PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Barba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Byron Brainz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brainz has chosen Oy, To Ne Vecher (Fedor's Theme) as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barba
vs
Brainz

188 cm
31
203 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

190 cm
24
191 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Byron Brainz!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Aleksandr Martynov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Barba clinches with his opponent.
Barba tries to throw a body punch but Brainz avoids it by throwing Barba back against the cage.
Brainz tries to land knees in the clinch but Barba avoids the damage to the body.
Brainz lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Barba drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Brainz gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Brainz trying to control the position but instead, Barba has worked for underhooks and has pushed Brainz into the cage.
Barba fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Barba's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Brainz is pressed up against the cage. Barba has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Brainz down to the mat. Brainz avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Brainz throws out a leg kick but Barba moves out of range and Brainz only half commits.
Barba takes a swing at Brainz's ribcage but misses.
Brainz lands a leg kick that knocks Barba off balance momentarily.

Barba shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Brainz napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barba is trying to ground and pound but Brainz uses the momentary lack of control by Barba to regain half guard.
Brainz tries to get to full guard but Barba has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barba stops Brainz from getting back to his feet.
Barba is trying to control. Brainz wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Barba thows a huge punch but Brainz dodges it nicely.
Brainz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Barba.
Barba not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Brainz is staying active underneath Barba, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Brainz is trying to stand.
Brainz is refusing to be controlled, as Barba sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Frank Barba has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Brainz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Barba checks the leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Brainz finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Barba closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Brainz pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Barba is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Barba misses with the head strike.
Knees to the body from Brainz.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barba working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Barba taking a breather.
Barba tries for a takedown but Brainz manages to get underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Barba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brainz lands an elbow that stopped Barba in his tracks for a moment.
Brainz lands a nice elbow.
Brainz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barba is defending well for now.
Brainz misses with an elbow over the top.
Brainz looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Barba looks to throw an elbow but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barba on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Brainz prevents a takedown attempt there.
Barba blocks an elbow strike from Brainz.
Barba throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Brainz blocks it with crossed arms.
Barba taking a breather.
Barba takes an elbow to the temple.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Barba.
Brainz misses with an elbow over the top.
Barba is working for takedown but Brainz is calmly controlling the position for now.
Brainz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Barba.
Brainz scores with a knee to the head.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Brainz.
Brainz is pushing Barba up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Brainz lands a nice elbow.
Brainz misses with an elbow strike.
Brainz using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Barba has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Brainz gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brainz misses with a knee strike.
Brainz creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Barba's defenses.
Brainz stops a takedown attempt from Barba.
Barba is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Brainz pulls him back up using the underhooks.
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!
Brainz tries to land knees in the clinch but Barba avoids the damage to the body.
Barba throws an elbow that misses.
Brainz misses with an elbow over the top.
Brainz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Barba blocks an elbow strike from Brainz.
Barba has a couple of punches blocked by Brainz.
Brainz letting Barba take a breather here.
Nice elbow from Brainz.
Brainz fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Barba blocks an elbow strike from Brainz.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brainz creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Barba's defenses.
Barba goes for a takedown in the clinch but Brainz prevents it.
Barba avoiding damage as Brainz throws knees to the body.
Brainz misses with an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Byron Brainz will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Barba gets a clinch.
Barba works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A knee to the head by Brainz.
Barba is working for takedown but Brainz is calmly controlling the position for now.
Brainz throws an elbow that misses.
Brainz throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Barba blocks the elbow strike.
A short right from Barba on the inside.
Barba tries for a takedown. No joy.
Barba takes an elbow to the temple.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Brainz.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Brainz just misses with a elbow thrown towards Barba's brow.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Barba is trying to maintain a safe position but Brainz gets an underhook and turns Barba into the cage.
Brainz pushes off an throws an elbow but Barba leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Barba scores with a nice hook to the head.
Barba is working for takedown but Brainz is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Barba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brainz is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Barba is defending well for now.
Brainz throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
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!
Brainz missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barba throws a head punch that misses.
Barba has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Brainz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A body shot lands from Barba.
Barba on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Brainz misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Barba.
Barba blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Barba on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Brainz unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Brainz throws an elbow that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Barba.
Brainz pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Brainz looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Brainz lands a damaging elbow.
Barba tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Brainz avoids it.
Brainz misses with an elbow over the top.
Barba blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Brainz is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Barba is keeping busy.
Barba throws a head punch that misses.
Brainz throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brainz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nice body punch from Barba - that landed with a thud.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brainz pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Barba managing to block the knees to the body from Brainz.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Brainz just misses with a elbow thrown towards Barba's brow.
Brainz misses with an elbow strike.
Brainz pushes off an throws an elbow but Barba leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Brainz creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Barba changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Brainz fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Barba swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Byron Brainz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brainz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Brainz chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Brainz turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Brainz.
Brainz pivots, looking for a leg kick but Barba is out of range and Brainz settles back down.
Brainz lands a head kick!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barba shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Barba swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Brainz lands a leg kick that knocks Barba off balance momentarily.
Brainz throws a head kick that Barba semi-blocks.
Brainz looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Brainz slips a jab from Barba.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Brainz in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Brainz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barba.
A left lands for Barba.
A good leg kick by Brainz.
Byron Brainz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Brainz scores with a kick to the midsection.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A head kick misses from Brainz.
Barba will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Frank Barba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barba takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
That kick from Brainz tenderised Barba's leg. Barba is trying to keep his angry face on.
Byron Brainz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barba ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Brainz moves away.
Barba is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Barba clinches with his opponent.
Brainz throws an elbow but it misses.
Barba looking to stall.
Brainz throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barba blocks it with crossed arms.
Brainz creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Brainz landing knees to the body.
Barba wants to take the fight to the mat but Brainz manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Barba blocks an elbow strike from Brainz.
Brainz lands a damaging elbow.
With the fighters up against the cage, Brainz throws an elbow but misses.
Nice elbow from Brainz.
Brainz lands an elbow inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barba blocks an elbow strike.
Brainz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Barba taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Barba on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Byron Brainz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Barba moves into range and clinches up with Brainz.
Barba lands on the inside with an uppercut.

