PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hector Barbosa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marc Zietsch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Barbosa
vs
Zietsch

165 cm
28
148 lbs
19 - 5 - 0

166 cm
26
147 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Perkele!
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hector Barbosa!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marc Zietsch!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Wagner Zegers and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbosa takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Zietsch bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Barbosa's head.
Barbosa moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Barbosa scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Barbosa dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Barbosa misses with a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Barbosa on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zietsch.
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!
Zietsch misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barbosa scores with a head kick. Zietsch tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Good leg kick by Zietsch there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Barbosa misses with a body punch
and Zietsch counters with a low kick, right behind Barbosa 's knee.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Zietsch.
Barbosa moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Barbosa takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Barbosa is breathing heavily.
Nice defenses there by Zietsch.
We've been hearing reports that Barbosa has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zietsch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zietsch bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Jab from Zietsch.

Zietsch catches Barbosa napping and connects with a big right hand that sends Barbosa to the canvas!

Barbosa is rocked!
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!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Barbosa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Oh Barbosa is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zietsch's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Barbosa wants to sweep here but Zietsch controlling him for the moment.
Barbosa can't keep his opponent in guard - Zietsch advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Barbosa seems to have got his legs back now.
Barbosa wants to control but Zietsch is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zietsch throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa tries to roll over but Zietsch keeps him under control.
Zietsch is trying to control the action in half guard but Barbosa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Zietsch wants to free his trapped foot but Barbosa is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Zietsch looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Barbosa gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zietsch postures up in Barbosa's guard and throws a big left but Barbosa blocks it.
Zietsch postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zietsch is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Zietsch trying to control but Barbosa is working from the bottom.
Barbosa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zietsch is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zietsch chips away with some ground and pound.
Zietsch trying to control but Barbosa is working from the bottom.
Barbosa is trying to keep Zietsch in close.
Zietsch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barbosa is keeping the position for now.
Barbosa controls Zietsch momentarily but Zietsch frees himself.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zietsch trying to control but Barbosa is working from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Barbosa looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Zietsch dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Barbosa.
Zietsch lands the left hand.
Zietsch misses the shot to the body.
Zietsch throws a low kick but it's checked well by Barbosa.
Barbosa just misses with a punch to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Barbosa 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Barbosa tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Barbosa getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Barbosa has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Zietsch finds it's way round the side to connect with Barbosa's head.
Barbosa cracks the inside of Zietsch's front leg.
Barbosa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A slapping body kick lands there for Barbosa.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barbosa misses with a head kick.
Barbosa throws a leg kick

so Zietsch counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Zietsch is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zietsch working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Barbosa's head.
Zietsch lands a couple of digs.
Zietsch has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Barbosa is trying to keep Zietsch in close.
Zietsch looking to pass the guard.
Zietsch stands up over Barbosa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Zietsch wants to control from the top but Barbosa keeps moving.
Barbosa 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa trying to keep a closed guard but Zietsch is proving a slippery customer.
Barbosa wants to sweep but no luck.
Zietsch controls from within his opponent's guard.
Zietsch has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barbosa wants to sweep but no luck.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Barbosa trying to keep a closed guard but Zietsch is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Zietsch cracks Barbosa with an open hand slap.
Marc Zietsch seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barbosa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zietsch moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa looks for the body kick but Zietsch saw that one coming.
Zietsch misses with a wild combination.
Zietsch slips under a jab.
Zietsch slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Barbosa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barbosa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zietsch circles away.
Barbosa will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Barbosa slips a jab and a cross from Zietsch.
Zietsch closes this distance looking for a takedown but Barbosa circles away.
Zietsch has a takedown stuffed.
Barbosa connects with an inside leg kick.
Zietsch keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa throws a solid leg kick but Zietsch takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Barbosa.
Barbosa throws a chopping leg kick but Zietsch manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Zietsch throws a good cross that connects.
Zietsch throws a chopping leg kick but Barbosa manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Barbosa tries to work over Zietsch's front leg with a kick but Zietsch checks it.
Zietsch shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barbosa but Barbosa pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hector Barbosa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marc Zietsch.
Nice cross by Zietsch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barbosa dives in for a single leg takedown but Zietsch sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Barbosa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Zietsch lands with a short shot to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barbosa misses with a knee strike.
Barbosa blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Zietsch.
Barbosa tries to land a knee to the head but Zietsch blocks with his arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Zietsch 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!

