PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Don Barnes (ranked 1470 p4p, 1070 weight class) and Conor OShea (ranked 205 p4p, 148 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Barnes
vs
OShea

180 cm
24
176
13 - 9 - 1

210 cm
38
180
15 - 20 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Altitude Clothing
Voodoo Nutrition

Altitude Clothing

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 13 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Don Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 20 - 1, fighting out of London, Conor OShea!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Hugh Johnson and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
OShea digs a good hook to Barnes's body.
OShea connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
OShea throws a nice head kick!
Barnes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but OShea manages to avoid it.
OShea tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barnes appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Barnes just misses with a punch to the body.
OShea shoots in for a takedown but Barnes shows good takedown defense.
OShea tries to bum rush Barnes with a series of wild strikes but Barnes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Barnes!
Barnes misses the shot to the body.
OShea throws a sloppy head kick
and Barnes counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnes misses with a two punch combination.
Barnes scores with a one two! OShea had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Conor OShea seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Barnes.
Good leg kick by Barnes.
Barnes lands with a thumping leg kick.
Barnes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
As Barnes backs off OShea throws a huge counter combo but Barnes manages to avoid it all.
Barnes moves forwards but OShea connects with a nice, crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OShea is trying hard to land a takedown here. Barnes sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
OShea tries to score a power double leg takedown but Barnes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten OShea somewhat.
Don Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor OShea.
OShea fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A jab lands there for OShea.
Barnes misses with a double jab.
Barnes swinging wildly here.
OShea is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Barnes tries to move into range but OShea moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
OShea bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Barnes's head.
Barnes with a nice calf kick.
OShea tries a head kick but it misses.
OShea shoots in looking for a takedown. Barnes tries to sprawl out of it but OShea keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Barnes manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OShea lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnes misses with a straight left.
OShea moves away from the strike by Barnes.
That kick from Barnes tenderised OShea's leg. OShea is trying to keep his angry face on.
Barnes blocks a head kick by OShea.
Barnes with a nice calf kick.
OShea is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Barnes lands with a shot to the body.
OShea takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
OShea slips under a jab from Barnes.
OShea fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
As OShea looks to move away, Barnes throws a big counter combo but OShea just gets out of the way.
A punch combination from OShea misses.
Barnes blocks a head kick by OShea.
OShea rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barnes counters with a two punch combo.
The fight stays on the outside here - OShea looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
OShea misses with a two punch combination.
OShea takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Barnes throws a shot from downtown. OShea moves away and avoids it.

OShea instigates a clinch.
OShea lands with a short shot to the head.
Still in the clinch, OShea scores with a nice short uppercut.
OShea can't break the clinch.
Barnes swings wildly with an uppercut but OShea uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barnes keeps control of OShea as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Barnes throws a head punch that misses.
Barnes leaning against his opponent.
OShea blocks an uppercut.
OShea has a couple of punches blocked by Barnes.
Barnes misses with a hook to the ribs.

OShea's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throws a leg kick which misses OShea's front leg but catches the back leg as OShea tries to avoid it.

OShea clinches with his opponent.
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!
A frustrated look appears on OShea's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Barnes tries to throw a body punch but OShea avoids it by throwing Barnes back against the cage.
Barnes lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by OShea.
A short right from Barnes on the inside.
Barnes tries to work over OShea's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

OShea manages to pull guard.
Barnes distracts OShea with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but OShea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barnes throwing strikes from guard but OShea blocks nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
OShea is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Barnes throws the left hand but OShea avoids the punch easily.
OShea shoots in and drives through. Barnes sprawls well.
OShea throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Barnes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
OShea stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Barnes.
Barnes throws a series of punches but OShea moves out of range.
Barnes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
OShea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The fighters circling - OShea throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
OShea misses with a body shot.
Barnes looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
OShea has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
OShea throws a nice looking combination but Barnes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Barnes stuffs the takedown attempt from OShea. OShea gets slowly back to his feet.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Barnes misses with a leg kick.
OShea shoots in looking for a takedown but Barnes manages to keep the fight standing, pushing OShea's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Don Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor OShea.
Barnes's jab looks to have found its range, popping OShea under the eye.
Barnes misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OShea misses with a wild combination.
OShea throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barnes attempts a counter takedown but OShea avoids it well and moves away.
Barnes swinging wildly here.
Barnes ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Barnes slaps away a takedown attempt from OShea, before circling back to the center of the mat.

