PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Virgil Keller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kobus Barnard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Keller comes into the arena with War Music blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Keller
vs
Barnard

184 cm
38
197 lbs
34 - 22 - 0

189 cm
31
201 lbs
16 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Lion Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 22 - 0, fighting out of London, Virgil Keller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kobus Barnard!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A good leg kick by Keller.
Keller throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Barnard sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Barnard with a jab.
Keller walks into a left hand.
Keller jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barnard looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kobus Barnard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnard lands a lovely overhand right.
Barnard lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Barnard throws a right hand that misses
and Keller counters with a stiff right hand.
Barnard scores with a jab to the jaw.
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!
Keller ducks under a wild hook from Barnard.
Nice jab there from Barnard.
Barnard throws a poor cross that misses
and Keller counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Barnard comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Barnard lands a jab to Keller's midsection.
Barnard swinging wildly here.
Keller appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnard misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barnard scores with a punch to the head.
Barnard swinging wildly here.
Keller misses with a hook to the body
and Barnard counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Virgil Keller is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Keller takes a shot right to the bread basket.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Barnard.
Keller throws out a loose jab but Barnard uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've been informed that Barnard has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Barnard motions for Keller to come forward. Barnard throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Keller seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Barnard throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Keller stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Keller enables Barnard to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Keller manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Keller 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.
Barnard sitting in guard here, content to control.
Let's hope that Barnard has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

Keller has his foot on Barnard's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barnard works his way back into a safe position though.
Barnard controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Barnard stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Keller swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Keller has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Barnard can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Keller working a defensive guard but Barnard manages to pass into side control anyway.
Barnard moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
It looks like Barnard might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

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.
Keller is looking to regain half guard here but Barnard keeps moving and retains side control.
Barnard controls the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Barnard wants to control but Keller is keeping him busy.
Keller tries to bench press Barnard off him but Barnard keeps the position.
Keller can't do much from the bottom here.
Keller being controlled for a moment.
Keller is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kobus Barnard dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Barnard swings for the body but Keller moves out of range.
Keller moves out of range as Barnard strikes.
Keller appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Keller on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Barnard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Keller misses with a looping right.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barnard is defended easily by Keller.
Keller moves forwards but Barnard connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The crowd cheers as Keller lands an impressive looking overhand right. Barnard doesn't seem phased though.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Barnard.
Barnard looks to land a combination. Keller sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnard blocks a low kick nicely.
Barnard fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Keller on the side of the head.
Barnard lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Barnard darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Keller swings widly with a right hand
and Barnard cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Keller looks to land a left hand but Barnard moved out of range nicely.
Decent striking displayed by Barnard there.
A left lands for Barnard.
Barnard throws the left hand but Keller avoids the punch easily.
Keller was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Barnard connects with an inside leg kick.
Barnard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnard throws a leg kick
and Keller counters with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnard throws a poor cross that misses
and Keller connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Barnard lands a jab to the head.
Barnard throws the left hand but Keller avoids the punch easily.
Keller takes a jab right on the kisser.
Keller looks to score with a jab to the body but Barnard is just out of range.
Keller loads up on a big right hand but Barnard slips the punch.
Kobus Barnard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Keller throws a low kick but Barnard avoids it.
Barnard swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Keller connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Barnard cracks Keller with an open hand slap.
Barnard throws a left and a right that both miss
and Keller counters with a one-two to the body.
Keller moves away from the strike by Barnard.
Barnard moves forwards but Keller connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Barnard is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barnard shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Keller is trying to defend but Barnard finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Barnard is still in real trouble! Can Keller finish him?
Keller tries to get to full guard but Barnard has control of the leg.

Keller looking for submissions off his back.
Barnard seems to have recovered his senses.
Barnard tries to pass to full mount but Keller defends it.
Keller wants to get back to full guard.
Keller slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Barnard is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Keller looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnard seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Barnard tries to free his leg and advance position but Keller is retaining full guard.

Keller looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Barnard has picked Keller up and slammed him! Keller can't keep hold of the triangle and Barnard manages to pass to side control!
Barnard is looking to take a break and control but Keller is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Barnard taking a breather here.
Keller tries to buck Barnard off but Barnard is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kobus Barnard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Barnard lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Barnard throws a hook to the side of Keller's head but Keller sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barnard will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barnard looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Keller is fending him off so far but Barnard persists. Nope, Keller circles away and we're back to standing.
Keller was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Barnard misses with a left hand
and Keller counters with a stiff right hand.
Keller has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Barnard finds it's way round the side to connect with Keller's head.
Barnard dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Barnard lands with a hook. Keller tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keller scores with a jab to the head.
Barnard misses with a hook
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Barnard lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Keller circles away quickly and effectively.
Kobus Barnard is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keller with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Barnard to score with a decent uppercut.
Barnard scores with a sloppy right hand. Keller should have avoided that one.
Barnard lands with a hook. Keller tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Barnard rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Keller moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Keller fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barnard manages to avoid it.
Barnard tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Keller was well out of range. Poor timing from Barnard.
Keller is looking to counter punch.
Barnard throws a combination that misses
letting Keller counter with a right hand.
Barnard scores with a nice right hand.
Keller circles and sees the opportunity to plant his feet and throw a really nice straight left hand that drops Barnard to the canvas! Barnard doesn't know where he is but he's trying to survive - Keller keeps piling on the pressure and forces the referee to step in! This one is aaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:47 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Virgil Keller!
Virgil Keller seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.