PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kang Xi Jia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alfredo Barbosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Xi Jia comes to the cage accompanied by Kung-Fu Hustle. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Xi Jia
vs
Barbosa

170 cm
27
163 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

177 cm
26
160 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kang Xi Jia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Alfredo Barbosa!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xi Jia looks to throw the jab but Barbosa is out of range.
Xi Jia throws a nice inside leg kick.
Xi Jia has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Perkele! Top Team in the buildup to the fight.
Xi Jia pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Xi Jia misses with a body kick.
Barbosa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Barbosa ducks under a wild hook from Xi Jia.
A little jabbing left from Barbosa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Barbosa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Xi Jia. Xi Jia obviously looking to wear him down.
Xi Jia misses with an uppercut. Barbosa saw that one coming.
A shot to the body from Xi Jia misses
and Barbosa counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Barbosa throws a head kick but Xi Jia moves out of range.
Xi Jia scores with a hook to the body. Barbosa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Barbosa throws a hook but Xi Jia blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbosa throws a body punch but Xi Jia moves out of range.
A cross from Xi Jia lands.
Barbosa throws a big shot that misses.
Barbosa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Xi Jia.
Barbosa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Xi Jia throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa misses the shot to the body.
Barbosa misses with a hook.
It looked like Xi Jia wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Xi Jia cracks Barbosa with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Xi Jia looks for the body kick but Barbosa saw that one coming.
Barbosa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An inside leg kick lands from Xi Jia.
Xi Jia misses with a looping right.
Xi Jia misses with a right hand
and Barbosa makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Xi Jia scores with a jab to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Barbosa as he connects with a hook.
Barbosa misses the jab.

Xi Jia drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Barbosa kicks Xi Jia off and gets to his feet.
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!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Barbosa crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Xi Jia - the referee stops the clock and Barbosa gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Xi Jia. Barbosa manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Barbosa has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Xi Jia tenderised Barbosa's leg. Barbosa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Xi Jia lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Xi Jia tries to land a leg kick but Barbosa saw it coming and moves away.
As Xi Jia backs off Barbosa throws a huge counter combo but Xi Jia manages to avoid it all.
Barbosa blocks the body kick.
Barbosa throws a sloppy head kick and Xi Jia moves out of range easily.
As Barbosa backs away, Xi Jia returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Barbosa takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Xi Jia fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Xi Jia scores with a crisp jab that stopped Barbosa in his tracks.
Barbosa uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Xi Jia misses with a lunging right hand
letting Barbosa counter with a right hand.
Barbosa ducks under a wild hook from Xi Jia.
Barbosa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Xi Jia.
Xi Jia chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xi Jia throws a body punch but Barbosa moves out of range.
Xi Jia keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Xi Jia tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Xi Jia misses with an attempted mid kick.
Xi Jia cracks Barbosa with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Xi Jia lands an overhand right.
Xi Jia has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Barbosa.
Good leg kick by Xi Jia there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Xi Jia throws a half hearted mid kick.
Barbosa staying out of range there.
Barbosa fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Xi Jia.
Xi Jia scores with a hook to the body. Barbosa takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
A low kick from Xi Jia misses
and Barbosa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Barbosa fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xi Jia tries a low kick but Barbosa avoids it.
Xi Jia tries a low kick but Barbosa avoids it.
Xi Jia scoring well with a low kick there.
Xi Jia stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Barbosa.
Barbosa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Barbosa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Xi Jia scores with a leg kick.
Xi Jia throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Barbosa stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Xi Jia lands with a thumping leg kick.
Barbosa walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Xi Jia is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Xi Jia throws a hook but Barbosa blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xi Jia throws a half hearted mid kick.
A swing and a miss from Barbosa.
Barbosa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kang Xi Jia dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Xi Jia throws a predictable looking body shot
and Barbosa counters with a nice uppercut.
Barbosa throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Xi Jia on the side of the head.
Xi Jia scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Xi Jia thuds his shin into the meat of Barbosa's side.
Kang Xi Jia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Xi Jia lands a nice shot to the body.
Xi Jia misses with a low kick.

