PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cory McDanver (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Conjo Barbetti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Conjo Barbetti has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McDanver
vs
Barbetti

165 cm
20
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

200 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cory McDanver!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Conjo Barbetti!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Cecil Peabody and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbetti keeps the fight on the outside.
Barbetti blocks a head kick by McDanver.
McDanver tries a head kick but it misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
McDanver tries to clinch but Barbetti moves out of range.
McDanver misses with a hook. Barbetti ducked under it nicely.
Barbetti circles away from the clinch attempt.
McDanver looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
McDanver throws a head kick but Barbetti moves out of range.
Barbetti shoots in for a double leg but McDanver sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
McDanver lands a nice looking kick to the body. Barbetti takes a step back to recover.
Barbetti uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McDanver.
Barbetti slips under a jab.

McDanver has managed to clinch.
McDanver lands with a left to the head.
McDanver lands an elbow just above Barbetti 's eye.
Barbetti wants to break free but McDanver has control.

McDanver escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McDanver tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barbetti paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barbetti fails with the takedown.
Barbetti closes this distance looking for a takedown but McDanver circles away.
Cory McDanver has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conjo Barbetti.
McDanver throws a series of punches but Barbetti moves out of range.
Cory McDanver seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McDanver scores with a spinning back kick!
McDanver scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
McDanver pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McDanver throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barbetti throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDanver's waist but McDanver gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barbetti off to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDanver pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McDanver is breathing heavily.
Nice shot lands for McDanver.

McDanver gets caught flat footed, as Barbetti shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Barbetti trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barbetti trying to stand up but can't free himself from McDanver's guard.
Barbetti tries to free his leg and advance position but McDanver is retaining full guard.
McDanver preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Barbetti postures up.
Barbetti tries to free his leg and advance position but McDanver is retaining full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McDanver swinging wilding here.
Cory McDanver is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
McDanver misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDanver thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Barbetti if he has to take too many more of those.
Barbetti has a takedown stuffed.
Barbetti will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

McDanver moves into the clinch successfully.
McDanver working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Barbetti takes an elbow to the temple.
McDanver throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barbetti blocks it with crossed arms.
McDanver gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Barbetti goes for a takedown in the clinch but McDanver prevents it.

Barbetti works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Barbetti has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
McDanver pulls Barbetti in close to prevent any damage.
Barbetti pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McDanver is keeping the position for now.
Barbetti is stalling in the full guard.
McDanver knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Barbetti on the ground.
McDanver keeping moving, preventing Barbetti from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbetti pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McDanver is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
McDanver trying to control the position.
Barbetti wants to stand but McDanver has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McDanver tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McDanver scores with a hook.
Barbetti fails with the takedown.
McDanver throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
McDanver tries a head kick but it misses.
McDanver throws a sloppy head kick and Barbetti moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barbetti clinches.
Barbetti tries for a takedown. No joy.

Barbetti breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McDanver misses with a two punch combination.
McDanver tries to clinch but Barbetti moves out of range.
McDanver loads up on a big right hand but Barbetti slips the punch.
Barbetti stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from McDanver.
Barbetti shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says McDanver as he avoids it easily.
McDanver tries to clinch there but Barbetti circles away.

Barbetti forces McDanver back against the cage and clinches.

McDanver breaks from the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from McDanver. No joy for Barbetti on that attempt.
McDanver throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Barbetti.
McDanver sizes up Barbetti with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Barbetti wants to clinch.
McDanver tries to clinch up but Barbetti circles away and keeps his distance.

Barbetti scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Barbetti misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Barbetti wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McDanver, who protects the arm well.
Barbetti is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barbetti trying to control the position but McDanver is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Barbetti throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDanver's waist but McDanver gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barbetti off to one side.
McDanver tries to clinch but Barbetti is having none of it.
Cory McDanver is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barbetti fails with a takedown attempt.
McDanver misses with a looping right.
A solid leg kick lands there for McDanver.

