PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Peter Barnkvist (ranked 20855 p4p, 903 weight class) and Lance Paul (ranked 4619 p4p, 610 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Barnkvist
vs
Paul

183 cm
22
184 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

180 cm
22
170 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Peter Barnkvist!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Lance Paul!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnkvist takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Paul feints and then cracks Barnkvist's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Barnkvist down.
Barnkvist connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Paul throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnkvist.
Barnkvist half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Paul scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Paul.
Barnkvist walks into a jab.
Paul feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Barnkvist's calf.
Paul throws a hook to the side of Barnkvist's head but Barnkvist sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Paul throws a right hand that Barnkvist ducks under and follows up with a left that Barnkvist also avoids with ease.
Barnkvist looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Paul lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Paul lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Barnkvist backs up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnkvist misses with a jab, cross combination.
Paul throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Paul throws a hook but Barnkvist blocks it.
Barnkvist tries to counter with a takedown but Paul is quick to defend against it.
A jab lands there for Barnkvist.
Barnkvist lands a head shot.
Barnkvist uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Paul.
Barnkvist throws the left hand but Paul avoids the punch easily.
Paul misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnkvist tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paul was well out of range. Poor timing from Barnkvist.
Barnkvist misses with a right hand
and Paul counters with an inside leg kick.
Lance Paul is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A nice leg kick lands there from Paul.
Barnkvist slips a jab from Paul.
Barnkvist waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Paul.
Paul bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Paul darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Paul thows a left - swing and a miss!
Paul slips a jab from Barnkvist.
Paul bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Paul works over Barnkvist's head and body with a nice combination.
Paul misses with an uppercut.
Lance Paul seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Barnkvist rushes Paul and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Paul works on Barnkvist's body with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paul lands a body punch.
Paul is leaning against Barnkvist and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barnkvist.
Barnkvist is working for takedown but Paul is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paul trying to land knees to the body.
Barnkvist has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Paul avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Barnkvist can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peter Barnkvist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paul can't find room to land a body shot as Barnkvist controls the action.
Paul is leaning against Barnkvist and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Paul lands an elbow just above Barnkvist 's eye.
Barnkvist can't get the takedown.
Paul misses with some punches.
Barnkvist struggles to land a body shot inside as Paul controls his hands.
Nice body punch from Paul - that landed with a thud.
Good body shot from Paul.
Paul misses with an elbow strike.
Barnkvist doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Barnkvist has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Paul after a bit of a struggle.
Paul lands an elbow inside.

It looks like Peter Barnkvist has been cut.
Paul scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Paul has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Barnkvist seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Paul can turn it around.
Paul is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barnkvist is defending well for now.
Barnkvist blocks the elbow strike.
Paul doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Paul lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnkvist misses with a body punch.
Paul tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Barnkvist is working for takedown but Paul is calmly controlling the position for now.
Still in the clinch, Paul scores with a nice short uppercut.
Paul lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Barnkvist backwards.
Barnkvist blocks the elbow strike.
Barnkvist wants a takedown.
Paul gets underhooks to prevent Barnkvist's takedown attempt.
Barnkvist has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Paul after a bit of a struggle.
Paul doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Barnkvist is looking for a takedown.
Barnkvist is breathing heavily.
Barnkvist avoiding damage as Paul throws knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Paul throws an elbow but misses.
Paul tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Paul pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paul fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Barnkvist has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Paul lands a nice shot that snaps Barnkvist's head back.
Paul scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Good shot there by Paul.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul connects with an inside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnkvist scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Paul feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Barnkvist's calf.
Paul connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Barnkvist waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Paul.
Barnkvist throws a right hand that misses
letting Paul counter with a right hand.
Barnkvist misses with an uppercut. Paul saw that one coming.
Paul lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Barnkvist shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Paul is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Barnkvist had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Barnkvist misses with a straight left.
Paul swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Paul throws an overhand right that lands on Barnkvist's shoulder, as Barnkvist tries to avoid the shot.
Paul misses with a straight right.
Barnkvist is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Paul.
Paul throws the left hand but Barnkvist avoids the punch easily.
Barnkvist was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Barnkvist shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Paul counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paul misses with a looping left.
Paul swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nice body punch from Paul.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Paul dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Peter Barnkvist's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Paul misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barnkvist appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Good work by Barnkvist as he checks the leg kick.
Paul misses with an uppercut. Barnkvist saw that one coming.
Barnkvist throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Paul counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Barnkvist tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paul was well out of range. Poor timing from Barnkvist.
Barnkvist takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Barnkvist swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Barnkvist tries to clinch there but Paul circles away.
Barnkvist misses with a looping right.

Barnkvist looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Paul has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Barnkvist postures up in Paul's guard and throws a big left but Paul blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnkvist missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Barnkvist postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barnkvist throws a big elbow that misses.

