PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cortland Cartwright (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Barksdale
vs
Cartwright

174 cm
20
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

187 cm
20
181 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Avon Barksdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cortland Cartwright!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barksdale tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Cartwright manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice defenses there by Cartwright.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cartwright looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Cartwright enables Barksdale to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Cartwright manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Cartwright is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Barksdale trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Cartwright working for a triangle but Barksdale defends it easily.
Barksdale trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cartwright keeping moving, preventing Barksdale from controlling successfully.
Barksdale pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Cartwright is keeping the position for now.
Barksdale prevents Cartwright from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cartwright is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Barksdale advances position into side control!

Barksdale looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Cartwright gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Cartwright blocking the ground and pound.

Barksdale is standing up, even though he is in mount.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barksdale.
Cartwright is looking to clinch but Barksdale is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Cartwright looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Barksdale closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Barksdale tries to pass the half guard into mount. Cartwright knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Barksdale is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Barksdale wants to free his trapped foot but Cartwright is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cartwright is looking to escape.
Barksdale passes the guard and advances to mount!
Cartwright stops Barksdale from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Cartwright is looking to get to half guard.
Cartwright is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

Barksdale is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Cartwright is surviving well by controlling Barksdale's body position as best he can.
Barksdale moves to back control.
Cartwright holding both Barksdale 's hands and preventing any damage.

Cartwright is trying to defend against the choke here but Barksdale has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Barksdale Tightens the hold and Cartwright taps out furiously! Barksdale displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Avon Barksdale!