Barbetti darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Barbetti seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but McDanver does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Barbetti tries to stand and escape but McDanver is controlling the position.
McDanver moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Barbetti trying to control but McDanver is working from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Barbetti looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbetti with a flurry of punches that miss.
Barbetti tries to free his leg and advance position but McDanver is retaining full guard.
Barbetti works a leg free and moves into half guard.
McDanver is looking for a sweep. Barbetti is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Barbetti has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
McDanver working to try and regain half guard.

McDanver bucks Barbetti off and manages to get back to his feet!
Barbetti shoots in but McDanver avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Cory McDanver has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conjo Barbetti.
McDanver misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDanver is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McDanver misses with the combination.

McDanver clinches with his opponent.
Barbetti takes an elbow to the forehead.

McDanver breaks from the clinch.
Barbetti tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McDanver swivels and escapes.
McDanver is looking to clinch but Barbetti is avoiding it.
Barbetti blocks a head kick by McDanver.
Barbetti gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McDanver throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Barbetti throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around McDanver's waist but McDanver gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barbetti off to one side.
Barbetti slips under a jab.

McDanver gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Barbetti has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. McDanver is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Barbetti drags the fight down to the ground.
Barbetti not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barbetti might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control McDanver kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Barbetti wants to sweep here but McDanver controlling him for the moment.

Barbetti working for a triangle but McDanver defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barbetti looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Barbetti looking to hit a scissor sweep but McDanver is one step ahead there.

Barbetti throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Barbetti is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbetti wants to take a breather but McDanver is having none of it.
Barbetti thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Barbetti looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
McDanver is refusing to be controlled, as Barbetti sits in half guard.
Barbetti not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbetti looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Barbetti stalling away here and it's allowed McDanver to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
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 Cory McDanver will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

McDanver jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Barbetti rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but McDanver moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
McDanver paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Barbetti slips a jab and a cross from McDanver.
Cory McDanver is winning the standup battle so far.
Barbetti blocks a head kick by McDanver.
Barbetti shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McDanver pinned against the cage. McDanver gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Barbetti closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Barbetti working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on McDanver's thigh. McDanver counters though and makes it back to full guard.
McDanver keeping full guard, as Barbetti tries to pass.

McDanver kicks Barbetti off and gets to his feet.
McDanver fails with an attempt to clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McDanver tries to close the distance and clinch up but Barbetti swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barbetti misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Barbetti misses with a takedown attempt - McDanver sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cory McDanver has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conjo Barbetti.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDanver misses with a double jab

so Barbetti counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Barbetti trying to control but McDanver is working from the bottom.
Barbetti controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Barbetti is standing up over McDanver. McDanver looks to escape but Barbetti dives into side control.

Barbetti has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Barbetti fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
McDanver scoring well with a low kick there.
McDanver throws a sloppy head kick

and Barbetti counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McDanver is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Barbetti goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, McDanver rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Barbetti's guard! Nice work there by McDanver!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McDanver stands and steps away. Barbetti gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The fight stays on the outside here - McDanver looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

McDanver gets caught flat footed, as Barbetti shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Barbetti trying to control the position from guard on top but McDanver is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barbetti is looking to work some ground and pound but McDanver has wrist control.
McDanver keeping moving, preventing Barbetti from controlling successfully.
Barbetti wants to pass the guard but McDanver is keeping the position.

Barbetti thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Barbetti trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barbetti has gone for a leg lock! McDanver slips out almost immediately though and dives into Barbetti's guard.
McDanver is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
McDanver'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.

Barbetti has his foot on McDanver's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. McDanver works his way back into a safe position though.
McDanver trying to control the position from guard on top but Barbetti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Conjo Barbetti has got the better of the ground game so far.

McDanver avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Barbetti is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McDanver looking to pass the guard.
McDanver controlling from the top position.
McDanver wants to get up but he can't break Barbetti's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
McDanver trying to control but Barbetti is working from the bottom.
McDanver might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barbetti tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Conjo Barbetti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Barbetti looking for submissions from the bottom but instead McDanver passes into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Conjo Barbetti comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McDanver 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 29:29
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!