PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nate Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tito Ortizz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Barnes
vs
Ortizz

185 cm
19
210 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
24
220 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Dangerous GnP
Decent boxing
Powerful

[≈≈CBK≈≈]LION Clothing •‡•

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nate Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tito Ortizz!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Tiny Johnson and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ortizz sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ortizz slips under a jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Barnes.
Barnes jabs Ortizz right on the nose. Ortizz blinks but takes it well.
Ortizz slips a jab and a cross from Barnes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Barnes. Ortizz does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barnes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ortizz.
Barnes misses with a low kick.
Barnes misses the jab.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Barnes gets underhooks to prevent Ortizz's takedown attempt.
Ortizz can't get the takedown.
Ortizz is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nate Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tito Ortizz.
Barnes can't find room to land a body shot as Ortizz controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes throws a punch but it's blocked by Ortizz.

Ortizz turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Ortizz manages to end up in side control.
Ortizz lands some shots froms side control.
The strikes coming from Ortizz are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Ortizz grinds an elbow into Barnes's temple.
Barnes wants to control but Ortizz postures up.
Barnes is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ortizz off and has taken his back!
Barnes is striking from the back but Ortizz escapes and manages to recover to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnes wants to stand up but Ortizz is controlling the position.
Ortizz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ortizz trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ortizz is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Barnes wanted to stand there but Ortizz had control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ortizz is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ortizz keeping moving, preventing Barnes from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Barnes closes the distance but Ortizz moves to the side

and Ortizz counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ortizz.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ortizz postures up and lands a big shot to Barnes's brow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ortizz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ortizz throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Barnes works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ortizz thows a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tito Ortizz dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nate Barnes's cut.
That's time! Barnes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Barnes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barnes closes the distance but Ortizz moves to the side

and Ortizz counters with a shoot takedown. Barnes fights it but they end up in guard.
Barnes working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ortizz.
Barnes knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Ortizz on the ground.
Barnes utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ortizz throwing strikes from guard but Barnes blocks nicely.
Ortizz trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Barnes is adopting a defensive guard.
Ortizz throws and elbow that misses. Barnes uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ortizz's guard. Nice move by Barnes!
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Ortizz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes looking to pass the guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Barnes throws a predictable looking body shot

and Ortizz counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ortizz being controlled here momentarily.
Ortizz has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ortizz in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ortizz throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ortizz accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ortizz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Barnes is looking to stand up but Ortizz isn't so interested in that idea.
Barnes wants to sweep here but Ortizz controlling him for the moment.
Ortizz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ortizz blocks a leg kick.
Barnes swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Barnes lands a nice looking body shot.
Ortizz shoots in for a double leg but Barnes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A low kick from Barnes misses

and Ortizz counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Ortizz.
Ortizz throws a big right hand that misses.
Ortizz is looking to work some ground and pound but Barnes has wrist control.
Ortizz won't allow Barnes to sweep him here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ortizz with a flurry of punches that miss.
Barnes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barnes avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Barnes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tito Ortizz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nate Barnes'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.

Ortizz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Barnes moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Ortizz shoots in and bounces Barnes off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Barnes working a defensive guard here.
Ortizz preventing the sweep.
Ortizz postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Barnes lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ortizz!
Ortizz is looking to improve his position but Barnes isn't that keen on the idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ortizz wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Barnes.
Poor strikes thrown by Barnes there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Barnes looking to control but Ortizz is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Ortizz is in all sorts of trouble here.
Barnes throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Ortizz tries to lock up and control but Barnes gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ortizz can't escape the position.
Ortizz swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Ortizz tries to reverse the position but Barnes maintains control.
Ortizz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Barnes throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Ortizz wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Barnes.
Barnes lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Barnes can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ortizz is looking to escape.
Barnes looking to ground and pound but Ortizz is blocking nicely.
Barnes looking to finish with strikes here!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ortizz can do anything to dispel that myth.
Ortizz working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Barnes clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Nate Barnes's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Barnes lands with a good body shot.
Nice defenses there by Ortizz.
Ortizz closes the distance and clinches up with Barnes, looking for a takedown. Ortizz pushes Barnes against the cage but Barnes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ortizz bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Barnes is pushing Ortizz's head away, looking to escape. Ortizz manages to hold on to the position though.
Barnes is trying to get back to half guard.
Barnes is trying to control Ortizz's posture but Ortizz avoids it.
Ortizz working the ground and pound from side control.
Ortizz connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Barnes some visible discomfort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ortizz lands a decent elbow from side control.
Barnes can't do much from the bottom here.
Check out the look on Ortizz's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Barnes tries to bench press Ortizz off him but Ortizz keeps the position.
Barnes parries the strikes from Ortizz easily there. Ortizz is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Barnes to escape.
Ortizz lands a few punches from side control.
Barnes is trying to control Ortizz's posture but Ortizz avoids it.
Tito Ortizz has got the better of the ground game so far.
Barnes is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Ortizz working the head with strikes.
Ortizz throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Ortizz is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ortizz scoring with punches and elbows.
Ortizz creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Barnes sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Barnes tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ortizz fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Barnes is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Barnes is trying to control Ortizz's posture but Ortizz avoids it.
Barnes is trying to get back to half guard.
Ortizz throws an elbow but Barnes slips to the side and avoids it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnes is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ortizz asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Barnes misses with a straight right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tito Ortizz dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Nate Barnes's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Ortizz shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barnes but Barnes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ortizz tries to clinch but Barnes moves out of range.
Barnes just misses with a punch to the body.
Barnes missing with a left hand there. Ortizz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barnes slaps away a takedown attempt from Ortizz, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ortizz shoots in but no luck this time.
Nate Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tito Ortizz.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes connects with a right hand. Ortizz shakes it off.
The fighters circling - Barnes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes missing with a left hand there. Ortizz was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barnes misses with a looping left.
Barnes throws a low kick, looking for Ortizz's leg but Ortizz calmly moves out of range.
Barnes lands with an uppercut that bounces Ortizz off the cage and back into rage.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Barnes.
Nice takedown defense from Barnes. No joy for Ortizz on that attempt.
Barnes misses with a straight right.
Ortizz takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Barnes throws a looping overhand right but Ortizz ducks down to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ortizz shoots in but no luck this time.
Ortizz is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Barnes looks to clinch

and Ortizz counters with a takedown into side control.
Barnes wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Barnes wants to control but Ortizz postures up.
Barnes tries to buck Ortizz off but Ortizz is having none of it.
Barnes takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnes is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Barnes tries to get to full guard but Ortizz has control of the leg.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnes on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Barnes is looking for a sweep. Ortizz is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Barnes regains full guard. Nicely done.

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 Nate Barnes.
I think Ortizz has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight for Tito Ortizz!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Tito Ortizz!
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight for Tito Ortizz!

Tito Ortizz wins by unanimous decision!