PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bruno Barone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam Minard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Minard is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Walk. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Liam Minard was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Barone
vs
Minard

205 cm
24
217 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

183 cm
29
215 lbs
22 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

5th Round Clothing

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bruno Barone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Liam Minard!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice straight punches there by Minard. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Minard.
Barone uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Minard.
Minard scores with a jab to the head.
Nice body kick there by Minard.
Barone throws a shot to the body.
Barone misses with a low kick.
Minard throws a leg kick that misses.
Minard throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Decent striking displayed by Minard there.

Minard throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Barone tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Minard is in Barone's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barone trying to control the position.
Minard content to stall in guard here.
Minard advances to half guard.
Barone gets back to full guard.
Barone is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minard throwing strikes but missing.
Barone managing to control the position.
Minard trying to control the position from guard on top but Barone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Minard lands a couple of digs.
Minard working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Barone has momentary wrist control but Minard slips an elbow through the middle.
Minard trying to control the position from guard on top but Barone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Minard preventing the sweep.
Minard throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Minard preventing the sweep.
Minard seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Minard with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Minard is in close to Barone's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Minard throwing strikes from guard but Barone blocks nicely.
Minard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barone wants to control but Minard passes easily into half guard.
Barone is trying to maintain the position but Minard is very close to passing his half guard.
Barone on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Barone is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Minard scores with a couple of nice shots.
Minard not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Minard not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Minard seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Barone does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nice strikes from Minard there.
Minard scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Barone wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barone is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Minard scores with a couple of nice shots.
Barone wants to improve his position but Minard is controlling well.
Minard is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Minard trying to control from half guard but Barone is working away.
Minard working the head and body with strikes.
Minard scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Barone is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Minard's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Minard's back!

Minard defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Barone's arms.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Minard looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barone has the hooks in. Minard is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Barone avoiding Minard 's attempts to control his hands.

Barone looking for the choke but no joy.
Minard controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Minard just trying to survive but Barone is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Liam Minard dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Barone takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Barone misses with a body shot.
Minard throws a shot from downtown. Barone moves away and avoids it.
Barone throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Minard throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Minard throws a jab but it's blocked by Barone.
Minard uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Barone.
A telegraphed right hand from Minard misses the target.
Minard throws a leg kick
and Barone counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Minard. Barone does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Barone, right into the meat.
Barone lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Barone scores with a kick to the midsection.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Minard paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Good shot there by Barone.
Barone will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Minard fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Barone.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barone cracks the inside of Minard's front leg.
Liam Minard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barone has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Minard finds it's way round the side to connect with Barone's head.
Barone goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Minard throws a lazy uppercut
and Barone counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Barone throws a leg kick which misses Minard's front leg but catches the back leg as Minard tries to avoid it.
Minard swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Minard misses with a lunging right hand
and Barone counters with a nice low kick that buckles Minard's knee momentarily.
Barone just misses with a punch to the body.

Minard closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Barone trying to control from the bottom.
Minard wants to control but Barone is keeping him busy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barone makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Barone.
Minard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Minard won't allow Barone to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barone looking to control.
Barone wants to sweep but no luck.
Minard postures up.
Barone 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.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Barone is pulling down on Minard's head. It's preventing any offense from Minard, at least for the moment.

Bruno Barone has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Barone defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Minard.
Minard throws a shot from downtown. Barone moves away and avoids it.
Liam Minard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Minard avoids a kick to the body.
A big right from Minard misses.
Barone misses with a low kick.
Minard rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barone counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Minard gets a takedown into half guard.
Barone is not content to let Minard control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minard working over Barone with some ground and pound. Barone looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Barone is trying to get back to full guard.
Barone keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barone is trying to get back to full guard.
Liam Minard has got the better of the ground game so far.
Barone blocking the ground and pound attempt from Minard.
Barone makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Barone.
Minard working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Barone has Minard pulled in close to control his posture.
Minard postures up and lands a big shot to Barone's brow.
Barone is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barone can't keep his opponent in guard - Minard advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barone manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Minard missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Minard advances position into side control!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Minard throws a strike aimed at the side of Barone's head but Barone avoids it well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Barone is looking to regain half guard here but Minard keeps moving and retains side control.
Minard cracks Barone with a big elbow.
Barone sneaks back into half guard.
Minard wants to control but Barone is keeping him busy.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barone has his hands clasped together around Minard's back. He's all about the action.
Barone wants to get back to 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 Bruno Barone will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Minard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Barone's sensitive parts.

Minard drives through with a takedown into Barone's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Barone has control of Minard's left arm, preventing Minard from doing any damage.
Barone is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Minard is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Minard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Minard with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Barone keeping moving, preventing Minard from controlling successfully.
Minard works over Barone with some ground and pound from guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Barone looking for a guillotine here but Minard defends easily.
Barone looking for a sweep. Not yet Barone, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minard works over Barone with some ground and pound from guard.
Minard keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barone's head.
Minard has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barone 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.
Minard wants to pass the guard but Barone is keeping the position.
Minard lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Minard throws a big right hand that misses.
Minard working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Barone's head.
Minard working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Barone's head.
Barone 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.
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!
Barone controlling the position.
Barone looking for a sweep. Not yet Barone, not yet.
Minard wants to pass the guard but Barone is keeping the position.
Minard stands up over Barone, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minard throws a big elbow that misses.
Barone keeping moving, preventing Minard from controlling successfully.
Minard preventing the sweep.
Minard with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Barone keeping moving, preventing Minard from controlling successfully.
Minard throwing strikes but missing.
Barone looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Minard distracts Barone with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Minard throwing strikes from guard but Barone blocks nicely.
Minard throws a big elbow that misses.
Minard looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barone looking to hit a scissor sweep but Minard is one step ahead there.
Barone bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Minard's guard.
Minard manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Barone manages to get himself to full guard.
Minard with a nice head shot there.
Barone wants to sweep here but Minard controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Barone is on top in guard.
Minard is adopting a defensive guard.
Barone stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Minard swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Minard working for submissions but it's allowed Barone to get to half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Minard looking for submissions off his back.
Minard manages to get to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Minard trying to keep a closed guard but Barone is proving a slippery customer.

And that's the end of the fight!
Liam Minard comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Minard 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Liam Minard!
Liam Minard really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that 5th Round Clothing logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.