OShea rushes Barnes and presses him up against the cage.
Barnes cracks OShea with a nice body shot.
Barnes gets through OShea's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Barnes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that OShea can do to turn this around?
Barnes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Barnes trying to land knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Barnes fails to land.
OShea wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
A nice right hand lands inside from Barnes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OShea blocking some punches.
OShea tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Barnes has OShea pressed against the cage, preventing OShea from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Barnes is trying to work for a single leg takedown but OShea pulls him back up using the underhooks.
OShea scores with an uppercut up the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
OShea working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Barnes misses with a punch to the body.
Barnes prevents OShea from breaking the clinch.
OShea lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barnes backwards.
OShea working some nice short punches in the clinch.

OShea pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
OShea scores with a one two! Barnes had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Barnes scores with a nice right hand.
OShea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barnes slips a jab and a cross from OShea.
Don Barnes is winning the standup battle so far.
A big right from Barnes misses.
Barnes connects with a single shot there.
OShea throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Barnes's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. OShea eats them both and turns towards Barnes to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Barnes is on the wrong end of a nice combination from OShea.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Barnes.
OShea lands a nice hook to Barnes's body. Barnes takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Barnes ducks under a wild hook from OShea.
OShea jabbing away but nothing is landing.
OShea lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Barnes circles away quickly and effectively.
OShea is breathing heavily.
OShea thows a left - swing and a miss!
OShea takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Barnes shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches OShea napping and manages to drive through into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnes tries to score with some ground and pound. OShea controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Barnes connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused OShea some visible discomfort.
Barnes misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Barnes trying to control the position but OShea is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes fails to land a wild elbow strike.
OShea wants to control but Barnes postures up.
OShea taking a bit of punishment here - Barnes scoring with strikes.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barnes misses with the ground and pound.
OShea tries to buck Barnes off but Barnes is having none of it.
OShea is trying to buck Barnes off.
Barnes in side control lands a decent elbow.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
OShea tries to bench press Barnes off him but Barnes keeps the position.
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 Don Barnes will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Barnes's corner calls for a 1-2. Barnes obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
OShea throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Barnes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. OShea looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
That kick from Barnes tenderised OShea's leg. OShea is trying to keep his angry face on.

OShea gets caught flat footed, as Barnes shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

OShea uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Barnes blocks a head kick by OShea.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but OShea moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Don Barnes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Barnes shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Barnes was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

OShea sneaks out the side door and pushes Barnes away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Barnes throws a leg kick which misses OShea's front leg but catches the back leg as OShea tries to avoid it.

Barnes gets tackled into the cage by OShea. OShea maintains the clinch.
Barnes has OShea pressed against the cage, preventing OShea from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Barnes blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes misses with a punch on the inside.
Barnes lands a right hand that snaps the head of OShea backwards.

OShea escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
OShea throws a head kick but Barnes moves out of range.
Barnes looks to land a body kick but OShea moved away.
OShea throws a right and a left that Barnes avoids nicely.
OShea 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.
An inside leg kick lands from Barnes.
A nice combination there by Barnes.
Barnes with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Barnes throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Barnes lands with a nice body punch.
Barnes lands a really nice looking cross but OShea seems unphased.
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!
OShea throws a right and a left that both miss.
Barnes misses with a two punch combination.
Barnes takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
OShea's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
OShea pulls out of a head kick attempt.
OShea takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Barnes throws a combination. OShea tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OShea throws a sloppy head kick and Barnes moves out of range easily.
Barnes scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Barnes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Barnes gets a double leg takedown into OShea's guard.
Barnes throwing strikes but missing.
OShea keeping moving, preventing Barnes from controlling successfully.
OShea tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OShea working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Barnes.
Barnes connects with a couple of short punches.
OShea utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Barnes trying to move into half guard but instead OShea has managed to sweep!

OShea throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Barnes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
My spies in JAG Battle Gym inform me that OShea has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
OShea preventing the sweep.
Barnes keeping moving, preventing OShea from controlling successfully.
Barnes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OShea is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Barnes is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Barnes has escaped and now he's on top!

Barnes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Barnes distracts OShea with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Conor OShea has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barnes with a nice head shot there.
Don Barnes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barnes prevents OShea from getting back to his feet.

OShea working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Barnes has passed into half guard!
Barnes thows a huge punch but OShea dodges it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Don Barnes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barnes, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 30:27
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Don Barnes!
Don Barnes was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.