PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mirko Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Todd Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barnett's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Alaj volim kad je pomalena. Anderson has chosen Stay Hungry as his entrance music. Mirko Barnett could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Todd Anderson's chin.

Barnett
vs
Anderson

188 cm
24
240 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

199 cm
23
270 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mirko Barnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Todd Anderson!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnett tries to work over Anderson's front leg with a kick but Anderson checks it.
Barnett throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Barnett moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

It looks like Todd Anderson has been cut.
Barnett is looking to clinch.
Barnett tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Anderson paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barnett throws a head kick that half lands.
Mirko Barnett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barnett tries to clinch up but Anderson circles away and keeps his distance.

Barnett gets caught flat footed, as Anderson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Anderson throws a big right hand that misses.
Barnett keeping full guard, as Anderson tries to pass.
Anderson is looking to work some ground and pound but Barnett has wrist control.
Anderson stops Barnett from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barnett can't keep his opponent in guard - Anderson advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Barnett looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Anderson there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Anderson thows a huge punch but Barnett dodges it nicely.
Anderson not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Barnett avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Anderson.
Anderson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Barnett's head.
Barnett knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Anderson on the ground.
Anderson is looking to pass Barnett's guard but actually Barnett recovers to full guard.
Anderson postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barnett tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Anderson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Barnett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Anderson looking to pass the guard.
Anderson loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Anderson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Anderson throwing strikes but missing.
Anderson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barnett's head.
Anderson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Anderson works over Barnett with some ground and pound from guard.
Anderson looking to pass the guard.
Barnett preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Barnett utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Anderson lands a couple of digs.
Anderson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Anderson looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Anderson postures up in Barnett's guard and throws a big left but Barnett blocks it.
Barnett might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Barnett is trying to control the position but Anderson postures up.
Anderson throwing strikes but missing.
Barnett controlling the position.
Anderson wants to pass the guard but Barnett is keeping the position.
Anderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Barnett wants to get back to his feet but Anderson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Anderson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Anderson takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Barnett. No joy for Anderson on that attempt.
Both fighters circling a little - Barnett finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barnett misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barnett misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barnett tries to close the distance and clinch but Anderson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Barnett tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barnett tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barnett tries to clinch but Anderson is having none of it.

Anderson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barnett slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Barnett wants to get back to his feet but Anderson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Barnett dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Todd Anderson's cut.
That's time! Barnett's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Barnett throws a head kick but Anderson moves out of range.
Barnett fails in his attempt to clinch.
A head kick misses from Barnett.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barnett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barnett throws a sloppy head kick and Anderson moves out of range easily.

Anderson closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Anderson lands in his opponent's guard.
Anderson lands a couple of elbows.
Anderson throwing strikes from guard but Barnett blocks nicely.
Anderson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Anderson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Anderson missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Anderson with a flurry of punches that miss.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Barnett holds on and takes a little breather.
Barnett tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Anderson thows a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Anderson shoots in but Barnett avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Anderson is breathing heavily.
Barnett misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Anderson fails with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Barnett.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Barnett fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barnett is looking to clinch.
Anderson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mirko Barnett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Todd Anderson.
Barnett throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Anderson.
Barnett fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barnett fails with an attempt to clinch.
Barnett throws a head kick but Anderson moves out of range.
Anderson throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barnett's waist but Barnett gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Anderson off to one side.
Barnett tries to close the distance and clinch but Anderson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Anderson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barnett but Barnett pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Barnett scores with a nice head shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett lands with a nice body kick.
Anderson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mirko Barnett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Anderson circles away from the clinch attempt.
A jab from Anderson misses.
Barnett moves in looking to clinch but Anderson pushes him off.
Barnett is looking to clinch.

Barnett instigates a clinch.
Barnett taking a breather.
Barnett working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barnett works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Barnett lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.
Barnett pushes Anderson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Barnett working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barnett lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Barnett lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Anderson backwards.
Barnett slowing the pace effectively.
Barnett throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
A body shot lands from Barnett.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Still in the clinch, Barnett scores with a nice short uppercut.
The is referee keeping an eye on Barnett - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Barnett lands a right hand.
Barnett lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
A bit of stalling here from Barnett.
Barnett lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnett leaning his opponent against the cage.
A hook to the body from Barnett.
The referee calls for Barnett to work.
Barnett scores with a shot to the side of Anderson's head.
Still in the clinch, Barnett scores with a nice short uppercut.
Anderson wants a takedown.
Barnett lands a shot to the body.
Barnett working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Anderson takes a shot to the head.
Barnett lands an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mirko Barnett dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Todd Anderson's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Anderson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barnett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Anderson shoots in for a double leg but Barnett sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Anderson decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Barnett is looking to improve his position.
Barnett is trying to control but can't.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Barnett here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Anderson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Anderson missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Barnett is trying to stand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Anderson trying to control from half guard but Barnett is working away.
Anderson throwing shots but Barnett is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Anderson looks for a takedown but Barnett sprawls well.
Barnett is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Anderson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Barnett fails in his attempt to clinch.
Anderson has a takedown stuffed.
Mirko Barnett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Todd Anderson.
Barnett misses with a head kick.
Barnett doesn't manage to clinch there - Anderson circles away.
Anderson moves out of range as Barnett throws a body kick.

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.
A head kick from Barnett lands but Anderson takes it in his stride.
Barnett throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That has opened up Todd Anderson's cut even more.
Barnett throws a head kick that Anderson semi-blocks.

Anderson is rocked!
Barnett throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Anderson takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Barnett tries to close the distance and clinch but Anderson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Barnett dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Anderson. That did some damage!
Anderson keeps the fight on the outside.
Barnett lands a head kick!
Barnett throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick misses from Barnett.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett tries to clinch up.
Barnett pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Anderson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Anderson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mirko Barnett is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Anderson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barnett scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Barnett throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Anderson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Anderson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barnett will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barnett tries to clinch but Anderson moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Anderson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barnett misses with a head kick.
Barnett moves in looking to clinch but Anderson pushes him off.
Barnett is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barnett misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barnett throws a head kick that half lands.
Barnett throws a head kick but Anderson moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnett fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Anderson on the side of the head.

Anderson scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Todd Anderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Anderson is working for a submission of some sort.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mirko Barnett showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barnett, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mirko Barnett!