PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ri Zaadha (ranked 701 p4p, 100 weight class) and Peter Barnkvist (ranked 487 p4p, 70 weight class). Zaadha comes into the arena with Here I Am blaring out of the sound system. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zaadha
vs
Barnkvist

189 cm
29
177 lbs
19 - 11 - 0

183 cm
33
184 lbs
17 - 18 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Hardcore Nutrition 160Q ($150)

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 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ri Zaadha!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 18 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Peter Barnkvist!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Daniel Bishop and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnkvist looks for a takedown but Zaadha sprawls well.
Zaadha looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Barnkvist is trying hard to land a takedown here. Zaadha sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Zaadha throws the left hand but Barnkvist avoids the punch easily.
Barnkvist throws a counter combo.
Barnkvist darts in trying to clinch
enabling Zaadha to counter with a crisp jab.

It looks like Peter Barnkvist has been cut.
Peter Barnkvist seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnkvist goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Zaadha misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnkvist rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Zaadha counters with a stiff right hand.
Zaadha is looking to slow Barnkvist down with leg kicks.
Barnkvist waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Zaadha.
Zaadha thows a left - swing and a miss!

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

Zaadha throws Barnkvist to one side and escapes!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnkvist rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Zaadha moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barnkvist throws a poor cross that misses
and Barnkvist takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zaadha looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Barnkvist throws a body shot but no joy.

Barnkvist closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Barnkvist misses with a punch to the body.
Barnkvist has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Zaadha is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ri Zaadha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Barnkvist.
Barnkvist is looking for a takedown.
A head punch on the inside from Zaadha fails to land.
Barnkvist is working for takedown but Zaadha is calmly controlling the position for now.
Barnkvist looking for a takedown.
Barnkvist tries a body shot but Zaadha blocks it.
Zaadha has a couple of punches blocked by Barnkvist.
Zaadha tries a body shot but Barnkvist blocks it.
Barnkvist stalling in the clinch.
Zaadha swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha working aggressively here.
Barnkvist wants to stall.
Zaadha scores with a nice hook to the head.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Barnkvist tries to stall but Zaadha uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Barnkvist wants to take the fight to the mat but Zaadha manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
A short left from Zaadha.
Zaadha gets underhooks to prevent Barnkvist's takedown attempt.
A head punch on the inside from Zaadha fails to land.
Barnkvist blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barnkvist changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zaadha fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Zaadha throws a hook but Barnkvist avoids it easily.
Barnkvist throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice straight punches there by Zaadha. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Zaadha.
Nice straight punches there by Barnkvist. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Barnkvist.
Barnkvist moves in looking to clinch but Zaadha pushes him off.
Zaadha is looking to counter punch.
Barnkvist thows a left - swing and a miss!
Barnkvist just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromZaadha.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Barnkvist.
Zaadha scores with a crisp jab that stopped Barnkvist in his tracks.
Zaadha ducks under a wild hook from Barnkvist.
Zaadha lunges at Barnkvist with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barnkvist's hand.
Barnkvist throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barnkvist throws a body punch but Zaadha moves out of range.
Zaadha fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Zaadha cracks Barnkvist with an open hand slap.
Barnkvist tries to close the distance and clinch up but Zaadha swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Zaadha was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Barnkvist fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Zaadha lands a big head kick that sends Barnkvist tumbling to the mat! Zaadha takes a step backwards and waves Barnkvist back to his feet - he wants the finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnkvist swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Zaadha looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Zaadha slips a jab from Barnkvist.
Barnkvist connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Barnkvist lands a jab to the nose.
Barnkvist avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barnkvist slips under a jab.

Barnkvist closes the distance and pushes Zaadha back into the cage.
Barnkvist drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zaadha throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnkvist can't get the takedown.
Barnkvist tries to score a body lock takedown but Zaadha shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zaadha lands a left hand that snaps the head of Barnkvist backwards.
Barnkvist has Zaadha pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Zaadha manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ri Zaadha dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Peter Barnkvist's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Barnkvist shoots and misses
and Zaadha counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Zaadha closes the distance and clinches.
Zaadha blocking some punches.
Barnkvist misses with the head strike.
Zaadha stops a takedown attempt from Barnkvist.
Barnkvist changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Zaadha fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ri Zaadha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Barnkvist.
Barnkvist tries to clinch up but Zaadha circles away and keeps his distance.
Barnkvist has a takedown stuffed.
Barnkvist fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnkvist misses with a straight left.
Barnkvist doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Zaadha rushes Barnkvist and presses him up against the cage.
Zaadha swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnkvist uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnkvist goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zaadha prevents it.
Barnkvist drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Zaadha digs a right hand underneath Barnkvist's ribcage. Barnkvist let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Barnkvist is breathing heavily.
Zaadha scores with a shoulder strike.
Zaadha prevents the takedown attempt.
Zaadha lands a body shot.
Zaadha lands with a light punch inside.
Barnkvist works on Zaadha's body with a couple of short punches.
Zaadha lands a left hand that snaps the head of Barnkvist backwards.

