PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Buford Richards (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raja Barkaat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Raja Barkaat has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Richards
vs
Barkaat

223 cm
24
279 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

190 cm
25
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Tends to cut

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Buford Richards!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Raja Barkaat!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Eliza Hachem and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barkaat tries to score a power double leg takedown but Richards sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Barkaat somewhat.
Richards shoots in but Barkaat avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Barkaat clinches up with Richards and pushes him back against the cage.
Barkaat tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Barkaat breaks the clinch.

Barkaat clinches.
Richards is looking to break free of the clinch but Barkaat has double underhooks.
Barkaat should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

Richards pulls guard successfully.
Barkaat is stalling in the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Richards managing to control the position.
Richards will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Barkaat controlling from the top position.
Barkaat must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Raja Barkaat was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Barkaat fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Buford Richards has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raja Barkaat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barkaat is defended easily by Richards.
Barkaat misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Richards fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Barkaat to the ground. Richards is now in Barkaat's guard.
Barkaat is trying to keep Richards in close.
Richards engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Richards stopping the sweep attempt from Barkaat.
Richards throws an elbow that misses. Barkaat uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Richards's guard. Nice move by Barkaat!
Richards has Barkaat pulled in close to control his posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Buford Richards just wasn't active enough.
Richards fails in his attempt to clinch.
Barkaat shoots in but Richards avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Barkaat shoots for a double leg takedown but Richards sprawls well. He's pushed Barkaat's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Richards changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Barkaat tries to avoid it but Richards manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Barkaat to the ground. Barkaat escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Richards blocks a head kick by Barkaat.

Richards closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Barkaat decides to pull guard.
Richards content to stall in guard here.
Barkaat is trying to control the position but Richards postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards with a flurry of punches that miss.
Richards postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Richards makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Barkaat working a defensive guard here.
Barkaat can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Richards controls the pace.
Richards lands a couple of elbows.
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!
Richards postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Richards is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Richards accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richards trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Barkaat controls Richards momentarily but Richards frees himself.
Richards is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buford Richards dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Richards tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barkaat paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Barkaat clinches with his opponent.
Barkaat just leaning against Richards, taking a breather.

Richards jumps into guard, dragging Barkaat to the mat.
Barkaat stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Richards swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barkaat throws a big right hand that misses.
Barkaat throwing strikes but missing.
Richards 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.

Richards throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Barkaat escapes and throws Richards's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Richards is trying to control Barkaat's posture but Barkaat avoids it.

Barkaat goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Richards rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Barkaat's guard! Nice work there by Richards!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richards trying to control but Barkaat is working from the bottom.
Richards content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Richards is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Richards scoring with punches to the head and body.
Richards postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Barkaat controls Richards momentarily but Richards frees himself.
Barkaat has momentary wrist control but Richards slips an elbow through the middle.
Barkaat working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Richards.
Richards scoring with punches to the head and body.
Richards wants to control from the top but Barkaat keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barkaat trying to keep a closed guard but Richards is proving a slippery customer.
Richards looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Richards with a nice head shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Richards accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Barkaat doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Barkaat controls Richards momentarily but Richards frees himself.
Barkaat pulls Richards in close to his closed guard and prevents Richards from doing any damage or advancing position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Richards lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Richards connects with a couple of short punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Richards loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Richards lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Richards scoring with punches to the head and body.
Richards is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Richards throwing strikes from guard but Barkaat blocks nicely.
Barkaat preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Richards controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Barkaat is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Richards makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Richards throws an elbow that misses. Barkaat uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Richards's guard. Nice move by Barkaat!
Barkaat controlling from the top position.
Barkaat is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Richards not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Richards pulls Barkaat in close to prevent any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Richards tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Richards shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Barkaat as he jumps to the side.
Richards shoots in looking for a takedown. Barkaat tries to sprawl out of it but Richards keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Barkaat manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richards shoots in looking for a takedown. Barkaat tries to sprawl out of it but Richards keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Barkaat manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Buford Richards dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Barkaat.
Richards tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Barkaat wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Barkaat trying to control the position but Richards is working away.
Richards being controlled for a moment.
Richards struggling a bit here.

Barkaat stands up and beckons Richards to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Barkaat does no damage.
Richards throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barkaat's waist but Barkaat gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Richards off to one side.
Richards stuffs the takedown.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Barkaat tries to circle away but Richards has him pinned against the cage.
Richards taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Richards missing with knees to the body.
Barkaat can't break the clinch.

Barkaat breaks from the clinch.
Barkaat fails with a takedown attempt.
Barkaat takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richards fails in his attempt to clinch.

Barkaat tries to sprawl but Richards drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Richards looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Barkaat with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Richards is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Richards controlling the pace.
Richards's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Richards not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Richards looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Richards working Barkaat over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Richards in particular looking to stall.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Richards lands a nice short elbow.
Richards content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Richards prevents Barkaat from standing back up.
Richards lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Richards drops an elbow to the side of Barkaat's head.
Richards drops an elbow to the side of Barkaat's head.
Richards controlling the pace.
Barkaat taking some punishment here, with Richards in his half guard.
Richards winds up and cracks Barkaat with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Richards sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barkaat works his way to full guard. Good work.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Richards scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Richards with a flurry of punches that miss.
Richards working some strikes from top position.
Richards distracts Barkaat with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Richards postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Buford Richards overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Richards's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Richards lands a couple of digs.
Richards content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Richards lands a couple of digs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Richards is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Barkaat is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

And that's the end of the fight!
Buford Richards showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Richards, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Francis DeMontford scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Buford Richards!