PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pacman Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vinny Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barnes comes to the cage accompanied by Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be. Russo has chosen Volbeat - The Human Instrument as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Barnes
vs
Russo

187 cm
31
210 lbs
25 - 13 - 0

181 cm
29
186 lbs
18 - 5 - 2

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pacman Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vinny Russo!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Russo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barnes is fending him off so far but Russo persists. Nope, Barnes circles away and we're back to standing.
Barnes leaves Russo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Russo. That's going to slow Barnes down.

Russo shoots in and bounces Barnes off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Barnes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Russo is one step ahead there.
Barnes is trying to control the position but Russo postures up.
Russo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Barnes keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.
Russo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes is trying to control the position but Russo postures up.
Russo looking to pass the guard.
Barnes trying to keep a closed guard but Russo is proving a slippery customer.
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.
Russo throws a big elbow that misses.
Russo pushing down on Barnes's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Russo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Russo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Russo sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Barnes defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes is looking for a sweep. Russo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Barnes trying to control here.
Barnes is not content to let Russo control the position.
Russo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barnes has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Russo is working away from the top position though.
Russo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Russo passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Barnes!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russo raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo lands with some strikes.
Barnes takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Barnes taking shots to the head.
Barnes wants to control but Russo is having none of it.
Russo lands a big shot there that rocks Barnes but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Russo punishing his opponent with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Russo is landing with some decent strikes but Barnes is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

Barnes is rocked!
Barnes is bucking up trying to escape but Russo cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Oh Barnes is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Russo cracks Barnes with a big head shot that has him covering up instantly! He's rolled onto his side and the referee has seen enough - this one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vinny Russo!
Vinny Russo decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.