PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hector Barbosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Junior (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hector Barbosa is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Barbosa
vs
Junior

165 cm
35
148 lbs
25 - 12 - 2

175 cm
27
159 lbs
10 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 12 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Hector Barbosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rich Junior!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Aafke Stam and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Junior lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Barbosa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Junior.
Junior misses with a low kick.
Rich Junior seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barbosa stuffs the takedown.
Barbosa drops down looking for a counter takedown but Junior sprawls and moves away.
No joy there for Junior, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
An inside leg kick lands from Junior.
Junior connects with a good right hand that stumbles Barbosa. Barbosa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Junior shoots in for a double leg but Barbosa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Junior looks for a takedown but Barbosa sprawls well.
Hector Barbosa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rich Junior.
Junior looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Junior moves out of range as Barbosa strikes.
Junior tries to bum rush Barbosa with a series of wild strikes but Barbosa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
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!
Junior shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Barbosa pinned against the cage. Barbosa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Barbosa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Barbosa wants it to stay on the feet.
Barbosa appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Junior thows a left - swing and a miss!
Junior has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Barbosa.
Barbosa bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Junior's head backwards.
Junior tries to close the distance and clinch but Barbosa swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Junior closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Barbosa did well to prevent Junior getting side control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barbosa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Junior loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Junior being controlled here momentarily.
Barbosa wants to sweep but no luck.
Junior trying to control the position from guard on top but Barbosa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Junior stopping the sweep attempt from Barbosa.
Barbosa is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Barbosa trying to control the pace.
Junior misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Junior looking for submissions off his back.
Barbosa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Junior keeps working.
We've been hearing that Barbosa has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Junior has hold of Barbosa's hands but Barbosa slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Junior 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. Barbosa connects with a nice short shot to Junior's temple.

Barbosa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Junior doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Barbosa.

Junior looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa is looking for a kimura but Junior is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Barbosa to get the leverage.

Junior kicks Barbosa off and gets back to his feet.

Barbosa darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Junior makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Junior.

Junior escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barbosa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Barbosa is working Junior over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Junior has his foot on Barbosa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barbosa works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Junior looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Barbosa passes into side control.
Barbosa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Junior keeps working.
Junior gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Junior slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbosa perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ground and pound from Barbosa.
Junior moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Barbosa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Junior swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Junior being controlled here, momentarily.
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 Hector Barbosa will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Junior fails with a takedown attempt.

Junior closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Junior lands in his opponent's guard.
Junior postures up.
Junior looking to pass the guard.
Junior won't allow Barbosa to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Junior stays in close to Barbosa's body and controls the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Barbosa is on top in guard.

Barbosa working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Junior's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barbosa avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Barbosa pushes down on Junior's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Junior trying to control but Barbosa postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbosa seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Barbosa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Junior does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Barbosa is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Junior taking some punishment here, with Barbosa in his half guard.
Barbosa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Junior does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Junior is looking for a sweep. Barbosa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Barbosa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa is nestled in close to Junior, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Barbosa is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
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. Barbosa connects with a nice short shot to Junior's temple.
Junior is staying active underneath Barbosa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Junior works his way to full guard. Good work.
Barbosa distracts Junior with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Junior trying to control the position.
Barbosa postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Barbosa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Barbosa accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Barbosa trying to control the position from guard on top but Junior is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa scoring with punches to the head and body.

Junior working for submissions but it's allowed Barbosa to get to half guard.

Barbosa is working for a submission of some sort.
Barbosa prevents Junior from improving his position.
Junior keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

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 wants to lay and pray for a moment but Junior keeps working.
Junior is trying to get back to full guard.

Barbosa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Junior doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Barbosa.
Junior trying to hold on to Barbosa's head to control him but Barbosa postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barbosa is trying to control the action in half guard but Junior is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Junior is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Barbosa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Barbosa's back!
Junior loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Barbosa hold on?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hector Barbosa dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Junior shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Barbosa sprawls well. Barbosa wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Junior gets slowly back to his feet.
Barbosa misses with a kick to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Junior! But no joy.
Barbosa tries a head kick but it misses.
Barbosa throws a jab but it's blocked by Junior.
Junior will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Junior throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barbosa's waist but Barbosa gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Junior off to one side.
Hector Barbosa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rich Junior.
Barbosa thows a body kick. Junior tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Barbosa throws a sloppy head kick and Junior moves out of range easily.
Junior showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barbosa.
Horrible takedown attempt by Junior or perhaps it was just good defense by Barbosa, which made it look bad.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbosa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Junior shoots in and drives through. Barbosa sprawls well.
Junior takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Barbosa swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa throws the kick towards the body but Junior avoids it.
Barbosa throws a body shot but no joy.
A telegraphed right hand from Barbosa misses the target.
Nice takedown defense from Barbosa. No joy for Junior on that attempt.
Junior looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Barbosa misses the shot to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Barbosa.
Barbosa throws a head kick but Junior moves out of range.
Junior shoots in and drives through. Barbosa sprawls well.
Junior misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barbosa.
Barbosa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Junior drops his hands momentarily and Barbosa takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nice uppercut there from Barbosa.
Junior throws a lazy right hand but Barbosa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barbosa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Junior takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Junior bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbosa is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Junior's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Barbosa is looking to improve his position.
Rich Junior has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa actively working from the bottom here.
Hector Barbosa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Junior thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Barbosa tries to roll over but Junior keeps him under control.
Barbosa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Junior can do to turn this around?
Barbosa trying to control from the bottom.
Barbosa is controlling Junior's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Barbosa is trying to get back to full guard.
Junior thows a huge punch but Barbosa dodges it nicely.
Barbosa is not content to let Junior control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Junior takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Junior prevents Barbosa from improving his position.
Junior thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barbosa's head.
Barbosa is looking for a sweep. Junior is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Junior trying to mount his opponent but Barbosa defends it.
Junior prevents Barbosa from improving his position.
Barbosa is refusing to be controlled, as Junior sits in half guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Junior looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barbosa is fending him off so far but Junior persists. Nope, Barbosa circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Barbosa throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Junior fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Barbosa lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Junior at a distance.
Junior closes the distance and clinches up with Barbosa, looking for a takedown. Junior pushes Barbosa against the cage but Barbosa circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Junior drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Junior trying to control the action but Barbosa is working from the bottom.
Hector Barbosa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Barbosa tries to bench press Junior off him but Junior keeps the position.
Barbosa is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Junior off and has taken his back!
Junior trying to get back to his feet but Barbosa is in full control for now.

Barbosa is looking for the choke from the back position but Junior is controlling his hands well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hector Barbosa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Barbosa 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hector Barbosa!
An out of breath Hector Barbosa thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.