PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Avon Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Clementin Mathieux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Clementin Mathieux will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Barksdale
vs
Mathieux

174 cm
23
185 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

178 cm
24
180 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Good gas tank

LOD: Affordable Quality

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Avon Barksdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Clementin Mathieux!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shirou Masuda and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mathieux digs a good body shot into Barksdale's ribs.
Barksdale misses with a kick to the body.

Barksdale shoots in and bounces Mathieux off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Mathieux controls Barksdale momentarily but Barksdale frees himself.
Barksdale being controlled here momentarily.
Barksdale won't allow Mathieux to sweep him here.
Barksdale is looking to pass into half guard but Mathieux pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Mathieux is in guard.
Barksdale keeping moving, preventing Mathieux from controlling successfully.
Barksdale has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Barksdale has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mathieux can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mathieux throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barksdale working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mathieux doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mathieux manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Barksdale avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Mathieux trying to control the position from guard on top but Barksdale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mathieux preventing the sweep.
Mathieux trying to control but Barksdale is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Clementin Mathieux hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Good shot there by Barksdale.
Barksdale misses with a body kick.
Mathieux throws a head kick but Barksdale moves out of range.
A big right from Mathieux misses.
Barksdale misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barksdale moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Mathieux tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barksdale was well out of range. Poor timing from Mathieux.
Mathieux throws a jab when Barksdale was well out of range.
Barksdale misses with the body kick
and Mathieux counters with a left to the body.
Barksdale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mathieux has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Good leg kick by Mathieux there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mathieux goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mathieux defending well as Barksdale loads up on a big left hand.
Mathieux misses with a jab to the body

and Barksdale counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Mathieux's guard now.
Barksdale passes Mathieux's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Mathieux won't allow Barksdale to pass to mount.
Barksdale is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Mathieux wants to control but Barksdale is having none of it.
Mathieux regains half guard.
Barksdale looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Barksdale is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mathieux is just riding it out for now. Barksdale eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mathieux makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Mathieux.
Barksdale wants to pass the guard but Mathieux is keeping the position.
Mathieux looking to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barksdale works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mathieux trying to control 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 Avon Barksdale will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Mathieux looks to land a combination. Barksdale sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Barksdale blocks a jab.
Barksdale tried to score with a low kick but Mathieux checks it.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Mathieux enables Barksdale to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Mathieux manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Barksdale trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Mathieux has his hands on Barksdale's head, controlling the position.
Barksdale advances to half guard.
Mathieux is trying to get back to full guard.

Barksdale is working for a submission of some sort.
Mathieux is looking for a sweep. Barksdale is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale works his way into side control.
Barksdale tries to advance to mount but can't.

Barksdale tries for a kimura but Mathieux is defending well.
Mathieux is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Barksdale's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Mathieux!
Mathieux tries to reverse the position but Barksdale maintains control.

Barksdale is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Mathieux to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Mathieux shrugs it off.

Barksdale goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Mathieux is on top in guard.

Barksdale escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mathieux gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mathieux looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Mathieux avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Mathieux stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barksdale swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barksdale wants to sweep here but Mathieux controlling him for the moment.
Mathieux must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mathieux postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Barksdale is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mathieux defends well.
Barksdale keeping moving, preventing Mathieux from controlling successfully.
Mathieux throwing strikes from guard but Barksdale blocks nicely.
Mathieux is working Barksdale over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mathieux trying to control but Barksdale is working from the bottom.
Mathieux stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barksdale swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Avon Barksdale will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Barksdale connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mathieux sizes up Barksdale with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mathieux misses with a body shot.
A leg kick checked by Barksdale.
Barksdale shoots in for a double leg but Mathieux sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mathieux takes a swing at Barksdale's ribcage but misses.
Mathieux throws a shot to the body.
Barksdale throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Mathieux's waist but Mathieux gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barksdale off to one side.
Barksdale throws a solid leg kick but Mathieux takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Barksdale.
Mathieux bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Barksdale's head backwards.
Mathieux throws out a loose jab but Barksdale uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barksdale looks to land a right hand but Mathieux moved out of range.
Avon Barksdale is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mathieux tries a low kick but Barksdale avoids it.
Clementin Mathieux is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mathieux lands an overhand right.
Barksdale misses with a head kick.
A shot to the liver by Mathieux. Beautiful body shot.
Mathieux is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Barksdale rather than just go for the knockout.
Mathieux scores with a sloppy right hand. Barksdale should have avoided that one.
Barksdale dodges the punch combination from Mathieux.
Mathieux misses with a body shot.
Mathieux dips to his left and cracks Barksdale with an uppercut!
Barksdale tries to land a leg kick but Mathieux saw it coming and moves away.
Mathieux thows a left - swing and a miss!
A looping hook to the body misses from Mathieux. Barksdale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barksdale lands a leg kick that knocks Mathieux off balance momentarily.
Clementin Mathieux seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mathieux throws out a loose jab but Barksdale uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barksdale lands a leg kick that knocks Mathieux off balance momentarily.
Mathieux throws a hook but Barksdale avoids it easily.
Mathieux misses with a body kick.
Mathieux scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Barksdale works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
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!
Mathieux just misses with a punch to the body.
Mathieux moves into range and connects with a jab.
Barksdale is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barksdale misses with a low kick as Mathieux jumps back.
Mathieux swings for the body but Barksdale moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barksdale.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Avon Barksdale. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barksdale just misses with a punch to the body.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Barksdale.
Mathieux tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barksdale was well out of range. Poor timing from Mathieux.
Mathieux tries to score with a low kick but Barksdale moves his leg out of the way.
Clementin Mathieux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mathieux keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Barksdale, right into the meat.
Barksdale walks forward, straight into a front kick from Mathieux.
Mathieux missing with a left hand there. Barksdale was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barksdale slips a jab from Mathieux.
Mathieux tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barksdale was well out of range. Poor timing from Mathieux.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Mathieux, as that shot connected.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mathieux. Barksdale does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barksdale looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Barksdale throws a low kick but it's checked well by Mathieux.
Mathieux tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barksdale was well out of range. Poor timing from Mathieux.
Avon Barksdale is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Barksdale, right into the meat.
Barksdale throws out a leg kick but Mathieux moves out of range and Barksdale only half commits.

Barksdale closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Barksdale lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mathieux trying to keep a closed guard but Barksdale is proving a slippery customer.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Clementin Mathieux comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Barksdale has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Avon Barksdale!
Avon Barksdale 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.