PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Austin Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matthew Runblad (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Barnett
vs
Runblad

171 cm
20
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

169 cm
20
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Austin Barnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matthew Runblad!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Felipe Paraventi and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnett shoots in looking for a takedown. Runblad tries to sprawl out of it but Barnett keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Runblad manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Runblad closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Runblad lands in his opponent's guard.

Barnett working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Runblad doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Runblad manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barnett keeping full guard, as Runblad tries to pass.

Barnett looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runblad not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Barnett can't keep his opponent in guard - Runblad advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Barnett makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Barnett.
Runblad trying to control but Barnett is working from the bottom.
Runblad forces his way into half guard.

Runblad is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Barnett is just riding it out for now. Runblad eventually gives up the hold.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Runblad is pressing down on Barnett's thigh, looking to free his foot. Barnett is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barnett manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Barnett looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Barnett is looking for a triangle but Runblad pushes his legs off easily.
Barnett is breathing heavily.
Runblad in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Runblad pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barnett is keeping the position for now.
Runblad won't allow Barnett to sweep him here.
Runblad slips nicely into half guard.
Runblad trying to control from half guard but Barnett is working away.
Runblad might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Barnett kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Runblad stops Barnett from getting back to his feet.

Runblad is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Barnett defends it well.
Barnett is pressing down on Runblad's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runblad trying to control but Barnett is working from the bottom.

Runblad thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Barnett looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Runblad advances position into side control!
Runblad trying to control the position but Barnett is working away.
Barnett tries to improve position but can't.
Barnett is trying to control Runblad's posture but Runblad avoids it.
Runblad tries to advance to mount but can't.
Runblad moves into full mount!

Barnett defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Runblad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett wants to get back to his feet.
Barnett stops Runblad from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

Runblad jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Barnett is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Barnett and Runblad has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Runblad is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Barnett is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Runblad tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Barnett regains half guard.

Runblad is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barnett manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matthew Runblad will probably get the nod.
That's time! Barnett's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Runblad scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Runblad looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Barnett tries to improve position but can't.
Runblad advances to mount.

Runblad wants to finish this one by submission but Barnett is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Runblad.
Runblad wants to control the pace but Barnett is squirming around nicely.

Runblad looking for a guillotine from mount but Barnett is having none of it.
Barnett really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Barnett blocking the ground and pound.
Runblad is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett tries to reverse the position but Runblad maintains control.
Runblad moves to his opponent's back but Barnett bucks him off and ends up in guard. A bit of a disaster there for Runblad.
Barnett is working Runblad over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Runblad working a defensive guard but Barnett passes into half guard.

Barnett wants to work for an arm triangle but Runblad is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Runblad is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Barnett pulls his head out easily.
Barnett trying to mount his opponent but Runblad defends it.
Runblad moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Runblad trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Runblad had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Barnett is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Runblad Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Barnett's back instead.
Runblad is trying to stick to Barnett's back but Barnett is turning into Runblad. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Runblad's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Barnett.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Runblad escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barnett gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Barnett advances to half guard.
Barnett passes the guard and advances to mount!
Barnett raining down shots from the mount!

Runblad is rocked!
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!

Barnett with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Runblad is still in real trouble! Can Barnett finish him?
Barnett prevents Runblad from getting the reversal.
Runblad seems to have recovered his senses.

Barnett swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Runblad is now in Barnett's guard. A big mistake from Barnett there, giving up the dominant position!

Runblad is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Barnett keeping moving, preventing Runblad from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barnett escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Runblad gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Runblad drops back looking for a leg! Barnett is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Barnett manages to kick Runblad off! Runblad jumps back into Barnett's guard.
Barnett bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Runblad's guard.
Barnett is fighting to break Runblad's control of his arms but Runblad is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Runblad escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barnett gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Barnett is posturing up here but Runblad has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Barnett tries to roll out but it's too tight and Barnett has to tap! Slick submission there by Runblad!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Matthew Runblad!