PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Isreal Barrett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Taslim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taslim has chosen La Coka Nostra - "Mind Your Business" as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Isreal Barrett has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Barrett
vs
Taslim

221 cm
24
151 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
23
150 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Isreal Barrett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, John Taslim!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Taro Takaoka and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barrett shoots in looking for a takedown but Taslim manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barrett's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Taslim falls off balance throwing a combination
and Barrett connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab from Taslim misses.
Taslim swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Barrett finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Barrett looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Taslim throws a head kick but Barrett moves out of range.
Taslim throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Barrett counters with a left to the body.
John Taslim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barrett tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Taslim swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taslim tries to close the distance and clinch but Barrett swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taslim fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Barrett tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Taslim defends well and Barrett ends up having to push Taslim into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Taslim tries to break the clinch but Barrett is controlling the position.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Taslim has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Taslim lands a body shot.
Barrett fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Isreal Barrett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Taslim controlling the action here for a moment.

Taslim breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Taslim stuffs the takedown.
Taslim shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Taslim throws a nice looking combination but Barrett bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Taslim misses with a jab, cross combination.
Taslim swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taslim tries to clinch but Barrett moves out of range.
Barrett looks to score with a jab to the body but Taslim is just out of range.
Barrett fails with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Taslim throws a right and a left that Barrett avoids nicely.

Taslim moves into the clinch successfully.
Barrett is trying to pull guard but Taslim has him pressed against the cage.

Barrett drags the fight down to the ground.

Barrett has his foot on Taslim's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Taslim works his way back into a safe position though.

Taslim is sitting in close to Barrett's body. Barrett has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Taslim is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Taslim is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Barrett.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Isreal Barrett!