PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Omar Barksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Isaac Wankerl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Wankerl is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Voodoo Chile by Jimi Hendrix. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Barksdale
vs
Wankerl

180 cm
21
163 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

175 cm
24
160 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Convicted
Hell's Balls Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Omar Barksdale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Isaac Wankerl!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, John Roberts and Joseph Jones.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barksdale defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Wankerl.
Barksdale digs a good body shot into Wankerl's ribs.
Wankerl takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Barksdale lands a right hook to the body.
Wankerl looks gassed!
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!
Barksdale swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Isaac Wankerl seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wankerl takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A head kick misses from Barksdale.
Barksdale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barksdale feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Wankerl sprawling to the canvas! Wankerl rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Barksdale finish him?!

Wankerl is rocked!

It looks like Isaac Wankerl has been cut.
Barksdale throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Barksdale scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Wankerl is still on wobbly legs! Can Barksdale finish him?
Barksdale throws a series of punches but Wankerl avoids them all with ease.
Wankerl seems to have recovered his senses.
Barksdale throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Wankerl tumbling to the canvas!
Barksdale throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Barksdale connects with a couple of short punches.
Barksdale has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Barksdale lands a couple of elbows.

Barksdale drops back looking for a leg! Wankerl is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Wankerl manages to kick Barksdale off! Barksdale jumps back into Wankerl's guard.
Barksdale postures up and lands a big shot to Wankerl's brow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wankerl has momentary wrist control but Barksdale slips an elbow through the middle.
Barksdale makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Barksdale drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Wankerl dives on top into guard.
Wankerl passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Barksdale gets full guard.

Barksdale looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Barksdale will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Wankerl defends well.

Wankerl got a little sloppy there for a moment and Barksdale has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Wankerl has managed to get both his arms back between Barksdale's legs - danger averted.
Barksdale looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Wankerl puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barksdale manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Wankerl drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Barksdale manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Wankerl has Barksdale in his guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barksdale looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barksdale passes Wankerl's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Barksdale slips a nice elbow through Wankerl's hands, connecting with Wankerl's forehead.
Barksdale takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Barksdale's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Barksdale scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Barksdale tries to pass to full mount but Wankerl defends it.
Barksdale moves nicely into side control.
Barksdale working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Barksdale wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Wankerl, who protects the arm well.
Barksdale tries to score with some ground and pound. Wankerl controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Wankerl takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Wankerl is looking to reverse the position.
Barksdale landing a few strikes.
Barksdale looks up at the clock and then as Wankerl takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Barksdale smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Omar Barksdale dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Isaac Wankerl's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Wankerl takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Omar Barksdale is winning the standup battle so far.
Wankerl closes the distance and clinches up with Barksdale, looking for a takedown. Wankerl pushes Barksdale against the cage but Barksdale circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Wankerl looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Wankerl fails with a takedown attempt.
Omar Barksdale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Isaac Wankerl.
Barksdale misses with a two punch combination.
Barksdale connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Barksdale lands a with a good body shot.
Barksdale digs a good body shot into Wankerl's ribs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barksdale throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Wankerl throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barksdale's waist but Barksdale gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Wankerl off to one side.
Wankerl has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Barksdale throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barksdale misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wankerl.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Barksdale scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Wankerl is trying desperately to land a takedown but Barksdale is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Wankerl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barksdale misses with a body shot.

Barksdale looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Wankerl has his foot on Barksdale's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barksdale works his way back into a safe position though.
Barksdale lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Wankerl tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Barksdale working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barksdale with a flurry of punches that miss.
Barksdale is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barksdale stays in close to Wankerl's body and controls the position.

Wankerl working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barksdale doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barksdale manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Barksdale passes Wankerl's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wankerl tries to roll over but Barksdale keeps him under control.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Barksdale lands a nice short elbow.
Barksdale works his foot free and advances to mount.
Wankerl is trying desperately to improve position.
Barksdale putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barksdale is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Wankerl is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Omar Barksdale!