PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aroon Rojumanong (ranked 638 p4p, 761 weight class) and Caio Barbosa (ranked 40 p4p, 51 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.

Rojumanong
vs
Barbosa

169 cm
27
136
12 - 3 - 0

163 cm
28
145
15 - 9 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Aroon Rojumanong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Caio Barbosa!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Chris Dean and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Barbosa misses its intended target.
We've been told by Rojumanong's head coaches at Brooklyn Mixed Martial Arts that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Rojumanong is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barbosa scores with the left hand. Rojumanong knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd cheers as Barbosa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rojumanong doesn't seem phased though.
A slow jab from Rojumanong misses its intended target.
No joy there for Rojumanong, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Barbosa looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Barbosa throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rojumanong on the side of the head.
Barbosa just misses with a punch to the body.
Barbosa scores with the left hand. Rojumanong knows he should have avoided that one.
Barbosa fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Rojumanong on the side of the head.
Barbosa loads up on a big right hand but Rojumanong slips the punch.
Barbosa throws a hook but Rojumanong avoids it easily.
Rojumanong is looking to clinch but Barbosa is avoiding it.
Barbosa takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body punch from Barbosa.
Barbosa throws a jab when Rojumanong was well out of range.

Barbosa tries to keep at a distance but Rojumanong has taken the fight into the clinch.
Barbosa tries to pull guard but Rojumanong forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barbosa jumps guard.
Barbosa looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Barbosa keeps trying to improve his position.
Rojumanong slips nicely into half guard.
Rojumanong takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Barbosa is looking for a sweep. Rojumanong is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbosa has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rojumanong is working away from the top position though.
Barbosa is looking to improve his position.
Rojumanong wants to control but Barbosa is keeping him busy.

Barbosa looking for submissions off his back.
Rojumanong trying to control from half guard but Barbosa is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rojumanong passes the guard and advances to mount!
Rojumanong can't control as he wanted to and Barbosa manages to get the fight back to his half guard.
Barbosa is trying to get back to full guard.
Barbosa moves into full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rojumanong slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Barbosa tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rojumanong wants to control but Barbosa is keeping him busy.
Barbosa gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Rojumanong looking to control but Barbosa is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Barbosa is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's four 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.
Barbosa keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Barbosa is squirming around, avoiding Rojumanong's attempts to control the action.
Barbosa is trying desperately to improve position.
Barbosa is squirming around, avoiding Rojumanong's attempts to control the action.
Barbosa wants to control but Rojumanong is having none of it.
Rojumanong wants to control the pace but Barbosa is squirming around nicely.
Barbosa is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Barbosa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Barbosa throws a body punch but Rojumanong moves out of range.
Barbosa throws a big shot that misses.
Rojumanong fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rojumanong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barbosa throws out the jab.
Barbosa misses with a looping right.
Rojumanong darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Rojumanong tries to clinch but Barbosa moves out of range.
Barbosa has a takedown stuffed.
Barbosa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rojumanong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barbosa.
Barbosa scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rojumanong 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.
Rojumanong ducks under a wild hook from Barbosa.
Barbosa with a nice cross.
Barbosa connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Caio Barbosa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rojumanong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barbosa.
Rojumanong defending well as Barbosa loads up on a big left hand.
Rojumanong swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Barbosa swings widly with a right hand
and Rojumanong counters with a stiff right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barbosa keeps the fight on the outside.
A little jabbing left from Barbosa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa lands a jab.
A slow jab from Barbosa misses its intended target.
Barbosa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The crowd cheers as Barbosa lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rojumanong doesn't seem phased though.

Rojumanong instigates a clinch.

Barbosa drags the fight down to the ground.
Rojumanong advances to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barbosa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rojumanong wants to pass the guard but Barbosa is defending well.

Rojumanong wants to work for an arm triangle but Barbosa is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Barbosa regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa keeping moving, preventing Rojumanong from controlling successfully.

Barbosa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rojumanong is pushing down on Barbosa's leg trying to pass to half guard. Barbosa is fighting to maintain full guard but Rojumanong has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rojumanong prevents Barbosa from improving his position.

