PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pascal Barao (ranked 3166 p4p, 5460 weight class) and Drapton Heed (ranked 394 p4p, 527 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barao
vs
Heed

178 cm
24
167
7 - 6 - 0

173 cm
33
157
11 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pascal Barao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Drapton Heed!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barao decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Barao controlling the pace.
Heed is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Barao looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Barao wants to free his trapped foot but Heed is holding on for dear life with his legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barao looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Heed misses the shot to the body.
Barao keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Barao tries to counter with a takedown but Heed is quick to defend against it.
Heed ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Heed stuns Barao with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Barao keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It looked like Barao was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Barao takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Barao dives in and grabs Heed's left leg, looking for a takedown. Heed pushes down on Barao's head and hops out.
Heed lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Heed throws a looping overhand right but Barao ducks down to avoid it.

Barao changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Heed looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Barao controlling from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barao has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barao seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Heed for as long as he can get away with.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Heed is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Heed throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barao seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Heed is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Barao rather than just go for the knockout.
Heed misses with an uppercut.

Barao shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Barao.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Drapton Heed will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Barao changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Heed looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The referee asks Barao politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Barao prefers to stall for the moment though.
Heed is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Barao off and has taken his back!
Barao is trying to get back to his feet but Heed has full control of the position and if anything, Barao has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Heed nearly escaped from the position there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pascal Barao overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Heed stands up.
Drapton Heed is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Heed falls off balance throwing a combination

and Barao counters with a nice double leg into side control. Heed won't be happy with that.
Barao slows the pace down.
Barao continues to stall.
Barao continues to hold on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Pascal Barao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barao misses with a few strikes there.
Heed throws a right hand that misses

and Barao counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Heed being controlled here, momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Heed wants to stand but Barao is controlling the position.
Barao content to stall in guard here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Heed misses the jab.

Barao feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Heed being controlled here, momentarily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pascal Barao will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Barao has a takedown stuffed.
Heed throws a right and a left that both miss.
Heed throws a body punch but Barao moves out of range.
Barao ducks right into an uppercut from Heed.
Drapton Heed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Heed misses with a straight left.
Barao dodges the punch combination from Heed.

Barao manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Heed on his heels. He'll look to pass Heed's guard now, I'm sure.
Barao is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Heed is trying to control the position but Barao postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barao content to stall in guard here.
Barao's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Further stalling from Barao.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
More hug and hope from Barao.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Heed connects with a right hand. Barao shakes it off.
Heed misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barao fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Barao takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Heed lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Barao at a distance.
Heed has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Barao is landing a low percentage of strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barao tries to score a power double leg takedown but Heed sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Barao somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pascal Barao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barao fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Barao shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Heed manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Barao 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barao looking to pass the guard.
Barao engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barao trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
Drapton Heed comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Heed has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Drapton Heed!