PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Derrick Barnes (ranked 435 p4p, 708 weight class) and Zak Foley (ranked 71 p4p, 99 weight class). Barnes comes to the cage accompanied by We Want The Funk. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barnes
vs
Foley

180 cm
26
178
17 - 10 - 0

185 cm
32
180
19 - 4 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition
Bondi MMA ðŸï¸

Brooklyn Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

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 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Derrick Barnes !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Zak Foley!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Steve Montenegro and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Foley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barnes moves away.
Barnes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barnes checks a low kick from Foley.
Barnes throws a hook to the side of Foley's head but Foley sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Foley throws a hook to the side of Barnes 's head but Barnes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barnes lands with a nice body punch.
Foley misses with a body shot
and Barnes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
The crowd cheers as Barnes lands an impressive looking overhand right. Foley doesn't seem phased though.
Barnes lunges at Foley with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Foley's hand.
Barnes with a nice calf kick.
Foley misses with a hook.
Foley swings widly with a right hand

and Barnes counters by clinching up.
Foley lands a left hand that snaps the head of Barnes backwards.
Barnes misses with a punch to the body.
Barnes has Foley pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Foley manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Foley is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Foley misses with a punch to the body.
Foley lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foley misses with a short punch on the inside.
Foley lands a nice uppercut.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Foley will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Barnes up against the cage.
Barnes tries to pull guard but Foley holds him up against the cage and eventually Barnes drops back down to his feet.
Barnes blocks an uppercut.
Foley is working Barnes over against the cage.

Barnes pulls guard effortlessly.
Barnes seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Foley not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Foley is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barnes is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Foley holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Barnes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Barnes wants to pass the guard but Foley is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Barnes lands a nice short elbow.
Foley is not content to let Barnes control the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Barnes lands a nice short elbow.
Barnes is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Foley is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Foley has a hand on Barnes 's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Barnes takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Foley has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Foley is in a horrible position here. Barnes smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Foley bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Foley throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foley stopping the sweep attempt from Barnes .
Barnes is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Foley trying to control the position from guard on top but Barnes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Foley preventing the sweep.
Foley trying to control the position from guard on top but Barnes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Foley controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

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.
Barnes is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Barnes is working hard here to advance position.
Barnes wants to control but Foley passes easily into half guard.
Barnes is staying active underneath Foley, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Barnes slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Foley is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Barnes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Barnes dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Foley slips under a jab.
Derrick Barnes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barnes fails to land with a series of punches.
Barnes checks a leg kick.
Foley throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Foley misses with a straight left.
Barnes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Foley.
Foley feints a counter leg kick.
Barnes blocks a head kick by Foley.
Foley on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Barnes . Barnes obviously looking to wear him down.
Barnes lands with a hook. Foley tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Foley finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Foley connects with a leg kick.
Foley throws a leg kick that is checked

and Barnes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Barnes .
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!
Barnes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Barnes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Foley is keeping the position for now.
Foley trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Foley looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Barnes throws an elbow that misses. Foley uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Barnes 's guard. Nice move by Foley!

Foley wants to control from the top but Barnes keeps moving.
Barnes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barnes has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Foley has passed into side control.
Barnes is trying to get back to half guard.
Barnes wants to control but Foley postures up.
Foley takes a little break here. Barnes wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foley trying to control the position but Barnes is working away.
Barnes tries to buck Foley off but Foley is having none of it.
Foley looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Barnes is avoiding damage well.
Barnes tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Foley wants to lay and pray for a moment but Barnes keeps working.
Barnes is looking for a sweep.
Barnes misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Barnes tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foley wants to control but Barnes is keeping him busy.
Barnes is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Foley off and has taken his back!
Barnes lands punches and elbows.
I really don't envy Foley right now.
Barnes trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Foley looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
You can see the frustration on Foley's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes lands strikes to the head.
Foley takes a big shot to the side of the head.
Foley tries to roll but Barnes sticks to his back.

Barnes looking for the RNC.
Derrick Barnes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Foley rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
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!
Foley wants to get back to full guard.
Foley is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Barnes scores with a couple of nice shots.
Barnes thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Barnes working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Barnes has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Barnes looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Foley with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Foley works his way to full guard. Good work.
Foley is trying to keep Barnes in close.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Foley is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Derrick Barnes dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Barnes blocks a head kick by Foley.
Barnes throws a series of punches but Foley avoids them all with ease.
Foley throws a fast counter high kick but Barnes manages to duck under it in time.
Barnes fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Barnes scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Barnes moves out of range of the leg kick from Foley.
Barnes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barnes throws a jab but it's blocked by Foley.
Zak Foley seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Foley moves out of range of the strikes.
Foley throws a looping overhand right but Barnes ducks down to avoid it.
Foley showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barnes .
Barnes blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Foley throws a front kick that sends Barnes stumbling back into the cage.
Foley throws a big shot that misses.
Barnes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Foley defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes scores with a body shot.
Foley looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zak Foley is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Foley throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Foley throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Foley tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Barnes is able to avoid easily.
Barnes drops down looking for a counter takedown but Foley sprawls and moves away.
Barnes avoids a kick to the body.
Barnes tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Foley is able to avoid easily.
Barnes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Foley takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Barnes moves away from the strike by Foley.
Foley misses with a low kick.
Foley has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Barnes finds it's way round the side to connect with Foley's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foley throws a head kick that misses.
Foley throws a head kick that misses.
Barnes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Foley circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Derrick Barnes . That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barnes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Foley.
Barnes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Barnes throws a big shot that misses.
Foley throws a half hearted mid kick.
Foley misses with an uppercut.
An inside leg kick lands from Foley.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnes misses with a few strikes there.
Foley ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barnes moves away.
Barnes swings for the body but Foley moves out of range.
Barnes shoots in but Foley avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Barnes throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Foley counter with a right hand.
Foley scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Foley misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Foley.
Zak Foley seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Foley explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Foley is looking to score with low kicks.
Foley throws a looping overhand right but Barnes ducks down to avoid it.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Foley!
Foley takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Foley stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barnes throws a body punch but Foley moves out of range.
Barnes thows a left - swing and a miss!
Barnes closes this distance looking for a takedown but Foley circles away.
Foley throws a head kick that misses.
Foley takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Barnes misses the jab.
Foley looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Barnes throws a right hand that misses
and Foley counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Foley moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Foley pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Foley.
Foley explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Foley lands with a slapping head kick.
Foley throws a nice looking combination but Barnes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
It looked like Barnes was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Barnes slips under a jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Foley.
Barnes looks to land a left hand but Foley moved out of range nicely.
Foley throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Zak Foley has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Foley throws a leg kick

and Barnes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Foley's guard.
Foley wants to get back to his feet but Barnes passes into half guard.

Barnes wants to pass to mount but Foley is defending the position.
Barnes looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Foley with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Zak Foley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Barnes has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 29:28
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Derrick Barnes !
During a confident post fight interview, Derrick Barnes thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.