PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Barbosa (ranked 1274 p4p, 86 weight class) and Anatoly Gorbachenko (ranked 1510 p4p, 99 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.

Barbosa
vs
Gorbachenko

165 cm
26
137 lbs
14 - 9 - 1

186 cm
27
146 lbs
21 - 13 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 14 - 9 - 1, 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 21 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Anatoly Gorbachenko!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barbosa drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
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.
Gorbachenko is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Barbosa is controlling him well.
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.

Barbosa tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Gorbachenko is looking to reverse the position.
Gorbachenko is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Barbosa tries for a kimura but Gorbachenko is defending well.
Barbosa is looking to take a break and control but Gorbachenko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gorbachenko is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbachenko sneaks back into half guard.

Barbosa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Gorbachenko tries to roll over but Barbosa keeps him under control.

Barbosa wants to work for an arm triangle but Gorbachenko is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Gorbachenko trying to control here.
Gorbachenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Barbosa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Barbosa seems to be working for a kimura but Gorbachenko defends the submission attempt.
Barbosa trying to pass the guard but Gorbachenko defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Gorbachenko trying to hold on to Barbosa's head to control him but Barbosa postures up.
Barbosa wants to free his trapped foot but Gorbachenko is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Barbosa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gorbachenko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gorbachenko wants to get back to full guard.

Barbosa seems to be working for a kimura but Gorbachenko defends the submission attempt.
Barbosa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A jab lands there for Barbosa.
Nice straight punches there by Barbosa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Barbosa.
Gorbachenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barbosa throws a jab but it's blocked by Gorbachenko.
Barbosa tries to clinch
and Gorbachenko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Gorbachenko throws out a loose jab but Barbosa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gorbachenko misses with a straight right.
Gorbachenko takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Nice body punch from Barbosa.
A jab from Gorbachenko misses.
Anatoly Gorbachenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A chopping leg kick lands by Gorbachenko.
Barbosa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barbosa's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Barbosa duly obliges.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbosa moves out of range of the body kick from Gorbachenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa tries to clinch but Gorbachenko is having none of it.
A countering left hand to the body from Gorbachenko misses.
A big left from Gorbachenko misses.
Gorbachenko throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barbosa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Barbosa.
Gorbachenko just misses with a punch to the body.
Barbosa cracks Gorbachenko with a good jab.
Barbosa walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Gorbachenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barbosa moves away.
Barbosa avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Gorbachenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barbosa manages to avoid it.
Barbosa lands with a good body shot.
Gorbachenko cracks Barbosa with a right hand to the side of the head.
Barbosa throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Barbosa defending well as Gorbachenko loads up on a big left hand.
Gorbachenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Gorbachenko lands a body shot.
Gorbachenko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Barbosa fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Gorbachenko has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Barbosa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gorbachenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Gorbachenko keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Barbosa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Barbosa is looking to wear down Gorbachenko with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Gorbachenko scores with a decent looking hook.
Barbosa catches Gorbachenko with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Barbosa takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Barbosa misses with an uppercut
letting Gorbachenko counter with a right hand.
Barbosa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gorbachenko.
Barbosa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gorbachenko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gorbachenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Barbosa throws a head kick but Gorbachenko moves out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barbosa looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Barbosa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Gorbachenko moves away.
Barbosa tries a head kick but it misses.
Gorbachenko misses the shot to the body.
Barbosa misses with an uppercut. Gorbachenko saw that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbachenko wants to clinch.
Gorbachenko throws the left hand but Barbosa avoids the punch easily.
Gorbachenko ducks under a wild hook from Barbosa.
Barbosa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gorbachenko moves out of range of the strikes.
Barbosa takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Gorbachenko lands a nice shot to the body.
Barbosa takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Barbosa ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Gorbachenko throws a looping overhand right but Barbosa ducks down to avoid it.
Barbosa throws a sloppy body shot
and Gorbachenko counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Barbosa works Gorbachenko's body with a nice hook.
Gorbachenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Anatoly Gorbachenko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barbosa throws a nice looking combination but Gorbachenko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Gorbachenko is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Gorbachenko connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Barbosa scores with a nice strike.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gorbachenko.
Gorbachenko staying out of range there.
Barbosa throws a sloppy head kick and Gorbachenko moves out of range easily.
Barbosa checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Gorbachenko misses with a wild body shot.
Gorbachenko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Barbosa looks for the body kick but Gorbachenko saw that one coming.
Gorbachenko wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Barbosa bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Barbosa scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gorbachenko looks to land a left hand but Barbosa moved out of range nicely.
Barbosa comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Barbosa pushes Gorbachenko up against the cage in a clinch.
Gorbachenko misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachenko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Gorbachenko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Gorbachenko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barbosa moves away.
Barbosa half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Gorbachenko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barbosa was well out of range. Poor timing from Gorbachenko.
Gorbachenko slips a straight right by Barbosa.
Gorbachenko lands a slapping body shot.
Gorbachenko listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Gorbachenko takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Barbosa just misses with a punch to the body.
Barbosa throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Gorbachenko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Gorbachenko is looking to clinch.
Barbosa attempts a counter takedown but Gorbachenko avoids it well and moves away.
Gorbachenko moves in looking to clinch but Barbosa pushes him off.
Barbosa connects with the punch.
Gorbachenko scores with a nice strike.
Gorbachenko throws a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barbosa connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Gorbachenko momentarily.
Gorbachenko has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorbachenko throws a leg kick but Barbosa moved away.
Gorbachenko misses with a wild body shot.

