PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mike Barraclough (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joseph Goss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barraclough comes to the cage accompanied by MGMT - Electric Feel. Goss has chosen Absolute Zero: Define Neutral as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Barraclough
vs
Goss

188 cm
23
180 lbs
3 - 0 - 1

180 cm
22
180 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Barraclough!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joseph Goss!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Summer Carpenter and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barraclough keeps the fight on the outside.
Goss shoots in but Barraclough avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Goss takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Goss tries to clinch up.
Goss tries to clinch but Barraclough is having none of it.
Barraclough keeps the fight on the outside.
Goss shoots in looking for a takedown. Barraclough tries to sprawl out of it but Goss keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Barraclough manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Goss tries to clinch up but Barraclough circles away and keeps his distance.
Goss tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Goss misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barraclough circles away from the clinch attempt.
Goss tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Barraclough scores with a jab. Goss acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Goss wants to clinch up but Barraclough keeps it at a distance.

Goss has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barraclough trying to land knees to the body.
Goss tries a knee to the head but Barraclough blocks it.
Goss using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Barraclough has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Goss throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barraclough blocks it with crossed arms.
Barraclough lands a knee to the head.
Barraclough blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Barraclough drops down looking for an ankle pick but Goss pulls his leg out and moves away.
Goss lands with a slapping head kick.
Barraclough avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barraclough moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Goss tries to clinch up but Barraclough circles away and keeps his distance.
Goss will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mike Barraclough has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Goss.
Goss looks gassed!
Goss tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barraclough paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barraclough scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Barraclough keeps the fight on the outside.
Barraclough throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barraclough digs a good hook to Goss's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barraclough circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barraclough bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Goss tries to clinch up.
Goss on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Joseph Goss seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A decent looking cross lands there for Barraclough.
Goss takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A head kick misses from Barraclough.

Barraclough gets the takedown into side control.
Goss takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barraclough is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Goss takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Goss tries to improve position but can't.
Barraclough working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Barraclough stalls from top position.
Goss is trying to improve his position.
Barraclough scores with a couple of short elbows.
The referee asks Barraclough politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Barraclough prefers to stall for the moment though.
Goss is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Barraclough off and has taken his back!
Goss controlling well, preventing Barraclough from escaping the position.
Barraclough just trying to survive but Goss is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Goss doesn't have the hooks in and Barraclough manages to turn into his guard.
Barraclough stands and throws Goss's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Goss throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Goss is looking to regain half guard here but Barraclough keeps moving and retains side control.
Goss takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goss looking for a sweep but Barraclough has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Goss squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Barraclough is landing with some decent strikes but Goss is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Barraclough lands a big shot there that rocks Goss but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Barraclough controlling his opponent.
Goss is working to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barraclough avoids the attempt from Goss to control.
Barraclough can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Goss is looking to escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Barraclough dominated that round.
That's time! Barraclough's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Goss keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Barraclough.
Goss throws a sloppy head kick and Barraclough moves out of range easily.
Goss has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Barraclough finds it's way round the side to connect with Goss's head.
Goss throws a head kick that misses.
Goss tries to clinch but Barraclough is having none of it.
Goss wants to clinch up but Barraclough keeps it at a distance.
Goss fails with an attempt to clinch.
Goss tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goss tries to clinch but Barraclough moves out of range.
Goss tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Goss throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barraclough's waist but Barraclough gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Goss off to one side.
Goss tries to clinch there but Barraclough circles away.
Goss is breathing heavily.
Barraclough avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barraclough tries to bum rush Goss with a series of wild strikes but Goss uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Goss tries to clinch but Barraclough moves out of range.
Goss doesn't manage to clinch there - Barraclough circles away.
Goss looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barraclough is fending him off so far but Goss persists. Nope, Barraclough circles away and we're back to standing.
Goss throws a lazy head kick
and Barraclough cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Barraclough connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Barraclough clobbers Goss with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Mike Barraclough is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Goss tries to clinch
and Barraclough counters with a left to the body.
Goss gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Barraclough counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Mike Barraclough has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joseph Goss.
Goss takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barraclough throws a right hand that Goss ducks under and follows up with a left that Goss also avoids with ease.
A shot to de liver by Barraclough. Beautiful body shot.
Barraclough lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Goss circles away quickly and effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goss tries a head kick but it misses.

Barraclough looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Goss!
Goss is bucking up trying to escape but Barraclough cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

Barraclough is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Goss can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Goss is in all sorts of trouble here.
Barraclough putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Goss sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Barraclough in particular looking to stall.
Goss wants to control but Barraclough is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goss is trying to stand back up but Barraclough is controlling him
Goss tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Goss tries to get to full guard but Barraclough has control of the leg.
Barraclough controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Goss looking for submissions off his back.
Well, if Barraclough is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Nice strikes from Barraclough there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Goss darts in trying to clinch
and Barraclough counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Goss tries to clinch but Barraclough moves away
and Barraclough connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Goss tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Barraclough counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Barraclough winds up and cracks Goss with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Goss slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Barraclough is stalling in the full guard.
Goss looking for a sweep. Not yet Goss, not yet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Goss will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Goss tries to strike from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Barraclough dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Barraclough throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Goss.
Barraclough tries to bum rush Goss with a series of wild strikes but Goss uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barraclough connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Barraclough misses with an uppercut.
No joy there for Barraclough, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Goss misses with a takedown attempt
and Barraclough counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Goss stuffs the takedown attempt from Barraclough. Barraclough gets slowly back to his feet.
Goss shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Barraclough is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Goss can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Goss tries to clinch up

and Barraclough counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Goss's guard now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Goss 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barraclough trying to control but Goss is working from the bottom.
Goss is looking to stand up but Barraclough isn't so interested in that idea.
Goss looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barraclough is one step ahead there.
Goss is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Barraclough trying to control the position from guard on top but Goss is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Barraclough throws a looping overhand right but Goss ducks down to avoid it.

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.
Goss tries to clinch but Barraclough moves away
and Barraclough counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Mike Barraclough is winning the standup battle so far.
Goss looks to clinch
and Barraclough counters with a stiff right hand.
Barraclough displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Goss closes the distance but Barraclough moves to the side

and Barraclough counters with a shoot takedown. Goss fights it but they end up in guard.
Goss wants to sweep but no luck.
Barraclough working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barraclough prevents Goss from getting back to his feet.
Barraclough won't allow Goss to sweep him here.
Barraclough lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Goss tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Barraclough slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Barraclough landing with the ground and pound.
Joseph Goss has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Goss clinches but Barraclough breaks the clinch
and Barraclough connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Goss closes the distance but Barraclough moves to the side
and Barraclough counters with a nice uppercut.
Mike Barraclough is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Barraclough circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Barraclough counter with a right hand.
Goss tries to clinch up
and Barraclough counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Goss wants to clinch but Barraclough slips to the side
and Barraclough makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barraclough uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Goss.
Goss tries to clinch
and Barraclough counters with a nice body shot.
Barraclough shoots for a takedown but Goss saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Goss tries to clinch but Barraclough moves away

and Barraclough counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Goss is staying active underneath Barraclough, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Goss tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Barraclough sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Goss defending well though.
Barraclough trying to mount his opponent but Goss defends it.

Goss looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Goss looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Barraclough showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barraclough, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 30:26
Judge Summer Carpenter scores the fight 30:26
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Barraclough!