PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Toby Keith Yrkje (ranked 1382 p4p, 1078 weight class) and Nick Barkley (ranked 203 p4p, 156 weight class). Yrkje comes to the cage accompanied by As Good As I Once Was. This should be fireworks!

Yrkje
vs
Barkley

187 cm
24
180
10 - 6 - 0

185 cm
24
180
8 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer

Conquer
Conviction

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 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Toby Keith Yrkje!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Barkley!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yrkje connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Good leg kick by Barkley.
A low kick lands for Barkley.
Yrkje throws a shot from downtown. Barkley moves away and avoids it.
Barkley has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Barkley digs a good body shot into Yrkje's ribs.
Yrkje is looking to clinch but Barkley is avoiding it.
Yrkje throws a jab when Barkley was well out of range.
Barkley is trying to counter with his kicks.
Yrkje is looking to clinch.
Yrkje throws a leg kick
and Yrkje takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

It looks like Toby Keith Yrkje has been cut.
Yrkje tries to work over Barkley's front leg with a kick but Barkley checks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Barkley! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Yrkje closes the distance and clinches.
Barkley fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Barkley misses with a short punch on the inside.
Yrkje digs a right hand underneath Barkley's ribcage. Barkley let out a lung full of air as it connected.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Yrkje.
Barkley gets through Yrkje's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Barkley escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yrkje misses with a leg kick

and Barkley holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Barkley's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barkley digs a good body shot into Yrkje's ribs.
Yrkje looks to land a body kick but Barkley moved away.
Yrkje tries to clinch
and Barkley cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yrkje misses with a low kick.
Barkley takes one to the side of the head.
Yrkje throws a lazy right hand but Barkley sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barkley let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Barkley misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Yrkje looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Yrkje just misses with a punch to the body.
Yrkje throws a leg kick that is checked
and Barkley counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Donk. Barkley catches Yrkje right on the button with a cross.
Yrkje misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Yrkje has Barkley up against the cage in a clinch.
Barkley tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Yrkje avoids it.
Yrkje blocks an elbow strike from Barkley.
Yrkje lands an uppercut.
Yrkje blocks an elbow strike from Barkley.
Barkley softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Yrkje.
Barkley lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Yrkje backwards.
Barkley goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Barkley misses with a body punch.
Yrkje misses with a punch on the inside.
Yrkje misses with some punches.

Barkley breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barkley lands a high kick!
Yrkje misses with a hook
and Barkley counters with a nice uppercut.
Yrkje misses with a leg kick
and Barkley counters with a nice uppercut.
Yrkje looks to land a right hand but Barkley moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yrkje thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Barkley if he has to take too many more of those.
Barkley throws a right hand that misses
letting Yrkje counter with a right hand.
Yrkje throws a low kick but Barkley moves out of range easily.
Yrkje cracks Barkley with a right hand to the side of the head.
Yrkje ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A slapping leg kick lands for Yrkje.
Barkley keeps the fight on the outside.
Yrkje throws a right hand that misses
and Barkley counters with a nice uppercut.
Barkley takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Yrkje misses with a body punch
and Barkley cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yrkje throws an off balance right hand
and Barkley counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yrkje throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barkley doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Yrkje looks to land a right hand but Barkley moved out of range.
Yrkje waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barkley.
It seemed like Barkley was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Yrkje throws the left hand but Barkley avoids the punch easily.
Yrkje catches Barkley with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Barkley staying out of range there.
Barkley keeps the fight on the outside.
Yrkje scores with a nice head shot.
Yrkje tries to clinch up but Barkley circles away and keeps his distance.
Toby Keith Yrkje seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Yrkje misses with an uppercut. Barkley saw that one coming.
Barkley tries to counter by closing the distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Yrkje throws a poor cross that misses
and Barkley counters with a straight right hand.
Yrkje chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Barkley can pounce on him.
Yrkje swings away with a body shot that misses
and Barkley counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Barkley dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Toby Keith Yrkje's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Yrkje throws an off balance right hand
and Barkley counters with an inside leg kick.
Yrkje throws out a loose jab but Barkley uses good head movement to avoid it.
Yrkje lands with a kick to the ribs.
Yrkje throws a lazy uppercut
and Yrkje takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Yrkje misses with a straight right.
Barkley takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Barkley takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Yrkje takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Yrkje changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yrkje throws a hook but Barkley blocks it.
Barkley only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Nick Barkley seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barkley fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Yrkje looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Yrkje tries to score with a low kick but Barkley moves his leg out of the way.
Barkley follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
Yrkje misses with an uppercut
letting Barkley counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yrkje fakes the leg kick and cracks Barkley in the body.
Yrkje misses with a right hand
and Yrkje takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Yrkje moves out of range of the body kick from Barkley.
Barkley keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Yrkje scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Yrkje tried to score with a low kick but Barkley checks it.
Barkley takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Yrkje fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Barkley.
Barkley bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Yrkje wants to clinch but Barkley slips to the side
letting Barkley counter with a right hand.
Yrkje moves out of range of the strikes.
Barkley misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje misses with a left hand
and Barkley counters with an inside leg kick.
Yrkje throws a lazy uppercut
and Barkley makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Yrkje really felt that one!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Yrkje lands a right hook to the body.
Yrkje on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Barkley. Barkley obviously looking to wear him down.
Yrkje swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Barkley.
Barkley keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Yrkje.
Barkley was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Yrkje avoids a kick to the body.
Barkley slips a jab from Yrkje.
A countering left hand to the body from Barkley misses.