It looks like Byron Brainz has been cut.
Barba is stalling here.
Barba scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Byron Brainz seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Barba blocks an elbow strike.
Barba tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Barba wants to stall.
Barba scores with a nice hook to the head.
Brainz is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Barba can't get the takedown.
Brainz avoids a wild elbow strike from Barba.
Knees in the clinch landing for Brainz.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barba is working for takedown but Brainz is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Barba. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A knee to the head by Brainz.
Brainz creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Barba's defenses.
Brainz gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Brainz gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brainz lands a knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brainz landing some nice looking knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Brainz just misses with a elbow thrown towards Barba's brow.
Barba taking a breather.
Barba takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nice elbow from Brainz.
Barba dodges an elbow strike from Brainz.
Brainz misses with an elbow over the top.
Brainz working Barba over with knees to the body.
Brainz scores with a knee to the head.
Brainz gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Brainz tries a knee to the head but Barba blocks it.
Brainz creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Barba's defenses.
Barba missing with knees to the body.
Brainz is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Barba tries for a takedown. No joy.
Barba takes an elbow to the temple.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Brainz just misses with a elbow thrown towards Barba's brow.
Barba blocks an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brainz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Barba lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brainz lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Brainz lands an elbow just above Barba 's eye.
Brainz trying to land knees to the body.
Barba is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Brainz tries to land a knee to the head but Barba blocks with his arms.
Brainz lands an elbow inside.
Brainz gets underhooks to prevent Barba's takedown attempt.
Barba managing to block the knees to the body from Brainz.
Brainz lands an elbow that stopped Barba in his tracks for a moment.
Barba blocks the elbow strike.
Barba is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Brainz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Brainz lands a knee to the head.
Brainz throws a knee to the head but misses.
Barba avoids the elbow strike from Brainz, against the cage.
Brainz lands a nice knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Brainz.
Still in the clinch, Barba scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barba wants a takedown but no success here.
Brainz with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Brainz tries to land knees in the clinch but Barba avoids the damage to the body.
Brainz prevents the takedown attempt.
Brainz with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Barba is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Brainz pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Brainz unloads a knee to the mid-section. Barba lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Brainz pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Barba looking to slow down the pace here.
Brainz lands an elbow inside that Barba shrugs off.
Brainz connects with a knee to the head.
Brainz comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Frank Barba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barba is looking for a takedown.
Brainz creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Brainz lands a good knee to the midsection. Barba won't want to take too many of those.
Brainz tries to land a knee to the head but Barba blocks with his arms.
Barba has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Brainz avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Byron Brainz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barba takes an elbow to the temple.
Barba misses with a punch to the body.
Barba struggles to land a body shot inside as Brainz controls his hands.
With the fighters up against the cage, Brainz throws an elbow but misses.
Barba is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Brainz is keeping busy.
Barba tries for a takedown. No joy.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Brainz putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Barba in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Barba holding his opponent close, against the cage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barba is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Brainz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Brainz gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Byron Brainz comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Brainz winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Byron Brainz!
An out of breath Byron Brainz thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.