PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tom Barrows (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ather Khan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barrows has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. 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.

Barrows
vs
Khan

167 cm
18
155 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

176 cm
19
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Barrows!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ather Khan!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Konstantin Menshow and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Khan misses with a hook. Barrows ducked under it nicely.
Barrows ducks under a wild hook from Khan.
The fight stays on the outside here - Khan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Danga de danga de dang - Barrows scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Ather Khan has been cut.

Khan rushes Barrows and presses him up against the ropes.
Barrows working hard to break the clinch.
Barrows can't break the clinch.
Barrows blocks an uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barrows.
Barrows drops down looking for an ankle pick but Khan pulls his leg out and moves away.
Khan scores with a sloppy right hand. Barrows should have avoided that one.
Barrows is breathing heavily.
Khan doesn't manage to clinch there - Barrows circles away.
Barrows looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Khan tries to close the distance and clinch but Barrows swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Barrows swats away the attempt to clinch by Khan.
Khan tries to clinch up.
Khan clobbers Barrows with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barrows ducks under a wild hook from Khan.
Khan wants to clinch.
Khan lands a nice shot that snaps Barrows's head back.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barrows tries to close the distance and clinch up but Khan swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Barrows blocks a jab.
Khan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Khan misses the jab.

Khan has managed to clinch.
Khan lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Barrows being controlled against the ropes.
Barrows tries to circle away but Khan has him pinned against the ropes.
Khan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Barrows blocks an uppercut.
Khan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short left from Khan.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Khan lands a body shot.

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.
Barrows tries to circle away but Khan has him pinned against the ropes.
The referee is keeping an eye on Khan - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Barrows is trying to break free.
Khan throws a head punch that misses.
Khan scores with a shoulder strike.
A head punch on the inside from Khan fails to land.
Barrows wants to break the clinch but can't.
Khan throws a head punch that misses.
Barrows misses with the head strike.
Barrows jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Khan walks away with a smile on his face. Barrows gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Khan tries to clinch but Barrows is having none of it.
Barrows swats away the attempt to clinch by Khan.
Barrows walks into a straight right hand from Khan.
Barrows tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Khan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Khan moves into range and clinches up with Barrows.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Khan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Khan is struggling to control the position.
Barrows wants to break free but Khan has control.
Khan will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Barrows up against the ropes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barrows trying to land knees to the body.
Khan taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Khan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Barrows blocking some punches.
Barrows is trying to break the clinch but Khan has him pressed against the ropes.
Barrows tries for a takedown but Khan manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Barrows. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Khan doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short uppercut from Khan.
Khan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Khan just leaning against Barrows, taking a breather.
Khan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Khan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Barrows's efforts to push away.
Khan leaning his opponent against the ropes.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Khan creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's four 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.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Barrows as Khan tries to tie him up.
Khan prevents Barrows from breaking the clinch.
Khan effectively controlling the action here.
Khan throws a punch but it's blocked by Barrows.
Khan looking to slow down the pace here.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ather Khan.
Barrows scoring well with a low kick there.
A big left from Barrows misses.
Barrows misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Barrows closes the distance and clinches.
Khan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Khan is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Barrows has denied him.

Barrows's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barrows takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ather Khan dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ather Khan's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Barrows gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Khan lands a left hand.
Khan content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Khan lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Khan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Khan misses with some punches.
Khan throws a head punch that misses.
Barrows is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
A nice right hand lands inside from Khan.
Khan just leaning against Barrows, taking a breather.
Khan lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Barrows backwards.
Khan lands a hook to the side of the head.
Khan stalling in the clinch.
Khan keeps control of Barrows as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Khan swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khan pressing his opponent against the ropes.
Khan trying to stall but Barrows improves his position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Barrows wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Barrows blocks an uppercut.
Khan keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Barrows's efforts to push away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barrows manages to break the clinch.
Khan misses with a right hand
and Barrows counters with a three punch combo that has Khan backing up. Khan nods at Barrows to acknowledge the strikes.
Khan wants to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Khan misses the target.
Khan tries to clinch up but Barrows circles away and keeps his distance.
Khan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barrows looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Barrows staying out of range there.
Khan is looking to clinch but Barrows is avoiding it.

Khan closes the distance and clinches.
Khan misses with some punches.
Barrows has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Khan stalling against the ropes.

