PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between SUNDERLAND AFC (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dan Barford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dan Barford struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

AFC
vs
Barford

190 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

198 cm
18
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent knees
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, SUNDERLAND AFC!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dan Barford!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
AFC avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barford wants to clinch.
AFC swats away the attempt to clinch by Barford.
AFC misses with a takedown attempt - Barford sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Dan Barford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
AFC fails with a takedown attempt.

AFC instigates a clinch.
Barford misses with a knee to the head.
AFC avoiding damage as Barford throws knees to the body.
Barford lands a knee to the head.
AFC lands a left hand.

AFC breaks the clinch.
Barford tries to clinch but fails miserably

and AFC counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by AFC.
AFC misses with a hook from the clinch.
AFC blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
AFC misses with some punches.
Barford is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
AFC tries to pull guard but Barford won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for SUNDERLAND AFC. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barford missing with knees to the body.
Barford with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
AFC blocks the elbow strike.
Barford missing with knees to the body.
AFC really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Barford looks to throw an elbow but misses.
AFC tries to circle away but Barford has him pinned against the cage.

AFC manages to pull guard.
Barford has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of AFC is proving hard to escape from.
Barford looks gassed!
AFC 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.
Barford must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Barford tries to stand but AFC is controlling from the bottom.

That's two 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.
AFC trying to keep a closed guard but Barford is proving a slippery customer.

Barford gets to his feet - AFC follows without any prompting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barford closes the distance looking to clinch

and AFC counters with a shoot takedown. Barford fights it but they end up in guard.
Barford keeping moving, preventing AFC from controlling successfully.
Barford wants to get back to his feet but AFC is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Barford really doesn't want to stay on the ground with AFC. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Barford has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes AFC off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barford looks to clinch

and AFC counters with a nice double leg into guard.

AFC is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Barford is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Barford has escaped and now he's on top!
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!

AFC looking for a guillotine here but Barford defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that SUNDERLAND AFC will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Barford clinches but AFC breaks the clinch

and AFC counters with a shoot takedown. Barford fights it but they end up in guard.
AFC wants to pass the guard but Barford is keeping the position.
AFC won't allow Barford to get back to his feet.
Barford keeping moving, preventing AFC from controlling successfully.

AFC drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Barford manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now AFC has Barford in his guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
AFC has a closed guard, preventing Barford from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
AFC looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barford is one step ahead there.
Barford wanted to stand there but AFC had control of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
AFC looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barford is one step ahead there.
AFC is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Barford wants to stand but AFC is controlling his posture from full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
AFC wants to stand up but Barford is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

SUNDERLAND AFC dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Barford wants to clinch but AFC slips to the side

and AFC counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Barford's guard now.
AFC trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Barford can do anything to dispel that myth.
Barford is looking to stand up but AFC isn't so interested in that idea.
Barford keeping moving, preventing AFC from controlling successfully.

AFC is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Barford is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Barford has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barford wants to get up but he can't break AFC's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
AFC wants to stand and escape but Barford is having none of it.

AFC has his feet on Barford's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Barford wants to clinch

and AFC counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Barford's guard now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barford keeping moving, preventing AFC from controlling successfully.
Barford wants to stand up but AFC is controlling him.
SUNDERLAND AFC overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
AFC wants to pass the guard but Barford is keeping the position.
Barford is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst AFC is controlling him.
AFC stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barford swivels though and keeps the full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
SUNDERLAND AFC showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for AFC, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... SUNDERLAND AFC!