PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Smash Spring (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Smash Spring has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Spring
vs
Barnett

225 cm
28
275 lbs
6 - 5 - 1

191 cm
27
256 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Smash Spring!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Josh Barnett!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnett showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Spring.

Spring gets a double leg takedown into Barnett's guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Barnett wants to stand and escape but Spring is having none of it.
Barnett is trying to control the position but Spring postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spring stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barnett swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Spring drops back, looking for a kneebar! Barnett looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Barnett looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Barnett!
Spring tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Barnett wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Spring really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Barnett avoids the strikes from the bottom by Spring.
Spring is not content to let Barnett control the position.
Spring tries to improve position but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spring throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Spring manages to get back to half guard.
Spring throws a strike from the bottom but Barnett passes into side control!
Spring throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spring throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Spring misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Barnett slows the pace down.
Spring is trying to improve his position.
Spring striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spring misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Spring striking from the bottom but nothing landed.
Spring is looking for a sweep.
Spring gets back to half guard.
Spring throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Spring has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Spring flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spring is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Barnett is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Spring sees it coming and defends easily.
Spring flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Spring is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spring tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Spring connecting with a few gentle strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spring missing with punches from the bottom.
Spring punching from the bottom.
Spring missing with punches from the bottom.
Spring tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Spring is looking to improve his position.
Spring flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Barnett is working for a submission of some sort.
Barnett looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Spring punching from the bottom.
Spring tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Barnett postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Spring to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spring fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Barnett avoids it really well and circles away.

Barnett dives in and scores a takedown into Spring's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Spring trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Spring throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Spring will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Spring doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Spring trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Spring trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Barnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Spring is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spring trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barnett scoring with some ground and pound.
Spring lands a couple of decent looking body shots there.
Barnett stopping the sweep attempt from Spring.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Smash Spring dominated that round.
That's time! Spring's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A head kick misses from Spring.
Spring shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Barnett defends it nicely.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Barnett.
Spring tries to bench press Barnett off him but Barnett keeps the position.
Spring is not content to let Barnett control the position.
Spring throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Spring misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Barnett blocks the strikes from Spring.

Barnett tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Barnett has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Spring is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett lands a few punches from side control.
Spring misses with an elbow from the bottom.
Spring is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Spring misses with a strike from the bottom.
Spring is looking for a sweep.
Spring tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Spring is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Barnett stands up and beckons Spring to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spring drives through with a takedown into Barnett's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Spring is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Barnett is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Barnett has escaped and now he's on top!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Spring throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Spring trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Spring keeping moving, preventing Barnett from controlling successfully.
Spring throwing short punches from the bottom.
Spring throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Barnett wants to control from the top but Spring keeps moving.
Spring throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spring trying to strike off his back.
Spring thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Barnett not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Spring wants to sweep but no luck.
Spring tries to strike from the bottom.
Spring doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Spring trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Spring throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Barnett throws a big elbow that misses.
Barnett must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Spring throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Spring looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Spring trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Spring trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barnett stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Smash Spring seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnett wants to clinch.
No luck for Spring with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Barnett drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Spring throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Barnett is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Spring thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Barnett would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barnett pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Spring is keeping the position for now.
Spring trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Smash Spring will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Spring shoots in for a takedown but Barnett shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Spring throws a leg kick but Barnett sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Spring shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Barnett defends it nicely.
Barnett shoots in for a double leg but Spring sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Spring misses with a takedown attempt - Barnett sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Smash Spring. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Spring scores a takedown into full mount!

Spring swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Barnett is now in Spring's guard. A big mistake from Spring there, giving up the dominant position!
Barnett slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Barnett stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spring looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Barnett!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barnett tries to lock up and control but Spring gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Barnett bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Barnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Spring is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spring throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Spring throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Spring doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Spring striking off his back but it's not causing Barnett any problems.
Spring bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Barnett's guard.

Spring drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Barnett manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Spring has Barnett in his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnett's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spring throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Barnett with a nice head shot there.
Spring throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Spring tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Barnett tries to free his leg and advance position but Spring is retaining full guard.
Spring throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Spring keeping moving, preventing Barnett from controlling successfully.
Spring throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Spring throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Spring thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spring thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Barnett is in close to Spring's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Spring punching from the bottom - just letting Barnett know he's still in a fight.
Spring trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Barnett trying to control but Spring is working from the bottom.
Spring throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Spring throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Barnett working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Barnett passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Spring manages to work his way to half guard, despite Barnett's best efforts.
Spring missing with punches from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spring missing with punches from the bottom.
Spring is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Spring flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Spring throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Barnett manages to pass to side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Barnett tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Barnett has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Barnett avoids the strikes from the bottom by Spring.
Josh Barnett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smash Spring is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Smash Spring overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spring can't do much from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Smash Spring showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Spring 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Smash Spring!