PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between RJ Barakus (ranked 3795 p4p, 474 weight class) and Midnight Rider (ranked 3293 p4p, 424 weight class). RJ Barakus had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Barakus
vs
Rider

191 cm
20
210 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

190 cm
26
214 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Freebok (85% Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, RJ Barakus!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Midnight Rider!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Colin Fray and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barakus drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Barakus wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rider, who protects the arm well.
Rider is pushing Barakus's head away, looking to escape. Barakus manages to hold on to the position though.
Barakus advances to mount.
Rider is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

Barakus working for a guillotine from mount but Rider is in no mood to give up.
Barakus is looking to work his way around to Rider's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rider is trying to stand up.

Barakus working for a submission but Rider is keeping him at bay.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barakus wants to take Rider's back but he can't do it this time.
Rider trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barakus goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Rider turns into him and now he's in Barakus's guard.

Rider stands up and waves to Barakus to follow him.
Barakus looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
No luck for Barakus with that takedown attempt.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rider! But no joy.
Rider lands the left hand.
RJ Barakus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barakus shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rider sprawls well. Rider wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Barakus gets slowly back to his feet.
Rider swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Barakus takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Barakus with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rider to score with a decent uppercut.
Midnight Rider is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barakus closes the distance and clinches up with Rider, looking for a takedown. Barakus pushes Rider against the cage but Rider circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for RJ Barakus. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rider misses with a hook. Barakus ducked under it nicely.
Barakus fails with the takedown.
Rider looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Rider tries to sprawl but Barakus drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barakus is looking to pass Rider's guard but actually Rider recovers to full guard.

Rider is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Barakus presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Barakus jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rider walks away with a smile on his face. Barakus gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Rider scores with a jab to the jaw.
Barakus fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rider avoids it really well and circles away.
Rider throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

It looks like RJ Barakus has been cut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Barakus or perhaps it was just good defense by Rider, which made it look bad.
Rider swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Rider checks a leg kick nicely.
Rider scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Barakus throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rider sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rider lands with a cross.
Rider throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Barakus.
Rider swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rider feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Barakuss jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Barakus walks into a jab.

Barakus is rocked!
Barakus has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rider finds it's way round the side to connect with Barakus's head.
Oh Barakus is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rider connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Barakus's hands.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rider pounces like a tiger and cracks Barakus with a vicious hook! Barakus is down but not out! Rider follows up with more strikes forcing the ref to jump in and stop it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Midnight Rider!
Midnight Rider very nearly forgot to thank Freebok (85% Laundry) amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.