PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Erik Bariles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Buckner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bariles comes to the cage accompanied by Thriller by Michael Jackson. This should be fireworks!

Bariles
vs
Buckner

170 cm
34
155 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

160 cm
34
150 lbs
23 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Sparta Fightware

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Erik Bariles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matt Buckner!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Mauricio Rocha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bariles scores with a sloppy right hand. Buckner should have avoided that one.
Bariles stuns Buckner with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Buckner shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Bariles moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Bariles has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Buckner can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Bariles is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Buckner is aware though and is defending well.
Buckner with a flurry of punches that miss.
Buckner trying to control but Bariles is working from the bottom.
Buckner throws a big right hand that misses.
Buckner has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Buckner got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bariles has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Buckner has managed to get both his arms back between Bariles's legs - danger averted.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Buckner landing some decent shots from guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Buckner trying to control the position from guard on top but Bariles is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bariles looking for a guillotine here but Buckner defends easily.
Buckner cracks Bariles with a solid left hand.

Bariles looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bariles escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Buckner gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Buckner's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Bariles not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Bariles looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Buckner postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Buckner with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bariles wants to sweep but no luck.
Buckner trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Buckner landing with the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Buckner trying to control but Bariles is working from the bottom.
Bariles is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Buckner is controlling him.
Buckner with a flurry of punches that miss.

Bariles had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Buckner defends it easily.
Bariles is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Buckner slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Buckner is chipping away with strikes.
Buckner scoring with punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Buckner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bariles keeps working.
Bariles takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Bariles is trying to control Buckner's posture but Buckner avoids it.
Bariles is looking for a sweep.
Bariles can't do much from the bottom here.
Bariles is trying to get back to half guard.

Buckner goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Bariles rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Buckner's guard! Nice work there by Bariles!
Buckner has a closed guard, preventing Bariles from standing up.
Bariles throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Buckner works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bariles 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.
Buckner seems keen to control Bariles's posture.
Bariles is looking to work some ground and pound but Buckner has wrist control.
Bariles trying to control the position from guard on top but Buckner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Buckner looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bariles is one step ahead there.
Buckner wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bariles throws an elbow that misses. Buckner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bariles's guard. Nice move by Buckner!
Buckner lands a couple of decent looking shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Matt Buckner will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Jab from Bariles.
Bariles throws a series of punches but Buckner avoids them all with ease.
Bariles scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Buckner steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Bariles. That one must have hurt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Buckner is defended easily by Bariles.
Bariles looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Bariles throws a series of punches but Buckner avoids them all with ease.
Bariles takes a swing at Buckner's ribcage but misses.
Bariles misses with a body kick.
Matt Buckner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Buckner shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bariles as he jumps to the side.
Erik Bariles is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Buckner.
Erik Bariles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Buckner.
Buckner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Bariles is fending him off so far but Buckner persists. Nope, Bariles circles away and we're back to standing.
Buckner dives in for a single leg takedown but Bariles sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Buckner is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bariles tries to break the clinch but Buckner is controlling the position.

Bariles breaks from the clinch.
Buckner takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bariles lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Buckner looks for a takedown but Bariles sprawls well.
Bariles connects with a body shot that sends Buckner's belly button to the back.
Bariles lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Buckner misses with a takedown attempt
enabling Bariles to counter with a crisp jab.
Buckner tries to score a power double leg takedown but Bariles sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Buckner somewhat.
Buckner is breathing heavily.
Buckner gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Buckner takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bariles scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Bariles connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bariles misses with a few strikes there.
Bariles is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Buckner dives in for a single leg takedown but Bariles sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Buckner's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Buckner jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Bariles walks away with a smile on his face. Buckner gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice combination there by Bariles.
Buckner is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Bariles.
Buckner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bariles swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Buckner doesn't manage to clinch there - Bariles circles away.
Buckner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bariles.
Buckner will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bariles.
Buckner shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bariles's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Bariles duly obliges.
Bariles throws a nice looking combination but Buckner bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bariles lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Bariles misses with the combination.
Good standup being displayed there by Bariles as he connects with a hook.
Buckner needs to keep his hands up - Bariles had a free shot at his head there.
Buckner fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A combination from Bariles does no damage.
Erik Bariles is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bariles stuffs the takedown.
Bariles moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Bariles dips to his left and cracks Buckner with an uppercut!
Bariles lands a jab-cross combination.
Bariles chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bariles moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Buckner shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Bariles counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Buckner tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bariles swivels and escapes.
Bariles paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Buckner has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bariles finds it's way round the side to connect with Buckner's head.
Erik Bariles is winning the standup battle so far.

Buckner fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bariles, pushing him back against the cage.
Buckner has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bariles after a bit of a struggle.
Buckner has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bariles avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Bariles has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Buckner goes for a takedown in the clinch but Bariles prevents it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bariles pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Bariles dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bariles rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Buckner moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Buckner looks for a takedown but Bariles sprawls well.
Bariles throws a right and a left that Buckner avoids nicely.
Buckner throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bariles dips to his left and cracks Buckner with an uppercut!
Bariles lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Buckner circles away quickly and effectively.
Bariles pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bariles cracks Buckner with a right hand to the side of the head.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Buckner.
Bariles misses with a wild combination.
Buckner avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bariles throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bariles will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Buckner tries to clinch but Bariles moves out of range.
Buckner misses with a takedown attempt
and Bariles counters with a thumping low kick.
Erik Bariles has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Buckner.
Buckner fails with the takedown.
Buckner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Buckner with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bariles counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A jab lands there for Bariles.
Bariles misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Bariles throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Buckner takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Buckner dodges the punch combination from Bariles.
Buckner avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bariles lands with a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Bariles as Buckner shoots in.
Buckner with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bariles counters with a left and a right that stings Buckner.
Buckner showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bariles.

Bariles tries to keep at a distance but Buckner has taken the fight into the clinch.
Buckner drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bariles pulls his leg out and moves away.
Buckner has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bariles leaves Buckner with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bariles misses with a series of wild punches.
A punch combination from Bariles misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Bariles misses.

Buckner clinches with his opponent.
Buckner tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Buckner wants a takedown.
Bariles working hard to break the clinch.
Bariles gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Buckner.

Bariles breaks the clinch.
Buckner fails to land the takedown.
Bariles stuffs the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bariles throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bariles pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Buckner back to the cage. Bariles follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Buckner looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Bariles throws a front kick that sends Buckner stumbling back into the cage.
Buckner shoots in for a takedown but Bariles shows good takedown defense.
Bariles leaves Buckner with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Bariles throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Bariles with a nice cross.
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!
Buckner avoids a punch combination nicely.
Bariles fails to land with a series of punches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bariles keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Bariles lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

And that's the end of the fight!
Erik Bariles showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bariles 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 Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erik Bariles!
A victorious Erik Bariles thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.