PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Barba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Selivanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Barba
vs
Selivanov

188 cm
22
207 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

182 cm
26
205 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frank Barba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nikolai Selivanov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Viktor Lagutenko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barba closes this distance looking for a takedown but Selivanov circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barba is defended easily by Selivanov.
Frank Barba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sloppy strikes from Selivanov. Those never looked like landing.
Barba fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Barba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Selivanov throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Selivanov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Selivanov dodges the punch combination from Barba.
Barba slips a jab and a cross from Selivanov.
Selivanov throws a right and a left that both miss.

Barba scores with a takedown into Selivanov's guard.
Barba trying to control but Selivanov is working from the bottom.

Barba has gone for a leg lock! Selivanov slips out almost immediately though and dives into Barba's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barba wants to get back to his feet but Selivanov is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Barba looking for a guillotine here but Selivanov defends easily.

Barba throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Barba is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Selivanov trying to control but Barba is working from the bottom.
Selivanov wants to stand but Barba is controlling his posture from full guard.
Selivanov engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

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.

Selivanov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Barba has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Selivanov has managed to get both his arms back between Barba's legs - danger averted.

Barba working for a triangle but Selivanov defends it easily.
Selivanov wants to control from the top but Barba keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barba wants to sweep but no luck.
Selivanov looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Selivanov looking to pass the guard.
Selivanov must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Selivanov tries to stand but Barba is controlling from the bottom.

Nikolai Selivanov has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Selivanov walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Barba checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Selivanov misses the shot to the body.
Barba misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Barba has a takedown stuffed.

Barba closes the distance and pushes Selivanov back into the cage.
Selivanov has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
With the fighters up against the cage, Barba throws an elbow but misses.
Barba lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Selivanov blocking some punches.
Barba gets through Selivanov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Selivanov can't break the clinch.
Selivanov tries to break the clinch but Barba is controlling the position.
Barba working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barba pressing his opponent against the cage.
Barba tries a knee to the head but Selivanov blocks it.

Selivanov breaks the clinch.
Selivanov swinging wildly here.
Barba tries for a takedown but Selivanov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barba looks for a takedown but Selivanov sprawls well.
Selivanov throws a right hand that Barba ducks under and follows up with a left that Barba also avoids with ease.
Nice takedown defense from Selivanov. No joy for Barba on that attempt.
Selivanov throws a nice looking combination but Barba bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Selivanov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Barba shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Selivanov as he jumps to the side.
Barba misses with a body shot.
Selivanov misses with a double jab

and Barba counters with a nice double leg into side control. Selivanov won't be happy with that.
The ground and pound from Barba seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Barba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Selivanov keeps working.
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 Frank Barba will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Selivanov throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Selivanov misses with a combination

and Barba counters with a nice double leg into side control. Selivanov won't be happy with that.

Barba tries for a kimura but Selivanov is defending well.

Barba is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Selivanov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Selivanov dodges the ground and pound from Barba.

Barba is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Selivanov is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Barba is looking to take a break and control but Selivanov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barba throwing shots but missing, from side control.

Barba tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Selivanov prevents Barba from moving into mount.
Selivanov is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Barba in side control, throwing shots but Selivanov defends.
Barba is looking to take a break and control but Selivanov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two 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.
Selivanov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Barba wants to lay and pray for a moment but Selivanov keeps working.
Barba lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Barba working the strikes but Selivanov uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

Barba is looking for a kimura here.
Selivanov moves into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barba wants to control from the top but Selivanov keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Barba gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Barba tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Selivanov swivels and escapes.
Barba fails with the takedown.
Barba fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Barba. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Barba fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Frank Barba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Selivanov misses with a combination

and Barba counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Barba not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Barba wants to take a breather but Selivanov is having none of it.
Barba sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Selivanov defending well though.
Barba prevents Selivanov from standing back up.
Barba 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.
Barba perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Selivanov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Barba.

Barba looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Barba is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Selivanov sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Barba dominated that second round.
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!

Barba feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Barba accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Frank Barba overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Barba won't allow Selivanov to get back to his feet.

Barba gets to his feet - Selivanov follows without any prompting.
Selivanov avoids a punch combination nicely.
Selivanov misses with a low kick as Barba jumps back.
Selivanov displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Barba.
Selivanov motions for Barba to come forward. Selivanov throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Barba wants to clinch.
Selivanov circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Selivanov tenderised Barba's leg. Barba is trying to keep his angry face on.
Barba shoots in looking for a takedown but Selivanov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barba's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Selivanov looks to land a combination but Barba avoids it well.
Selivanov slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Barba moves into range and clinches up with Selivanov.
Selivanov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Barba lands a left hand that snaps the head of Selivanov backwards.
Barba works on Selivanov's body with a couple of short punches.
Selivanov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Barba.
Barba throws a knee to the head but misses.
Barba makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Barba creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Barba's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Barba lands a right hand that snaps the head of Selivanov backwards.

Selivanov breaks the clinch.
Barba throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Barba shoots in for a takedown but Selivanov shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Barba. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barba keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Selivanov lands with an uppercut that bounces Barba off the cage and back into rage.
Barba moves out of range as Selivanov throws a body kick.
Barba throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Selivanov's waist but Selivanov gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Barba off to one side.
Barba is looking to chop away at Selivanov's legs.
Barba dives in and grabs Selivanov's left leg, looking for a takedown. Selivanov pushes down on Barba's head and hops out.
Barba shoots in for a takedown but Selivanov shows good takedown defense.
Selivanov tries a low kick but Barba avoids it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barba looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barba is defended easily by Selivanov.
Selivanov blocks a head kick by Barba.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Selivanov falls off balance throwing a combination

so Barba counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Selivanov keeping moving, preventing Barba from controlling successfully.
Selivanov controls Barba momentarily but Barba frees himself.
Frank Barba is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Barba trying to control but Selivanov is working from the bottom.
Barba is looking to work some ground and pound but Selivanov has wrist control.
Selivanov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barba throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Barba thows a big elbow that misses.
Selivanov is trying to control the position but Barba postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Some wild striking there from Selivanov.
Barba swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Selivanov counters with a one-two to the body.
Barba tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Selivanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A head kick misses from Barba.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Barba.
Selivanov throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Selivanov swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Barba counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barba seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Selivanov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nikolai Selivanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Selivanov looking for submissions off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Barba showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barba, 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Barba!