Barrows breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

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.
Barrows avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barrows misses with a two punch combination.
Barrows throws a hook but Khan avoids it easily.
Khan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Khan clinches with his opponent.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Khan.
Still in the clinch, Khan scores with a nice short uppercut.
Khan scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Khan is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Barrows manages to break the clinch.
Khan misses with an uppercut. Barrows saw that one coming.

Khan closes the distance and pushes Barrows back into the ropes.
Barrows wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Khan is looking to control Barrows's arms but Barrows gets an underhook and turns him. Now Khan has his back to the ropes.
Khan just leaning against Barrows, taking a breather.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khan misses with the head strike.
Barrows wants a takedown but no success here.
Barrows's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Khan content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Khan lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Barrows backwards.
Khan avoiding damage.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Ather Khan.
Barrows tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Khan manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Khan throws a poor cross that misses
and Barrows counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Khan tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Barrows manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barrows displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Khan throws out the jab.
Khan might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Khan throws a right hand that misses
and Barrows counters with a left and a right that stings Khan.
Khan throws an overhand right that lands on Barrows's shoulder, as Barrows tries to avoid the shot.
Barrows uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Khan.
Barrows finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Khan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Barrows misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Khan looks to land a right hand but Barrows moved out of range.

Khan drives through and clinches with Barrows against the ropes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A nice right hand lands inside from Khan.
Khan looking to stall.
A shot in the inside from Khan.
Khan misses with some punches.
Barrows wants to get back to striking at distance but Khan won't allow it.
Khan tries to stall but Barrows uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Khan working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Barrows tries to circle away but Khan has him pinned against the ropes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barrows.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Barrows breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barrows looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Khan is looking to clinch but Barrows is avoiding it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ather Khan showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ather Khan's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Khan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barrows.
Khan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Barrows paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Khan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Khan lands an uppercut.
Khan tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Barrows tries to throw a body punch but Khan avoids it by throwing Barrows back against the cage.
Khan makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Barrows blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Khan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Barrows's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Still in the clinch, Khan scores with a nice short uppercut.
Khan lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Khan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Barrowss head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short right from Khan on the inside.
Barrows jumps guard but Khan stands there with Barrows around his waist. Barrows gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Khan slowing the pace effectively.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barrows blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khan is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Barrows manages to break the clinch.
Khan has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Barrows.
Khan throws out a loose jab but Barrows uses good head movement to avoid it.
Khan waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barrows.
Khan tries to clinch there but Barrows circles away.
A slow jab from Khan misses its intended target.

Khan has Barrows up against the ropes in a clinch.
Khan scores with a shoulder strike.

Barrows escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Khan misses with a hook
and Barrows counters with a big head kick but Khan shrugs it off.
Khan tries to close the distance and clinch up against the ropes but Barrows paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Khan smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Decent striking displayed by Barrows there.
Khan looks to clinch
and Barrows counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Khan dodges the punch combination from Barrows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A combination from Barrows does no damage.
Khan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Barrows is looking to clinch.
Barrows moves away from the strike by Khan.
Khan wants to clinch.
Barrows is looking to clinch but Khan is avoiding it.
A slow jab from Khan misses its intended target.
Barrows fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice uppercut there from Khan.
Barrows bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Khan wants to clinch up but Barrows keeps it at a distance.
Barrows tries to clinch up but Khan circles away and keeps his distance.
Barrows throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barrows is looking to clinch.
Barrows takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khan dodges the punch combination from Barrows.
Barrows on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Khan tries to clinch but Barrows moves out of range.
Barrows swings for the body but Khan moves out of range.
Khan circles away from the clinch attempt.
Khan tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in the close the distance. Barrows manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Khan clinches.
Khan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Stalling in the clinch from Khan.
Khan throws a punch but it's blocked by Barrows.

Barrows escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Barrows throws a right and a left that Khan avoids nicely.
A punch combination from Barrows misses.
Khan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Khan wants to clinch but Barrows slips to the side
and Barrows counters with a stiff right hand.
Tom Barrows has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Khan moves into the clinch.
Khan working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Khan is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Barrows swings wildly with an uppercut but Khan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Khan takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Khan prevents Barrows from breaking the clinch.
Khan is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Barrows is keeping busy.
Khan throws a punch but it's blocked by Barrows.
Khan lands a right hand that snaps the head of Barrows backwards.
Khan fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Khan misses with the head strike.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Khan tries to stall but Barrows uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Barrows breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Barrows looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Khan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barrows lands with a nice combination. Khan backs away looking to recover.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ather Khan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Khan has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ather Khan!