PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Barton (ranked 6020 p4p, 374 weight class) and Lou Driessen (ranked 4432 p4p, 326 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Barton
vs
Driessen

175 cm
18
146 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
148 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Self confident

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Barton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Lou Driessen!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Bruno Lombardi and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Driessen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barton manages to avoid it.
Driessen digs a good hook to Barton's body.
Driessen looks to throw the jab but Barton is out of range.
Driessen jabs Barton to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Driessen gets the takedown into side control.
Driessen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barton keeps working.
Barton stops Driessen from passing to mount.
Barton can't do much from the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Driessen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barton keeps working.

Driessen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barton wants to control but Driessen postures up.
Barton is working to avoid the ground and pound but Driessen connects with a decent elbow.

Driessen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Barton, who protects the arm well.

Driessen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Barton knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Barton can't do much from the bottom here.
Barton is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Driessen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barton manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Driessen landing with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Driessen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Driessen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Barton escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Driessen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Barton keeping moving, preventing Driessen from controlling successfully.
Driessen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Driessen trying to control the position from guard on top but Barton is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Driessen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Driessen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barton controls Driessen momentarily but Driessen frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Driessen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barton's head.
Barton trying to keep a closed guard but Driessen is proving a slippery customer.
Driessen pushes down on Barton's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lou Driessen dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Driessen misses the shot to the body.
It looked like Barton was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Driessen leaves Barton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Driessen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Driessen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Barton to the ground. Driessen is now in Barton's guard.
Barton is trying to keep Driessen in close.
Driessen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Driessen postures up and lands a big shot to Barton's brow.
Driessen wants to control from the top but Barton keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Driessen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Barton throws his legs up looking for a submission but Driessen uses it to pass to side control.

Driessen tries for a kimura but Barton is defending well.

Driessen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Driessen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barton is trying to get back to half guard.
Barton is working hard here to advance position.

Driessen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Driessen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Barton, who protects the arm well.
Barton is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Driessen is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Driessen is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Lou Driessen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Barton tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Driessen connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Driessen is working for a guillotine from mount but Barton frees his head quite easily.
Driessen in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Driessen with a couple of short strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barton is working to get back to half guard.

Driessen looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Barton keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Driessen is working for a guillotine from mount but Barton frees his head quite easily.

Driessen is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Barton has managed to escape the submission attempt.

Driessen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lou Driessen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

Barton tries to clinch there but Driessen circles away.
Driessen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Barton shoots in but no luck this time.

Driessen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Barton quickly recovers to half guard.

Barton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Driessen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Barton defends it well.

Driessen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barton regains full guard. Nicely done.
Barton keeping moving, preventing Driessen from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Driessen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Driessen lands a couple of digs.
Barton keeping moving, preventing Driessen from controlling successfully.
Barton not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Barton looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Driessen trying to control but Barton is working from the bottom.
Driessen distracts Barton with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Barton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Driessen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Barton has momentary wrist control but Driessen slips an elbow through the middle.

Driessen 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barton keeping moving, preventing Driessen from controlling successfully.
Barton tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Driessen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Barton is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Driessen is aware though and is defending well.

Barton is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Driessen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Driessen trying to control but Barton is working from the bottom.
Driessen scoring with punches to the head and body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Driessen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Driessen drops back looking for a leg! Barton is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Barton manages to kick Driessen off! Driessen jumps back into Barton's guard.
Driessen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lou Driessen really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Barton fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barton displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Driessen throws out the jab.
John Barton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Driessen circles away from the clinch attempt

and Driessen counters with a takedown into side control.
Driessen is working Barton over with some ground and pound from side control.
Barton is trying to work for a sweep but Driessen has mounted him!
Barton flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Driessen unloading with bombs!
Driessen breaks from Barton's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Driessen working the ground and pound effectively.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Driessen moves to the back.

Driessen is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Driessen working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Barton just trying to survive but Driessen is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Barton is trying to break free.
Driessen connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Barton to escape the position.
Driessen lands punches and elbows.

Driessen looking for the choke from the back.
Barton breaks Driessen's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Driessen is looking for a triangle but Barton pushes his legs off easily.
Driessen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Driessen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Barton defends it easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barton distracts Driessen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Barton scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barton makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Driessen keeping moving, preventing Barton from controlling successfully.
Driessen looking to control.

Barton 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.

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

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

Driessen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Barton lands a couple of elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lou Driessen dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Driessen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Driessen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barton.

Driessen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Driessen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Barton knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Barton is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Driessen is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barton is working to get back to half guard.

Barton defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Driessen.
Driessen wants to control the pace but Barton is squirming around nicely.
Barton is trying desperately to improve position.
Driessen is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barton tries to hold on but Driessen pushes him away.
Barton in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Driessen jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Barton manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Barton sneaks back into half guard.
Driessen slips a nice elbow through Barton's hands, connecting with Barton's forehead.
Barton is not content to let Driessen control the position.
Barton wants to control but Driessen is keeping busy.

Barton looking for submissions off his back.
Driessen sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Driessen seems to be working for a kimura but Barton defends the submission attempt.
Driessen drops an elbow to the side of Barton's head.

Barton looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Barton looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Barton is defending against the submission attempts here by Driessen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lou Driessen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Driessen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 44:50
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 44:50
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lou Driessen!
A very excited looking Lou Driessen rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.