PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Kotaro Asakura (ranked 3139 p4p, 2939 weight class) and Sonny Barella (ranked 177 p4p, 168 weight class). Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Asakura
vs
Barella

173 cm
22
137
7 - 4 - 0

167 cm
23
135
4 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Brooklyn Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kotaro Asakura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sonny Barella!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Lou da Vinci and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Asakura jabs Barella right on the nose. Barella blinks but takes it well.
The fighters circling - Asakura throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Asakura throws a hook but Barella avoids it easily.
Barella let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Barella moves out of range as Asakura throws a body kick.
Barella flicks out a counter leg kick but Asakura steps away.
Asakura lands a body shot.
Asakura throws a body shot but no joy.
Barella shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Asakura as he jumps to the side.
Nice takedown defense from Asakura. No joy for Barella on that attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barella takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Asakura dodges the punch combination from Barella.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asakura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Barella checks a leg kick.
Barella slips a jab from Asakura.
Barella looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Asakura swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Despite the aggression on Barella's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Kotaro Asakura is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Asakura paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Asakura takes a swing at Barella's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Asakura. Barella does a little dance to reset his feet.
Asakura looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kotaro Asakura seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barella looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Asakura is fending him off so far but Barella persists. Nope, Asakura circles away and we're back to standing.
Kotaro Asakura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sonny Barella.
Barella uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Asakura.
Barella looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A clash of legs there as Barella blocks the low kick.
Barella tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asakura throws a jab when Barella was well out of range.
Asakura jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barella swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Asakura lands a slapping body shot.
Asakura scores with a push kick.
Barella on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Asakura misses with a low kick.
Asakura throws a low kick but Barella avoids it.
Barella moves forwards but Asakura connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Asakura throws a leg kick but Barella moved away.
Barella bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barella throws a head kick but Asakura moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Asakura.
Asakura throws the left hand but Barella avoids the punch easily.
Barella avoids the body shot from Asakura.
Barella looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Asakura lands a nice shot that snaps Barella's head back.
Asakura swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A nice leg kick lands there from Asakura.
Asakura swings for the body but Barella moves out of range.
Asakura tries to land a leg kick but Barella saw it coming and moves away.
Barella swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Asakura dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Asakura throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barella fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Asakura avoids it really well and circles away.
Asakura throws a shot from downtown. Barella moves away and avoids it.
Barella throws out a counter right but Asakura avoids it with no problem.
Barella chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Asakura can pounce on him.
Asakura throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A little jabbing left from Barella on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Barella throws out a leg kick but Asakura moves out of range and Barella only half commits.
Asakura lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of 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!
Barella bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Asakura tries to land a leg kick but Barella saw it coming and moves away.
A little jabbing left from Barella on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Asakura wants to slow Barella down by chopping away at his legs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Barella tries to score a power double leg takedown but Asakura sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Barella somewhat.
Asakura stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Asakura wants it to stay on the feet.
Asakura throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Barella unleashes a big counter combination but Asakura bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Barella shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Asakura as he avoids it easily.
Asakura throwing a counter right hand but Barella manages to avoid it.
Kotaro Asakura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sonny Barella.
Asakura swings for the body but Barella moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Asakura darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
That kick from Asakura tenderised Barella's leg. Barella is trying to keep his angry face on.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Barella, as that shot connected.
Asakura fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barella uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Asakura.
That kick from Asakura tenderised Barella's leg. Barella is trying to keep his angry face on.
Asakura chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Asakura swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Barella avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Asakura connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kotaro Asakura is winning the standup battle so far.
Asakura connects with a solid leg kick.
Barella avoids a kick to the body.
Barella has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Asakura finds it's way round the side to connect with Barella's head.
Nice defenses there by Barella.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asakura connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Asakura throws a low kick but Barella avoids it.
Barella only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Asakura looks to land a right hand but Barella moved out of range.
Barella is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Asakura misses the shot to the body.
Barella throws a counter combo.
Asakura throws the left hand but Barella avoids the punch easily.
Asakura misses with a low kick.
Barella shoots in looking for a takedown but Asakura manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barella's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asakura takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with each other but Barella might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Asakura has got the better of the exchanges.
Barella tries to move into range but Asakura moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Asakura looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A little jabbing left from Barella on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Asakura connects with a right hand. Barella shakes it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asakura swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Barella closes the distance and clinches up with Asakura, looking for a takedown. Barella pushes Asakura against the cage but Asakura circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Asakura half committed to a counter leg kick.
Barella ducks under a wild hook from Asakura.
Asakura lands a nice looking body shot.
Barella shoots in for a takedown but Asakura shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Asakura throws a nice outside leg kick.
Asakura throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
It seemed like Barella was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Barella misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Asakura throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asakura misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barella.
Barella is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Asakura pushes Barella away with a front kick.
Asakura throws a looping overhand right but Barella ducks down to avoid it.
It seemed like Barella was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A head kick misses from Asakura.
Barella tries to clinch up but Asakura circles away and keeps his distance.
A nice leg kick lands there from Asakura.
A looping hook to the body misses from Asakura. Barella does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barella is looking for the big counter here.
Asakura throws a jab when Barella was well out of range.
A low kick lands for Asakura.
Barella tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Asakura defends well and Barella ends up having to push Asakura into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kotaro Asakura dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Asakura throws a body shot but no joy.
Barella takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Asakura scores with a jab.
Barella looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Asakura looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
An inside leg kick lands from Asakura.
A slow jab from Asakura misses its intended target.
Barella is looking for the big counter here.
Asakura is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Barella can do to turn this around?
Asakura with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barella darts in looking for a takedown but Asakura gets double underhooks and turns Barella into the cage.
Asakura moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Asakura throws a nice inside leg kick.
Asakura misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asakura blocks a leg kick.
Asakura misses the shot to the body.
Barella throws out a counter right but Asakura avoids it with no problem.
Barella tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Asakura swivels and escapes.
Asakura lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Asakura throws a body shot but no joy.
Barella throws a counter combo.
Asakura scores with a sloppy right hand. Barella should have avoided that one.
Asakura misses with a body shot.
Barella is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Barella shoots for a takedown but Asakura saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kotaro Asakura has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sonny Barella.
Asakura slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asakura stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Asakura wants it to stay on the feet.
Sonny Barella is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Asakura misses with a wild body shot.
Despite the aggression on Barella's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Asakura stuffs the takedown.
Asakura tries to land a front kick but Barella steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Barella is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Asakura fakes the leg kick and cracks Barella in the body.
Barella fails with a takedown attempt.
Barella takes one to the chin there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asakura fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Barella checks it well.
A nice side step and Barella releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Asakura misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A little jabbing left from Barella on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Barella is trying desperately to land a takedown but Asakura is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Barella.
Asakura scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Asakura throws a lazy right hand but Barella sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barella walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Asakura thows a left - swing and a miss!
Asakura scores with a hook.
Barella uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Asakura.
Asakura looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barella ducks under a wild hook from Asakura.
Barella swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Asakura scores with a leg kick.
Barella is trying hard to land a takedown here. Asakura sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Asakura wants to slow Barella down by chopping away at his legs.
Asakura walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Barella checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Barella lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Barella shoots for a takedown but Asakura saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sonny Barella has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Asakura tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barella was well out of range. Poor timing from Asakura.
Barella steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Asakura.
Barella defending well as Asakura loads up on a big left hand.
Barella looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Barella throws a head kick but Asakura moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kotaro Asakura showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Asakura has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:24
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 30:24
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kotaro Asakura!
A very excited looking Kotaro Asakura made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.