Yrkje moves into the clinch successfully.
Yrkje blocks a body shot from Barkley.
Barkley blocking some punches.
Yrkje lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barkley backwards.
Barkley lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barkley breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Yrkje misses the target.
Yrkje tries to clinch there but Barkley circles away.
Yrkje uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barkley.
Barkley ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Yrkje drives through and clinches with Barkley against the cage.
Barkley lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Yrkje backwards.
Yrkje is trying to pull guard but Barkley turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Yrkje tries to work over Barkley's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Yrkje jumps guard.
Barkley wants to stand but Yrkje has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Yrkje is looking for a triangle but Barkley pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barkley has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Yrkje is proving hard to escape from.
Barkley must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Yrkje looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Barkley wants to stand but Yrkje has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Yrkje working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Toby Keith Yrkje dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Toby Keith Yrkje's cut.
That's time! Yrkje's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Yrkje fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Barkley checks it well.
Barkley has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Yrkje.
Yrkje throws a looping overhand right but Barkley ducks down to avoid it.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Yrkje.
Yrkje moves away from the strike by Barkley.
Barkley scoring well with a low kick there.
Barkley moves out of range of the body kick.
Yrkje dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Barkley. That did some damage!
Yrkje throws a poor cross that misses
and Barkley counters with a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Yrkje misses with the body kick
and Barkley counters with a nice uppercut.
Barkley walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Yrkje with a hook.
Yrkje blocks a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yrkje tries to clinch there but Barkley circles away.
Barkley fakes the leg kick and cracks Yrkje in the body.
Barkley lunges at Yrkje with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Yrkje's hand.
Yrkje moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Barkley throws a big shot that misses.
Yrkje changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Yrkje tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Barkley counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Yrkje thinking.
A slapping leg kick lands for Barkley.
Barkley moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje throws a poor cross that misses
and Barkley counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Yrkje throws a leg kick that is checked
and Barkley cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Yrkje throws a lazy uppercut
and Barkley counters with a right hand to the body.
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!
Yrkje misses with a straight right.
Barkley flicks out a counter leg kick but Yrkje steps away.
Yrkje thows a leg kick but Barkley checks it
and Yrkje takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Barkley moves out of range of the strikes.
Yrkje misses with a looping left.
Yrkje throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Yrkje walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Barkley checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Barkley pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barkley missing with a left hand there. Yrkje was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barkley lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yrkje misses with a body kick.
Yrkje throws a leg kick
and Barkley counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Yrkje lands a jab to Barkley's midsection.
Yrkje misses with a body shot
and Barkley counters with a straight right hand.
Yrkje works Barkley's body with a nice hook.
Barkley misses with an attempted mid kick.
Yrkje misses with an uppercut
and Barkley counters with an inside leg kick.
Yrkje comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Yrkje ducks under a wild hook from Barkley.
Yrkje is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A nice leg kick from Barkley, right into the meat of the thigh.
Yrkje rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Barkley to counter with a crisp jab.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Barkley.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Yrkje lands with a hook. Barkley tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Yrkje has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Yrkje motions for Barkley to come forward. Yrkje throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Yrkje throws a hook but Barkley blocks it.
Barkley connects with an inside leg kick.
Yrkje misses with a wild body shot.
Yrkje misses with a right hand
and Barkley counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Yrkje will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Barkley lands a glancing blow to the side of Yrkje's head.
Barkley throws a lazy right hand but Yrkje sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barkley scores with a hook to the body. Yrkje takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Yrkje misses with a kick to the body
and Barkley counters with a nice uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Barkley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Barkley 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Barkley!
Nick Barkley thanked the fans post fight for their support.