PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jimmy Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kata Guruma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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
Guruma

177 cm
22
184 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

178 cm
23
180 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Jimmy Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Kata Guruma!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Andrew Berry and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes misses with a straight right.
Guruma throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Barnes.

Guruma shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Guruma throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Guruma working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Barnes slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Barnes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Guruma stopping the sweep attempt from Barnes.
Guruma postures up in Barnes's guard and throws a big left but Barnes blocks it.

Guruma drops back looking for a leg! Barnes is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Barnes manages to kick Guruma off! Guruma jumps back into Barnes's guard.
Guruma is pushing down on Barnes's leg trying to pass to half guard. Barnes is fighting to maintain full guard but Guruma has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guruma tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Barnes manages to get to full guard.

Barnes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Guruma postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barnes is trying to keep Guruma in close.

Guruma decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Guruma feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Guruma wants to stand but Barnes is controlling his posture from full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Guruma stands and throws Barnes's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes is looking for a sweep.
Barnes is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Barnes is trying to improve his position.
Guruma postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Guruma is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Barnes has escaped the position, nice work there.
Guruma looks gassed!
Barnes regains half guard, as Guruma was trying to land strikes.
Guruma tries to pass to full mount but Barnes defends it.
Barnes is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Guruma's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Guruma's back!
Barnes is punishing Guruma with strikes - can he finish him?!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guruma controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Barnes throwing damaging strikes from the back! Guruma could be in trouble here!
Barnes lands strikes to the head.
Barnes controlling from the back.

Guruma is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Guruma is really stuck here.
A lull in the action here.
Guruma manages to reverse the position and now he's in Barnes's guard. Nice work there by Guruma.
Guruma wants to control from the top but Barnes keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Barnes is on top in guard.
Barnes stands up over Guruma, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Guruma is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Barnes trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barnes wants to control from the top but Guruma keeps moving.

Guruma looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Barnes is working Guruma over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kata Guruma will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Guruma swats away the attempt to clinch by Barnes.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Barnes.
Guruma shoots in and drives through. Barnes sprawls well.
A solid leg kick lands there for Guruma.
Barnes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Guruma can pounce on him.
Guruma dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Barnes. That did some damage!
Guruma bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Guruma lands with a kick to the ribs.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Guruma throws a nice head kick!
Barnes throws a sloppy head kick and Guruma moves out of range easily.
Guruma throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice jab there from Barnes.

Barnes tries to keep at a distance but Guruma has taken the fight into the clinch.
Guruma tries to pull guard but Barnes won't allow it.
Barnes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Guruma breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Guruma.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Guruma defending well as Barnes loads up on a big left hand.
Guruma scores with a leg kick.
Guruma throws a nice inside leg kick.
Guruma lands a nice leg kick that just misses Barnes's sensitive parts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Guruma lands a head kick!
Barnes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Guruma throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Guruma throws a head kick but Barnes moves out of range.
Guruma ducks under a wild hook from Barnes.
Kata Guruma is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Guruma closes the distance and pushes Barnes back into the cage.

Guruma lands a takedown into guard.
Guruma preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Barnes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Guruma is in close to Barnes's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Guruma trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Guruma trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Barnes manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Guruma has his foot on Barnes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barnes works his way back into a safe position though.
Barnes looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guruma wants to stand and escape but Barnes is having none of it.
Barnes pushing down on Guruma's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Guruma wants to improve his position but Barnes is controlling well.
Barnes lands strikes from half guard.
Guruma is looking to escape.
Guruma is looking for a sweep. Barnes is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Guruma moves away from the strike by Barnes.
Barnes fails with an attempt to clinch.
Guruma tries a head kick but it misses.
Guruma throws a head kick that Barnes semi-blocks.
Guruma throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Guruma throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes misses with a hook.
A head kick misses from Guruma.
Barnes misses with a two punch combination.
Barnes throws an overhand right that lands on Guruma's shoulder, as Guruma tries to avoid the shot.
Guruma cracks the inside of Barnes's front leg.
Guruma defending well as Barnes loads up on a big left hand.
Guruma lands a head kick!

