PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yoshi Moto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcos Barbosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Moto
vs
Barbosa

192 cm
21
190 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

188 cm
19
190 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Yoshi Moto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcos Barbosa!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbosa throws a shot from downtown. Moto moves away and avoids it.
Moto blocks a jab.
Moto tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Barbosa swivels and escapes.
Barbosa misses with a looping right.
Barbosa scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

It looks like Yoshi Moto has been cut.
Moto fails with the takedown.

Barbosa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Moto wants to get back to full guard.
Barbosa is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Barbosa wants to control but Moto is keeping him busy.
Barbosa passes the guard and advances to mount!
Moto is squirming around, avoiding Barbosa's attempts to control the action.
Moto sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Barbosa seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Moto is trying to control but can't.
Barbosa trying to control the action but Moto is working from the bottom.
Moto is looking to improve his position.

Barbosa is working for a kimura but Moto is defending it quite comfortably.
Moto wants to get back to his feet.
Barbosa prevents Moto from improving his position.

Barbosa wants to work for an arm triangle but Moto is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two 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.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Moto closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Moto lands in his opponent's guard.
Barbosa looks gassed!
Moto would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Barbosa had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Moto is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Barbosa Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Moto's back instead.
Moto turns into Barbosa and is now in his guard.
Barbosa wants to sweep but no luck.

Moto postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Barbosa is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Moto, into his guard.

Moto working for a triangle but Barbosa defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Moto has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Barbosa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Barbosa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Moto is keeping the position for now.

Moto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Barbosa slips nicely into half guard.
Barbosa frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Moto is desperately trying to improve his position but Barbosa has a good base and remains in mount.

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.

Barbosa is working for a guillotine from mount but Moto frees his head quite easily.
Barbosa tries to control but Moto wriggling away.

Barbosa with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Moto is trying to get to the ropes to help him get back to his feet.

Barbosa looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Moto keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Barbosa looking to secure an arm triangle but Moto defends it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcos Barbosa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Yoshi Moto's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Barbosa misses with a few strikes there.

Barbosa gets caught flat footed, as Moto shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Moto has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Barbosa is proving hard to escape from.
Moto wants to pass the guard but Barbosa is keeping the position.
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 frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Moto is working to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Barbosa working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Moto looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Moto defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Barbosa is trying to stick to Moto's back but Moto is turning into Barbosa. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Barbosa's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Moto.
Moto looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Moto passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Moto thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Moto tries to stand but Barbosa is controlling his head.

That's two 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 regains half guard.
Moto wants to stand but Barbosa has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Barbosa actively working from the bottom here.

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

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Moto seems to be looking for submissions.
Barbosa moves into full guard.
Barbosa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Moto avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Moto would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Moto looking to pass the guard.
Barbosa trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Moto postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Barbosa is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Moto, into his guard.
Moto wants to get back to his feet but Barbosa passes into half guard.

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

Moto working for the choke.

Barbosa is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Yoshi Moto will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Yoshi Moto's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Moto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barbosa.
Moto fails with the takedown
and Barbosa counters with a stiff right hand.
Moto doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Barbosa counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Barbosa trying to control but Moto is working from the bottom.
Barbosa passes Moto's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Barbosa is trying to work for a kimura but Moto is defending well.
Barbosa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Moto keeps working.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barbosa might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Moto kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa trying to mount his opponent but Moto defends it.
Moto gets full guard.

Moto is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Moto had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Barbosa is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Moto Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Barbosa's back instead.
Barbosa tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Moto goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Barbosa is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barbosa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Barbosa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Moto looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Barbosa drops back looking for a leg! Moto is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Moto manages to kick Barbosa off! Barbosa jumps back into Moto's guard.
Barbosa wants to control from the top but Moto keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa wants to pass the guard but Moto is keeping the position.

Barbosa is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Moto looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Barbosa sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Moto's guard.
Moto tries to roll over but Barbosa keeps him under control.
Moto slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Moto has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Barbosa doesn't defend quickly enough and Moto has managed to lock this one up! Can Barbosa escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Moto on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Yoshi Moto!