PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Casey Barrera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Samuel Strauss (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Strauss has chosen Real Quick (0-100) as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Barrera
vs
Strauss

223 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

182 cm
23
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Casey Barrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Samuel Strauss!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Strauss is trying hard to land a takedown here. Barrera sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Barrera darts in and clinches Strauss up against the cage.
Barrera tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Strauss smiles and moves away.
Barrera fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Strauss checks it well.

Strauss closes the distance and pushes Barrera back into the cage.
Barrera is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Strauss putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Barrera in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A bit of stalling here from Strauss.
Barrera wants to stall.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barrera looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Barrera breaks from the clinch.

Strauss shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Barrera is trying to defend but Strauss finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Barrera pushes Strauss off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strauss fails in his attempt to clinch.
Barrera defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Strauss.
Strauss throws a leg kick but Barrera sees it coming and moves out of range.
Strauss looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barrera is fending him off so far but Strauss persists. Nope, Barrera circles away and we're back to standing.
Casey Barrera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Samuel Strauss.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Barrera misses with a punch to the body.
Strauss throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Barreras head.
Strauss throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barrera blocks it with crossed arms.
Barrera will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Strauss up against the cage.
Barrera blocks an elbow strike from Strauss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

Strauss manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
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.
Strauss wants to stand and escape but Barrera is having none of it.

Strauss looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Barrera has picked Strauss up and slammed him! Strauss can't keep hold of the triangle and Barrera manages to pass to side control!
Barrera cracks Strauss with a big elbow.
Strauss is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Strauss gets back to half guard.
Strauss wants to control the action here but instead Barrera manages to pass to full mount!
Strauss is trying to reverse the position but instead Barrera has taken his back - oops!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is taking a good look at Strauss as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Barrera!

Strauss is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Barrera gets his way!
Barrera really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Strauss is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Strauss looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barrera tries to counter by clinching up but Strauss breaks away and moves out of range.

Strauss darts in and clinches Barrera up against the cage.
Strauss lands a hook that snaps the head of Barrera backwards.
Barrera manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Barrera.

Barrera breaks the clinch.
Strauss avoids the head kick by Barrera.
Samuel Strauss seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Strauss fails with an attempt to clinch.
Strauss is looking to clinch.

Strauss has Barrera up against the cage in a clinch.
Strauss lands an elbow that stopped Barrera in his tracks for a moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Strauss gets through Barrera's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Strauss breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Strauss tries to clinch but Barrera moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Samuel Strauss dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

The fight stays on the outside here - Strauss looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Strauss shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Barrera drops down looking for a counter takedown but Strauss sprawls and moves away.

Strauss darts in and clinches Barrera up against the cage.
Barrera working hard to break the clinch.
Strauss missing with knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Barrera trying to land knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Strauss can't get the takedown.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Strauss pushes off an throws an elbow but Barrera leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Samuel Strauss seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Strauss lands a good knee to the midsection. Barrera won't want to take too many of those.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Strauss throws an elbow that misses.
Barrera misses with a body punch.

Strauss decides to pull guard.
Strauss is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Barrera is controlling him.
Strauss keeping moving, preventing Barrera from controlling successfully.

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

Strauss escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barrera gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Samuel Strauss has got the better of the ground game so far.

Strauss had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Barrera defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barrera avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Barrera chips away with some ground and pound.
Strauss trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Strauss looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Barrera wants to control from the top but Strauss keeps moving.
Barrera chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barrera trying to control but Strauss is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Barrera accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Barrera throws a sloppy strike and Strauss has hooked up an armbar on the loose arm! He's turned and extended fully! Barrera is forced to tap! Great BJJ from Strauss!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:40 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Samuel Strauss!
Samuel Strauss took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'First and foremost, I want to thank my Lord and Savior: Jesus Christ. Hats off to my opponent, he fought a great fight. I'm ready to get back in as soon as possible and work my way to the title! Also, thank you to the fans!'.