PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rafe Barrientos (ranked 1727 p4p, 215 weight class) and Batuhan Jaruud (ranked 2549 p4p, 293 weight class). Jaruud has chosen Three 6 Mafia - Side to Side as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Barrientos
vs
Jaruud

180 cm
29
178 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

186 cm
32
186 lbs
17 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Trap-Alot-Clothing

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rafe Barrientos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Batuhan Jaruud!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Gwen Towbar and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barrientos tries to close the distance and clinch up but Jaruud swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barrientos shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jaruud defends it nicely.
Barrientos shoots for a double leg takedown but Jaruud sprawls well. He's pushed Barrientos's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jaruud swings for the body but Barrientos moves out of range.
Jaruud misses with the combination.
Barrientos loads up on a big right hand but Jaruud slips the punch.
Jaruud scores with the left hand. Barrientos knows he should have avoided that one.
Jaruud tries to bum rush Barrientos with a series of wild strikes but Barrientos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barrientos misses with a body punch
and Jaruud counters with a straight right hand.
A big right from Barrientos misses.
Barrientos misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jaruud throws a shot to the body.
Jaruud keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Barrientos.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Jaruud scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jaruud fails with an attempt to clinch.
Jaruud ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Jaruud gets a clinch.
Barrientos tries to pull guard but Jaruud won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafe Barrientos. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice right hand lands inside from Jaruud.
Our sources have told us that Barrientos has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
Jaruud has a couple of punches blocked by Barrientos.
Jaruud lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Jaruud lands with a light punch inside.
Barrientos wants to break free but Jaruud has control.
Jaruud throws a head punch that misses.

Barrientos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barrientos throws a lazy uppercut
and Jaruud cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Barrientos moves into the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Jaruud.
Barrientos tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Barrientos's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barrientos misses the shot to the body.
Jaruud has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

Barrientos moves into the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Jaruud scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Jaruud is struggling to control the position.
Jaruud stalling against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Jaruud creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Barrientos breaks from the clinch.
Barrientos keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Barrientos changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Barrientos connects with a good right hand that stumbles Jaruud. Jaruud circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Barrientos takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Jaruud.
Jaruud swings for the body but Barrientos moves out of range.

Jaruud moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jaruud.
A head punch on the inside from Barrientos fails to land.
Jaruud lands a shoulder strike.
Barrientos misses with a short punch on the inside.
A frustrated look appears on Barrientos's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Jaruud pushes Barrientos back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Barrientos can't break the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Jaruud.
Jaruud lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barrientos lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Jaruud or not.
Barrientos is trying to break the clinch but Jaruud is controlling him.
Barrientos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Jaruud has him pressed against the cage.

Jaruud breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barrientos throws a jab but it's blocked by Jaruud.
Barrientos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Jaruud but Jaruud pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jaruud scores with a nice body kick.
Jaruud wants to clinch.
Barrientos throws a hook to the side of Jaruud's head but Jaruud sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jaruud dodges the punch combination from Barrientos.
Jaruud closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Barrientos keeps the fight on the outside.
Barrientos moves in looking to clinch but Jaruud pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaruud tries to close the distance and clinch but Barrientos swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jaruud circles away from the clinch attempt.
Batuhan Jaruud is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jaruud bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Jaruud is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A punch lands to the side of Barrientos 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barrientos swings away with a body shot that misses
and Jaruud makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Barrientos really felt that one!
Barrientos's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Jaruud connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Barrientos scrambles back to his feet.
Jaruud throws a series of punches but Barrientos avoids them all with ease.
Barrientos takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Barrientos displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Barrientos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Barrientos looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Jaruud stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Jaruud wants it to stay on the feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Jaruud! But no joy.
Barrientos closes the distance and clinches up with Jaruud, looking for a takedown. Barrientos pushes Jaruud against the cage but Jaruud circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jaruud tries to bum rush Barrientos with a series of wild strikes but Barrientos uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jaruud slips a jab from Barrientos.
Barrientos dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Barrientos clinches up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Jaruud fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Barrientos, pushing him back against the cage.
Jaruud throws a head punch that misses.
Jaruud scores with a shoulder strike.
Barrientos wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jaruud.
Barrientos has a couple of punches blocked by Jaruud.
Jaruud has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Come on Jaruud - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A head punch on the inside from Jaruud fails to land.
Jaruud misses with the head strike.
Knees in the clinch landing for Jaruud.
Barrientos tries to break the clinch but Jaruud is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Jaruud breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barrientos moves out of range of the strikes.
Jaruud cracks Barrientos with an open hand slap.
Jaruud lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Barrientos throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jaruud uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barrientos.
It seemed like Jaruud was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaruud connects with a body shot.
Barrientos throws a body punch but Jaruud moves out of range.
Jaruud lands a nice hook to Barrientos's body. Barrientos takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Barrientos swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Batuhan Jaruud seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jaruud takes one to the side of the head.
Barrientos looks to throw the jab but Jaruud is out of range.
Barrientos shoots in for a double leg but Jaruud sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jaruud lands with a kick to the ribs.
Jaruud steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barrientos.
Some wild striking there from Jaruud.
Rafe Barrientos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jaruud misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barrientos fails with a takedown attempt.

