PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jermaine Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nopparat Somchaimy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barksdale comes to the cage accompanied by Ain't No Sunshine- DMX. 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.

Barksdale
vs
Somchaimy

190 cm
37
211 lbs
24 - 7 - 0

194 cm
31
216 lbs
22 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Machine Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jermaine Barksdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Nopparat Somchaimy!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Somchaimy thuds a left hand into Barksdale's body.
Barksdale takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Somchaimy moves away from the strike by Barksdale.

Somchaimy shoots in and gets a takedown into Barksdale's guard.
Barksdale keeping moving, preventing Somchaimy from controlling successfully.
Somchaimy throws a big elbow that misses.
Somchaimy throws a big right hand that misses.
Barksdale pulls Somchaimy in to control the position.
Somchaimy lands a couple of digs.
Somchaimy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Barksdale is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Barksdale keeping full guard, as Somchaimy tries to pass.
Somchaimy postures up in Barksdale's guard and throws a big left but Barksdale blocks it.
Somchaimy with a flurry of punches that miss.
Barksdale wants to get back to his feet but Somchaimy is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somchaimy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Barksdale wants to stand up but Somchaimy is controlling him.
Barksdale utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Barksdale working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Somchaimy.
Somchaimy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Somchaimy slips nicely into half guard.
Somchaimy prevents Barksdale from improving his position.
Somchaimy thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barksdale's head.
Somchaimy trying to control from half guard but Barksdale is working away.
Barksdale tries to kick Somchaimy off but Somchaimy keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Somchaimy working Barksdale over with strikes.
Barksdale tries to roll over but Somchaimy keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Somchaimy is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
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. Somchaimy connects with a nice short shot to Barksdale's temple.

Somchaimy is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Somchaimy is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Somchaimy throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Somchaimy throwing shots but Barksdale is blocking nicely.
Somchaimy sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Barksdale defending well though.
Somchaimy lands strikes from half guard.
Barksdale tries to roll over but Somchaimy keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somchaimy throws a strike but Barksdale avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Barksdale keeping full guard, as Somchaimy tries to pass.
Barksdale trying to keep a closed guard but Somchaimy is proving a slippery customer.
Somchaimy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Barksdale keeping moving, preventing Somchaimy from controlling successfully.
Somchaimy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Somchaimy cracks Barksdale with a solid left hand.
Barksdale working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Somchaimy.
Somchaimy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barksdale swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Somchaimy keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barksdale's head.
Somchaimy has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Somchaimy throws an elbow that misses. Barksdale uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Somchaimy's guard. Nice move by Barksdale!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Somchaimy trying to control the position.
Barksdale wants to control from the top but Somchaimy keeps moving.
Barksdale scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Barksdale content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Barksdale stays in close to Somchaimy's body and controls the position.
Somchaimy preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barksdale is looking to work some ground and pound but Somchaimy has wrist control.
Somchaimy being controlled here, momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Barksdale misses with a straight right.
Somchaimy drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Barksdale defends it well.
Somchaimy scores with a spinning back kick!
Somchaimy lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Somchaimy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Somchaimy throws a jab when Barksdale was well out of range.
Somchaimy scoring well with a low kick there.
A head kick misses from Somchaimy.
Barksdale appears to be looking for a big counter.
Nice shot lands for Somchaimy.
Barksdale tries to bum rush Somchaimy with a series of wild strikes but Somchaimy uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Somchaimy tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

Somchaimy drives through with a takedown into Barksdale's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barksdale preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Barksdale uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Barksdale lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Barksdale.
Barksdale paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Somchaimy manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Barksdale on his heels. He'll look to pass Barksdale's guard now, I'm sure.

