PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anthony Lavicci (ranked 1422 p4p, 1479 weight class) and Drew Barnes (ranked 164 p4p, 173 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lavicci
vs
Barnes

196 cm
21
280
4 - 1 - 0

190 cm
21
270
4 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

PWNAGE

MKFC
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Anthony Lavicci!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Drew Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Barnes works over Lavicci's head and body with a nice combination.
Lavicci looks to score with a jab to the body but Barnes is just out of range.

Barnes takes the fight into the clinch.
Barnes lands a shoulder strike.
Lavicci tries to pull guard but Barnes won't allow it.
Barnes drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
I was talking to Lavicci's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Barnes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Lavicci.
Lavicci jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Barnes walks away with a smile on his face. Lavicci gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Lavicci is trying hard to land a takedown here. Barnes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Lavicci. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barnes lands with a straight right. Lavicci didn't see that one coming.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barnes lands with a straight right. Lavicci didn't see that one coming.
Lavicci tries to close the distance and clinch but Barnes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lavicci with a lazy takedown attempt

and Barnes counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Barnes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left hand lands to the body for Barnes.
Barnes stalls.
Lavicci tries to pull guard but Barnes won't allow it.
Barnes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Barnes stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A short right from Barnes on the inside.

Lavicci pulls Barnes into guard.
Barnes makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Lavicci avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Barnes wants to pass the guard but Lavicci is keeping the position.
Barnes slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lavicci gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lavicci keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Barnes throwing shots but Lavicci is blocking nicely.
Barnes controlling the action here.
Barnes misses with a head shot. Lavicci uses the momentum to regain guard.
Barnes wants to control from the top but Lavicci keeps moving.
Barnes tries to free his leg and advance position but Lavicci is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Lavicci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barnes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Lavicci is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnes wants to control from the top but Lavicci keeps moving.
Lavicci has control of Barnes's left arm, preventing Barnes from doing any damage.
Barnes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Barnes trying to control but Lavicci is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Barnes scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Lavicci with a poor takedown

and Barnes counters with a shoot takedown. Lavicci fights it but they end up in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barnes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lavicci is keeping the position for now.
Lavicci is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Barnes lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Lavicci is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lavicci tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Barnes sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Lavicci keeping moving, preventing Barnes from controlling successfully.
Barnes throws a big elbow that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Drew Barnes dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Lavicci shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Barnes napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Lavicci is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Barnes will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Barnes is trying to get back to half guard.
Barnes is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Lavicci off and has taken his back!
Lavicci tries to escape but Barnes has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Barnes really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lavicci. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lavicci is trapped and Barnes is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Lavicci avoids the strikes from Barnes.
Barnes controls the position.
Barnes scores with strikes from the back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnes throwing strikes and Lavicci squirms under the pressure, ending up mounted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Barnes punishing his opponent with strikes.
Barnes controlling from mount.
Lavicci regains half guard.
Lavicci is refusing to be controlled, as Barnes sits in half guard.
Barnes sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Barnes scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Barnes throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Barnes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes is trying to control. Lavicci wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Barnes is just content to waste time from the top position. Lavicci takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Lavicci looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lavicci bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Barnes's guard.

Lavicci won't allow Barnes to sweep him here.
Barnes managing to control the position.
Barnes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lavicci sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Lavicci seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Barnes is trying to keep Lavicci in close.
Barnes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lavicci is one step ahead there.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Lavicci wants to control from the top but Barnes keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Barnes, as that shot connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Barnes is looking to slow Lavicci down with leg kicks.
Lavicci tries to score a power double leg takedown but Barnes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lavicci somewhat.
Lavicci shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barnes but Barnes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lavicci shoots in for a double leg but Barnes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Lavicci. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lavicci fails with a takedown attempt.
Barnes lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Lavicci gets tackled into the cage by Barnes. Barnes maintains the clinch.
Barnes has Lavicci pressed against the cage, preventing Lavicci from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Barnes is working Lavicci over against the cage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Drew Barnes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Lavicci drops his hands momentarily and Barnes takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Lavicci gets underhooks to prevent Barnes's takedown attempt.

Barnes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lavicci looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barnes is fending him off so far but Lavicci persists. Nope, Barnes circles away and we're back to standing.
Lavicci shoots in and drives through. Barnes sprawls well.
Barnes turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Barnes works Lavicci's body with a nice hook.
Barnes lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Anthony Lavicci has been cut.
Barnes lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lavicci.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anthony Lavicci. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lavicci takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Lavicci closes the distance and clinches up with Barnes, looking for a takedown. Lavicci pushes Barnes against the cage but Barnes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Barnes drives through and clinches with Lavicci against the cage.
Barnes is leaning against Lavicci and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Barnes manages to break the clinch.
Barnes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Lavicci crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Barnes - the referee stops the clock and Lavicci gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Barnes. Lavicci manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Barnes drives through and clinches with Lavicci against the cage.
Lavicci goes for a takedown attempt but Barnes pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Lavicci has a takedown stuffed.
Barnes smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes lands a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnes feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Laviccis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Lavicci gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Barnes closes the distance and clinches.
Barnes has Lavicci pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lavicci manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Barnes lands an uppercut.
Barnes lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Barnes works on Lavicci's body with a couple of short punches.
Lavicci tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Barnes is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Lavicci can't fight it off and eventually Barnes manages to take the fight to the floor. Lavicci looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Barnes lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barnes landing with the ground and pound.
Barnes trying to control but Lavicci is working from the bottom.
Barnes working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barnes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Lavicci is keeping the position for now.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Lavicci is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barnes slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Lavicci gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Barnes keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Barnes lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Barnes drops an elbow to the side of Lavicci's head.
Barnes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lavicci keeps working.
Lavicci is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Barnes scores with a couple of nice shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Drew Barnes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Barnes 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 26:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Drew Barnes!
A very excited looking Drew Barnes made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.