jab.
Dinescu does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Bartles slips under a jab from Dinescu.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bartles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for James Bartles. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice uppercut lands for Dinescu. That snapped Bartles's head back.
Dinescu scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Bartles misses the body punch
and Dinescu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bartles misses the shot to the body.
Dinescu has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Bartles waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dinescu.
Dinescu jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dinescu staying out of range there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bartles drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Dinescu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bartles looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Dinescu listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Costea Dinescu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bartles waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Dinescu.
Dinescu throws a head kick but Bartles moves out of range.
Dinescu misses with a double jab.
Dinescu plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Danga de danga de dang - Dinescu scores with a four punch combination!
Dinescu lunges at Bartles with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Bartles's hand.
Bartles defending well as Dinescu loads up on a big left hand.
Dinescu lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bartles swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Dinescu misses the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bartles misses with a takedown attempt - Dinescu sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Bartles on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Bartles throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A bone on bone clash there as Bartles blocks the leg kick.
Bartles takes one on the button.
Dinescu scores with a body shot.
Dinescu pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bartles is out of range and Dinescu settles back down.
Dinescu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Jab, jab by Dinescu - just one landing.
Dinescu cracks Bartles with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Dinescu throws a front kick that sends Bartles stumbling back into the cage.
Dinescu sizes up Bartles with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bartles takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Dinescu moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bartles misses with a jab to the body
and Dinescu counters with a straight right hand.
Bartles takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Dinescu cracks Bartles with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A bone on bone clash there as Bartles blocks the leg kick.
Bartles gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Dinescu misses with a double jab.
Dinescu throws a head kick but Bartles moves out of range.
Bartles avoids a kick to the body.
A lazy left from Dinescu finds it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dinescu's corner calls for a 1-2. Dinescu obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Dinescu throws a chopping leg kick but Bartles manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Costea Dinescu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Dinescu lands with a good body shot.
Dinescu throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A jab lands there for Dinescu.
Dinescu throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Dinescu scores with a jab to the jaw.
Dinescu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bartles looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Dinescu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Dinescu looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Dinescu cracks Bartles with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Dinescu connects with a jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bartles shoots in for a double leg but Dinescu sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dinescu dips to his left and cracks Bartles with an uppercut!
Dinescu swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Bartles.
Dinescu lands with a nice combination. Bartles backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dinescu bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Dinescu throws a nice looking combination but Bartles bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A head kick misses from Dinescu.
Dinescu dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bartles. That did some damage!
Dinescu pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bartles takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Bartles throws a body shot but no joy.
Dinescu throws a chopping leg kick but Bartles manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Dinescu lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Dinescu looks to land a right hand but Bartles moved out of range.
Bartles tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Dinescu defends well and Bartles ends up having to push Dinescu into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Dinescu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bartles has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Dinescu creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Dinescu lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Dinescu can't break the clinch.
Dinescu slows down the pace here.
Dinescu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dinescu pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Dinescu cracks Bartles with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nice shot lands for Dinescu.
Dinescu closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Dinescu lands the left hand.
Dinescu misses with a head kick.
Dinescu feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Bartles's calf.
Bartles throws the left hand but Dinescu avoids the punch easily.
Bartles blocks a head kick by Dinescu.
Dinescu scores with a jab to the head.

Dinescu tries to sprawl but Bartles drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bartles wants to pass to mount but Dinescu is defending the position.
Costea Dinescu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dinescu is trying to control but Bartles passes into side control!
Dinescu is trying to control Bartles's posture but Bartles avoids it.
Bartles is looking to take a break and control but Dinescu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bartles postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
James Bartles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Bartles looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

And that's the end of the fight!
Costea Dinescu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Dinescu winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 26:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 26:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Costea Dinescu!
During a confident post fight interview, Costea Dinescu thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.