PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sam Barnes (ranked 3575 p4p, 2813 weight class) and Ansis Kaupens (ranked 443 p4p, 365 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Barnes
vs
Kaupens

187 cm
21
194
4 - 4 - 0

200 cm
20
190
3 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

MKFC

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Sam Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ansis Kaupens!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Barnes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kaupens is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Barnes slips under a jab from Kaupens.
Kaupens uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barnes.
Kaupens throws a body punch but Barnes moves out of range.
Barnes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The fighters circling - Kaupens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kaupens cracks Barnes with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Barnes has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Barnes is looking to clinch but Kaupens is avoiding it.
Barnes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kaupens.
Barnes connects with an inside leg kick.
Kaupens throws a hook but Barnes blocks it.
Kaupens throws a hook but Barnes blocks it.
Barnes lands a jab-cross combination.
Barnes throws a quick inside leg kick.
A big left from Kaupens misses.
It looked like Barnes was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters circling - Kaupens throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kaupens walks into a straight right hand from Barnes.
Barnes throws a series of punches but Kaupens avoids them all with ease.
Sam Barnes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaupens pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kaupens connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Barnes momentarily.
Kaupens throws a hook but Barnes blocks it.
A little feinted left hand from Barnes on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Barnes throws a sloppy head kick and Kaupens moves out of range easily.
Kaupens throws a right hand that misses
and Barnes counters with a series of strikes. Kaupens will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kaupens throws a body punch but Barnes moves out of range.
Kaupens misses with a straight right.
Nice body kick from Barnes.
Kaupens walks into a stiff left hand from Barnes.
Kaupens lunges at Barnes with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barnes's hand.
Kaupens takes a jab right on the kisser.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kaupens throws a right hand that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kaupens misses with a hook. Barnes ducked under it nicely.
A quick step to the side and Barnes tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barnes throws a leg kick but Kaupens sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Some wild striking there from Barnes.
Kaupens scores with the left hand. Barnes knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens's jab looks to have found its range, popping Barnes under the eye.
Kaupens throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barnes misses with a double jab
and Kaupens counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A lazy left from Kaupens finds it's target.
Kaupens throws a poor cross that misses
and Barnes counters with a straight right hand.
Barnes on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kaupens throws a big shot that misses.
Kaupens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barnes.
Kaupens is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Barnes had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
Barnes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Barnes attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Barnes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kaupens.
Barnes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Barnes takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Barnes falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kaupens counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens scores with a jab to the body.
Kaupens lands with a nice body punch.
Barnes lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Barnes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kaupens.
Kaupens throws an overhand right that lands on Barnes's shoulder, as Barnes tries to avoid the shot.
Kaupens connects with a looping right hand.
Barnes looks to land a combination but Kaupens avoids it well.
Barnes misses with a two punch combination.
Nice shot lands for Kaupens.
Kaupens sizes up Barnes with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Barnes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kaupens was well out of range. Poor timing from Barnes.
A little jabbing left from Kaupens on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kaupens is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Barnes tries a low kick but Kaupens avoids it.
Kaupens blocks a jab.
Kaupens connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kaupens takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Barnes throws a series of punches but Kaupens moves out of range.
Kaupens connects with a good right hand that stumbles Barnes. Barnes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes looks to score with a jab to the body but Kaupens is just out of range.
Barnes lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kaupens circles away quickly and effectively.
Kaupens might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Barnes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kaupens moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kaupens bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Barnes moves forwards but Kaupens connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kaupens throws a shot from downtown. Barnes moves away and avoids it.
Barnes misses with a straight left.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kaupens! But no joy.
Kaupens slips a jab from Barnes.
Barnes misses with an uppercut. Kaupens saw that one coming.
Kaupens swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A swing and a miss from Kaupens.
Barnes went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Barnes scores with the left hand. Kaupens knows he should have avoided that one.
Barnes misses the jab.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaupens throws a series of strikes that have Barnes backpedaling.
Kaupens throws out a loose jab but Barnes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barnes looks to clinch
and Kaupens counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kaupens throws a good cross that connects.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ansis Kaupens will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Barnes walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kaupens lunges at Barnes with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barnes's hand.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Barnes might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Barnes defending well as Kaupens loads up on a big left hand.
Barnes throws an off balance right hand
letting Kaupens counter with a right hand.
Good exchange - Kaupens coming out on top.
Kaupens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barnes manages to avoid it.
Barnes feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Barnes looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kaupens's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Kaupens duly obliges.
Kaupens has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kaupens.
A left and a right from Barnes both land. Nice combination.
Kaupens has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnes misses with a leg kick.
Barnes takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Barnes throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nice defenses there by Barnes.
Barnes swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kaupens throws a right hand that Barnes ducks under and follows up with a left that Barnes also avoids with ease.
Kaupens has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kaupens misses with an uppercut.
A shot to the liver by Kaupens. Beautiful body shot.
Barnes scores with a hook to the body. Kaupens takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes misses with a kick to the body.
Barnes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kaupens avoids a punch combination nicely.
Barnes misses with an uppercut
and Kaupens counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kaupens throws a lazy right hand but Barnes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kaupens misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kaupens avoids a punch combination nicely.
Barnes looks to land a combination but Kaupens avoids it well.
Barnes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kaupens swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ansis Kaupens seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kaupens scores with a jab to the body.
Kaupens pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
As Kaupens looks to move away, Barnes throws a big counter combo but Kaupens just gets out of the way.
Kaupens dodges the punch combination from Barnes.
Barnes moves out of range of the strikes.
Barnes swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kaupens looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnes just misses with a punch to the body.
Barnes swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kaupens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kaupens throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnes.
Kaupens dodges the punch combination from Barnes.
Barnes with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Barnes ducks under a wild hook from Kaupens.
Kaupens thows a left - swing and a miss!
Barnes throws out a leg kick but Kaupens moves out of range and Barnes only half commits.
Kaupens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barnes.
Barnes moves out of range of the strikes.
Barnes went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Kaupens's corner calls for a 1-2. Kaupens obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kaupens displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barnes throws out the jab.
Kaupens looks like he wants to counter punch here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes lands with a nice combination. Kaupens backs away looking to recover.