That has opened up Peter Barnkvist's cut even more.
Zaadha is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Barnkvist can do to turn this around?
A short right from Zaadha.
Zaadha swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnkvist uses good head movement to avoid it.
Zaadha misses with a hook from the clinch.

Zaadha is fighting off a takedown attempt but Barnkvist is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Zaadha to the mat. Zaadha regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zaadha wants to stand but Barnkvist is controlling the position.
Barnkvist with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnkvist is trying to maintain the position but Zaadha is very close to passing his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Zaadha escapes and gets back to his feet.
Barnkvist rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Zaadha to counter with a crisp jab.
Barnkvist shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Barnkvist avoids the head kick by Zaadha.
Barnkvist walks into a stiff left hand from Zaadha.
Zaadha lands a jab to the nose.
Barnkvist pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zaadha. That's going to slow Barnkvist down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnkvist misses with a takedown attempt - Zaadha sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barnkvist.
A jab from Barnkvist misses.
Barnkvist throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barnkvist misses with a shot to the body
and Barnkvist takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zaadha steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barnkvist.
Zaadha takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Barnkvist throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zaadha throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zaadha fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Barnkvist ducks right into an uppercut from Zaadha.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnkvist tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Zaadha swivels and escapes.
Zaadha keeps the fight on the outside.
Barnkvist fails in his attempt to clinch.
Barnkvist misses with a body shot
letting Zaadha counter with a right hand.
Barnkvist has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Barnkvist there as he acknowledges the shot.

Barnkvist is rocked!

The cut above Peter Barnkvist's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaadha walks into a straight right hand from Barnkvist.
Zaadha throws a leg kick which misses Barnkvist's front leg but catches the back leg as Barnkvist tries to avoid it.

Zaadha closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Zaadha scores with a shot to the side of Barnkvist's head.
Zaadha lands on the inside with an uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Zaadha.
Barnkvist tries to score a body lock takedown but Zaadha shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Zaadha works on Barnkvist's body with a couple of short punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ri Zaadha dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Peter Barnkvist's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Zaadha chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Zaadha throws a quick inside leg kick.
Barnkvist tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Zaadha will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Zaadha scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Zaadha buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Zaadha circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barnkvist jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Zaadha misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnkvist shoots in for a takedown but Zaadha shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Barnkvist throws a big shot that misses.
A little feinted left hand from Zaadha on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Barnkvist has his takedown stuffed
and Zaadha makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Barnkvist takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnkvist tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Zaadha lands a head kick. Barnkvist smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Barnkvist's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Barnkvist misses with a looping right.
Zaadha uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Barnkvist is still on wobbly legs! Can Zaadha finish him?
Barnkvist throws a jab when Zaadha was well out of range.
Barnkvist wants to clinch up but Zaadha keeps it at a distance.
Zaadha appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Barnkvist looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Barnkvist seems to have recovered his senses.
Ri Zaadha has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Barnkvist.
Zaadha connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Barnkvist's hands.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Zaadha.
Ri Zaadha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zaadha moves into the clinch successfully.
Zaadha softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Barnkvist.

Barnkvist works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Barnkvist working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barnkvist prevents Zaadha from getting back to his feet.
Ri Zaadha overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Zaadha has his feet on Barnkvist's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Barnkvist fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Zaadha to the ground. Barnkvist is now in Zaadha's guard.

Zaadha manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Barnkvist trying to stall but Zaadha improves his position.
Zaadha tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Zaadha.
Zaadha blocks an uppercut.
Barnkvist is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Zaadha gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Zaadha has a couple of punches blocked by Barnkvist.
Barnkvist is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha lands a right hand.
Zaadha lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barnkvist backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zaadha.
Barnkvist is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zaadha pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Zaadha makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Zaadha tries to throw a body punch but Barnkvist avoids it by throwing Zaadha back against the cage.
Barnkvist blocking some punches.
Zaadha lands a body shot in the clinch.
Zaadha makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ri Zaadha is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zaadha digs a right hand underneath Barnkvist's ribcage. Barnkvist let out a lung full of air as it connected.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zaadha creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Barnkvist takes a shot to the head.
Barnkvist's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Zaadha lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ri Zaadha has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Barnkvist tries to work over Zaadha's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Zaadha working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Barnkvist goes for a takedown in the clinch but Zaadha prevents it.
Peter Barnkvist has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha prevents a takedown attempt there.
Barnkvist is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Zaadha pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Zaadha prevents a takedown attempt there.
A short uppercut from Zaadha.
Barnkvist lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Zaadha's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zaadha lands a nice looking body shot.
Zaadha lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Barnkvist tries to move into range but Zaadha moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Barnkvist changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zaadha tries to avoid it but Barnkvist manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zaadha to the ground. Zaadha escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zaadha looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Barnkvist fails to land with a series of punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ri Zaadha showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zaadha 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ri Zaadha!
A victorious Ri Zaadha thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.