PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andre Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Yassir Morabet (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yassir Morabet struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.2lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. 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.

Barnes
vs
Morabet

178 cm
20
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
183 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Urban Vandal fight gear

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Andre Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yassir Morabet!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morabet keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Barnes lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Morabet sprawling to the canvas. Barnes follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Morabet hang on?

It looks like Yassir Morabet has been cut.
Still in half guard, Barnes seems content to control.
Morabet is trying to stand up here but Barnes is controlling him well.
Morabet tries to get to full guard but Barnes has control of the leg.
Barnes with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Morabet pushes Barnes off looking to stand but Barnes dives back in and keeps control.
Barnes working the head and body with strikes.
Barnes with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Morabet missing with punches from the bottom.
Morabet moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Morabet keeping moving, preventing Barnes from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes landing some decent shots from guard.
Barnes knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Morabet on the ground.
Morabet doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Barnes wants to stand but Morabet has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Morabet working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barnes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barnes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Barnes tries to free his leg and advance position but Morabet is retaining full guard.

Morabet throws his legs up looking for a submission but Barnes uses it to pass to side control.
Morabet looks gassed!
Barnes lands an elbow.
Morabet gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Barnes landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes landing strikes from the mount.
Barnes in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That has opened up Yassir Morabet's cut even more.
Barnes controlling his opponent.
Morabet is trying to escape the mount.
Barnes raining down shots from the mount!

The cut above Yassir Morabet's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Yassir Morabet's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Andre Barnes!