PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Mir (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Mir
vs
Barnett

191 cm
22
280 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

191 cm
22
284 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BeastMode

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 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Frank Mir!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Barnett!
The judges for this bout are Summer Carpenter, Winston Howard and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mir dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mir lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Josh Barnett has been cut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mir connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Barnett moves forwards but Mir connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Mir shoots in for a takedown but Barnett shows good takedown defense.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Mir.
Mir has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Mir. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mir misses with a takedown

and Barnett counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Barnett has gone for a leg lock! Mir slips out almost immediately though and dives into Barnett's guard.
Mir trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mir postures up in Barnett's guard and throws a big left but Barnett blocks it.
Barnett is trying to control the position but Mir postures up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Mir throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Mir drops back, looking for a kneebar! Barnett looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Barnett looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Barnett!

Barnett thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Barnett working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Mir is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Mir is looking to improve his position.
Barnett tries to pass the half guard into mount. Mir knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnett is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Mir has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Barnett seems to be looking for submissions.
Barnett is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Mir!
Barnett controlling from mount.
Barnett avoids the attempt from Mir to control.
Barnett tries to control but Mir wriggling away.
Barnett landing strikes, looking to finish!
Mir is looking to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barnett has hold of Mir's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Mir manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Barnett unloading with bombs!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mir regains half guard.
Mir is trying to control but Barnett manages to pass to mount!
Barnett pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

Mir is rocked!
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!
Barnett postures up and throws a big right hand. BOOM! Right on the button! Mir is out cold - huge knockout for Barnett!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Josh Barnett!
Josh Barnett decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.