PBP Commentary

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

Zappa
vs
Barnett

185 cm
23
235 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

191 cm
31
256 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Frank Zappa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Josh Barnett!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barnett stuffs the takedown.
Zappa scores with a jab to the jaw.

Zappa scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Zappa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Barnett doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Zappa.
Barnett keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Zappa is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Barnett as he works his way to full guard.
Zappa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barnett swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barnett manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Zappa manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett is looking to stand up but Zappa won't let him.
Barnett trying to control but Zappa is working from the bottom.

Zappa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zappa pulls Barnett in close to prevent any damage.
Zappa wants to get back to his feet but Barnett is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnett got a little sloppy there for a moment and Zappa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Barnett has managed to get both his arms back between Zappa's legs - danger averted.
Barnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Zappa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Zappa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Barnett is aware though and is defending well.
Barnett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barnett controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.

Josh Barnett has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Zappa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Zappa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barnett as he avoids it easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Zappa is defended easily by Barnett.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Zappa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Zappa keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Barnett slaps away a takedown attempt from Zappa, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zappa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Barnett tries to clinch but Zappa is having none of it.
Zappa dodges the punch combination from Barnett.

Barnett looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Zappa is not content to let Barnett control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Zappa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Frank Zappa will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Barnett looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Zappa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Barnett circles away.
Barnett misses with a low kick as Zappa jumps back.

Zappa shoots in and gets a takedown into Barnett's guard.
Barnett looking for a sweep. Not yet Barnett, not yet.
Zappa trying to control but Barnett is working from the bottom.

Zappa is sitting in close to Barnett's body. Barnett has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Zappa is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Zappa is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Barnett.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Josh Barnett!
After the fight, Josh Barnett was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.