PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hill Billy Hank (ranked 804 p4p, 1423 weight class) and Sam Barnes (ranked 128 p4p, 213 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Hank
vs
Barnes

188 cm
27
200
12 - 6 - 0

187 cm
27
194
9 - 10 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Hill Billy Hank!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sam Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Steve Smith, Gregory Folan and Dillan Fox.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hank tries to clinch up.
Barnes swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hank is looking to counter the offense by Barnes and move into the clinch.
Hank moves in looking to clinch but Barnes pushes him off.
Hank tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barnes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Hank shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Barnes napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Barnes tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hank cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hank wants to control the pace but Barnes is squirming around nicely.
Hank is trying to control here but Barnes has managed to regain half guard.
Hank thows a huge punch but Barnes dodges it nicely.
Hank is taking a breather. Barnes says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Barnes taking some punishment here, with Hank in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hank content to stall in guard here.
Hank tries to free his leg and advance position but Barnes is retaining full guard.
Hank trying to control but Barnes is working from the bottom.
Hank looking to pass the guard.
Barnes is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Hank throws a big elbow that misses.
Hank trying to control the position from guard on top but Barnes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hank throws a big elbow that misses.
Hank won't allow Barnes to sweep him here.
Hank showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hank won't allow Barnes to get back to his feet.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hank is defended easily by Barnes.
Barnes doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Barnes looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Hank tries for a takedown but Barnes circles away easily

and Barnes moves into the clinch.
I was talking to Hank's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

Barnes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barnes keeps the fight on the outside.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hank.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hill Billy Hank. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hank slaps away a takedown attempt from Barnes, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hank with a poor takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Barnes lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Barnes tries to sprawl but Hank drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Barnes is pressing down on Hank's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hank is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barnes pulls Hank in close to prevent any damage.
Barnes looking for a sweep. Not yet Barnes, not yet.
Hank has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Barnes is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Barnes keeping moving, preventing Hank from controlling successfully.
Barnes is looking to stand up but Hank isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hank preventing the sweep.
Hank passes Barnes's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Sam Barnes will probably get the nod.
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.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hank.
Barnes is looking for the big counter here.
Hank tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barnes manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hill Billy Hank seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hank checks a leg kick.
Barnes thuds a left hand into Hank's body.
Hank walks into a stiff left hand from Barnes.
Hank closes the distance and clinches up with Barnes, looking for a takedown. Hank pushes Barnes against the cage but Barnes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hank is defended easily by Barnes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hill Billy Hank. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Barnes tries to keep at a distance but Hank has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barnes breaks from the clinch.
Barnes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Barnes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hank will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hank changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Barnes tries to avoid it but Hank manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Barnes to the ground. Barnes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hill Billy Hank is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Barnes fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hank, pushing him back against the cage.
Barnes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hank's elbow.

Barnes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck for Hank with that takedown attempt.
Barnes throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hank shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barnes as he avoids it easily.
Hank looks to clinch
and Barnes makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Barnes lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Good work by Hank as he checks the leg kick.
Barnes is looking to slow Hank down with leg kicks.
Barnes tests Hank's chin there with a solid looking shot.
That kick from Barnes tenderised Hank's leg. Hank is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hank doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Barnes scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hank is defended easily by Barnes.
Barnes punishes Hank's body with a nice straight punch.
Barnes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hank dives in for a single leg takedown but Barnes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Barnes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Barnes clinches up against the cage.

Barnes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barnes misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hank tries for a takedown but Barnes sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hank tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barnes paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Hank dives in and scores a takedown into Barnes's guard.
Hank pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barnes is keeping the position for now.
Barnes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hank trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hank controls from within his opponent's guard.
Barnes pulls Hank in close to prevent any damage.
Barnes bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hank's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hank has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Barnes has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Barnes gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hank.
Hank tries to land knees in the clinch but Barnes avoids the damage to the body.
Hank lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hank tries to score a body lock takedown but Barnes shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Barnes breaks the clinch.
Barnes is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hank rather than just go for the knockout.
Hank tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Barnes counters with a three punch combo that has Hank backing up. Hank nods at Barnes to acknowledge the strikes.
Barnes lands with an uppercut that bounces Hank off the cage and back into range.
Hank takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Barnes misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hank wants to clinch up but Barnes keeps it at a distance.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Barnes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Hank shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Barnes as he jumps to the side.
Hank tries to close the distance and clinch but Barnes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Barnes is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
A combination from Barnes does no damage.
Hank avoids the head kick by Barnes.
Sam Barnes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A head kick misses from Barnes.
Hank tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Barnes manages to circle out of the way.
That kick from Barnes tenderised Hank's leg. Hank is trying to keep his angry face on.
Barnes throws a head kick but Hank moves out of range.
Barnes just misses with a punch to the body.
Hank wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hank fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barnes looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Barnes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Barnes keeps the fight on the outside.
Barnes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Barnes wants it to stay on the feet.
Barnes circles away from the clinch attempt.
No luck for Hank with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hill Billy Hank. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hank is looking to clinch but Barnes is avoiding it.
Hank fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hank closes this distance looking for a takedown but Barnes circles away.
Hank misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hank fails with an attempt to clinch.

