PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenjiro Tokugawa (ranked 4624 p4p, 3941 weight class) and Asher Barnes (ranked 440 p4p, 418 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tokugawa
vs
Barnes

178 cm
22
168
4 - 4 - 0

178 cm
25
160
4 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

AVALON

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kenjiro Tokugawa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Asher Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tokugawa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barnes tries to clinch but Tokugawa moves out of range.
Barnes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tokugawa.
Barnes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tokugawa throws out a leg kick but Barnes moves out of range and Tokugawa only half commits.
Tokugawa misses with a body punch
letting Barnes counter with a right hand.
Tokugawa throws a leg kick that is checked
and Barnes counters with a thumping low kick.
Barnes checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Tokugawa looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Tokugawa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A countering left hand to the body from Barnes misses.
Barnes turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tokugawa misses with a head kick.
Tokugawa moves away from the strike by Barnes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tokugawa throws a low kick but Barnes moves out of range easily.
A nice combination there by Barnes.

It looks like Kenjiro Tokugawa has been cut.
Tokugawa getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Barnes changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tokugawa looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnes trying to control the position but Tokugawa is working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tokugawa takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

Barnes stands up and beckons Tokugawa to his feet.
Tokugawa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barnes but Barnes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Tokugawa pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tokugawa moves out of range of the strikes.
Tokugawa lands with a thumping leg kick.
Barnes misses with an uppercut. Tokugawa saw that one coming.
Tokugawa throws a body punch but Barnes moves out of range.
Barnes shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Barnes moves into the clinch.
Barnes misses with some punches.
Tokugawa tries to land a knee to the head but Barnes blocks with his arms.
Tokugawa scores with a nice hook to the head.
Barnes tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Tokugawa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Barnes just stands there and leans against the cage.
Tokugawa has a couple of punches blocked by Barnes.
Barnes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Barnes blocks a body shot from Tokugawa.

Tokugawa pulls guard successfully.
Barnes has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnes trying to control but Tokugawa is working from the bottom.
Tokugawa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Barnes landing with the ground and pound.
Barnes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tokugawa is keeping the position for now.
Tokugawa 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 looking to work some ground and pound but Tokugawa has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes stopping the sweep attempt from Tokugawa.
Barnes trying to control but Tokugawa is working from the bottom.
Barnes pushes down on Tokugawa's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Barnes is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Barnes thowing shots but they're missing.
Barnes pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Barnes looking to finish with strikes here!
Barnes throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Barnes thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Barnes cracks Tokugawa with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Barnes thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Barnes connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tokugawa holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Barnes tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Barnes thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Barnes throws a sloppy strike and Tokugawa uses the opportunity to reverse the position! A bit of a scramble here and Tokugawa has ended up in Barnes's guard.

