PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Benjamin Barbu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksander Kawulski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kawulski has chosen DMX - Slippin' as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barbu
vs
Kawulski

189 cm
22
178 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

181 cm
23
180 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Benjamin Barbu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Aleksander Kawulski!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kawulski with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Barbu 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.
Barbu works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Barbu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Barbu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kawulski paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barbu throws a body shot but no joy.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kawulski! But no joy.
Kawulski misses with a hook. Barbu ducked under it nicely.
Kawulski throws the left hand but Barbu avoids the punch easily.
Kawulski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barbu.
Barbu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kawulski lands a leg kick that knocks Barbu off balance momentarily.
Kawulski takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nice uppercut there from Barbu.
A slow jab from Kawulski misses its intended target.
Barbu scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Barbu throws an overhand right that lands on Kawulski's shoulder, as Kawulski tries to avoid the shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawulski swats away the attempt to clinch by Barbu.
Kawulski throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barbu's waist but Barbu gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kawulski off to one side.
Barbu is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Barbu swings for the body but Kawulski moves out of range.

Kawulski looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barbu is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kawulski defends well.

Barbu looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Barbu seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Barbu bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kawulski's guard.

A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kawulski holds on and takes a little breather.
Barbu looking to pass the guard.
Kawulski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Barbu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barbu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kawulski has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Barbu has managed to get both his arms back between Kawulski's legs - danger averted.
Kawulski wants to sweep here but Barbu controlling him for the moment.

Kawulski had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Barbu defends it easily.

Barbu drops back looking for a leg! Kawulski is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kawulski manages to kick Barbu off! Barbu jumps back into Kawulski's guard.
Kawulski wants to sweep here but Barbu controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barbu works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Kawulski is trying to maintain the position but Barbu is very close to passing his half guard.
Kawulski is looking for a sweep. Barbu is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbu works his foot free and advances to mount.

Barbu moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Kawulski has worked his arm free - good work by Kawulski!
Kawulski is looking to reverse the position.

Barbu is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kawulski knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Kawulski's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Barbu tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kawulski is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Barbu's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kawulski is defending against the submission attempts here by Barbu.
Kawulski tries to roll over but Barbu keeps him under control.
Kawulski is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kawulski trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kawulski manages to get to full guard.
Kawulski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barbu passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Barbu working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Barbu dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Barbu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kawulski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barbu throws a body shot but no joy.
Kawulski looks to land a body kick but Barbu moved away.
Kawulski jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barbu lands a jab to Kawulski's midsection.
Good standup being displayed there by Kawulski as he connects with a hook.
Kawulski takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kawulski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kawulski wants it to stay on the feet.
Barbu loads up on a big right hand but Kawulski slips the punch.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kawulski, as that shot connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kawulski digs a good body shot into Barbu's ribs.
Kawulski avoids the body shot from Barbu.
A little jabbing left from Kawulski on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kawulski walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kawulski tries to clinch but Barbu moves out of range.
Benjamin Barbu is winning the standup battle so far.
Kawulski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kawulski throws the left hand but Barbu avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawulski throws a jab but it's blocked by Barbu.
A left lands for Barbu.
Kawulski connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kawulski misses with the body kick
and Barbu counters with a stiff right hand.
Kawulski jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kawulski misses the jab.
Kawulski tries to bum rush Barbu with a series of wild strikes but Barbu uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barbu slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Barbu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barbu avoids the body shot from Kawulski.
Barbu throws an overhand right that lands on Kawulski's shoulder, as Kawulski tries to avoid the shot.
Donk. Kawulski catches Barbu right on the button with a cross.
Barbu takes a swing at Kawulski's ribcage but misses.
Kawulski lands with a cross.
Kawulski tries to clinch but Barbu moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kawulski throws a jab but it's blocked by Barbu.
A swing and a miss from Kawulski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barbu. Kawulski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kawulski feints the counter takedown.
A jab from Kawulski misses.
Barbu swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Barbu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Barbu throws the left hand but Kawulski avoids the punch easily.
Kawulski takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kawulski displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barbu throws out the jab.
Barbu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barbu misses with a hook
and Barbu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kawulski misses with a looping right.
Kawulski bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Barbu's head backwards.
Kawulski uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barbu.
Barbu shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kawulski sprawls well. Kawulski wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Barbu gets slowly back to his feet.
Kawulski tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kawulski bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kawulski looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Barbu throws a right and a left that both miss.
And Kawulski tries to counter it with a takedown but Barbu pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawulski walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Barbu checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Barbu takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Barbu misses with a body shot.
Barbu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kawulski avoids the body shot from Barbu.
No joy there for Kawulski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kawulski throws out a loose jab but Barbu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barbu shoots for a takedown but Kawulski saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benjamin Barbu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kawulski gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Barbu.
Kawulski scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Barbu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kawulski was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbu.
Barbu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kawulski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barbu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kawulski was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbu.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barbu. Kawulski does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kawulski doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Jab, jab by Barbu - just one landing.
Kawulski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barbu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbu fails with the takedown
and Kawulski counters with a three punch combo that has Barbu backing up. Barbu nods at Kawulski to acknowledge the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kawulski lands a head shot.
Kawulski throws a leg kick but Barbu checks it.
Barbu jabs at Kawulski's body.
Barbu stuns Kawulski with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kawulski throws a hook but Barbu avoids it easily.
A big right from Kawulski misses.
Barbu was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Barbu lands with an uppercut that bounces Kawulski off the cage and back into range.
Kawulski has a takedown stuffed.
Barbu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kawulski avoids the body shot from Barbu.
Kawulski thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kawulski throws a body kick that misses.
Kawulski scores with a jab to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aleksander Kawulski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Barbu changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kawulski looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Barbu is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kawulski knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Barbu tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Barbu has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kawulski tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kawulski can't do much from the bottom here.

Barbu is trying to get an arm triangle but Kawulski is defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barbu looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kawulski is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barbu tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Barbu is working to tighten his grip on Kawulski's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Kawulski has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Barbu is really squeezing tight and eventually Kawulski passes out! Barbu breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Benjamin Barbu!
After winning the bout, Benjamin Barbu thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.