Rojumanong is looking for a kimura but Barbosa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rojumanong to get the leverage.
Rojumanong keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rojumanong is looking to advance position but Barbosa won't allow it.
Barbosa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rojumanong works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa struggling a bit here.
Rojumanong tries to advance position but instead Barbosa slips a leg back in to half guard.
Rojumanong wants to control but Barbosa is keeping him busy.
Rojumanong slows the pace down in half guard.
Rojumanong tries to pass the half guard into mount. Barbosa knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rojumanong wants to control but Barbosa is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Rojumanong has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Barbosa slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Barbosa regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rojumanong advances to half guard.
Rojumanong is looking to advance position but Barbosa won't allow it.
Barbosa is pressing down on Rojumanong's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rojumanong trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Barbosa has his foot on Rojumanong's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rojumanong works his way back into a safe position though.
Barbosa looking for a sweep. Not yet Barbosa, not yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Caio Barbosa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Barbosa swings for the body but Rojumanong moves out of range.
Rojumanong tries to clinch there but Barbosa circles away.
Rojumanong avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Barbosa misses with a body shot.
Barbosa looks to land a left hand but Rojumanong moved out of range nicely.
Rojumanong has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rojumanong there as he acknowledges the shot.
Barbosa scores with a jab to the body.
Barbosa lands a jab to the nose.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barbosa. Rojumanong does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barbosa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Caio Barbosa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barbosa looks to throw the jab but Rojumanong is out of range.
Rojumanong lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rojumanong throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rojumanong is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barbosa.
Good shot there by Rojumanong.
Barbosa takes a swing at Rojumanong's ribcage but misses.
Barbosa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbosa smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rojumanong tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barbosa swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barbosa ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Barbosa throws a hook but Rojumanong avoids it easily.
Barbosa moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rojumanong cracks Barbosa with a right hand to the side of the head.
Barbosa lands with a nice body punch.
Barbosa uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Barbosa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rojumanong tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barbosa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rojumanong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barbosa.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Barbosa, as that shot connected.
Barbosa circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rojumanong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barbosa throws out the jab.
Rojumanong is looking to counter punch.
Nice defenses there by Barbosa.
A decent looking cross lands there for Barbosa.
Rojumanong tries to clinch up but Barbosa circles away and keeps his distance.
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!
Barbosa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rojumanong throwing a counter right hand but Barbosa manages to avoid it.
Rojumanong tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barbosa manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rojumanong scores with a punch to the head.
Rojumanong wants to clinch.

Rojumanong moves into the clinch.
Rojumanong misses with a punch to the body.
Barbosa wants a takedown.
Rojumanong gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Barbosa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rojumanong fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Rojumanong fails in his attempt to clinch.
Barbosa lands with a nice body punch.
Rojumanong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Barbosa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nice cross by Rojumanong.
Jab by Rojumanong.
Rojumanong comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rojumanong with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Barbosa to score with a decent uppercut.
Rojumanong moves in looking to clinch but Barbosa pushes him off.
Aroon Rojumanong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa throws a body kick that misses
and Rojumanong counters with a stiff right hand.
Barbosa cracks Rojumanong with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Barbosa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barbosa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rojumanong.
Rojumanong lands an overhand right.
Rojumanong throws a series of punches but Barbosa moves out of range.
Barbosa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rojumanong.

Barbosa tries to keep at a distance but Rojumanong has taken the fight into the clinch.
Barbosa drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rojumanong pulls his leg out and moves away.
Aroon Rojumanong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Caio Barbosa.
Nice uppercut there from Rojumanong.
Barbosa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rojumanong moves away.
Rojumanong connects with a nice looking jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barbosa lands a nice shot to the body.
Rojumanong takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rojumanong's hands.
Barbosa misses with a few strikes there.
Rojumanong swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Barbosa lands with a nice body punch.
Barbosa misses with a body shot.
Barbosa takes a swing at Rojumanong's ribcage but misses.
Barbosa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice shot by Rojumanong.

Barbosa is rocked!

Barbosa shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rojumanong's guard.
Barbosa is still in real trouble! Can Rojumanong finish him?
Barbosa trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Rojumanong manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Barbosa seems to have recovered his senses.
Barbosa can't keep his opponent in guard - Rojumanong advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rojumanong passes the guard and advances to mount!
Caio Barbosa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rojumanong lands with some strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Caio Barbosa.
I've got Barbosa 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 28:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Caio Barbosa!
Caio Barbosa took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Top Gun Nutrition 160q 4 $150 for their support in the buildup to the fight.
The defeated Aroon Rojumanong had this to say: 'Back to the gym...'.