Xi Jia looking to score a takedown here. Barbosa is defending well but Xi Jia drives through and ends up in Barbosa's guard.
Barbosa keeping moving, preventing Xi Jia from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Barbosa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Xi Jia defends well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xi Jia trying to control the position from guard on top but Barbosa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barbosa has his foot on Xi Jia's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Xi Jia works his way back into a safe position though.
Xi Jia trying to control but Barbosa is working from the bottom.
Xi Jia forces his way into half guard.
Barbosa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Barbosa with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Xi Jia to score with a decent uppercut.
Donk. Barbosa catches Xi Jia right on the button with a cross.
Barbosa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Xi Jia.
Xi Jia fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Barbosa on the side of the head.
Barbosa's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barbosa looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Barbosa paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A jab from Barbosa misses.
Barbosa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Xi Jia lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Barbosa has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Barbosa and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Xi Jia lands with a thumping leg kick.
Barbosa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Barbosa misses the target.
Barbosa misses with a head kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Xi Jia misses the target.
Barbosa loads up on a big right hand but Xi Jia slips the punch.
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!
Barbosa misses with a jab to the body
and Xi Jia counters with a good low kick that Barbosa was not able to check.

Xi Jia closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Xi Jia lands in his opponent's guard.

Xi Jia thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa keeping full guard, as Xi Jia tries to pass.
Barbosa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Xi Jia is one step ahead there.
Xi Jia wants to pass the guard but Barbosa is keeping the position.
Xi Jia slips nicely into half guard.
Xi Jia passes to side control.
Barbosa tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Xi Jia wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's four 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Barbosa takes one to the side of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from Barbosa misses the target.
Xi Jia throws a body punch but Barbosa moves out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Xi Jia there.
A shot to the liver by Xi Jia. Beautiful body shot.
Barbosa throws a lazy right hand but Xi Jia sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Xi Jia ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barbosa moves away.
A bone on bone clash there as Barbosa blocks the leg kick.
Barbosa throws a chopping leg kick but Xi Jia manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kang Xi Jia is winning the standup battle so far.
Xi Jia wants to land a leg kick but Barbosa is out of range.
A shot to the liver by Barbosa. Beautiful body shot.
Xi Jia looks to land a body kick but Barbosa moved away.
Barbosa appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kang Xi Jia dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Xi Jia throws a combination that misses
and Barbosa counters with a straight right hand.
Xi Jia throws a shot from downtown. Barbosa moves away and avoids it.
Xi Jia throws a push kick but Barbosa slaps the foot to one side.
Xi Jia lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Xi Jia avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Xi Jia misses the shot to the body.
Xi Jia throws a push kick but Barbosa slaps the foot to one side.
Xi Jia ducks under a wild hook from Barbosa.
Barbosa throws a leg kick but Xi Jia moved away.
Xi Jia lands with a straight right. Barbosa didn't see that one coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xi Jia tries to land a body kick
and Barbosa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Barbosa scores with a jab to the jaw.
Xi Jia takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xi Jia throws a lazy body kick
and Barbosa counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xi Jia connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Barbosa cracks Xi Jia with an open hand slap.
Xi Jia throws a low kick, looking for Barbosa's leg but Barbosa calmly moves out of range.
Barbosa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Xi Jia.
Xi Jia moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Barbosa misses with a right hand
and Xi Jia counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A slow jab from Barbosa misses its intended target.
Xi Jia shoots for a takedown but Barbosa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Barbosa now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Xi Jia uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barbosa.
Xi Jia looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Barbosa follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Barbosa has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Barbosa there as he acknowledges the shot.
Barbosa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Good work by Barbosa as he checks the leg kick.
Xi Jia scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barbosa swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Xi Jia smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Xi Jia checks a leg kick.

Xi Jia looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Xi Jia seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Xi Jia stands and throws Barbosa's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Barbosa manages to work his way to half guard, despite Xi Jia's best efforts.
Xi Jia is keen to just control but Barbosa is a slippery customer.
Alfredo Barbosa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xi Jia wants to free his trapped foot but Barbosa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Barbosa is not content to let Xi Jia control the position.
Barbosa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Xi Jia's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Xi Jia's back!
Xi Jia looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Xi Jia preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Barbosa.
Barbosa punches the canvas rather than the man.
Barbosa punches the canvas rather than the man.
Xi Jia can't escape the position.

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.
Barbosa misses with an elbow to the head.
Barbosa has the hooks in. Xi Jia is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Xi Jia rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Xi Jia thows a body kick. Barbosa tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A swing and a miss from Xi Jia.
Xi Jia lands a nice shot that snaps Barbosa's head back.
Xi Jia is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Barbosa can do to turn this around?
Barbosa throws the left hand but Xi Jia avoids the punch easily.
Xi Jia misses with a hook
and Barbosa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Xi Jia thows a left - swing and a miss!
Xi Jia throws a body kick that misses.
Barbosa takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Xi Jia scores with a nice strike.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kang Xi Jia showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Xi Jia has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kang Xi Jia!
During a confident post fight interview, Kang Xi Jia thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.