PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Urijah Barao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kristian Dimitrov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Barao
vs
Dimitrov

180 cm
25
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
152 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Urijah Barao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kristian Dimitrov!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Lou da Vinci and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dimitrov doesn't manage to clinch there - Barao circles away.

Barao moves into the clinch.

Barao pulls Dimitrov into guard.
Barao 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.

Dimitrov gets to his feet - Barao follows without any prompting.
Dimitrov throws a low kick but Barao avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dimitrov changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Barao tries to avoid it but Dimitrov manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Barao to the ground. Barao escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Barao shoots in for a takedown but Dimitrov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Barao looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dimitrov lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Urijah Barao has been cut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barao.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Urijah Barao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dimitrov misses with a series of wild punches.
Barao pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Dimitrov misses with a takedown attempt
and Barao counters with a left and a right that stings Dimitrov.
Barao looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dimitrov is fending him off so far but Barao persists. Nope, Dimitrov circles away and we're back to standing.
Barao is breathing heavily.
Barao showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dimitrov.
Barao tries to clinch there but Dimitrov circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barao looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dimitrov is fending him off so far but Barao persists. Nope, Dimitrov circles away and we're back to standing.

Dimitrov shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dimitrov lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Dimitrov stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Dimitrov gets a double leg takedown into Barao's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barao can't keep his opponent in guard - Dimitrov advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Dimitrov is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Dimitrov stands up and beckons Barao to join him on the feet.
Dimitrov fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Barao avoids it really well and circles away.
Dimitrov looks for a takedown but Barao sprawls well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Dimitrov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barao tries to bum rush Dimitrov with a series of wild strikes but Dimitrov uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barao looks to score with a jab to the body but Dimitrov is just out of range.
Dimitrov dives in for a single leg takedown but Barao sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Barao shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Dimitrov pinned against the cage. Dimitrov gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Barao fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Barao stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Barao wants it to stay on the feet.
Dimitrov pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Barao back to the cage. Dimitrov follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kristian Dimitrov dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Urijah Barao's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Barao pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dimitrov is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Barao fails with the takedown.
Dimitrov is looking for the big counter here.
Barao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Dimitrov moves into the clinch.
Barao's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Dimitrov looking for a takedown.

Dimitrov drags the fight down to the ground.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barao stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Dimitrov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barao wants to control from the top but Dimitrov keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dimitrov manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Barao manages to get himself to full guard.

Dimitrov controls from within his opponent's guard.
Dimitrov works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Barao tries to get to full guard but Dimitrov has control of the leg.
Barao knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Dimitrov on the ground.
Dimitrov passes the guard and advances to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dimitrov is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Barao can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Dimitrov connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Dimitrov lands a big elbow.
Barao looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

Barao is trying to defend against the choke here but Dimitrov has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Dimitrov Tightens the hold and Barao taps out furiously! Dimitrov displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kristian Dimitrov!