PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ilya Muromets (ranked 2667 p4p, 3230 weight class) and Samuel Barfield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Muromets
vs
Barfield

187 cm
32
199
17 - 15 - 1

191 cm
25
202
1 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ilya Muromets!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Samuel Barfield!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Cecil Peabody and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barfield uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Muromets.
Barfield throws a right hand that misses
and Muromets counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nice uppercut there from Barfield.
Muromets misses with a leg kick
letting Barfield counter with a right hand.

Barfield clinches.
Muromets blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Muromets stalling in the clinch.
Muromets is trying to stall.
Barfield tries to throw a body punch but Muromets avoids it by throwing Barfield back against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Muromets.
Barfield swings wildly with an uppercut but Muromets uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barfield crunches a lovely knee into Muromets's ribcage.
Muromets lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Samuel Barfield has been cut.
Muromets goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Muromets misses with an elbow strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Barfield.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Barfield creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barfield is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Muromets is defending well for now.
Barfield digs a right hand underneath Muromets's ribcage. Muromets let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Barfield holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Stalling in the clinch from Barfield.
Muromets definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Barfield being controlled against the cage.
A short right from Barfield on the inside.
Muromets with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Muromets on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Barfield.
Muromets throws an elbow that misses.
Barfield stalling in the clinch but Muromets improves position.
Barfield putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Muromets in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Muromets gets through Barfield's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Barfield avoids a wild elbow strike from Muromets.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barfield presses Muromets against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Muromets misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barfield lands a left hand that snaps the head of Muromets backwards.
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!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Muromets.
Barfield taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Muromets fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Barfield misses with a punch on the inside.
Barfield tries to throw a body punch but Muromets avoids it by throwing Barfield back against the cage.
Muromets's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Barfield landing knees to the body.
Muromets blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Barfield.
A short right from Muromets on the inside.
Barfield dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Barfield lands a knee to the body.
The referee is keeping an eye on Muromets - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barfield softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Barfield lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Muromets tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Barfield is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Muromets is defending well for now.
Muromets just leaning against Barfield, taking a breather.
Muromets misses with a knee strike.
Barfield tries to work over Muromets's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short left from Muromets.
Muromets just leaning against Barfield, taking a breather.
Muromets is trying to stall.
Barfield content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Barfield misses with a short punch on the inside.
Muromets managing to block the knees to the body from Barfield.
Barfield softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Barfield has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Muromets seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Barfield can turn it around.
Barfield misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Muromets.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muromets is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Muromets working aggressively here.
Muromets pressing his opponent against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Stalling in the clinch from Barfield.
Muromets tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Muromets lands a damaging elbow.
Muromets lands an elbow that stopped Barfield in his tracks for a moment.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A short uppercut from Muromets.
A short body shot lands from Barfield as the two fighters clinch.
Muromets will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Barfield up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barfield.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Barfield dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Samuel Barfield's cut.
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.

Muromets misses with a hook
and Barfield counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Muromets bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Muromets tried to counter with a leg kick but Barfield avoided it.
Muromets connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Barfield moves away from the strike by Muromets.
Barfield misses the jab.
Barfield throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Muromets sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Barfield looks to land a left hand but Muromets moved out of range nicely.
Muromets dips to his left and cracks Barfield with an uppercut!
Barfield misses with a wild body shot.
Muromets uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barfield.
Barfield throws a jab but it's blocked by Muromets.
Barfield throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barfield throws a jab when Muromets was well out of range.
Barfield walks into a stiff left hand from Muromets.

Oh, that's a big right hand from Muromets and Barfield goes tumbling to the canvas! Muromets follows him to the ground and looks to finish from half guard.

Barfield is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Muromets is taking a breather. Barfield 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.
Barfield is still in real trouble! Can Muromets finish him?
Barfield seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muromets continues to stall.
Barfield keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Muromets trying to control from half guard but Barfield is working away.
Muromets content to control rather than advance.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Muromets slips under a jab.
Ilya Muromets seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barfield blocks a low kick nicely.
Barfield missing with a left hand there. Muromets was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barfield scores with a body shot.

