PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tom Fighting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bat Barisov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Fighting
vs
Barisov

150 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tom Fighting!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Bat Barisov!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fighting 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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Fighting tries to free his leg and advance position but Barisov is retaining full guard.
Fighting with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fighting looking to pass the guard.
Fighting wants to control from the top but Barisov keeps moving.
Barisov is pulling down on Fighting's head. It's preventing any offense from Fighting, at least for the moment.
Fighting stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barisov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Barisov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fighting trying to control but Barisov is working from the bottom.
Barisov wants to stand and escape but Fighting is having none of it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Fighting clinches with his opponent.
Barisov fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fighting can't get the takedown.
Barisov is trying to break free.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Barisov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fighting's brow.
Barisov is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Fighting to keep the fight standing.
Barisov drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tom Fighting has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bat Barisov.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barisov is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fighting pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Fighting is pressed up against the cage. Barisov has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fighting down to the mat. Fighting avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fighting looks to score with a jab to the body but Barisov is just out of range.
Fighting tries to clinch there but Barisov circles away.

Fighting closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fighting lands in his opponent's guard.
Barisov looking for a sweep. Not yet Barisov, not yet.

Barisov uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barisov shoots in and drives through. Fighting sprawls well.
Fighting shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Barisov as he jumps to the side.

Fighting gets tackled into the cage by Barisov. Barisov maintains the clinch.
Barisov wants to break free but Fighting has control.
Fighting misses with a body punch.
Barisov tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Barisov stops a takedown attempt from Fighting.

Fighting pulls guard effortlessly.

Fighting has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Barisov can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Barisov distracts Fighting with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fighting working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barisov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barisov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Barisov is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Fighting dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fighting stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fighting wants it to stay on the feet.
Barisov leaves Fighting with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Fighting is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fighting swings for the body but Barisov moves out of range.
Fighting fails to land the takedown.
Fighting connects with a body shot.
Fighting changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Barisov tries to avoid it but Fighting manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Barisov to the ground. Barisov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Fighting. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Barisov looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Fighting!

Barisov decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barisov pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fighting is looking to clinch but Barisov is avoiding it.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fighting is defended easily by Barisov.
Bat Barisov is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barisov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.

Barisov clinches up against the cage.
Barisov tries to pull guard but Fighting holds him up against the cage and eventually Barisov drops back down to his feet.

Fighting successfully pulls guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fighting escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barisov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Barisov with a nice head shot there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Barisov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Barisov postures up.
Barisov is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Barisov passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barisov with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Fighting wants to control but Barisov is keeping busy.
Bat Barisov has got the better of the ground game so far.

Fighting actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Barisov escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fighting shoots in and bounces Barisov off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Barisov pulls Fighting in close to prevent any damage.
Barisov looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fighting is one step ahead there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Barisov throws his legs up looking for a submission but Fighting uses it to pass to side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bat Barisov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Fighting closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Barisov's guard.

Barisov uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Fighting. No joy for Barisov on that attempt.

Fighting clinches up against the cage.
Barisov gets underhooks to prevent Fighting's takedown attempt.

Fighting has clasped his hands together around Barisov's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Barisov tries to control but Fighting manages to take his back.

Fighting is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barisov trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barisov wants to escape the position.
Barisov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fighting somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.
Fighting trying to control momentarily.

Fighting is persistently looking for the submission but Barisov is defending it well.
Fighting is not going to allow Barisov to sit and survive in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barisov is trying to break free.
Barisov is taking damage to the body and head.
Barisov rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Barisov gets full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barisov keeping moving, preventing Fighting from controlling successfully.
Barisov has Fighting pulled in close to control his posture.
Fighting trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fighting passes Barisov's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barisov wants to get back to full guard but Fighting has passed into side control.
Fighting trying to control the action but Barisov is working from the bottom.
Barisov is looking for a sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barisov is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Fighting's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Fighting showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Fighting has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 James Glass scores the fight for Tom Fighting!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Tom Fighting!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Tom Fighting!

Tom Fighting wins by unanimous decision!