PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ray Barber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ray Barber has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Barber
vs
Rodriguez

208 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

165 cm
25
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ray Barber!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Juan Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Jeff Smith and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rodriguez closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rodriguez should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Barber throws Rodriguez to one side and escapes!
Barber is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rodriguez sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Barber shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rodriguez as he jumps to the side.
Juan Rodriguez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barber dodges the punch combination from Rodriguez.

Barber darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Barber is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rodriguez defends it well.
Barber will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Barber is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barber throwing shots but Rodriguez is blocking nicely.

Barber wants to work for an arm triangle but Rodriguez is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rodriguez is trying to stand up here but Barber is controlling him well.
Rodriguez on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rodriguez wants to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Barber is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rodriguez sees it coming and defends easily.

Barber stands up out of the half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rodriguez shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Barber napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Barber throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Barber is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Barber tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barber managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rodriguez.
Rodriguez is looking to take a break and control but Barber is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Barber tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rodriguez wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Barber 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.
Barber is not content to let Rodriguez control the position.
Rodriguez cracks Barber with a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barber is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Barber manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Barber decides to return to a standing position.
Barber darts in looking for a takedown but Rodriguez gets double underhooks and turns Barber into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ray Barber. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rodriguez tightens his grip and picks Barber up, before dumping him to the ground. Barber manages to land in guard.
Barber wants to sweep but no luck.
Barber preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rodriguez wants to pass the guard but Barber is keeping the position.
Barber wants to stand but Rodriguez is controlling the position.
Barber manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rodriguez manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!

Barber decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rodriguez, up you get!
Barber really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Barber is breathing heavily.

Barber gets caught flat footed, as Rodriguez shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Barber is looking to stand up but Rodriguez isn't so interested in that idea.
Barber manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rodriguez is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barber in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ray Barber will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rodriguez misses with a combination
and Barber counters with a big head kick but Rodriguez shrugs it off.
Barber takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A right-left combo lands from Rodriguez.
Rodriguez displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Barber.

Rodriguez bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rodriguez wants to take a breather but Barber manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Rodriguez.
Barber looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rodriguez is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez looking to sit in guard and control but Barber gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Barber decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Rodriguez throws a series of punches but Barber avoids them all with ease.
Rodriguez fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Barber looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Barber is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Rodriguez scores with a takedown into Barber's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barber doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Rodriguez is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Barber has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Rodriguez is looking to defend but Barber has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Rodriguez! Barber pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Rodriguez taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Ray Barber!