PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Josh Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake The Snake (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Barnett
vs
The Snake

191 cm
25
284 lbs
13 - 3 - 0

185 cm
32
226 lbs
22 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Project Mayhem
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 13 - 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 22 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jake The Snake!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Skip Squint and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Snake moves away from the strike by Barnett.
Barnett ducks under a wild hook from The Snake.
The Snake throws a body punch but Barnett moves out of range.
The Snake has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Barnett is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Barnett defending well as The Snake loads up on a big left hand.
Barnett takes a swing at The Snake's ribcage but misses.
The Snake thuds a left hand into Barnett's body.
A punch lands to the side of Barnett 's head but he takes it in his stride.

It looks like Josh Barnett has been cut.
The Snake uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Barnett.
Barnett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barnett throws a combination that misses
and The Snake counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnett dives in for a single leg takedown but The Snake sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
A short right from The Snake on the inside.
The Snake swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnett uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Snake digs a right hand underneath Barnett's ribcage. Barnett let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short uppercut from The Snake.
The Snake works on Barnett's body with a couple of short punches.
Barnett is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
The Snake goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
I was talking to Barnett's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
The Snake misses with a punch to the body.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Barnett is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Barnett leaning against his opponent.
The Snake tries to throw a body punch but Barnett avoids it by throwing The Snake back against the cage.
Barnett misses with a hook to the ribs.
The Snake lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett goes for a takedown in the clinch but The Snake prevents it.
Barnett tries to circle away but The Snake has him pinned against the cage.

Barnett manages to pull guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barnett avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The Snake is looking to work some ground and pound but Barnett has wrist control.
The Snake throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Barnett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Barnett throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
The Snake works over Barnett with some ground and pound from guard.
The Snake trying to control the position from guard on top but Barnett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The Snake is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The Snake working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Barnett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The Snake stopping the sweep attempt from Barnett.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barnett has his foot on The Snake's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. The Snake works his way back into a safe position though.

Barnett throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! The Snake escapes and throws Barnett's legs to the side, diving into side control!
The Snake tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Barnett tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Barnett is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The Snake wants to control but Barnett is keeping him busy.
Barnett is looking to get back to his feet here but The Snake is keeping cool and he's managed to take Barnett's back.
The Snake lands shots from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 tries to roll but The Snake sticks to his back.
Barnett prevents The Snake from getting a body triangle.
Barnett can't escape the position.
Barnett looking very determined here, making life difficult for The Snake.
The Snake gets his hands free as Barnett looks to control.
A lull in the action here.
Barnett is trying to remain composed but The Snake is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Will The Snake go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The Snake is riding his opponent, not letting Barnett buck him off.
Barnett trying to get back to his feet but The Snake is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake The Snake dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Josh Barnett's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Barnett shoots in and bounces The Snake off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The Snake keeping moving, preventing Barnett from controlling successfully.
Barnett looking to pass the guard.
Barnett is working hard here to advance position.
The Snake wants to sweep here but Barnett controlling him for the moment.
Barnett pushing down on The Snake's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The Snake slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The Snake is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett trying to control but The Snake is working from the bottom.
The Snake working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Barnett.
Barnett wants to pass the guard but The Snake is keeping the position.
The Snake looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barnett is one step ahead there.
Barnett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The Snake is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Barnett looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Snake trying to keep a closed guard but Barnett is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Barnett working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barnett trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barnett trying to control the position from guard on top but The Snake is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Barnett drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Barnett jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
The Snake trying to control the position.
The Snake looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Barnett postures up in The Snake's guard and throws a big left but The Snake blocks it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Snake pulls Barnett in close to his closed guard and prevents Barnett from doing any damage or advancing position.
The Snake is trying to control the position but Barnett postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett landing some decent shots from guard.
The Snake is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Barnett postures up and lands a big shot to The Snake's brow.
The Snake keeping full guard, as Barnett tries to pass.
Barnett with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Barnett is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The Snake looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett throws a big right hand that misses.

Barnett drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and The Snake dives on top into guard.

The Snake got a little sloppy there for a moment and Barnett has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, The Snake has managed to get both his arms back between Barnett's legs - danger averted.
Barnett wants to stand up but The Snake is controlling him.
Barnett manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. The Snake manages to get himself to full guard.
Barnett trying to control but The Snake is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barnett working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barnett slips nicely into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Barnett dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Josh Barnett's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

The Snake uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barnett.
Barnett goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Barnett is looking to land body kicks.
Barnett shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Barnett on the wrong end of a nice jab.
The Snake tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barnett was well out of range. Poor timing from The Snake.
Barnett swats away the attempt to clinch by The Snake.
The Snake misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barnett shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Barnett was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Barnett fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The Snake sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Barnett trying to control the pace.
Barnett has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Barnett thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Barnett winds up and cracks The Snake with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The Snake is pressing down on Barnett's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnett stands up over The Snake, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Barnett wants to control from the top but The Snake keeps moving.
The Snake is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett trying to control but The Snake is working from the bottom.
The Snake trying to control the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
The Snake might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Barnett haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Jake The Snake has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Barnett misses with the combination.
Barnett tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Snake thows a body shot but no joy.
Barnett throws a sloppy head kick and The Snake moves out of range easily.
Barnett lands with a shot to the body.
The Snake stuffs the takedown attempt from Barnett. Barnett gets slowly back to his feet.
The Snake lands with a good body shot.
Barnett misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Josh Barnett. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The Snake tries to bum rush Barnett with a series of wild strikes but Barnett uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett misses with the combination.
Jake The Snake is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The Snake misses with a double jab.
Barnett misses with a body shot.
The Snake swings for the body but Barnett moves out of range.
Jake The Snake seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barnett misses with a takedown
and The Snake counters with a two punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
The Snake pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Barnett back to the cage. The Snake follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The Snake scores with a body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jake The Snake.
I think The Snake has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Eliza Hachem scores the fight 28:29
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 28:29
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake The Snake!
A very excited looking Jake The Snake made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.