PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Blake Barrett (ranked 797 p4p, 1501 weight class) and Hakuna Matata (ranked 44 p4p, 80 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Barrett
vs
Matata

166 cm
26
135
6 - 1 - 0

169 cm
26
138
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

EL ZOIDO FEEBLE FIGHTWEAR

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Blake Barrett!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hakuna Matata!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Winston Alpacca and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barrett throws a lazy uppercut
and Matata counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Barrett throws a hook to the side of Matata's head but Matata sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Barrett darts in and clinches Matata up against the cage.
Matata tries a body shot but Barrett blocks it.
Barrett tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matata's elbow.
Matata takes a shot to the head.
Matata tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barrett's elbow.
Matata has a couple of punches blocked by Barrett.
Matata working aggressively here.
Matata misses with a body punch.
Matata tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matata.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barrett holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barrett.
Matata lands a nice uppercut.
Matata tries to throw a body punch but Barrett avoids it by throwing Matata back against the cage.
Barrett misses with the head strike.
Matata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barrett.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matata misses with the head strike.
Barrett tries a body shot but Matata blocks it.
Barrett throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Barrett lands an uppercut.
Matata misses with a punch on the inside.
Barrett lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Matata.
A hook to the body from Matata.
Barrett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matata working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Barrett has a couple of punches blocked by Matata.
Matata prevents a body shot from Barrett.
A right hand to the body from Barrett.
Matata working aggressively here.
A shot in the inside from Matata.
Barrett digs a right hand into Matata's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Matata's gas tank.
Matata tries to work over Barrett's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barrett tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Matata's elbow.
Matata is working for takedown but Barrett is calmly controlling the position for now.
A short right from Barrett on the inside.
Matata looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Barrett scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short body shot lands from Barrett as the two fighters clinch.
Matata has a couple of punches blocked by Barrett.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matata's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Barrett misses with the head strike.
Matata lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Barrett misses with some punches.
Matata blocks a body shot from Barrett.
Matata misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matata misses with a hook from the clinch.
Matata swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short left from Barrett.
Barrett tries to throw a body punch but Matata avoids it by throwing Barrett back against the cage.
Matata lands a shot to the body.
Matata throws a punch but it's blocked by Barrett.
Matata lands a shoulder strike.
Matata misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matata misses with a short punch on the inside.
Barrett misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short uppercut from Barrett.
Barrett working aggressively here.
Matata misses with a punch to the body.
Barrett lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Matata or not.
A short right from Matata.
Barrett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barrett lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barrett.
Matata throws a punch but it's blocked by Barrett.
Barrett taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Barrett lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Matata changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Barrett fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Matata feints a jab promting Barrett to slip. Matata then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Barrett slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Matata throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Barrett gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Matata blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barrett misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Barrett blocking some punches.
Matata misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matata misses with some punches.
Barrett has a couple of punches blocked by Matata.
Barrett lands a right hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barrett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Matata fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Matata.
Matata working aggressively here.
Barrett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Matata has a couple of punches blocked by Barrett.
A short right from Matata on the inside.
Matata tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barrett's elbow.
Matata misses with a punch on the inside.
Matata misses with a punch on the inside.
Barrett blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barrett.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Matata.
Barrett struggles to land a body shot inside as Matata controls his hands.
Barrett scores with a shoulder strike.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Matata swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barrett lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Blake Barrett will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Barrett tries to clinch but Matata moves out of range.
Barrett misses with an uppercut. Matata saw that one coming.
Matata drops his hands momentarily and Barrett takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Barrett looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Barrett has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Barrett throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by Matata.
Barrett tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matata swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matata throws out a counter right but Barrett avoids it with no problem.
Barrett displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matata throws out the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barrett rushes Matata and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Barrett displaying some good clinch control by pressing Matata up against the cage.
Barrett tries to stall but Matata uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matata has a couple of punches blocked by Barrett.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Barrett.
Barrett misses with a hook from the clinch.
Barrett lands a hook to the side of the head.
Barrett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matata gets through Barrett's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Matata - that landed with a thud.
Matata swings wildly with an uppercut but Barrett uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matata misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matata misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matata throws a punch but it's blocked by Barrett.
Matata lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Barrett.
Barrett working aggressively here.
Barrett stalling in the clinch but Matata improves position.
Barrett misses with a short punch on the inside.
Matata throws a punch but it's blocked by Barrett.
Matata lands a right hand.
Barrett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matata blocks a body shot from Barrett.
Matata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matata throws a head punch that misses.
Barrett scores with an uppercut up the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barrett lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Matata or not.
Matata swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barrett prevents a body shot from Matata.
Barrett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Blake Barrett has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Barrett lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Matata or not.
A short left from Matata.
Barrett tries a body shot but Matata blocks it.
Barrett lands a hook that snaps the head of Matata backwards.
Barrett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Barrett tries to work over Matata's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hand to the body from Matata.
Barrett has Matata pressed against the cage.
Matata working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Barrett misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matata blocks an uppercut.
Barrett lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Matata or not.
Barrett blocks a body shot from Matata.
Matata makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matata throws a head punch that misses.
Barrett blocks an uppercut.
Barrett gets through Matata's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Matata swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Barrett scores with a shoulder strike.
Barrett tries a body shot but Matata blocks it.
Matata tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barrett's elbow.
Barrett tries a body shot but Matata blocks it.
Barrett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Matata.
Matata throws a head punch that misses.
Matata lands a left hand.
Matata lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barrett backwards.
Matata misses with a hook from the clinch.
Barrett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Barrett blocks an uppercut.
Barrett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barrett is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Barrett scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Barrett lands with a left to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barrett working aggressively here.
Barrett lands a right hand.
Barrett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matata working aggressively here.
A hook to the body from Barrett.
Matata blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Barrett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barrett blocks an uppercut.
Matata has a couple of punches blocked by Barrett.
Barrett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Barrett fails to land.
Barrett misses with a body punch.
Matata misses with a punch to the body.
Barrett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Barrett fails to land.
Matata tries to work over Barrett's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barrett misses with a body punch.
Barrett slowing the pace effectively.
Barrett is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Matata fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Blake Barrett 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.

