PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Barbosa (ranked 1671 p4p, 80 weight class) and Yang Xinhai (ranked 1611 p4p, 77 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Marcelo Barbosa has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Marcelo Barbosa seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Barbosa
vs
Xinhai

165 cm
24
137 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

175 cm
24
140 lbs
10 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite 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 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Barbosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Yang Xinhai!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xinhai connects with a crisp jab.

Barbosa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Barbosa looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Barbosa scores with a nice hook to the head.
Xinhai misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barbosa has a couple of punches blocked by Xinhai.
Xinhai lands with a short shot to the head.

Barbosa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barbosa shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Xinhai lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Barbosa throws a head kick but Xinhai moves out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Xinhai throws an overhand right that lands on Barbosa's shoulder, as Barbosa tries to avoid the shot.
Barbosa digs a good body shot into Xinhai's ribs.
Xinhai misses with an uppercut. Barbosa saw that one coming.
Barbosa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Barbosa throws a head kick but Xinhai moves out of range.
Barbosa wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Xinhai misses with an uppercut.
Barbosa lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Barbosa will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barbosa has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Xinhai misses with a hook.
Barbosa attempts a counter takedown but Xinhai avoids it well and moves away.
Xinhai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Xinhai jabs at Barbosa's body.
Barbosa throws the left hand but Xinhai avoids the punch easily.
Xinhai lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Barbosa moves out of range as Xinhai strikes.
Barbosa misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Xinhai counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Barbosa is looking to land body kicks.
Xinhai looks to land a left hand but Barbosa moved out of range nicely.
Xinhai connects with a nice looking jab.
Barbosa scores with a nice strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab from Xinhai misses.
Barbosa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Xinhai.
Barbosa attempts a counter takedown but Xinhai avoids it well and moves away.
Barbosa misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Xinhai throws a hook but Barbosa avoids it easily.
Nice straight punches there by Xinhai. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Xinhai.
Barbosa tries to clinch but Xinhai is having none of it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Xinhai! But no joy.
Barbosa plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Barbosa dodges the punch combination from Xinhai.
Barbosa feinted with a counter takedown.
Xinhai waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barbosa.
Barbosa drops down looking for a counter takedown but Xinhai sprawls and moves away.
Xinhai throws an overhand right that lands on Barbosa's shoulder, as Barbosa tries to avoid the shot.
Barbosa lands a nice shot that snaps Xinhai's head back.
Barbosa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Barbosa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Xinhai thuds his right hand into Barbosa's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Barbosa lands a head kick!
Barbosa throws a poor cross that misses
and Xinhai counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Xinhai slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Xinhai misses.
Barbosa bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Xinhai throws the left hand but Barbosa avoids the punch easily.
Barbosa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Xinhai moves away.
Xinhai stalks Barbosa and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Barbosa's face. Barbosa staggers backwards, shaken.
Barbosa tries a head kick but it misses.
Xinhai misses with a hook
and Barbosa counters with a nice body kick.
Xinhai throws a right and a left that both miss.
Barbosa connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Xinhai momentarily.
Barbosa misses with a head kick.
Xinhai throws a jab when Barbosa was well out of range.
Barbosa takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
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!
Barbosa ducks under a wild hook from Xinhai.
Xinhai throws a lazy right hand but Barbosa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Xinhai misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barbosa swings for the body but Xinhai moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa looks to land a left hand but Xinhai moved out of range nicely.
Xinhai throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Barbosa counters with a left and a right that stings Xinhai.
Barbosa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Xinhai throws out the jab.
Barbosa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barbosa misses with a body shot
and Xinhai counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Barbosa thinking.
A jab from Xinhai misses.
Barbosa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Xinhai misses with a hook. Barbosa ducked under it nicely.
Barbosa misses with a head kick.
Barbosa thuds a left hand into Xinhai's body.
Xinhai throws a series of punches but Barbosa moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Xinhai misses with a straight left.
Xinhai cracks Barbosa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Barbosa moves in looking to clinch but Xinhai pushes him off.
Xinhai takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Xinhai misses with a straight right.
Barbosa takes a swing at Xinhai's ribcage but misses.
Xinhai misses the shot to the body.
Barbosa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xinhai.
Xinhai ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Barbosa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Barbosa doesn't manage to clinch there - Xinhai circles away.
Xinhai throws a hook to the side of Barbosa's head but Barbosa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barbosa throws a hook but Xinhai blocks it.
Barbosa jabs at Xinhai's body.
Xinhai missing with a left hand there. Barbosa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Xinhai misses the jab.
Xinhai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Xinhai fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barbosa manages to avoid it.
Xinhai lands with an overhand left.
Barbosa tries to bum rush Xinhai with a series of wild strikes but Xinhai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa tries to clinch but Xinhai is having none of it.
Xinhai has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A swing and a miss from Xinhai.
Xinhai throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Xinhai lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Barbosa backs up against the cage.
Xinhai lands with a nice body punch.
Barbosa shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Xinhai as he avoids it easily.
Yang Xinhai seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barbosa tries to clinch up.
Xinhai looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nice body punch from Barbosa.
Barbosa looks to throw the jab but Xinhai is out of range.
Barbosa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Xinhai.
Xinhai throws the left hand but Barbosa avoids the punch easily.
Barbosa tries to counter with a takedown but Xinhai is quick to defend against it.
Barbosa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Xinhai.
A head kick misses from Barbosa.
Barbosa tries a head kick but it misses.
Barbosa lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa tries to clinch up
enabling Xinhai to counter with a crisp jab.
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!
Barbosa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Xinhai avoids a punch combination nicely.
Xinhai pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barbosa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Barbosa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Xinhai was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbosa.
Barbosa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Xinhai.
Barbosa throwing a counter right hand but Xinhai manages to avoid it.
Xinhai uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barbosa.
Xinhai looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Xinhai jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barbosa is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A telegraphed right hand from Xinhai misses the target.
Xinhai blocks a head kick by Barbosa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barbosa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Xinhai.
A telegraphed right hand from Xinhai misses the target.
Xinhai lands with a nice combination. Barbosa backs away looking to recover.
Xinhai gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Barbosa digs a good hook to Xinhai's body.
Barbosa uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Xinhai.
Barbosa misses with a wild body shot.
Xinhai looks to score with a jab to the body but Barbosa is just out of range.
Barbosa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Barbosa tries a head kick but it misses.
Xinhai lands a slapping body shot.
A big right from Xinhai misses.
Barbosa is looking to counter punch.
Barbosa is looking to clinch but Xinhai is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xinhai throws a jab when Barbosa was well out of range.
Xinhai blocks a head kick by Barbosa.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbosa tries a head kick but it misses.
Barbosa throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Barbosa uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Xinhai.
A big left from Xinhai misses.
Xinhai connects with a nice looking jab.
Barbosa throws a lazy right hand but Xinhai sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Barbosa is looking to wear down Xinhai with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Barbosa looks to score with a jab to the body but Xinhai is just out of range.
Xinhai connects with a good right hand that stumbles Barbosa. Barbosa circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Barbosa moves away from the strike by Xinhai.
Barbosa staying out of range there.
Barbosa throws a lazy head kick
and Xinhai counters with a straight right hand.
A looping hook to the body misses from Xinhai. Barbosa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Xinhai misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yang Xinhai showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Xinhai lands a jab to the nose.
Xinhai misses with a hook.
Barbosa drops down looking for a counter takedown but Xinhai sprawls and moves away.
Xinhai looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Barbosa misses with a body punch
and Xinhai connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Xinhai throws a looping overhand right but Barbosa ducks down to avoid it.
Barbosa tries a head kick but it misses.
No joy there for Xinhai, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Xinhai fails to land with a series of punches.
Xinhai blocks a head kick by Barbosa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbosa ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Xinhai throws a hook but Barbosa blocks it.