Muromets has taken the fight to the clinch.
Muromets lands a damaging elbow.

That has opened up Samuel Barfield's cut even more.
Muromets blocks an uppercut.
Barfield working Muromets over with knees to the body.
Muromets is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Barfield missing with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muromets landing knees to the head.
With the fighters up against the cage, Muromets throws an elbow but misses.
Barfield trying to land knees to the body.
Barfield missing with knees to the body.
Muromets managing to block the knees to the body from Barfield.
Barfield misses with the head strike.
Muromets blocks a body shot from Barfield.
Barfield is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Muromets is defending well for now.
Muromets trying to stall but Barfield improves his position.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Barfield has Muromets pressed against the cage.
Muromets takes a shot to the head.
Muromets manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Muromets tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muromets lands an elbow inside that Barfield shrugs off.
Barfield misses with a punch on the inside.
Muromets is trying to maintain a safe position but Barfield gets an underhook and turns Muromets into the cage.
Barfield swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barfield throws a punch but it's blocked by Muromets.
Barfield misses with a body punch.
Muromets lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Muromets avoiding damage as Barfield throws knees to the body.
Barfield takes an elbow to the temple.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Muromets misses with a punch to the body.
Barfield lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Muromets.
Muromets misses with a punch to the body.
Muromets blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Barfield lands with a left to the head.
Barfield tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Muromets's elbow.
Muromets lands an elbow inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilya Muromets dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Samuel Barfield's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Barfield displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Muromets throws out the jab.
Barfield lands with a shot to the body.
Muromets misses with a kick to the body
and Barfield counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Muromets pushes Barfield up against the cage in a clinch.
A body shot lands from Barfield.
Muromets is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Muromets blocks an uppercut.
Barfield tries to land knees in the clinch but Muromets avoids the damage to the body.
Barfield is looking to control Muromets's arms but Muromets gets an underhook and turns him. Now Barfield has his back to the cage.
Muromets is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Barfield stalling the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Muromets throws a head punch that misses.
Barfield working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Barfield as Muromets tries to tie him up.
Barfield misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barfield is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Muromets is keeping busy.
Barfield tries to stall but Muromets uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Barfield swings wildly with an uppercut but Muromets uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barfield tries a body shot but Muromets blocks it.
Samuel Barfield seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Barfield scores with a shoulder strike.
Muromets stalling in the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Muromets fails to land.
Barfield swings wildly with an uppercut but Muromets uses good head movement to avoid it.
Muromets tries to throw a body punch but Barfield avoids it by throwing Muromets back against the cage.
Muromets's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Barfield is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Muromets is defending well for now.
Barfield scores with a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barfield is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Muromets is defending well for now.
Muromets throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Muromets blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Muromets's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Muromets looking to slow down the pace here.
Barfield misses with a hook from the clinch.
Barfield tries to work over Muromets's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A hook to the body from Muromets.
Muromets lands a left hand that snaps the head of Barfield backwards.
Muromets misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Muromets tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Barfield tries to work over Muromets's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Muromets blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barfield tries to land knees in the clinch but Muromets avoids the damage to the body.
Muromets tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Barfield lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Muromets backwards.
Muromets throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Barfield prevents a body shot from Muromets.
Barfield is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Muromets stalls.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Muromets.
Barfield trying to control the position but instead, Muromets has worked for underhooks and has pushed Barfield into the cage.
Muromets throws an elbow that misses.
With the fighters up against the cage, Muromets throws an elbow but misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Barfield.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barfield lands a hook that snaps the head of Muromets backwards.
Muromets goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Barfield presses Muromets against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A short right from Barfield.
Barfield misses with the head strike.
Barfield goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Barfield lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Muromets throws a punch but it's blocked by Barfield.
Barfield goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Muromets looking to throw knees to the head but Barfield is blocking nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barfield content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Barfield swings wildly with an uppercut but Muromets uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barfield taking a breather.
Muromets tries to stall but Barfield uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Barfield working some nice short punches in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Samuel Barfield comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Barfield has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 28:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge George Francis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Samuel Barfield!