PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Romulo Barral (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barral
vs
James

190 cm
28
216 lbs
16 - 4 - 0

189 cm
30
215 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Good gas tank

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 16 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Romulo Barral!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nick James!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Paulsen Ambrosius and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barral misses with a body shot.
James misses with a two punch combination.

James drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Barral is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked James off and has taken his back!
James tries to roll but Barral sticks to his back.
James really must keep his cool here. He's controlling one of Barral's hands and whilst he does that, he's got a chance of escaping the position.
You can see the frustration on James's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
James breaks Barral's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
James advances position into side control!
James trying to control the action but Barral is working from the bottom.
James tries to move to mount but Barral blocks the move with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barral tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but James wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

James is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Barral is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Barral is not content to let James control the position.

James is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Barral has escaped the position, nice work there.
Barral manages to work his way to half guard, despite James's best efforts.

James is looking for a kimura but Barral is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for James to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

James is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Barral defends it well.
James trying to control the action but Barral is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barral looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
James is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Barral wants to control but James is keeping busy.
Barral manages to get to full guard.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Barral is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Barral is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Barral has escaped and now he's on top!

James is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Barral is aware though and is defending well.

James working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Barral has passed into half guard!

James actively working from the bottom here.
Barral thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed James's head.

James actively working from the bottom here.
James is staying active underneath Barral, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
James keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barral is trying to control. James wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

James is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barral pulls his head out easily.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Barral trying to control the action but James is working from the bottom.
James trying to control here.
Barral passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for James!
Barral lands a big shot there that rocks James but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
James tries to reverse the position but Barral maintains control.

Barral jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but James manages to avoid the submission attempt.
James is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nick James will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Barral throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Barral lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
James has a takedown stuffed.
James on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Barral lands with a shot to the body.
Romulo Barral seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barral looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Danga de danga de dang - Barral scores with a four punch combination!
This has been an exciting period of action!
A swing and a miss from James.
Barral ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Barral.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Barral as he avoids it easily.
James is breathing heavily.
Barral slips a jab from James.
James misses with a two punch combination.
James looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Romulo Barral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick James.
A slapping body kick lands there for Barral.
James shoots and misses
and Barral counters with a nice uppercut.
James looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Romulo Barral is winning the standup battle so far.
Barral throws a shot to the body.
Barral connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed James momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body punch from Barral.

Barral fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. James sprawls well initially but Barral persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Barral lands with a punch from half guard.
Barral not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Barral not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

James looking for submissions off his back.
Nice strikes from Barral there.
Barral is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Barral is looking to take a break and control but James is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Barral is looking for a kimura but James is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Barral to get the leverage.
Barral drops an elbow to the side of James's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James looking for submissions off his back.
James tries to roll over but Barral keeps him under control.
Ground and pound from Barral.
Romulo Barral overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
James is staying active underneath Barral, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Barral drops an elbow to the side of James's head.
Barral is looking to advance position but James won't allow it.
James keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
James tries to get to full guard but Barral has control of the leg.
James is staying active underneath Barral, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
James gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

James has his foot on Barral's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barral works his way back into a safe position though.
James 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.
Barral trying to control the position from guard on top but James is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barral stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. James swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barral working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James keeping full guard, as Barral tries to pass.

James looking for a guillotine here but Barral defends easily.

James is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Romulo Barral dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Barral uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before James has time to react.
James is trying hard to land a takedown here. Barral sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Barral throws a right and a left that James avoids nicely.
James takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Barral connects with a crisp jab.
Barral keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A solid body kick from Barral.
Barral lands a lovely overhand right.
Nick James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
James takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barral throws a nice outside leg kick.
James takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
James misses with a wild combination.
Barral scores with a body shot.
James with a lazy takedown attempt

and Barral decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in James's guard.
Romulo Barral has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick James.
Barral lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Barral passes into half guard.
Barral 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.
Ground and pound from Barral.
This has been an exciting period of action!
James trying to control but Barral postures up.
James has hold of Barral's hands but Barral slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James is in trouble now - Barral has advanced to mount!
Barral putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
James manages to regain half guard. Good work.

James is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barral pulls his head out easily.

James actively working from the bottom here.
Barral is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for James!

Barral working for a submission but James is keeping him at bay.
James sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

James actively working from the bottom here.
Barral trying to control the action but James is working from the bottom.
Barral scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Barral wants to pass the guard but James is defending well.
Barral works his way into full mount!
James is trying desperately to improve position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barral looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Barral lands a big shot there that rocks James but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
James is desperately trying to improve his position but Barral has a good base and remains in mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barral scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James is wriggling around trying to escape.
Barral unloading with bombs!
Barral tries to control but James wriggling away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Romulo Barral showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Barral has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Romulo Barral!
Romulo Barral decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.