PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ezekiel Barnes (ranked 5898 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jabari Perkins (ranked 24452 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Barnes
vs
Perkins

180 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
24
205 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ezekiel Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jabari Perkins !
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Columbo Gatti and Anthony Taglia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Perkins throws a head kick that half lands.
Perkins looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Barnes throws a lazy right hand but Perkins sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barnes misses with a straight left.
Perkins ducks under a wild hook from Barnes.
Barnes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
And Perkins responds with a good body kick, but Barnes manages to step out the way in time.
Barnes misses the jab.
Barnes misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barnes misses with a body punch
and Perkins counters with a three punch combo that has Barnes backing up. Barnes nods at Perkins to acknowledge the strikes.
Ezekiel Barnes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Barnes closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice strikes from Barnes there.
Perkins is not content to let Barnes control the position.
Barnes working over Perkins with some ground and pound. Perkins looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nice strikes from Barnes there.
Barnes landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Barnes is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Barnes looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Perkins with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes lands strikes from half guard.
Barnes looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Barnes wants to pass the guard but Perkins is defending well.
Barnes lands with a punch from half guard.
Barnes is pressing down on Perkins 's thigh, looking to free his foot. Perkins is holding on for now.
Barnes seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Ground and pound from Barnes.
Barnes lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Perkins tries to roll over but Barnes keeps him under control.
Perkins on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Barnes lands with a punch from half guard.

Barnes is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Perkins defends it well.
Perkins on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Perkins is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Barnes scores with a couple of nice shots.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Barnes is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Perkins sees it coming and defends easily.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Barnes connects with a nice short shot to Perkins 's temple.
Barnes could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Barnes trying to control from half guard but Perkins is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes wants to pass the guard but Perkins is defending well.
Barnes is working hard here to advance position.
Barnes scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Barnes landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ground and pound from Barnes.
Barnes trying to pass the guard but Perkins defending well.
Barnes working over Perkins with some ground and pound. Perkins looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Barnes working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Barnes knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Perkins on the ground.
Perkins on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ground and pound from Barnes.
Barnes is nestled in close to Perkins , controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Perkins 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.
Perkins on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Barnes working over Perkins with some ground and pound. Perkins looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Barnes scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Barnes scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nice strikes from Barnes there.
Barnes working the head and body with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barnes slips a nice elbow through Perkins 's hands, connecting with Perkins 's forehead.
Perkins taking some punishment here, with Barnes in his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Barnes connects with a nice short shot to Perkins 's temple.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ezekiel Barnes dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Barnes throws a jab but it's blocked by Perkins .
Perkins avoids a kick to the body.
Barnes misses with a two punch combination.
Barnes throws a hook to the side of Perkins 's head but Perkins sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barnes tries to bum rush Perkins with a series of wild strikes but Perkins uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Barnes drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Barnes showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Barnes thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes scoring with some ground and pound.
Barnes 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.
Barnes wants to control from the top but Perkins keeps moving.
Perkins is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes content to stall in guard here.
Barnes working some strikes from top position.
Barnes keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Perkins 's head.
Perkins keeping full guard, as Barnes tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barnes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Perkins can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Barnes is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Barnes working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barnes scoring with some ground and pound.
Perkins keeping full guard, as Barnes tries to pass.
Perkins has momentary wrist control but Barnes slips an elbow through the middle.
Perkins keeping full guard, as Barnes tries to pass.
Barnes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barnes makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes stays in close to Perkins 's body and controls the position.
Barnes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Perkins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barnes stays in close to Perkins 's body and controls the position.
Barnes landing with the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Barnes's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Barnes lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Barnes working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Ezekiel Barnes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barnes lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Barnes postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Perkins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barnes is working Perkins over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Barnes wants to pass the guard but Perkins is keeping the position.
Barnes distracts Perkins with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Barnes lands a couple of elbows.
Barnes tries to free his leg and advance position but Perkins is retaining full guard.
Barnes working some strikes from top position.
Barnes is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barnes keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Perkins 's head.
Perkins can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Barnes controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ezekiel Barnes dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

No joy there for Barnes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Perkins uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barnes.
Barnes throws a sloppy head kick and Perkins moves out of range easily.
Barnes misses the shot to the body.

Barnes manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Perkins on his heels. He'll look to pass Perkins 's guard now, I'm sure.
Barnes lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Barnes connects with a couple of short punches.
Perkins keeping full guard, as Barnes tries to pass.
Barnes with a nice head shot there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Perkins 's head.
Perkins takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Barnes trying to control but Perkins is working from the bottom.
Perkins is trying to keep Barnes in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Barnes scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Barnes landing some decent shots from guard.
Barnes postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Barnes is in close to Perkins 's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Barnes is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Barnes has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Perkins looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barnes is one step ahead there.
Barnes lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes working some strikes from top position.
Barnes scoring with some ground and pound.

Perkins has his foot on Barnes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barnes works his way back into a safe position though.
Barnes with a nice head shot there.
Barnes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barnes controls from within his opponent's guard.
Barnes seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Perkins for as long as he can get away with.
Barnes might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Barnes's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Barnes landing some decent shots from guard.
Barnes landing some decent shots from guard.
Barnes connects with a couple of short punches.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Barnes's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Barnes wants to control from the top but Perkins keeps moving.
Barnes working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Perkins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barnes is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Barnes lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Barnes scoring with punches to the head and body.
Barnes stands up over Perkins , holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Barnes cracks Perkins with a solid left hand.
Barnes works over Perkins with some ground and pound from guard.
Barnes stays in close to Perkins 's body and controls the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barnes scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Jabari Perkins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ezekiel Barnes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Barnes lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Perkins working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barnes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barnes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ezekiel Barnes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Barnes has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:25
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 30:25
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ezekiel Barnes!