PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Haw (ranked 5661 p4p, 5324 weight class) and Craig Barns (ranked 96 p4p, 93 weight class). Craig Barns told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Haw
vs
Barns

177 cm
25
189
3 - 3 - 0

175 cm
25
205
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Andrew Haw!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Craig Barns!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Haw does no damage.
Haw lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A right-left combo lands from Haw.
Haw misses with a double jab
letting Barns counter with a right hand.
Barns shoots in for a takedown but Haw shows good takedown defense.
Barns looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Haw is fending him off so far but Barns persists. Nope, Haw circles away and we're back to standing.
Haw missing with a left hand there. Barns was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barns throws out a counter right but Haw avoids it with no problem.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barns.
Andrew Haw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Barns.
Barns tries to score a power double leg takedown but Haw sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Barns somewhat.
Barns closes the distance looking to clinch
and Haw counters with a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haw tests Barns's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Andrew Haw seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Haw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barns clobbers Haw with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Barns shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Haw as he avoids it easily.
Haw swats away the attempt to clinch by Barns.
Haw cracks Barns with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Barns shoots for a takedown but Haw saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Barns throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Haw's waist but Haw gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barns off to one side.
Barns avoids a punch combination nicely.
Haw lands with an uppercut that bounces Barns off the cage and back into range.
Haw throws a combination that misses
enabling Barns to counter with a crisp jab.
Haw throws a chopping leg kick but Barns manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Haw misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Haw, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sloppy strikes from Barns. Those never looked like landing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barns shoots in for a double leg but Haw sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Barns throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haw.
Haw throws a big shot that misses.
Haw throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Haw looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Barns shoots in for a takedown but Haw shows good takedown defense.
Haw throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Haw leaves Barns with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Haw lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Barns.
Haw rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barns moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haw throws a series of punches but Barns avoids them all with ease.
Barns avoids a kick to the body.
Haw connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Barns momentarily.
Barns shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Haw lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Barns circles away quickly and effectively.
Barns misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Barns wants to clinch up but Haw keeps it at a distance.

Barns closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Haw manages to break the clinch.
Barns shoots in for a takedown but Haw shows good takedown defense.

Barns fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Haw, pushing him back against the cage.

Barns breaks the clinch.
Haw throws a nice looking combination but Barns bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haw throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Barns.
Andrew Haw is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barns shoots in looking for a takedown but Haw manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barns's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Barns lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haw throws a leg kick but Barns checks it.
Sloppy strikes from Haw. Those never looked like landing.
Haw is breathing heavily.
Barns misses with a leg kick.
Barns feints a jab promting Haw to slip. Barns then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Haw slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Haw misses with a double jab
and Barns counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Haw connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Haw dodges the punch combination from Barns.
Haw jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barns shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Haw as he jumps to the side.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Haw dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Haw scores with a head kick.
Barns dives in for a single leg takedown but Haw sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Barns throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Haw's waist but Haw gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barns off to one side.
Barns closes the distance and clinches up with Haw, looking for a takedown. Barns pushes Haw against the cage but Haw circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Andrew Haw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Barns.
Barns shoots in for a takedown but Haw shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Haw swinging wildly here.
Barns is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Barns fails with an attempt to clinch.
Haw slaps away a takedown attempt from Barns, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Barns is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haw swats away the attempt to clinch by Barns.
Haw will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Haw misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haw throws a right hand that Barns ducks under and follows up with a left that Barns also avoids with ease.
Barns looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Haw misses with a straight left.
Nice shot lands for Haw.
Andrew Haw is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Haw misses with a straight right.
Haw will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barns dives in for a single leg takedown but Haw sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Haw throws a combination that misses
and Barns cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
An inside leg kick lands from Haw.
Barns has his takedown stuffed

and Haw moves into the clinch.
Haw keeps control of Barns as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Haw jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Barns walks away with a smile on his face. Haw gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Barns fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haw throws out a loose jab but Barns uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barns looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice cross by Haw.
Haw throws a jab but it's blocked by Barns.
Barns shoots in but Haw avoids the takedown attempt easily.
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!
Haw lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Barns shoots in looking for a takedown. Haw tries to sprawl out of it but Barns keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Haw manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Barns misses with a hook
and Haw counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haw showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barns.
Haw throws an overhand right that lands on Barns's shoulder, as Barns tries to avoid the shot.
Haw misses with a few strikes there.
A head kick misses from Haw.
Barns tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Haw manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Haw moves into range and clinches up with Barns.
Barns landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Barns has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Haw avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Haw has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Barns avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Haw is trying to maintain a safe position but Barns gets an underhook and turns Haw into the cage.
Haw tries to pull guard but Barns won't allow it.
Barns has Haw pressed against the cage.
Barns tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haw wants to get back to striking at distance but Barns won't allow it.
Haw trying to land knees to the body.
Barns lands a nice shot to the body.
Come on Barns - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Barns is trying to drag Haw to the mat but Haw just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Barns effectively controlling the action here.
Barns has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Haw after a bit of a struggle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Haw dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barns.
Haw misses with a series of wild punches.
Sloppy strikes from Haw. Those never looked like landing.
Barns wants to counter with a clinch but Haw pushes him away.
Barns closes this distance looking for a takedown but Haw circles away.
Barns wants to clinch up but Haw keeps it at a distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barns is defended easily by Haw.
Andrew Haw has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Barns.
Haw scores with the left hand. Barns knows he should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haw misses with a wild combination.
Haw looks to land a combination but Barns avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barns scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Haw getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Barns dives in for a single leg takedown but Haw sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Barns takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Haw throws a leg kick
and Barns counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Haw pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barns looks for a takedown but Haw sprawls well.
Barns shoots in but no luck this time.
Barns tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Barns takes one to the chin there.
Haw lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Andrew Haw is winning the standup battle so far.
Haw stalks Barns and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Barns's face. Barns staggers backwards, shaken.
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!
Barns wants to clinch up but Haw keeps it at a distance.
Haw shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Barns sprawls well. Barns wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Haw gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barns shoots in but Haw avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Barns misses with a takedown attempt
and Haw counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Barns checks a low kick from Haw.
A slow jab from Haw misses its intended target.
A clash of legs there as Barns blocks the low kick.
Haw scores with a one two! Barns had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Barns shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Haw as he jumps to the side.
Barns shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Haw pinned against the cage. Haw gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haw throws a combination. Barns tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Haw scores with a head kick.
Decent striking displayed by Barns there.
Barns misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Barns blocks a head kick by Haw.
Haw looks to land a combination but Barns avoids it well.
Barns shoots in for a takedown but Haw shows good takedown defense.
Haw misses with a wild combination.
Barns is trying hard to land a takedown here. Haw sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Barns doesn't manage to clinch there - Haw circles away.
Haw throws a big counter combination but Barns scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barns misses with a two punch combination.
Haw lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Barns circles away quickly and effectively.
Horrible takedown attempt by Barns or perhaps it was just good defense by Haw, which made it look bad.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Haw looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Barns shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Haw sprawls well. Haw wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Barns gets slowly back to his feet.
Haw throws a right and a left that both miss.
Haw throws a head kick that half lands.
Haw leaves Barns with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Haw slaps away a takedown attempt from Barns, before circling back to the center of the mat.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew Haw showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Haw, 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alec Ball scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrew Haw!