PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Takeru Kobayashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Barksdale
vs
Kobayashi

165 cm
22
145 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

173 cm
22
146 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Big Bear Nutrition 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Avon Barksdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Takeru Kobayashi!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Nard Betker and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barksdale pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kobayashi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Barksdale is looking to chop away at Kobayashi's legs.
Barksdale takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Barksdale looks for the body kick but Kobayashi saw that one coming.
Kobayashi buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kobayashi misses with a low kick.
Barksdale checks a leg kick nicely.
Barksdale shoots for a double leg takedown but Kobayashi sprawls well. He's pushed Barksdale's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kobayashi only half commits to the counter leg kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kobayashi.
Barksdale looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kobayashi is fending him off so far but Barksdale persists. Nope, Kobayashi circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barksdale throws a jab when Kobayashi was well out of range.
Kobayashi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barksdale.

Barksdale closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kobayashi quickly recovers to half guard.
Kobayashi is looking for a sweep. Barksdale is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barksdale is keen to just control but Kobayashi is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kobayashi wants to control but Barksdale is keeping busy.

Barksdale is working for a submission of some sort.
Kobayashi tries to roll over but Barksdale keeps him under control.
Kobayashi trying to control here.
Barksdale has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Kobayashi wants to improve his position but Barksdale is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kobayashi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kobayashi wants to get back to his feet.
Barksdale is figuring out what he wants to do next.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
The fighters circling - Barksdale throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kobayashi looks to land a body kick but Barksdale moved away.
Kobayashi throws a chopping leg kick but Barksdale manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Barksdale goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Barksdale shoots for a double leg takedown but Kobayashi sprawls well. He's pushed Barksdale's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kobayashi tries a quick counter leg kick but Barksdale is wise to it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Barksdale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barksdale dives in and grabs Kobayashi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kobayashi pushes down on Barksdale's head and hops out.
Kobayashi thumps Barksdale with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale misses with a body shot.
Barksdale tries for a takedown but Kobayashi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Good leg kick by Kobayashi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Takeru Kobayashi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kobayashi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Barksdale gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kobayashi misses with the head strike.

Barksdale turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Barksdale manages to end up in side control.
Barksdale in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Kobayashi regains half guard, as Barksdale was trying to land strikes.
Kobayashi slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Barksdale throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi is pulling down on Barksdale's head to control his posture.
Kobayashi keeping moving, preventing Barksdale from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barksdale postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barksdale working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kobayashi's head.
Barksdale stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kobayashi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kobayashi trying to keep a closed guard but Barksdale is proving a slippery customer.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barksdale throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Avon Barksdale will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Barksdale tries to clinch up.
Barksdale blocks a head kick by Kobayashi.
Kobayashi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kobayashi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Barksdale can pounce on him.
Barksdale throws a lazy right hand but Kobayashi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barksdale looks to throw the jab but Kobayashi is out of range.
Barksdale scores with a shot to the body.
Kobayashi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Barksdale is out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Kobayashi as Barksdale shoots in.
Kobayashi thinks about the counter body kick.
That kick from Kobayashi tenderised Barksdale's leg. Barksdale is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kobayashi avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kobayashi stuffs the takedown attempt from Barksdale. Barksdale gets slowly back to his feet.
Kobayashi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Barksdale's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale connects with an inside leg kick.
Barksdale connects with a leg kick. Kobayashi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Barksdale tries to clinch up but Kobayashi circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barksdale is defended easily by Kobayashi.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Barksdale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kobayashi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Barksdale shoots in looking for a takedown. Kobayashi tries to sprawl out of it but Barksdale keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kobayashi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Barksdale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kobayashi moves away.
Barksdale is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Kobayashi's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
A leg kick checked by Barksdale.
Kobayashi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kobayashi there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale misses with an uppercut. Kobayashi saw that one coming.
Avon Barksdale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barksdale fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kobayashi tries a quick counter leg kick but Barksdale is wise to it.
Barksdale misses with a body shot.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kobayashi.
Kobayashi checks a low kick from Barksdale.
Kobayashi throws a half hearted mid kick.
Kobayashi throws a leg kick but Barksdale checks it.
Barksdale throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kobayashi tries to land a front kick but Barksdale steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kobayashi avoids a kick to the body.
Nice body kick there by Kobayashi.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barksdale misses with a kick to the body
and Kobayashi counters with an outside leg kick.
Barksdale lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Barksdale.
Kobayashi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale dives in for a single leg takedown but Kobayashi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kobayashi.
Kobayashi is looking to score with low kicks.
Kobayashi tries to land a leg kick but Barksdale saw it coming and moves away.

Barksdale has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kobayashi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barksdale prevents a body shot from Kobayashi.
Barksdale has Kobayashi pressed against the cage, preventing Kobayashi from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Barksdale lands a right hand.
Barksdale scores with a shot to the side of Kobayashi's head.
Kobayashi gets underhooks to prevent Barksdale's takedown attempt.
Barksdale is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kobayashi is defending well.
Barksdale keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kobayashi's efforts to push away.

Barksdale gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Barksdale throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kobayashi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Our spies down at at TC's House Of Pain *LOP* inform us that Kobayashi has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Barksdale stands up over Kobayashi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barksdale is one step ahead there.
Barksdale sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kobayashi's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Barksdale is trying to work for a kimura but Kobayashi is defending well.
Barksdale thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Barksdale 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.

Barksdale looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Kobayashi is not content to let Barksdale control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Avon Barksdale dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Barksdale jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Barksdale shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kobayashi as he avoids it easily.
Barksdale misses with a right hand
and Kobayashi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Barksdale checks the leg kick nicely there.
Barksdale throws a body punch but Kobayashi moves out of range.
Barksdale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kobayashi.

Barksdale moves into the clinch.
Barksdale wants a takedown but no success here.
Barksdale is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Barksdale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kobayashi misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kobayashi misses with a hook from the clinch.
Barksdale has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kobayashi after a bit of a struggle.

Barksdale tightens his grip and picks Kobayashi up, before dumping him to the ground. Kobayashi manages to land in guard.
Barksdale throws a big elbow that misses.
Kobayashi wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale trying to control the position from guard on top but Kobayashi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kobayashi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kobayashi trying to control the position.
Barksdale is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kobayashi can do to turn this around?
Barksdale throws a strike but Kobayashi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Barksdale wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Barksdale lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Barksdale works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Avon Barksdale is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kobayashi is trying to get back to full guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Barksdale connects with a nice short shot to Kobayashi's temple.
Kobayashi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Barksdale missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Barksdale landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Barksdale not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Barksdale is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kobayashi defends it well.
Barksdale tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kobayashi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Takeru Kobayashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Barksdale seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Barksdale scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Barksdale works his way into side control.
Barksdale trying to control the action but Kobayashi is working from the bottom.

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.
Kobayashi tries to buck Barksdale off but Barksdale is having none of it.
Barksdale throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Barksdale swings around for an armbar but Kobayashi sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Barksdale's guard.
Barksdale utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Barksdale is on top in guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barksdale throwing strikes but missing.
Barksdale sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kobayashi's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Avon Barksdale showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barksdale, 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 30:27
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Avon Barksdale!
Avon Barksdale seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.