Barksdale pushes Somchaimy off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Somchaimy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barksdale.
Jermaine Barksdale is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Somchaimy drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Somchaimy working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Barksdale manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Somchaimy thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Barksdale looks like he's trying to stand up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barksdale manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Somchaimy throws a big right hand that misses.
Barksdale utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nopparat Somchaimy has got the better of the ground game so far.
Barksdale preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Barksdale is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Somchaimy is controlling him.
Somchaimy working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale keeping moving, preventing Somchaimy from controlling successfully.
Somchaimy lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Barksdale trying to keep a closed guard but Somchaimy is proving a slippery customer.
Barksdale avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Barksdale working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Somchaimy.
Somchaimy scoring with some ground and pound.
Barksdale preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Somchaimy loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Barksdale is on top in guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barksdale is looking to work some ground and pound but Somchaimy has wrist control.
Barksdale throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somchaimy working a defensive guard here.
Barksdale loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Barksdale content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Somchaimy lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Somchaimy wants to control from the top but Barksdale keeps moving.
Barksdale is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Somchaimy is controlling him.
Somchaimy missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Somchaimy with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Somchaimy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Somchaimy postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Somchaimy trying to control but Barksdale is working from the bottom.
Barksdale wants to stand up but Somchaimy is controlling him.
Barksdale is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Barksdale continues to stall.
Barksdale looking for a sweep. Not yet Barksdale, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Somchaimy trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Somchaimy throwing strikes but missing.
Somchaimy throws a big elbow that misses.
Barksdale keeping full guard, as Somchaimy tries to pass.
Barksdale throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nopparat Somchaimy will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

A nice combination there by Barksdale.
Barksdale tries to clinch but Somchaimy moves out of range.
And Somchaimy tries to counter it with a takedown but Barksdale pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Somchaimy throws a hook to the side of Barksdale's head but Barksdale sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barksdale swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sloppy strikes from Somchaimy. Those never looked like landing.
Barksdale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Somchaimy.
Somchaimy feints the counter takedown.
Barksdale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Somchaimy throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Somchaimy scores with a jab to the jaw.
Somchaimy misses with a straight left.
Somchaimy jabs Barksdale to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Somchaimy lands a really nice looking cross but Barksdale seems unphased.
Somchaimy fails with a takedown attempt.
Barksdale throws a big counter combination but Somchaimy scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Somchaimy smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Somchaimy has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A swing and a miss from Somchaimy.
Somchaimy throws a big shot that misses.
Barksdale throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barksdale tries a head kick but it misses.
Somchaimy keeps the fight on the outside.
Jermaine Barksdale is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Somchaimy scores with a head kick.
Somchaimy dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Somchaimy keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Barksdale.
Somchaimy throws a looping overhand right but Barksdale ducks down to avoid it.
Somchaimy throws a head kick that half lands.
Barksdale avoids the head kick by Somchaimy.
Barksdale explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Somchaimy takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
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!
Barksdale throws a low kick but Somchaimy avoids it.
Barksdale lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Somchaimy circles away quickly and effectively.
Horrible takedown attempt by Somchaimy or perhaps it was just good defense by Barksdale, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Somchaimy.
Somchaimy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Barksdale avoids it really well and circles away.
Jermaine Barksdale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nopparat Somchaimy.

Barksdale moves into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barksdale.
Barksdale digs a right hand underneath Somchaimy's ribcage. Somchaimy let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Barksdale is pressed up against the cage. Somchaimy has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Barksdale down to the mat. Barksdale avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Barksdale fails with an attempt to clinch.
A head kick misses from Barksdale.
Barksdale slips a straight right by Somchaimy.

Barksdale rushes Somchaimy and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Somchaimy drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Barksdale gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Barksdale throws a head punch that misses.
Somchaimy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Barksdale misses with the head strike.
Somchaimy scores with a knee to the head.
Somchaimy lands a body shot.
Somchaimy lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Somchaimy goes for a takedown in the clinch but Barksdale prevents it.
A short right from Somchaimy on the inside.
Somchaimy has had enough of the clinch but Barksdale keeps him there for the moment.
Barksdale trying to control the position but instead, Somchaimy has worked for underhooks and has pushed Barksdale into the cage.
Somchaimy blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale has a couple of punches blocked by Somchaimy.
Somchaimy goes for a takedown in the clinch but Barksdale prevents it.
Barksdale is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Nopparat Somchaimy is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Somchaimy.
Somchaimy blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Jermaine Barksdale has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barksdale lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Somchaimy.
Barksdale tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Somchaimy blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barksdale misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barksdale misses with some punches.
Barksdale throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Somchaimys head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Somchaimy takes a shot to the head.
Barksdale misses with some punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Nopparat Somchaimy.
I've got Somchaimy winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30

The fight is ruled a draw!