Guruma shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Guruma showed some decent athleticism there.
Kata Guruma has got the better of the ground game so far.
Guruma throwing shots but Barnes is blocking nicely.
Barnes missing with punches from the bottom.
Barnes tries to get to full guard but Guruma has control of the leg.
Barnes regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barnes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Barnes is trying to control the position but Guruma postures up.

Guruma stands and steps away. Barnes gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Barnes takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Guruma dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Barnes. That did some damage!

Guruma forces Barnes back against the cage and clinches.
Barnes is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Guruma breaks from the clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Guruma.
Guruma throws a head kick but Barnes moves out of range.
A big left from Barnes misses.
Barnes scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Guruma doesn't seem bothered though.

Guruma closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Guruma lands in his opponent's guard.
Barnes tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnes trying to control the position here.
Guruma wants to stand but Barnes has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kata Guruma showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Barnes throws a shot from downtown. Guruma moves away and avoids it.

Guruma closes the distance and pushes Barnes back into the cage.
Guruma looking for a takedown.
Guruma is trying to break free.
Barnes looking to stall.
Guruma jumps guard but Barnes stands there with Guruma around his waist. Guruma gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Barnes manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Barnes wants to sweep but no luck.
Barnes trying to control the position here.
Guruma wants to control from the top but Barnes keeps moving.

Guruma thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Barnes looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes wants to sweep here but Guruma controlling him for the moment.
Guruma works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Guruma decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Barnes blocks a head kick by Guruma.
Barnes is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barnes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barnes tries to bum rush Guruma with a series of wild strikes but Guruma uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Guruma connects with a solid leg kick.

Guruma scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Barnes is trying to get back to half guard.

Guruma has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Barnes throws a head kick that misses.
Barnes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Guruma.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guruma lands a high kick!
Guruma blocks a jab.

Guruma scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Guruma wants to pass to mount but Barnes is defending the position.

Guruma seems to be looking for submissions.
Guruma landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Guruma throwing shots but Barnes is blocking nicely.
Barnes is trying to control but can't.
Barnes is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Barnes is looking for a sweep. Guruma is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Barnes takes a shot to the body in his stride.

Guruma drives through with a takedown into guard.
Guruma preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guruma trying to control the position from guard on top but Barnes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Guruma decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Barnes, up you get!
Barnes swats away the attempt to clinch by Guruma.
A leg kick checked by Guruma.
Barnes takes a kick to the side of the head.
Barnes throws a lazy right hand but Guruma sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Guruma has taken the fight to the clinch.
Barnes pushes off an fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Guruma tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Jimmy Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kata Guruma.
Guruma drops down looking for an ankle pick but Barnes pulls his leg out and moves away.
The fighters circling - Barnes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Guruma lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Guruma bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Guruma throws a shot to the body.
Barnes blocks a head kick by Guruma.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Barnes crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Guruma - the referee stops the clock and Barnes gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Guruma. Barnes manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Guruma staying out of range there.
Jimmy Barnes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barnes takes a kick to the side of the head.
Barnes takes one to the chin there.
Barnes throws a nice looking combination but Guruma bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Guruma moves out of range as Barnes strikes.

Guruma shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Barnes is wriggling around trying to escape.
Barnes swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Guruma lands with some strikes.
Barnes can't escape the position.

Guruma is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Barnes doesn't manage to clinch there - Guruma circles away.
Barnes misses with a body kick.
Guruma stuns Barnes with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jimmy Barnes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Guruma lands a nice leg kick that just misses Barnes's sensitive parts.

Barnes gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Barnes throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kata Guruma comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Guruma has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight for Kata Guruma!
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight for Kata Guruma!
Judge William Gold scores the fight for Kata Guruma!

Kata Guruma wins by unanimous decision!