PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Renan Barao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Renan Barao told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Roberts
vs
Barao

160 cm
26
134 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
136 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Global Empire MMA Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Andrew Roberts!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Renan Barao!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roberts dodges the punch combination from Barao.
Roberts circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barao tries to clinch there but Roberts circles away.
Barao looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Roberts tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Barao swivels and escapes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barao is defended easily by Roberts.
Barao with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barao.
Andrew Roberts has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Renan Barao.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barao doesn't manage to clinch there - Roberts circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barao.
Barao fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Renan Barao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barao looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barao dives in and grabs Roberts's left leg, looking for a takedown. Roberts pushes down on Barao's head and hops out.
Barao fails to land the takedown.
Barao closes the distance looking to clinch

and Roberts counters by clinching up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Roberts lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Roberts tries to pass to full mount but Barao defends it.

Barao looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Barao wants to get back to full guard.
Roberts wants to pass the guard but Barao is defending well.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts is looking to advance position but Barao won't allow it.
Barao tries to get to full guard but Roberts has control of the leg.
Barao wants to control but Roberts is keeping busy.
Roberts trying to pass the guard but Barao defending well.

Roberts is looking for a kimura but Barao is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Roberts to get the leverage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Roberts tries to pass the half guard into mount. Barao knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Roberts passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Barao!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roberts avoids the attempt from Barao to control.

Roberts has control of Barao's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Barao regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Barao wants to control but Roberts is having none of it.
Barao avoids a series of strikes thrown by Roberts.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barao is wriggling around trying to escape.

Roberts has control of Barao's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Barao regains control of the situation pretty easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Roberts shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Roberts showed some decent athleticism there.
Barao tries to roll over but Roberts keeps him under control.
Barao is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Roberts moves nicely into side control.
Barao wants to control but Roberts postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roberts is trying to get an arm triangle but Barao is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Barao throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Barao shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Roberts pinned against the cage. Roberts gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Barao throws a nice inside leg kick.
Barao misses with a double jab.
Roberts avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roberts stuffs the takedown.

Barao gets caught flat footed, as Roberts shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Roberts sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Barao's guard.
Roberts is looking to advance position but Barao won't allow it.
Roberts passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Barao!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barao wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Roberts.

Roberts is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Barao has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Barao is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Andrew Roberts overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barao keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Roberts looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Roberts working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Barao can't escape the position.
Barao wants to control but Roberts is having none of it.
Roberts throwing strikes here but Barao is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Roberts working for a guillotine from mount but Barao is in no mood to give up.
Roberts throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Roberts looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Roberts has hold of Barao's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Barao manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Roberts avoids the attempt from Barao to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barao tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Roberts dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Barao throws a head kick that half lands.

Roberts gets a clinch.
Barao stops a takedown attempt from Roberts.

Roberts gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Roberts looking to pass the guard.
Roberts passes Barao's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Barao blocking the ground and pound attempt from Roberts.
Roberts moves nicely into side control.
Barao is trying to control Roberts's posture but Roberts avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts advances to full mount.

Roberts working for a guillotine from mount but Barao is in no mood to give up.
Roberts looking to finish with strikes here!
Barao really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

Roberts with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Roberts looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Roberts working for a guillotine from mount but Barao is in no mood to give up.

Barao defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Roberts.
Roberts looking to finish with strikes here!
Barao tries to hold on but Roberts pushes him away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barao takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Barao is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barao is trying to escape the mount.
Barao takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Roberts goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Barao turns into him and now he's in Roberts's guard.
Roberts looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barao is one step ahead there.

Barao decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Roberts, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barao lands a head kick. Roberts smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Roberts changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Barao looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Barao is trying to improve his position.

Barao reaches up around Roberts's neck trying to control. But Roberts takes advantage instantly and he's locked on an arm triangle! Big trouble for Barao! Oh that looks nasty! A human being's head is not meant to turn that color! Barao is out! He's gone limp! The ref steps in to break the fighters up and Roberts celebrates the victory with the fans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Andrew Roberts!
Andrew Roberts gave a mention to Global Empire MMA Gear in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).