Gorbachenko pushes Barbosa up against the cage in a clinch.
Gorbachenko struggles to land a body shot inside as Barbosa controls his hands.
Gorbachenko lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Barbosa.
Gorbachenko tries to throw a body punch but Barbosa avoids it by throwing Gorbachenko back against the cage.
A short right from Gorbachenko on the inside.

Barbosa breaks the clinch.
Barbosa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Gorbachenko.
Barbosa scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Gorbachenko throws a body shot but no joy.
Barbosa throws a front kick that sends Gorbachenko stumbling back into the cage.
Barbosa throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Gorbachenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barbosa manages to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barbosa throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gorbachenko avoids the body shot from Barbosa.
Barbosa throws a head kick but Gorbachenko moves out of range.
Gorbachenko works the jab nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Anatoly Gorbachenko will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Barbosa swinging wildly here.
Gorbachenko takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Gorbachenko lands with an overhand left.
Barbosa works over Gorbachenko's head and body with a nice combination.
Barbosa throws a right hand that Gorbachenko ducks under and follows up with a left that Gorbachenko also avoids with ease.
Gorbachenko swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Barbosa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gorbachenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbosa.
Gorbachenko blocks a head kick by Barbosa.
Gorbachenko throws a solid leg kick but Barbosa takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Gorbachenko.
Gorbachenko sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Gorbachenko stuns Barbosa with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Gorbachenko dodges the punch combination from Barbosa.

Gorbachenko fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Barbosa, pushing him back against the cage.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Gorbachenko breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barbosa walks into a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorbachenko moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Gorbachenko. Barbosa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barbosa cracks Gorbachenko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Gorbachenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Barbosa.
Gorbachenko throws a shot from downtown. Barbosa moves away and avoids it.
Barbosa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barbosa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Gorbachenko was well out of range. Poor timing from Barbosa.
Gorbachenko tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Barbosa is able to avoid easily.
Barbosa blocks a jab.
Barbosa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Gorbachenko.
Gorbachenko throws a hook to the side of Barbosa's head but Barbosa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Jab by Gorbachenko.
Gorbachenko lands a nice hook to Barbosa's body. Barbosa takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Gorbachenko fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Gorbachenko is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Gorbachenko ducks under a wild hook from Barbosa.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gorbachenko misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Barbosa throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gorbachenko on the side of the head.
Gorbachenko misses with a wild body shot.
Barbosa connects with a single shot there.
Gorbachenko throws a body punch but Barbosa moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Barbosa. Those never looked like landing.
Barbosa just misses with a punch to the body.
Gorbachenko misses with a body shot.
Gorbachenko throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gorbachenko fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barbosa manages to avoid it.
Barbosa misses with a hook. Gorbachenko ducked under it nicely.
Decent striking displayed by Barbosa there.
Gorbachenko misses with a wild body shot.
Gorbachenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barbosa just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Barbosa.

Barbosa is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gorbachenko has escaped the position, nice work there.
Gorbachenko is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Barbosa's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gorbachenko is trying to stand up here but Barbosa is controlling him well.
Barbosa seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Gorbachenko does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Gorbachenko is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Barbosa content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Gorbachenko is looking to improve his position.
Barbosa is keen to just control but Gorbachenko is a slippery customer.
Barbosa tries to pass to full mount but Gorbachenko defends it.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Marcelo Barbosa.
I think Barbosa 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 29:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Marcelo Barbosa!