Barnes forces Kaupens back against the cage and clinches.
Barnes misses with a punch on the inside.

Kaupens breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barnes on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Barnes moves in looking to clinch but Kaupens pushes him off.
Kaupens looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Barnes misses with a combination
and Kaupens counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Barnes takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Barnes misses with a body shot.
Kaupens throws out a counter right but Barnes avoids it with no problem.
Kaupens digs a good hook to Barnes's body.
Barnes misses with a lunging right hand
letting Kaupens counter with a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kaupens keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Barnes moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Kaupens fails to land.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Kaupens manages to break the clinch.
Kaupens avoids the body shot from Barnes.
No joy there for Barnes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Barnes misses with a hook to the body
and Kaupens counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Barnes is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kaupens throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Barnes on the side of the head.
Some bone on bone action there as Kaupens checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kaupens looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kaupens lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kaupens.
Barnes throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kaupens swings for the body but Barnes moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kaupens throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnes.
Kaupens throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Barnes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Barnes misses with a shot to the body
letting Kaupens counter with a right hand.
Barnes moves out of range as Kaupens strikes.
Barnes swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ansis Kaupens showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Barnes defending well as Kaupens loads up on a big left hand.
And Barnes counters with a quick kick to the body but Kaupens blocks it.
Kaupens lands with a shot to the body.
Barnes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kaupens checks a leg kick nicely.
Kaupens getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kaupens thuds a left hand into Barnes's body.
Nice body punch from Kaupens.
Barnes throws a half hearted mid kick.
Barnes is looking to wear down Kaupens with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Barnes misses with a body shot.
Kaupens missing with a left hand there. Barnes was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Barnes duly obliges.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Barnes!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kaupens swings for the body but Barnes moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaupens swings for the body but Barnes moves out of range.
Kaupens thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kaupens scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Barnes doesn't seem bothered though.
Barnes misses with a body punch
and Kaupens counters with a straight right hand.
Barnes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barnes swings for the body but Kaupens moves out of range.
Kaupens has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Donk. Kaupens catches Barnes right on the button with a cross.
Kaupens throws a hook to the side of Barnes's head but Barnes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barnes swings for the body but Kaupens moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Kaupens. Those never looked like landing.
Kaupens misses with a looping right.
Barnes misses with a two punch combination.
Kaupens is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Barnes with a body shot.
Barnes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kaupens moves away.
Sam Barnes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab from Kaupens.
Barnes on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes swings for the body but Kaupens moves out of range.
Barnes slips a jab from Kaupens.
Kaupens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barnes.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Barnes lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kaupens has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kaupens and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kaupens bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Barnes's head.
Barnes throws a series of punches but Kaupens moves out of range.
Kaupens throws a hook but Barnes avoids it easily.
Kaupens throws a lazy right hand but Barnes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
As Kaupens backs away, Barnes returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Kaupens takes a swing at Barnes's ribcage but misses.
Barnes seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Barnes throws a series of punches but Kaupens avoids them all with ease.
Barnes loads up on a big right hand but Kaupens slips the punch.
Barnes does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Sloppy strikes from Kaupens. Those never looked like landing.
Barnes takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kaupens lands with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barnes scores with a hook.
Barnes ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Barnes misses with a hook to the body
letting Kaupens counter with a right hand.
Barnes looks to land a body kick but Kaupens moved away.
Barnes moves away from the strike by Kaupens.
A jab from Kaupens misses.
It looked like Barnes was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kaupens.
Barnes throws a leg kick
and Kaupens counters with a nice uppercut.
Barnes throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kaupens sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kaupens looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kaupens pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kaupens rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barnes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kaupens, as that shot connected.
Kaupens throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaupens tests Barnes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
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!
Barnes misses with the combination.
Kaupens swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Barnes lands a slapping body shot.
Barnes throws a series of punches but Kaupens avoids them all with ease.
Barnes throws a right and a left that both miss.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kaupens darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Barnes takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Barnes's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Barnes duly obliges.
Nice defenses there by Kaupens.
Kaupens is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Barnes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sam Barnes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ansis Kaupens is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Barnes throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Kaupens counter with a right hand.
Kaupens slips a jab from Barnes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ansis Kaupens.
I've got Kaupens winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ansis Kaupens!