PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Frank Barba (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ulquiorra Schiffer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Frank Barba has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Barba
vs
Schiffer

188 cm
35
203 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

190 cm
29
200 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

Tokyo United Fightwear ($9 shirts)

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 15 - 9 - 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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ulquiorra Schiffer!
The judges for this bout are Aleksei Zolotukhin, Illya Tyunina and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schiffer shoots in for a double leg but Barba sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Barba misses with a few strikes there.
Schiffer throws a head kick that misses.
Barba slaps away a takedown attempt from Schiffer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Barba is looking to clinch.

Barba moves into the clinch.
Schiffer throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Barba blocks it with crossed arms.
Schiffer blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Barba lands with a short shot to the head.

Barba's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barba scores with a head kick.
Barba definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Schiffer shoots in looking for a takedown. Barba tries to sprawl out of it but Schiffer keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Barba manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Frank Barba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ulquiorra Schiffer.
Schiffer fails with a takedown attempt.
Barba clobbers Schiffer with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barba uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Schiffer.
Schiffer has a takedown stuffed.
Barba slips a straight right by Schiffer.
Barba throws a looping overhand right but Schiffer ducks down to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Barba throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Schiffer is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Barba's half guard.
Schiffer is taking a breather. Barba says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Schiffer tries to pass to full mount but Barba defends it.
Schiffer looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schiffer looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Schiffer is still trying to improve position.
Schiffer content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ulquiorra Schiffer wasn't active enough on the ground.
Nice sprawl there from Barba as Schiffer shoots in.
Schiffer fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Barba misses with a looping right.
Nice defenses there by Schiffer.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Schiffer has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barba misses with a head kick.
Barba dips to his left and cracks Schiffer with an uppercut!
Schiffer shoots in but Barba avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Schiffer scores with a jab. Barba acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Barba looks to land a combination but Schiffer avoids it well.
Barba fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Barba throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Schiffer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Barba displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Schiffer.
Schiffer slips under a jab from Barba.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barba misses with a combination
and Schiffer counters with a left and a right that stings Barba.
Barba stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Barba wants it to stay on the feet.
Schiffer slips a jab and a cross from Barba.
Barba is breathing heavily.
Schiffer tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Barba defends well and Schiffer ends up having to push Barba into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Schiffer has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Barba uses from the top position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barba pushes down on Schiffer's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Schiffer tries to get to full guard but Barba has control of the leg.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barba working over Schiffer with some ground and pound. Schiffer looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Schiffer kicks off Barba and gets to his feet.

Barba gets caught napping as Schiffer dives in and scores a takedown. Barba manages to retain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ulquiorra Schiffer will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Barba misses with a hook. Schiffer ducked under it nicely.
A big right from Barba misses.
Nice cross by Barba.
Frank Barba is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Schiffer throws a one two combo.
Schiffer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Barba sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Schiffer somewhat.
Barba lands a slapping body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Barba.

Schiffer throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Barba was covering up waiting for the punch and Schiffer finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Barba can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Schiffer controls the pace.
Schiffer is pushing down on Barba's leg trying to pass to half guard. Barba is fighting to maintain full guard but Schiffer has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Schiffer is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Schiffer is looking to take a break and control but Barba is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Schiffer is looking to pass Barba's guard but actually Barba recovers to full guard.
Barba has control of Schiffer's left arm, preventing Schiffer from doing any damage.
Schiffer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barba swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ulquiorra Schiffer has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schiffer trying to control the position from guard on top but Barba is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Schiffer controlling from the top position.
Schiffer stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barba swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ulquiorra Schiffer was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Barba misses with a two punch combination.
Barba throws a right and a left that both miss.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Schiffer on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Barba throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Frank Barba is winning the standup battle so far.
Barba keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Barba. No joy for Schiffer on that attempt.
Frank Barba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ulquiorra Schiffer.
Barba defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Schiffer.
Schiffer avoids the head kick by Barba.
Schiffer throws a head kick that misses.
Barba fails to land with a series of punches.
Barba swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Schiffer counters with a big head kick but Barba shrugs it off.
Schiffer lands a slapping body shot.

Schiffer gets the takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Schiffer just content to control the position.
Schiffer prevents Barba from escaping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barba trying to remain calm as Schiffer controls from the top position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Schiffer decides to stand up, so the ref orders Barba to his feet.
Schiffer gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Barba throws a right hand that Schiffer ducks under and follows up with a left that Schiffer also avoids with ease.
Barba misses with a jab, cross combination.
Schiffer closes the distance and clinches up with Barba, looking for a takedown. Schiffer pushes Barba against the cage but Barba circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Schiffer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Schiffer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Schiffer closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Schiffer lands in his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ulquiorra Schiffer showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Barba throws a head kick that misses
and Schiffer connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Schiffer swats away the attempt to clinch by Barba.
Schiffer dodges the punch combination from Barba.
Frank Barba seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Barba misses.
Barba is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Schiffer uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barba.
Schiffer looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barba is fending him off so far but Schiffer persists. Nope, Barba circles away and we're back to standing.
Schiffer fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Barba keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Frank Barba has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ulquiorra Schiffer.
Barba thuds a left hand into Schiffer's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barba lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Schiffer circles away quickly and effectively.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Schiffer ducks under a wild hook from Barba.
Schiffer keeps the fight on the outside.
Schiffer slips under a jab.
Schiffer looks for a takedown but Barba sprawls well.
Barba looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Schiffer goes for a double leg but Barba avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Barba continues to drive forward.
Barba misses with a knee strike.
Barba swings wildly with an uppercut but Schiffer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Schiffer is looking for a takedown.
Schiffer is working for takedown but Barba is calmly controlling the position for now.
Schiffer is trying to drag Barba to the mat but Barba just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schiffer is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Barba gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Barba misses with a body punch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Schiffer gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Barba wants to get back to his feet.
Schiffer trying to mount his opponent but Barba defends it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Schiffer stalling.
Schiffer stalling away here and it's allowed Barba to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Schiffer stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Frank Barba is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schiffer throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Schiffer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Barba pinned against the cage. Barba gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Barba throws the left hand but Schiffer avoids the punch easily.
Schiffer throws a front kick that sends Barba stumbling back into the cage.
Donk. Barba catches Schiffer right on the button with a cross.
Barba displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Schiffer.
Frank Barba has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barba avoids a punch combination nicely.
Schiffer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barba scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Schiffer closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Schiffer lands in his opponent's guard.

Schiffer decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Barba clinches up with Schiffer and pushes him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Schiffer is looking to take this one to the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Barba escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sloppy strikes from Schiffer. Those never looked like landing.
Barba tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice takedown defense from Barba. No joy for Schiffer on that attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ulquiorra Schiffer.
I've got Schiffer 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 Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30

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