Jaruud closes the distance and clinches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Barrientos jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Jaruud walks away with a smile on his face. Barrientos gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafe Barrientos. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barrientos keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barrientos walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
An inside leg kick lands from Jaruud.

Barrientos gets the takedown into side control.
Jaruud is trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barrientos working the ground and pound.
Jaruud tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jaruud is still trying to improve position.
Jaruud prevents Barrientos from moving into mount.
Jaruud is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Barrientos off and has taken his back!
Barrientos tries to break free.
Jaruud somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Jaruud thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Barrientos tries to break free.
Jaruud missing with strikes.
Jaruud lands shots from the back.
Jaruud avoiding Barrientos 's attempts to control his hands.
Barrientos avoids the strikes from Jaruud.
Barrientos covering up well and avoiding damage.
Jaruud punches the canvas rather than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jaruud missing with strikes from the back.
Barrientos tries to break free.
Jaruud throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barrientos is trying to break free.
Jaruud missing with strikes from the back.
Jaruud throwing damaging strikes from the back! Barrientos could be in trouble here!
Jaruud punishes Barrientos with strikes from the back mount.
Jaruud is riding his opponent, not letting Barrientos buck him off.
Barrientos is trying to break free.
Barrientos is working hard here to advance position.
Jaruud is working the ground and pound. Can Barrientos escape?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barrientos rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Barrientos is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jaruud slips a nice elbow through Barrientos's hands, connecting with Barrientos's forehead.
Barrientos keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Jaruud slows the pace down in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Batuhan Jaruud showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A cross from Jaruud lands.

Jaruud has Barrientos up against the cage in a clinch.
Barrientos wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Jaruud keeps control of Barrientos as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Jaruud.
Jaruud has Barrientos pushed against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barrientos.

Barrientos breaks from the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barrientos tries to clinch but Jaruud is having none of it.
Barrientos misses with a body kick.
Jaruud works over Barrientos's head and body with a nice combination.
Jaruud swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jaruud throws a series of strikes that have Barrientos backpedaling.
Barrientos ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jaruud moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaruud scores with a nice right hand.
Jaruud blocks a low kick nicely.
Jaruud throws a body shot but no joy.
Barrientos uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Jaruud.
Jaruud defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Barrientos.
Jaruud steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barrientos.
Jaruud scores with a three punch combo!
Jaruud looks to score with a jab to the body but Barrientos is just out of range.
Jaruud scores with a decent looking hook.
Barrientos moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Jaruud moves in looking to clinch but Barrientos pushes him off.
Barrientos bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Jaruud's head backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jaruud tests Barrientos's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Barrientos looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Barrientos tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jaruud manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barrientos misses the body punch
and Jaruud counters with a straight right hand.
Jaruud cracks Barrientos with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Jaruud moves into the clinch.
Jaruud will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Barrientos up against the cage.
Barrientos looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Barrientos throws a punch but it's blocked by Jaruud.
Barrientos is trying to push Jaruud away but Jaruud has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Batuhan Jaruud is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A head punch on the inside from Barrientos fails to land.
Jaruud just leaning against Barrientos, taking a breather.
Jaruud lands with a right to the head.
Jaruud softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Barrientos fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Jaruud misses with a punch on the inside.

Barrientos pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jaruud on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Jaruud looks to throw the jab but Barrientos is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Barrientos.

Jaruud clinches with his opponent.
Barrientos working aggressively here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Jaruud takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Jaruud blocks an uppercut.

Jaruud escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Barrientos is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Jaruud's half guard.
Barrientos landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Barrientos is thwarting Jaruud's attempts to control the position.
Jaruud wants to improve his position but Barrientos is controlling well.

Barrientos is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Jaruud sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaruud is positioning himself well to prevent Barrientos advancing to mount.
Jaruud tries to get to full guard but Barrientos has control of the leg.
Barrientos working Jaruud over with strikes.

Barrientos is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Jaruud is defending against the submission attempts here by Barrientos.

Barrientos seems to be working for a kimura but Jaruud defends the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Batuhan Jaruud comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Jaruud 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Batuhan Jaruud!
Batuhan Jaruud decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
In defeat, Rafe Barrientos stepped up to the mic, saying 'Fuck you. Suck this dick!'.