PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tipene Rawhiti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brock Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tipene Rawhiti had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Rawhiti
vs
Barnett

186 cm
22
266 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

191 cm
34
266 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tipene Rawhiti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brock Barnett!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Dean Styles and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rawhiti is defended easily by Barnett.
Barnett cracks a nice hook into Rawhiti's ribs.
Barnett jabs at Rawhiti's body.

Barnett closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rawhiti quickly recovers to half guard.

Barnett is working for a kimura but Rawhiti is defending it quite comfortably.
Rawhiti could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Barnett is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Barnett is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rawhiti is just riding it out for now. Barnett eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawhiti is controlling Barnett's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Barnett seems to be looking for submissions.
Rawhiti on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rawhiti tries to get out of the position.

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

Barnett is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rawhiti defends it well.

Barnett trying to work for an americana but Rawhiti has managed to regain full guard.

Barnett drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barnett jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnett has gone for a leg lock! Rawhiti slips out almost immediately though and dives into Barnett's guard.

Rawhiti has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rawhiti preventing the sweep.

Barnett looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Rawhiti avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Barnett is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Rawhiti has his hands clasped together but Barnett extends and breaks Rawhiti's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Barnett.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Brock Barnett!