PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Tompkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tompkins has chosen Dying Fetus - One Shot, One Kill as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Barnett
vs
Tompkins

191 cm
24
284 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

215 cm
33
277 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

BeastMode
Project Mayhem

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 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Josh Barnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Steve Tompkins!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Hugh Johnson and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tompkins shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Barnett is staying active underneath Tompkins, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Barnett might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Barnett punching from the bottom.
Barnett pushes Tompkins off looking to stand but Tompkins dives back in and keeps control.

Barnett looking for submissions off his back.

Barnett looking for submissions off his back.
Tompkins tries to pass the half guard into mount. Barnett knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Barnett is trying to stand.
Barnett is trying to get back to full guard.

Barnett looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tompkins trying to control the action but Barnett is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett is trying to control but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tompkins is keen to just control but Barnett is a slippery customer.
Tompkins is thwarting Barnett's attempts to control the position.
Barnett wants to improve his position but Tompkins is controlling well.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Steve Tompkins was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Tompkins throws out a loose jab but Barnett uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tompkins throws a shot to the body.
A punch combination from Tompkins misses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barnett.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tompkins misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Tompkins shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tompkins showed some decent athleticism there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Barnett actively working from the bottom here.
Barnett wants to get back to his feet.
Tompkins is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Nice strikes from Tompkins there.
Barnett makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Barnett.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tompkins got a little sloppy there for a moment and Barnett has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Tompkins has managed to get both his arms back between Barnett's legs - danger averted.
Tompkins trying to control but Barnett is working from the bottom.
Barnett trying to control the position.
Barnett thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Barnett is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tompkins postures up and lands a big shot to Barnett's brow.
Barnett is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Barnett is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Tompkins lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tompkins trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tompkins postures up and lands a big shot to Barnett's brow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tompkins postures up.
Tompkins wants to control from the top but Barnett keeps moving.
Barnett is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Barnett thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Barnett is trying to work for a kimura but Tompkins is defending well.
Tompkins trying to hold on to Barnett's head to control him but Barnett postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tompkins is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Barnett's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Barnett's back!
Tompkins has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Barnett.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Tompkins dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Barnett slips a jab and a cross from Tompkins.
Steve Tompkins seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Tompkins drives through with a takedown into Barnett's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Tompkins looking to sit in guard and control but Barnett gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Barnett wants to control from the top but Tompkins keeps moving.
Barnett postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Barnett wants to control from the top but Tompkins keeps moving.
Steve Tompkins has got the better of the ground game so far.

Barnett drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Tompkins dives on top into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tompkins accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barnett had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Tompkins defends it easily.

Barnett looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Barnett keeping moving, preventing Tompkins from controlling successfully.

Barnett looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Barnett has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Tompkins should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Barnett has tightened it up now! Tompkins should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:50 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Josh Barnett!
After winning the bout, Josh Barnett thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.