PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Erik Bariles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris To Short (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bariles comes into the arena with Thriller by Michael Jackson blaring out of the sound system. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Bariles
vs
To Short

170 cm
29
147 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

168 cm
27
159 lbs
10 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Erik Bariles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chris To Short !
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Fujiwara, Shirou Masuda and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut there from Bariles.
A jab from Bariles does it's job there.
To Short buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Chris To Short seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
To Short tries to close the distance and clinch but Bariles swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
To Short tries to clinch but Bariles moves out of range.
To Short will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
To Short tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Bariles connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
To Short with a poor takedown
and To Short takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
To Short tries a low kick but Bariles avoids it.
To Short doesn't manage to clinch there - Bariles circles away.
To Short throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bariles stalks To Short and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into To Short 's face. To Short staggers backwards, shaken.
Sloppy strikes from To Short . Those never looked like landing.
To Short pulls out of a head kick attempt.
To Short throws a right hand that Bariles ducks under and follows up with a left that Bariles also avoids with ease.
Bariles swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bariles lands a head shot.
To Short tries to clinch up
and To Short takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bariles jabbing away but nothing is landing.
To Short tries to clinch up but Bariles circles away and keeps his distance.
To Short is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Bariles lands with a good body shot.
To Short is looking to clinch.
Bariles throws a looping overhand right but To Short ducks down to avoid it.
Bariles looks to land a combination but To Short avoids it well.

To Short closes the distance and clinches.
To Short with an attempt at a knee that misses.
To Short drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bariles pulls his leg out and moves away.
Erik Bariles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris To Short .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
To Short tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bariles swivels and escapes.

To Short clinches up with Bariles and pushes him back against the cage.
To Short tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

To Short pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bariles avoids the head kick by To Short .
A head kick misses from To Short .
Bariles throws a right and a left that To Short avoids nicely.
Erik Bariles is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
To Short tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bariles paws at him with a jab and circles away.
To Short misses with the combination.
A head kick misses from To Short .
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bariles keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
To Short shoots and misses
and Bariles counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bariles swinging wildly here.
Bariles throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck To Short on the side of the head.
Bariles displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from To Short .

To Short is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Bariles's half guard.
To Short looks winded!
Bariles is looking to control To Short 's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bariles avoid being mounted?
Bariles slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
To Short stopping the sweep attempt from Bariles.
Bariles wants to stand up but To Short is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bariles controlling To Short 's posture.
Bariles working a defensive guard here.
Bariles keeping moving, preventing To Short from controlling successfully.

Bariles uses the cage to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bariles swinging wildly here.
Bariles throws a jab when To Short was well out of range.
Bariles throws an overhand right that lands on To Short 's shoulder, as To Short tries to avoid the shot.
Bariles blocks a head kick by To Short .

That's five minutes gone in the round.
To Short 's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bariles connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! To Short scrambles back to his feet.
To Short works over Bariles's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Erik Bariles has been cut.
To Short tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Bariles manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
To Short ducks under a wild hook from Bariles.
Bariles is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
To Short has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

To Short gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
To Short wants a takedown but no success here.

To Short is trying to trip Bariles. He has hold of a leg but Bariles is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. To Short persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Bariles can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as To Short controls the pace.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bariles looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bariles is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Erik Bariles just wasn't active enough.
To Short tries to clinch up.
To Short shoots in for a double leg but Bariles sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
To Short tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Bariles manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
To Short drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Bariles throws an uppercut from half a mile away. To Short sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bariles wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Bariles just misses with a punch to the body.
Bariles is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
To Short avoids the body shot from Bariles.
Bariles just misses with a punch to the body.
To Short looks to score with a jab to the body but Bariles is just out of range.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
To Short throws a head kick that misses.
To Short tries a head kick but it misses.
A big right from Bariles misses.
To Short throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bariles swats away the attempt to clinch by To Short .
To Short staying out of range there.
To Short with a poor takedown
and Bariles counters with a stiff right hand.
A punch combination from To Short misses.
To Short tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Bariles manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
To Short slips a straight right by Bariles.
To Short is looking to clinch.
Bariles looks to score with a jab to the body but To Short is just out of range.
To Short drops his hands momentarily and Bariles takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bariles slips a jab from To Short .
Bariles dips to his left and cracks To Short with an uppercut!
To Short shoots and misses
and Bariles counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
To Short tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bariles counters with a right hand to the body.
To Short throws a hook but Bariles avoids it easily.
To Short throws a leg kick but Bariles sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Bariles displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from To Short .
To Short throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from To Short lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bariles has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bariles and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
To Short showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bariles.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Bariles lands the left hand.
To Short throws out a powerful jab.
To Short takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Bariles misses with a double jab.
A jab from Bariles does it's job there.
Bariles misses with a wild body shot.
To Short throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bariles takes a swing at To Short 's ribcage but misses.
To Short throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A left and a right from Bariles both land. Nice combination.
To Short throws a nice head kick!
Bariles fakes high and swings low for a body shot but To Short manages to avoid it.
Bariles lands with a straight right. To Short didn't see that one coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Chris To Short will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Erik Bariles's cut.
That's time! Bariles's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

