PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Travis Barker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elijah Stoltzfuses Jr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stoltzfuses Jr has chosen Gladiator the Battle as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Barker
vs
Stoltzfuses Jr

186 cm
27
190 lbs
13 - 4 - 0

185 cm
26
201 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Travis Barker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Elijah Stoltzfuses Jr!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Hugh Johnson and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stoltzfuses Jr scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Stoltzfuses Jr creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Barker sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Barker wants to control but Stoltzfuses Jr postures up.
Stoltzfuses Jr cracks Barker with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Barker is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Stoltzfuses Jr's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Stoltzfuses Jr thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barker's head.
Stoltzfuses Jr thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barker's head.
Stoltzfuses Jr seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Barker does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stoltzfuses Jr not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stoltzfuses Jr trying to control from Barker's half guard. Barker has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Barker keeping moving, preventing Stoltzfuses Jr from controlling successfully.
Stoltzfuses Jr throwing strikes but missing.
Barker keeping full guard, as Stoltzfuses Jr tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stoltzfuses Jr trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stoltzfuses Jr with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Stoltzfuses Jr postures up in Barker's guard and throws a big left but Barker blocks it.
Stoltzfuses Jr throws a big elbow that misses.
Stoltzfuses Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Barker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stoltzfuses Jr wants to pass the guard but Barker is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barker 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.
Barker wants to improve his position but instead Stoltzfuses Jr has moved into half guard.
Barker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Stoltzfuses Jr.
Stoltzfuses Jr working over Barker with some ground and pound. Barker looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Stoltzfuses Jr not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stoltzfuses Jr is stalling here. Barker is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Stoltzfuses Jr seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Barker has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Stoltzfuses Jr wants to control but Barker postures up.
Stoltzfuses Jr tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Stoltzfuses Jr manages to work his way to half guard, despite Barker's best efforts.
Stoltzfuses Jr keeps control of the position for the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stoltzfuses Jr is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Stoltzfuses Jr dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Barker will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Barker swinging wildly here.

Barker gets caught napping as Stoltzfuses Jr dives in and scores a takedown. Barker manages to retain guard.
Stoltzfuses Jr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stoltzfuses Jr wants to pass the guard but Barker is keeping the position.
Stoltzfuses Jr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Stoltzfuses Jr is looking to work some ground and pound but Barker has wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stoltzfuses Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stoltzfuses Jr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stoltzfuses Jr lands a couple of digs.
Barker can't keep his opponent in guard - Stoltzfuses Jr advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Stoltzfuses Jr slips a nice elbow through Barker's hands, connecting with Barker's forehead.
Stoltzfuses Jr missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stoltzfuses Jr with the ground and pound but Barker uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Barker keeping moving, preventing Stoltzfuses Jr from controlling successfully.
Stoltzfuses Jr's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Stoltzfuses Jr throwing strikes from guard but Barker blocks nicely.
Stoltzfuses Jr loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Barker is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barker managing to control the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Stoltzfuses Jr closes the distance and clinches up with Barker, looking for a takedown. Stoltzfuses Jr pushes Barker against the cage but Barker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Stoltzfuses Jr ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
An inside leg kick lands from Stoltzfuses Jr.

Stoltzfuses Jr closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Barker quickly recovers to half guard.
Stoltzfuses Jr not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Stoltzfuses Jr thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barker's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barker regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Stoltzfuses Jr.
Stoltzfuses Jr sitting in guard here, content to control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barker keeping moving, preventing Stoltzfuses Jr from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Elijah Stoltzfuses Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Stoltzfuses Jr slips under a jab.
Stoltzfuses Jr throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barker looks to land a combination. Stoltzfuses Jr sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Jab by Stoltzfuses Jr.
Stoltzfuses Jr shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Barker pinned against the cage. Barker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Barker tries a head kick but it misses.
That kick from Stoltzfuses Jr tenderised Barker's leg. Barker is trying to keep his angry face on.
Barker throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Stoltzfuses Jr counters with a low kick, right behind Barker 's knee.
Barker leaves Stoltzfuses Jr with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stoltzfuses Jr fails with a takedown attempt.
Travis Barker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elijah Stoltzfuses Jr.
Stoltzfuses Jr doesn't manage to clinch there - Barker circles away.
Travis Barker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch combination from Barker misses.
Stoltzfuses Jr wants to clinch up but Barker keeps it at a distance.
Stoltzfuses Jr avoids the head kick by Barker.
Barker throws a head kick that misses.
Barker avoids a punch combination nicely.
Barker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Travis Barker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barker ducks right into an uppercut from Stoltzfuses Jr.
A head kick by Barker misses
and Stoltzfuses Jr counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Stoltzfuses Jr throws a leg kick which misses Barker's front leg but catches the back leg as Barker tries to avoid it.

Stoltzfuses Jr scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Stoltzfuses Jr in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Stoltzfuses Jr cracks Barker with a big right hand but Barker just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
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!
Stoltzfuses Jr landing strikes.
Stoltzfuses Jr cracks Barker with a big right hand but Barker just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barker stops Stoltzfuses Jr from passing to mount.
Barker defending against the ground and pound.
Elijah Stoltzfuses Jr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Stoltzfuses Jr controlling from side mount.
Travis Barker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stoltzfuses Jr postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Stoltzfuses Jr is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Elijah Stoltzfuses Jr comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Stoltzfuses Jr winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Elijah Stoltzfuses Jr!
Our winner, Elijah Stoltzfuses Jr, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.