Paul manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnkvist blocks a body shot from Paul.
Paul misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Paul stops a takedown attempt from Barnkvist.
Barnkvist changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Paul fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Barnkvist loads up on a big right hand but Paul slips the punch.
Paul throws a counter combo.
Barnkvist takes one to the chin there.
Paul ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Barnkvist shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Paul manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Barnkvist with a flurry of punches that miss.
Paul avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Barnkvist throws a big right hand that misses.
Barnkvist is working Paul over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Paul avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnkvist stops Paul from standing up.
Barnkvist postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barnkvist throwing strikes from guard but Paul blocks nicely.
Barnkvist throws a big elbow that misses.
Barnkvist with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Barnkvist distracts Paul with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Barnkvist throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paul works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnkvist with a flurry of punches that miss.
Barnkvist throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Barnkvist trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Barnkvist stops Paul from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Barnkvist accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Paul lands a jab to the nose.
Paul smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Paul throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnkvist.
Paul throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Barnkvist shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Paul pinned against the cage. Paul gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Paul unleashes a big counter combination but Barnkvist bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peter Barnkvist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barnkvist throws out a loose jab but Paul uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Paul, right into the meat.
Lance Paul seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A jab lands there for Paul.
Paul throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnkvist.
Barnkvist wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Paul chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Barnkvist misses the shot to the body.
Paul moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paul lands with a nice body punch.
Paul throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Barnkvist stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Paul throws a leg kick but Barnkvist sees it coming and checks it nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paul lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Barnkvist throws a big shot that misses.
Barnkvist looks to throw the jab but Paul is out of range.
A clash of legs there as Barnkvist blocks the low kick.
Barnkvist half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Paul lands the left hand.
Barnkvist throws a right hand that misses
and Paul counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Paul tries to land a leg kick but Barnkvist saw it coming and moves away.
A head kick misses from Paul.
Paul throws a body shot but no joy.
Barnkvist loads up on a big right hand but Paul slips the punch.
Barnkvist takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A looping hook to the body misses from Paul. Barnkvist does a little dance to reset his feet.
Paul works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lance Paul showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Peter Barnkvist'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!

Barnkvist on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Paul.
Paul waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barnkvist.
Barnkvist steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Paul.
Paul feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Barnkvist's calf.
Barnkvist throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Paul looks to land a left hand but Barnkvist moved out of range nicely.
Paul connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Paul gets tackled into the cage by Barnkvist. Barnkvist maintains the clinch.
Paul tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Barnkvist avoids it.
Paul misses with a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Paul.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnkvist drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Paul works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Paul stops a takedown attempt from Barnkvist.

Barnkvist gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul kicks off Barnkvist and gets to his feet.
Paul throws a looping overhand right but Barnkvist ducks down to avoid it.
Barnkvist ducks under a wild hook from Paul.
Paul getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Paul throws a nice outside leg kick.
Barnkvist is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Paul chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Paul throws out a loose jab but Barnkvist uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barnkvist throws a shot from downtown. Paul moves away and avoids it.
Barnkvist bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barnkvist avoids the body shot from Paul.
Barnkvist looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sloppy strikes from Barnkvist. Those never looked like landing.
Paul throws a nice inside leg kick.
Barnkvist tries to clinch up but Paul circles away and keeps his distance.
Paul swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Barnkvist takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Paul walks into a straight right hand from Barnkvist.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnkvist lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Paul connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Barnkvist momentarily.
Barnkvist gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Barnkvist throws a hook to the side of Paul's head but Paul sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Paul displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barnkvist throws out the jab.
Sloppy strikes from Paul. Those never looked like landing.
Barnkvist throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Barnkvist has taken the fight to the clinch.
Paul is leaning against Barnkvist and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Barnkvist is trying to drag Paul to the mat but Paul just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Peter Barnkvist. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barnkvist tries for a takedown but Paul manages to get underhooks.

Paul's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barnkvist shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Paul. That's going to slow Barnkvist down.
Paul moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnkvist jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A slow jab from Paul misses its intended target.
Barnkvist blocks a jab.
Barnkvist thows a left - swing and a miss!
Paul lands a jab.
Paul dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Barnkvist. That did some damage!
Barnkvist throws a lazy right hand but Paul sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by Paul.
Barnkvist stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Paul.
Paul throws a shot from downtown. Barnkvist moves away and avoids it.
Barnkvist takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Paul ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Barnkvist rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Paul moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Paul misses the shot to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Paul darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Peter Barnkvist has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Paul.
Barnkvist is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnkvist dips to his left and cracks Paul with an uppercut!
Paul lands a jab to the head.
A big right from Paul misses.
Barnkvist on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Paul connects with a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barnkvist. Paul does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barnkvist throws a looping overhand right but Paul ducks down to avoid it.
Paul lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Barnkvist is looking to clinch.
Paul misses with a straight left.
An attempted straight right counter from Barnkvist misses the target.
Paul punishes Barnkvist's body with a nice straight punch.
Paul scores with a nice right hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paul scoring well with a low kick there.
Paul bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Barnkvist on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lance Paul comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Paul winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lance Paul!