To Short pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bariles throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
To Short closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Bariles lands a body shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bariles darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Bariles scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Bariles misses the shot to the body.
To Short shoots in but Bariles avoids the takedown attempt easily.
To Short uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bariles.
To Short with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling Bariles to counter with a crisp jab.
To Short slips under a jab.
To Short tries to clinch up but Bariles circles away and keeps his distance.
To Short wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - To Short looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
To Short throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Erik Bariles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
To Short tries to clinch but Bariles moves away
enabling Bariles to counter with a crisp jab.
Bariles thuds a left hand into To Short 's body.
Bariles misses with a straight left.
To Short blocks a jab.
Bariles throws a body punch but To Short moves out of range.
To Short misses with a few strikes there.
Bariles defends well against a solid takedown attempt from To Short .
Erik Bariles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Chris To Short .
To Short is breathing heavily.
To Short tries to close the distance and clinch but Bariles swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bariles throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bariles lands with a nice body punch.
To Short is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bariles sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
To Short has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
To Short pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bariles with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Bariles avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
To Short misses with a body kick.
To Short will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
To Short walks into a stiff left hand from Bariles.
To Short tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting Bariles counter with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bariles connects with a body shot.
Bariles lands with a nice body punch.
To Short ducks right into an uppercut from Bariles.
Bariles misses with a wild combination.
Bariles stalks To Short and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into To Short 's face. To Short staggers backwards, shaken.
To Short tries to clinch but Bariles moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Bariles.
To Short tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A punch combination from Bariles misses.
Bariles keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bariles lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bariles moves out of range of the body kick from To Short .
Good standup being displayed there by Bariles as he connects with a hook.
No luck with that takedown attempt from To Short .
Bariles keeps the fight on the outside.
To Short darts in trying to clinch
and Bariles counters with a one-two to the body.
Good exchange - Bariles coming out on top.
To Short misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bariles digs a good hook to To Short 's body.
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!
Bariles lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
To Short looks to land a combination but Bariles avoids it well.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bariles blocks a head kick by To Short .
Bariles dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Bariles there.
Bariles throws a right and a left that both miss.
To Short slips a jab and a cross from Bariles.
To Short with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Bariles to score with a decent uppercut.
Bariles dips to his left and cracks To Short with an uppercut!
To Short tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bariles swats him away and circles back towards the center.
To Short is looking to clinch.
To Short misses the shot to the body.
Bariles misses with a wild body shot.
To Short tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bariles swats him away and circles back towards the center.
To Short takes a jab right on the kisser.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Bariles lands with a cross.
To Short tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bariles sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten To Short somewhat.
Bariles misses with a wild body shot.
Bariles getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
To Short shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bariles defends it nicely.
Bariles bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps To Short 's head backwards.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from To Short is defended easily by Bariles.
To Short throws a head kick that misses.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bariles lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
No joy there for Bariles, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bariles ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bariles scores with a shot to the body.
To Short is looking to clinch.

To Short closes the distance and clinches.
To Short connects with a knee to the head.

To Short pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bariles throws a one two combo.
Some wild striking there from To Short .
To Short ducks right into an uppercut from Bariles.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
To Short throws a hook to the side of Bariles's head but Bariles sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
To Short tries to clinch but Bariles moves away
and Bariles counters with a nice uppercut.
Bariles throws a combination but it was largely blocked by To Short .
To Short shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bariles but Bariles pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Bariles misses with a hook.
Bariles stuffs the takedown attempt from To Short . To Short gets slowly back to his feet.
To Short wants to clinch up but Bariles keeps it at a distance.
Bariles scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. To Short doesn't seem bothered though.
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!
To Short tries to clinch but Bariles moves out of range.
Bariles lands a nice looking body shot.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Bariles throws a right and a left that To Short avoids nicely.
Bariles throws a right hand that To Short ducks under and follows up with a left that To Short also avoids with ease.

To Short gets a clinch.

To Short escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - To Short looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
To Short connects with a high kick.
To Short throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
To Short tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bariles swats him away and circles back towards the center.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bariles lands with a cross.
Bariles takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
To Short is looking to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erik Bariles showed his dominance in that final round.
I have no idea who won that fight. Let's wait and see whether the judges are as confused as me! Time for a split decision perhaps?!. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight for Erik Bariles!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Erik Bariles!
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight for Erik Bariles!

Erik Bariles wins by unanimous decision!
Erik Bariles was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.