Hank gets caught flat footed, as Barnes shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Barnes 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 two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throwing strikes but missing.
Barnes tries to free his leg and advance position but Hank is retaining full guard.
Barnes won't allow Hank to get back to his feet.
Barnes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hank wants to get back to his feet but Barnes is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Hank scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hank shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Barnes as he jumps to the side.
The fighters circle momentarily. Barnes darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Barnes throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hank seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hank fails with a takedown attempt.
Barnes unleashes a big counter combination but Hank bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hank closes the distance and clinches up with Barnes, looking for a takedown. Hank pushes Barnes against the cage but Barnes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hank looks to clinch
and Barnes counters with a one-two to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barnes thumps Hank with a low kick.
Hank takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Barnes shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hank manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Barnes wants to stand but Hank is controlling his posture from full guard.
Hank wants to stand and escape but Barnes is having none of it.
Barnes working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Barnes won't allow Hank to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throwing strikes but missing.
Barnes postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Barnes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Barnes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Barnes postures up and lands a big shot to Hank's brow.
Barnes trying to control but Hank is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hank has a closed guard, preventing Barnes from standing up.

Hank is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Barnes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barnes slaps away a takedown attempt from Hank, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hank moves out of range of the leg kick from Barnes.
Hank shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Barnes as he jumps to the side.
Barnes is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Barnes is looking to slow Hank down with leg kicks.
Hank darts in looking for a takedown but Barnes gets double underhooks and turns Hank into the cage.
Hank is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Barnes is keeping busy.

Barnes's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hank looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barnes throws a counter combo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes misses with the combination.
Hank fails to land the takedown.
Barnes steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Hank.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hill Billy Hank. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hank closes this distance looking for a takedown but Barnes circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes has a takedown stuffed.
Barnes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Barnes wants it to stay on the feet.
Hank takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Hank fails to land the takedown.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Good leg kick by Barnes.
Barnes tries to land a leg kick but Hank saw it coming and moves away.
Hank seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Danga de danga de dang - Barnes scores with a four punch combination!
Barnes pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hank looks for a takedown but Barnes sprawls well.
Hank shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hank doesn't manage to clinch there - Barnes circles away.

Barnes clinches up against the cage.
Hank fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hank misses with a hook to the ribs.
Hank is trying to drag Barnes to the mat but Barnes just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hank wants to take the fight to the mat but Barnes manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Hank wants a takedown.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Barnes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barnes misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barnes feints and then cracks Hank's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hank down.
Hank shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barnes as he avoids it easily.
Barnes connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throws a sloppy head kick and Hank moves out of range easily.
Barnes scores with a one two! Hank had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Hank with a poor takedown
and Barnes counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Barnes chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hank with a lazy takedown attempt
and Barnes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Barnes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hank is looking to counter the offense by Barnes and move into the clinch.
Hank wants to clinch but Barnes slips to the side
and Barnes counters with a good low kick that Hank was not able to check.
Hank misses with a takedown
and Barnes counters with a left and a right that stings Hank.

Hank is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice inside leg kick there by Barnes. That's going to slow Hank down.
Hank has his takedown stuffed
and Barnes counters with a right hand to the body.
Barnes throws a one two combo.
Oh Hank is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barnes has taken the fight to the clinch.
Barnes digs a right hand into Hank's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hank's gas tank.
Hank seems to have got his legs back now.

Barnes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Barnes clinches with his opponent.
Hank connects with a knee to the head.
A short right from Barnes.
Hank is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Barnes gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Barnes manages to break the clinch.
Barnes goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
You can follow us on Twitter at...Ooooooh Hank got wobbled bad by a big combination! Barnes presses forward with punches and knees until Hank stumbles to the ground! The ref watches Hank closely before deciding to step in and end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Sam Barnes!
Sam Barnes is the new middleweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Sam Barnes started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
The defeated Hill Billy Hank had this to say: 'Beats going hungry '.