Barbosa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Xinhai blocks a body shot from Barbosa.
Xinhai is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Barbosa is keeping busy.
A head punch on the inside from Xinhai fails to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Xinhai creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Barbosa tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Barbosa misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Barbosa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Xinhai throws a right hand that misses

and Barbosa counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Barbosa.
Xinhai is looking to stand back up but Barbosa counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Xinhai.

Barbosa is looking for a kimura but Xinhai is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Barbosa to get the leverage.

Barbosa is looking for a kimura here.

Barbosa is trying to work for a kimura but Xinhai is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa is looking for a kimura here.
Barbosa is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Barbosa has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
You get the feeling that Xinhai really doesn't like being in this position too much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa wants to control the pace but Xinhai is squirming around nicely.
Xinhai trying desperately to get to his feet.
Xinhai stops Barbosa from taking his back. Still, being mounted isn't any better.
Barbosa trying to control but Xinhai is having none of it.

Barbosa goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Xinhai turns into him and now he's in Barbosa's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa throws his legs up looking for a submission but Xinhai uses it to pass to side control.
Marcelo Barbosa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barbosa manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Barbosa actively working from the bottom here.

Barbosa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barbosa missing with punches from the bottom.
Yang Xinhai is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Barbosa flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Yang Xinhai.
I've got Xinhai 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yang Xinhai!
A very excited looking Yang Xinhai 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.