PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Michal Barlow (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reggie Keyes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Barlow
vs
Keyes

223 cm
21
193 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

178 cm
23
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Determined

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Michal Barlow!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Reggie Keyes!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barlow is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Some bone on bone action there as Barlow checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Barlow uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Keyes.
Keyes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barlow keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Keyes has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Barlow is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Barlow is looking to clinch but Keyes is avoiding it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keyes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A low kick from Keyes misses
and Barlow counters with a big head kick but Keyes shrugs it off.
Keyes swats away the attempt to clinch by Barlow.
Keyes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Barlow tries to clinch but Keyes moves out of range.
Keyes throws the kick towards the body but Barlow avoids it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Barlow manages to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barlow has his foot on Keyes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Keyes works his way back into a safe position though.
Barlow tries to strike from the bottom.
Keyes looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Barlow working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Keyes has passed into half guard!
Barlow throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Keyes manages to pass to side control.

Keyes goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Barlow has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Keyes but great work by Barlow.
Keyes looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keyes wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Barlow slows the pace down.
Barlow working the ground and pound.
Barlow taking a breather here.
Barlow working the head with strikes.

Barlow decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Keyes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barlow moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Barlow closes the distance and clinches.
Barlow has Keyes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Keyes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Barlow wants a takedown but no success here.
Barlow is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michal Barlow. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Keyes goes for a takedown attempt but Barlow pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Barlow keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Barlow dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Barlow gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Barlow goes for a takedown attempt but Keyes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Barlow tries to clinch but Keyes moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barlow tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Keyes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Barlow gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Barlow can't get the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keyes trying to control the position but instead, Barlow has worked for underhooks and has pushed Keyes into the cage.

Barlow gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Barlow wanted to stand there but Keyes had control of the position.
Barlow knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Keyes on the ground.

Barlow stands up and waves to Keyes to follow him.
Keyes tries to clinch but Barlow is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keyes misses with a double jab
letting Barlow counter with a right hand.
Barlow displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Keyes.
Keyes is breathing heavily.
Keyes misses with a few strikes there.
Some wild striking there from Barlow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keyes tries to clinch
letting Barlow counter with a right hand.
Keyes is looking to clinch.

Barlow drives through and clinches with Keyes against the cage.
Keyes is trying to break free.

Keyes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Keyes gets tackled into the cage by Barlow. Barlow maintains the clinch.
Keyes is trying to break the clinch but Barlow has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keyes throws an elbow but it misses.
Keyes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Barlow goes for a takedown in the clinch but Keyes prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michal Barlow. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barlow prevents Keyes from breaking the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barlow wants a takedown.
Keyes can't break the clinch.
Barlow tries for a takedown. No joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Barlow dominated that second round.
That's time! Barlow's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Keyes tries to clinch
and Barlow counters with a one-two to the body.

Barlow clinches up against the cage.

Keyes drops Barlow with a big knee straight up the middle! Barlow is covering up against the cage but manages to escape and gets back to his feet!

Barlow is rocked!

It looks like Michal Barlow has been cut.
Barlow tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Keyes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Oh Barlow is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Keyes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barlow paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barlow seems to have got his legs back now.
Keyes misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barlow tries to clinch there but Keyes circles away.
Keyes takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Barlow moves into range and clinches up with Keyes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keyes wants to break free but Barlow has control.
Keyes gets underhooks to prevent Barlow's takedown attempt.
Barlow tries for a takedown but Keyes manages to get underhooks.
Keyes tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Barlow just stands there and leans against the cage.
Barlow really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Keyes tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barlow avoids it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Barlow wants to take the fight to the mat but Keyes manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Michal Barlow. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barlow is pressed up against the cage. Keyes has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Barlow down to the mat. Barlow avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Keyes shoots and misses
and Barlow counters with a two punch combo.
Barlow throws a series of punches but Keyes moves out of range.
Michal Barlow is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barlow wants to clinch.
Keyes fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barlow lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Keyes circles away quickly and effectively.
Barlow displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Keyes.
Keyes throws a sloppy head kick and Barlow moves out of range easily.
Barlow tries to clinch but Keyes moves out of range.
Reggie Keyes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Keyes shoots in for a takedown but Barlow shows good takedown defense.

Barlow rushes Keyes and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keyes stops a takedown attempt from Barlow.
Keyes trying to control the position but instead, Barlow has worked for underhooks and has pushed Keyes into the cage.
Barlow has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Keyes is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Barlow is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Keyes can do to turn this around?

Barlow decides to pull guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barlow is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Reggie Keyes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Michal Barlow is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Keyes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Michal Barlow.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barlow, 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michal Barlow!