PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Cain Velasquez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Velasquez's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Kryptonite. 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.

Velasquez
vs
Barnett

185 cm
34
260 lbs
23 - 16 - 0

191 cm
37
284 lbs
26 - 16 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 23 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Cain Velasquez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Barnett!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, John Mangel and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnett takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

It looks like Josh Barnett has been cut.
Velasquez throws the left hand but Barnett avoids the punch easily.

Velasquez shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Velasquez throwing strikes but missing.
Velasquez is standing up over Barnett. Barnett looks to escape but Velasquez dives into side control.

Velasquez tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Barnett pushes Velasquez away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Velasquez gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnett is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Velasquez's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Velasquez wants to pass the guard but Barnett is defending well.

Velasquez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Velasquez lands a nice short elbow.

Barnett actively working from the bottom here.
Barnett tries to get to full guard but Velasquez has control of the leg.
Barnett is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Barnett is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Velasquez pulls his head out easily.
Velasquez winds up and cracks Barnett with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Velasquez missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Velasquez scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velasquez trying to mount his opponent but Barnett defends it.
Velasquez wants to control but Barnett is keeping him busy.
Velasquez lands with a punch from half guard.
Barnett wants to get back to full guard.
Velasquez lands strikes from half guard.

Velasquez is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Barnett has managed to free his arm - good work.
Velasquez prevents Barnett from improving his position.
Velasquez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Velasquez is looking to take a break and control but Barnett is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Barnett desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett is looking to control Velasquez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Barnett avoid being mounted?
Velasquez is keen to just control but Barnett is a slippery customer.
Barnett felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Barnett wants to get back to full guard.

Velasquez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Barnett doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Velasquez.
Velasquez lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Barnett is looking to control Velasquez's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Barnett avoid being mounted?
Velasquez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Barnett is looking for a sweep. Velasquez is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Velasquez drops an elbow to the side of Barnett's head.

That has opened up Josh Barnett's cut even more.

Barnett looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Barnett looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Barnett is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Velasquez drops an elbow to the side of Barnett's head.

The cut above Josh Barnett's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Velasquez slips a nice elbow through Barnett's hands, connecting with Barnett's forehead.

Josh Barnett's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Josh Barnett's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Cain Velasquez!
An out of breath Cain Velasquez thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.