Barrett dips to his left and cracks Matata with an uppercut!
Matata throws a series of strikes that have Barrett backpedaling.
Matata with a nice cross.
Hakuna Matata seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matata moves away from the strike by Barrett.
Matata unleashes a big counter combination but Barrett bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Matata slips a straight right by Barrett.
Barrett takes a swing at Matata's ribcage but misses.
Matata is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Barrett with a body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matata swings widly with a right hand
enabling Barrett to counter with a crisp jab.
Barrett throws the left hand but Matata avoids the punch easily.
Matata slips a jab from Barrett.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Barrett.
Barrett jabs Matata right on the nose. Matata blinks but takes it well.
Barrett connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Matata's hands.
Barrett tests Matata's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Barrett scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Barrett stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matata throws a jab when Barrett was well out of range.
Matata takes a swing at Barrett's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matata with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Matata throws a shot from downtown. Barrett moves away and avoids it.
A little feinted left hand from Barrett on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Barrett paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Matata tests Barrett's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Barrett throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matata dips to his left and cracks Barrett with an uppercut!
Matata gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Barrett.
Matata misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barrett has closed the distance and engaged Matata in a clinch.
Barrett lands a nice shot to the body.
Matata scores with a shoulder strike.
Barrett lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Matata backwards.
Matata throws a punch but it's blocked by Barrett.
Barrett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barrett lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Matata prevents a body shot from Barrett.
Barrett misses with a body punch.
Barrett blocks an uppercut.
A short uppercut from Matata.
Barrett doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Matata tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barrett's elbow.
Matata misses with a punch on the inside.
Barrett lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matata fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matata misses with a body punch.
Barrett blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Matata blocking some punches.
Matata misses with the head strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barrett lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nice body punch from Barrett - that landed with a thud.
Barrett misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Matata blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Barrett blocks an uppercut.
A hook to the body from Matata.
Matata misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Barrett is struggling to control the position.
Matata's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barrett.
Matata lands with a short shot to the head.
Barrett working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barrett lands a right hand that snaps the head of Matata backwards.
Matata has a couple of punches blocked by Barrett.
Matata misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Blake Barrett clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