Barnes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tokugawa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Tokugawa got a little sloppy there for a moment and Barnes has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tokugawa has managed to get both his arms back between Barnes's legs - danger averted.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Asher Barnes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kenjiro Tokugawa's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Tokugawa darts in trying to clinch
letting Barnes counter with a right hand.
Barnes has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tokugawa.
Barnes swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Tokugawa counters with a left and a right that stings Barnes.
A clash of legs there as Barnes blocks the low kick.
Barnes looks to land a right hand but Tokugawa moved out of range.
Barnes works the jab nicely.
Tokugawa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barnes throws out the jab.
Tokugawa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tokugawa feints and then cracks Barnes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Barnes down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tokugawa drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tokugawa misses with a kick to the body.
Barnes swinging wildly here.
The fighters circling - Barnes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tokugawa throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A nice side step and Barnes releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Barnes scores with the left hand. Tokugawa knows he should have avoided that one.
Barnes throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tokugawa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tokugawa misses with a low kick.
Barnes looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Barnes fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tokugawa looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tokugawa, as that shot connected.
Barnes missing with a left hand there. Tokugawa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Some wild striking there from Barnes.
Tokugawa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barnes throws out the jab.
Barnes scores with a body shot.
Asher Barnes seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tokugawa throws a head kick that misses.
Barnes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tokugawa.
Kenjiro Tokugawa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tokugawa scores with a jab. Barnes acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Barnes checks a low kick from Tokugawa.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Tokugawa throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Barnes changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
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 avoids the head kick by Tokugawa.
A head kick misses from Tokugawa.
Sloppy strikes from Tokugawa. Those never looked like landing.
Barnes looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tokugawa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tokugawa defending well as Barnes loads up on a big left hand.
Tokugawa throws a series of punches but Barnes avoids them all with ease.
Barnes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Tokugawa throws a predictable looking body shot
and Barnes counters with a nice body shot.
Tokugawa avoids the body shot from Barnes.
Tokugawa checks a leg kick nicely.
Tokugawa digs a good body shot into Barnes's ribs.
Tokugawa throws a body shot but no joy.
Barnes throws a jab but it's blocked by Tokugawa.
A little feinted left hand from Tokugawa on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tokugawa fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barnes manages to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Barnes on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa throws a leg kick that is checked
and Barnes counters with a low kick, right behind Tokugawa 's knee.
Tokugawa steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barnes.
Barnes misses with a lunging right hand
and Tokugawa makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Tokugawa tries to bum rush Barnes with a series of wild strikes but Barnes uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barnes thows a left - swing and a miss!
Barnes cracks Tokugawa with a good jab.
Barnes fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tokugawa manages to avoid it.
Barnes throws a quick inside leg kick.
Barnes throws a hook but Tokugawa blocks it.
Barnes jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Barnes looks to score with a jab to the body but Tokugawa is just out of range.
Barnes checks the leg kick.
Tokugawa throws a half hearted mid kick.
Tokugawa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barnes has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Barnes looks to land a right hand but Tokugawa moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tokugawa misses with a low kick.
Tokugawa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barnes was well out of range. Poor timing from Tokugawa.
Tokugawa looks to land a combination but Barnes avoids it well.
Tokugawa throws a front kick aimed at Barnes's knee but Barnes avoids it well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnes connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A jab from Barnes finds it's way through Tokugawa's defenses.
Barnes finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Tokugawa instigates a clinch.
Barnes struggles to land a body shot inside as Tokugawa controls his hands.
Tokugawa lands a hook that snaps the head of Barnes backwards.
Barnes misses with a body punch.
Tokugawa working aggressively here.
Barnes lands a body shot.
Barnes tries a body shot but Tokugawa blocks it.
Tokugawa tries to throw a body punch but Barnes avoids it by throwing Tokugawa back against the cage.
Barnes misses with a punch to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Asher Barnes will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kenjiro Tokugawa's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nice straight punches there by Barnes. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Barnes.
Tokugawa shoots in for a double leg but Barnes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Barnes looks to score with a jab to the body but Tokugawa is just out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Barnes as Tokugawa shoots in.
Tokugawa throws a leg kick that misses.
It seemed like Barnes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Tokugawa or perhaps it was just good defense by Barnes, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kenjiro Tokugawa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barnes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barnes blocks a head kick by Tokugawa.
A telegraphed right hand from Barnes misses the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tokugawa moves away from the strike by Barnes.
Tokugawa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
A cross from Barnes lands.
Tokugawa throws a leg kick that is checked
and Barnes makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Tokugawa ducks under a wild hook from Barnes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes connects with a looping right hand.
Tokugawa slips a jab from Barnes.
Barnes lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tokugawa throws a leg kick

and Barnes counters with a shoot takedown. Tokugawa fights it but they end up in guard.
Tokugawa working a defensive guard here.
Tokugawa is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Barnes is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Barnes landing with the ground and pound.
Barnes with a flurry of punches that miss.
Barnes is in close to Tokugawa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Barnes postures up.
Kenjiro Tokugawa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throws a strike but Tokugawa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Barnes is looking for a triangle but Tokugawa pushes his legs off easily.
Barnes is trying to keep Tokugawa in close.
Tokugawa stops Barnes from standing up.
Tokugawa stands up over Barnes, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tokugawa postures up.
Barnes tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tokugawa lands a couple of elbows.
Barnes trying to control the position.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Barnes is looking to pass into half guard but Tokugawa pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Tokugawa is in guard.

Tokugawa stopping the sweep attempt from Barnes.

Barnes working for a triangle but Tokugawa defends it easily.
Tokugawa preventing the sweep.
Tokugawa lands a couple of digs.
Barnes has momentary wrist control but Tokugawa slips an elbow through the middle.
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.

Barnes not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes uses his free foot to push down on Tokugawa's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Tokugawa.
Barnes looking to finish Tokugawa with some ground and pound. This is bad for Tokugawa!
Tokugawa is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Barnes trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Barnes prevents Tokugawa from getting the reversal.
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!
Tokugawa wants to control but Barnes is having none of it.
Barnes looking to finish with strikes here!
Barnes working Tokugawa over with strikes here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Asher Barnes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Barnes winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Asher Barnes!