PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Duncan McAlister (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). McAlister has chosen Althia and Donna - Uptown Top Ranking as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barnett
vs
McAlister

191 cm
34
284 lbs
25 - 12 - 0

210 cm
41
259 lbs
38 - 31 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 25 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Barnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 31 - 3, fighting out of Sydney, Duncan McAlister!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Francis DeMontford and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McAlister tries to clinch up.

McAlister pushes Barnett up against the cage in a clinch.
McAlister tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McAlister misses with the head strike.
Barnett drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Barnett looking for a takedown.
McAlister throws a punch but it's blocked by Barnett.
McAlister misses with a short punch on the inside.
McAlister swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short left from McAlister.
A head punch on the inside from McAlister fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barnett blocks an uppercut.
McAlister misses with some punches.
Barnett goes for a takedown in the clinch but McAlister prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Barnett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McAlister lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McAlister misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barnett is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
McAlister swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barnett tries to score a body lock takedown but McAlister shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Barnett has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McAlister avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McAlister is pressed up against the cage. Barnett has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McAlister down to the mat. McAlister avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

McAlister moves into the clinch.
Barnett wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
McAlister throws a punch but it's blocked by Barnett.
McAlister misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barnett blocking some punches.
McAlister fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McAlister misses with a hook from the clinch.
McAlister lands an uppercut.
Barnett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
McAlister misses with some punches.
Barnett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McAlister tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McAlister swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnett uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McAlister is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Barnett blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barnett.
A head punch on the inside from McAlister fails to land.
McAlister swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barnett takes a shot to the head.
Barnett's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McAlister is defending well against a takedown attempt.
A nice left hand lands by McAlister.
McAlister fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Barnett is looking for a takedown.
McAlister tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
McAlister lands a nice uppercut.
McAlister stops a takedown attempt from Barnett.
McAlister misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McAlister.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McAlister.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Barnett fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Barnett can't get the takedown.
McAlister fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
McAlister misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barnett tries to pull guard but McAlister holds him up against the cage and eventually Barnett drops back down to his feet.
McAlister lands a shoulder strike.
Barnett takes a shot to the head.
McAlister scores with a shoulder strike.
McAlister misses with a punch on the inside.
McAlister lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Barnett backwards.
McAlister throws a punch but it's blocked by Barnett.
McAlister tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Barnett goes for a takedown in the clinch but McAlister prevents it.
McAlister misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from McAlister fails to land.
Barnett tries to score a body lock takedown but McAlister shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McAlister throws a punch but it's blocked by Barnett.
McAlister lands a left hand that snaps the head of Barnett backwards.
A head punch on the inside from McAlister fails to land.
Barnett taking a breather.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnett blocks an uppercut.
McAlister lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barnett backwards.
McAlister misses with a hook from the clinch.

Barnett has hold of one of McAlister's legs. McAlister is fighting the takedown attempt but Barnett gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McAlister keeping moving, preventing Barnett from controlling successfully.

McAlister wriggles free and stands up.
McAlister wants to clinch up but Barnett keeps it at a distance.
McAlister fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barnett changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
McAlister tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barnett manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barnett tries to counter with a takedown but McAlister is quick to defend against it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duncan McAlister dominated that round.
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.

McAlister wants to clinch.
McAlister fails in his attempt to clinch.
McAlister tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barnett manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barnett swats away the attempt to clinch by McAlister.
Barnett feinted with a counter takedown.
Barnett looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
McAlister moves in looking to clinch but Barnett pushes him off.
Barnett drops down looking for a counter takedown but McAlister sprawls and moves away.
McAlister tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barnett manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barnett changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
McAlister tries to clinch there but Barnett circles away.
Barnett tries to counter with a takedown but McAlister is quick to defend against it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McAlister has managed to clinch.
Barnett blocking some punches.
McAlister misses with a punch on the inside.
Barnett wants to take the fight to the mat but McAlister manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for McAlister. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
McAlister lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett takes a shot to the head.
McAlister misses with a short punch on the inside.
McAlister misses with some punches.
McAlister misses with the head strike.
Barnett is trying to pull guard but McAlister has him pressed against the cage.
Barnett tries to pull guard but McAlister won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Barnett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McAlister misses with some punches.
McAlister has a couple of punches blocked by Barnett.
McAlister misses with a short punch on the inside.
McAlister throws a head punch that misses.
Barnett changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McAlister fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McAlister is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