The fighters circling - Barrett throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Matata let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
A big right from Matata misses.
Barrett tests Matata's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Matata drops his hands momentarily and Barrett takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Barrett is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A decent looking cross lands there for Matata.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Matata lands a right hook to the body.
Matata takes a swing at Barrett's ribcage but misses.
Barrett seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Barrett tries to clinch but Matata is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barrett misses with a lunging right hand
and Matata counters with a series of strikes. Barrett will be more careful next time no doubt.
Barrett tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Matata paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barrett looks to clinch
letting Matata counter with a right hand.
Matata looks to land a right hand but Barrett moved out of range.
Matata showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barrett.
Matata lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matata throws a poor cross that misses
and Barrett cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matata looks to land a left hand but Barrett moved out of range nicely.
Barrett tries to clinch up.
Matata let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Matata ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Barrett throws out a loose jab but Matata uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barrett swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matata! But no joy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Matata takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Barrett lands a right hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Matata.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Matata tries to keep at a distance but Barrett has taken the fight into the clinch.
Matata scores with a shot to the side of Barrett's head.
Matata swings wildly with an uppercut but Barrett uses good head movement to avoid it.
Matata lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Barrett backwards.
Matata has a couple of punches blocked by Barrett.
Barrett misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Barrett misses with a body punch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barrett.
Matata prevents a body shot from Barrett.
Barrett gets through Matata's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Barrett misses with the head strike.
Barrett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matata misses with some punches.
Barrett scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Matata.
A nice left hand lands by Barrett.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Barrett - that landed with a thud.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barrett lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Barrett scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Matata doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Barrett tries to work over Matata's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barrett lands a left hand that snaps the head of Matata backwards.
Matata lands a left hand that snaps the head of Barrett backwards.
Barrett lands with a right to the head.
Barrett misses with a hook to the ribs.
Matata throws a punch but it's blocked by Barrett.
Matata working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Matata misses with the head strike.
Barrett misses with some punches.
Barrett lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Barrett working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barrett misses with a punch on the inside.
Matata lands a left hand.
Barrett lands a body punch in the clinch.
Barrett lands a left hand.
Barrett blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Blake Barrett will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Barrett avoids a punch combination nicely.
Barrett tests Matata's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Matata slips under a jab from Barrett.
A slow jab from Matata misses its intended target.
As Matata tries to get set, Barrett tries to push him back and clinch up but Matata manages to avoid the attempt.
Blake Barrett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barrett misses with a hook. Matata ducked under it nicely.
Matata throws out a counter right but Barrett avoids it with no problem.
Barrett punishes Matata's body with a nice straight punch.
Barrett throws a lazy right hand but Matata sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Matata appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matata scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Matata throws a hook but Barrett blocks it.
Barrett is looking to counter the offense by Matata and move into the clinch.
Barrett wants to clinch up but Matata keeps it at a distance.
Matata on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Matata fails to land with a series of punches.
Barrett seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Barrett tests Matata's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Barrett connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Hakuna Matata has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barrett lands a jab-cross combination.
Barrett lands with a hook. Matata tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matata misses with a right hand
and Barrett makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Matata looks to land a combination but Barrett avoids it well.
Matata throws an off balance right hand
and Barrett cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Matata circles away from the clinch attempt.
Matata throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Barrett counters with a nice uppercut.
Barrett misses with a hook
and Matata counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Matata is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Barrett tries to close the distance and clinch up but Matata swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Matata lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Barrett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Matata.
Matata avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Matata! But no joy.

Barrett takes the fight into the clinch.
Barrett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Matata tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barrett's elbow.
Matata blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Matata fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Barrett misses with a punch on the inside.
Matata misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matata blocks a body shot from Barrett.
Matata misses with some punches.
Matata struggles to land a body shot inside as Barrett controls his hands.
Matata misses with a body punch.
Barrett lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Matata backwards.
Matata tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Barrett content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Barrett struggles to land a body shot inside as Matata controls his hands.
Matata struggles to land a body shot inside as Barrett controls his hands.
Barrett misses with a body punch.
A nice left hand lands by Matata.
Barrett blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barrett.
Barrett stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Matata blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stalling in the clinch from Barrett.
Barrett gets through Matata's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Barrett blocks an uppercut.
Matata misses with a body punch.
Matata blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Blake Barrett showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Barrett has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 50:46
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 50:46
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 50:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Blake Barrett!
Blake Barrett retains his bantamweight title!
A very excited looking Blake Barrett 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.