McAlister moves into range and clinches up with Barnett.
McAlister misses with a punch on the inside.
McAlister is pressed up against the cage. Barnett has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McAlister down to the mat. McAlister avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
McAlister has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McAlister has Barnett up against the cage in a clinch.
McAlister working aggressively here.
McAlister working aggressively here.
Barnett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barnett changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McAlister fights it off and pushes away nicely.

McAlister forces Barnett back against the cage and clinches.
McAlister misses with some punches.
McAlister swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnett uses good head movement to avoid it.
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!
McAlister throws a punch but it's blocked by Barnett.
Barnett blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for McAlister.
McAlister tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McAlister throws a punch but it's blocked by Barnett.
McAlister misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barnett pushes McAlister back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Barnett jumps into guard, dragging McAlister to the mat.
Barnett wants to sweep here but McAlister controlling him for the moment.

Barnett working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because McAlister has passed into half guard!
Barnett regains full guard. Nicely done.

McAlister gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
McAlister tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barnett paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barnett appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
McAlister wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McAlister tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barnett paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barnett half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
McAlister tries to clinch there but Barnett circles away.
McAlister tries to clinch there but Barnett circles away.
Barnett half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
McAlister tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barnett paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barnett swats away the attempt to clinch by McAlister.
Barnett half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Barnett avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barnett feinted with a counter takedown.

McAlister pushes Barnett up against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barnett changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McAlister fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McAlister doesn't manage to clinch there - Barnett circles away.
McAlister tries to close the distance and clinch but Barnett swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Barnett changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Duncan McAlister is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

McAlister clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Duncan McAlister showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

McAlister darts in trying to clinch

and Barnett counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Barnett missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnett lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Barnett looking to sit in guard and control but McAlister gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

McAlister must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Barnett has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. McAlister is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Barnett.
Barnett is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

McAlister decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McAlister is looking to clinch but Barnett is avoiding it.
Barnett appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

McAlister drives through and clinches with Barnett against the cage.
Barnett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from McAlister.
A head punch on the inside from McAlister fails to land.
Barnett tries for a takedown. No joy.
Barnett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Barnett taking a breather.
McAlister stops a takedown attempt from Barnett.
McAlister is pressed up against the cage. Barnett has hold of a leg and is looking to drag McAlister down to the mat. McAlister avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Barnett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McAlister tries to clinch up

and Barnett counters with a nice double leg into guard.
McAlister keeping full guard, as Barnett tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett with a flurry of punches that miss.

McAlister pushes Barnett off and gets back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
McAlister tries to clinch up.
Barnett keeps the fight on the outside.
Barnett tries to counter with a takedown but McAlister is quick to defend against it.

McAlister drives through and clinches with Barnett against the cage.
McAlister swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnett uses good head movement to avoid it.
McAlister swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barnett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McAlister throws a head punch that misses.
McAlister working aggressively here.
Barnett blocks an uppercut.
Barnett goes for a takedown attempt but McAlister pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
McAlister wants to clinch

and Barnett counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as McAlister works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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

Barnett might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Barnett tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Barnett is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
McAlister stopping the sweep attempt from Barnett.
McAlister is looking to stand up but Barnett won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Barnett is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and McAlister defends well.
Barnett trying to control the position.

McAlister decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Barnett tries to keep at a distance but McAlister has taken the fight into the clinch.
McAlister throws a punch but it's blocked by Barnett.
McAlister misses with a hook from the clinch.
Josh Barnett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barnett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
McAlister pushes Barnett back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Duncan McAlister comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McAlister 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Francis DeMontford scores the fight 27:30
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Duncan McAlister!
Duncan McAlister thanked the fans post fight for their support.