Zietsch throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Zietsch lands a front kick.
Zietsch's corner calls for a 1-2. Zietsch obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zietsch missing with a left hand there. Barbosa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barbosa tries a low kick but Zietsch avoids it.
Barbosa misses with a wild body shot.
Zietsch looks to land a left hand but Barbosa moved out of range nicely.
Zietsch throws a body punch but Barbosa moves out of range.
Zietsch rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Barbosa counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbosa stopping the sweep attempt from Zietsch.
Zietsch pulls Barbosa in to control the position.

Zietsch escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barbosa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa wants to control from the top but Zietsch keeps moving.
Barbosa makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Barbosa throwing strikes from guard but Zietsch blocks nicely.
Zietsch working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Barbosa.
Barbosa trying to control the position from guard on top but Zietsch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Zietsch pulls Barbosa in to control the position.
Barbosa trying to control but Zietsch is working from the bottom.
Barbosa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zietsch escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Barbosa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Zietsch is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Zietsch is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Zietsch is trying to hold Barbosa in close to prevent damage but Barbosa has managed to pass into half guard.
Barbosa looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Barbosa working Zietsch over with strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barbosa is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zietsch is trying to control but can't.
Barbosa landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Zietsch wants to control but Barbosa is keeping busy.
Barbosa trying to control the action but Zietsch is working from the bottom.
Barbosa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zietsch's head.
Zietsch wants to control but Barbosa is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Zietsch keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Marc Zietsch has got the better of the ground game so far.
Zietsch trying to control but Barbosa postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Marc Zietsch hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Barbosa lands a head kick. Zietsch smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Barbosa dodges the punch combination from Zietsch.
A head kick misses from Barbosa.
Barbosa walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Zietsch checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A bone on bone clash there as Zietsch blocks the leg kick.
Barbosa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zietsch lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A leg kick checked by Barbosa.
Zietsch misses with a hook.
Zietsch lands a front kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Marc Zietsch just about did enough to take it.
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.

Barbosa misses with a low kick as Zietsch jumps back.
Zietsch connects with a crisp jab.
A leg kick checked by Zietsch.
Barbosa blocks a low kick nicely.
Zietsch throws a sloppy head kick and Barbosa moves out of range easily.
Barbosa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zietsch circles away.
Barbosa throws a low kick, looking for Zietsch's leg but Zietsch calmly moves out of range.
Barbosa scores with a jab to the head.
Zietsch missing with a left hand there. Barbosa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A combination from Zietsch does no damage.
Zietsch scores with a jab. Barbosa acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Zietsch attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Zietsch keeps the fight on the outside.
Barbosa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Barbosa misses.
Zietsch throws a looping overhand right but Barbosa ducks down to avoid it.
Barbosa misses with a hook. Zietsch ducked under it nicely.
Barbosa misses with a low kick.
Zietsch lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Barbosa throws a leg kick but Zietsch checks it.
Zietsch misses with a low kick.
Barbosa lands a nice leg kick that just misses Zietsch's sensitive parts.
Barbosa looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Barbosa tries a low kick but Zietsch avoids it.
Zietsch connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Barbosa throws a leg kick that is checked

and Zietsch counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barbosa moves into full guard.
Barbosa is trying to keep Zietsch in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zietsch is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Barbosa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Zietsch slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Marc Zietsch hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Barbosa throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Barbosa tries to work over Zietsch's front leg with a kick but Zietsch checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Zietsch tenderised Barbosa's leg. Barbosa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Zietsch does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Zietsch uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Barbosa has time to react.
Barbosa throws a low kick but Zietsch avoids it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Barbosa.
Barbosa throws a head kick but Zietsch moves out of range.
Barbosa lands a head kick!
Barbosa swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice shot lands for Zietsch.
Barbosa pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Barbosa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zietsch tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zietsch jabs Barbosa to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Barbosa motions for Zietsch to come forward. Barbosa throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Barbosa throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zietsch throws a leg kick that is checked
and Barbosa counters with a leg kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zietsch avoids the head kick by Barbosa.
Zietsch connects with a single shot there.
Barbosa throws a head kick that misses.
Barbosa misses with a body kick.
Zietsch punishes Barbosa's body with a nice straight punch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Zietsch throws a lazy right hand but Barbosa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zietsch scores with a jab. Barbosa acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Barbosa feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Zietsch's calf.
Barbosa gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zietsch.
Zietsch with a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Zietsch dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Zietsch misses with a looping left.
Zietsch misses with a hook

and Barbosa counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zietsch's guard now.
Barbosa wants to control from the top but Zietsch keeps moving.

Zietsch working for a triangle but Barbosa defends it easily.
Zietsch keeping moving, preventing Barbosa from controlling successfully.

Zietsch throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Zietsch wants to control but Barbosa passes easily into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa working over Zietsch with some ground and pound. Zietsch looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Zietsch is refusing to be controlled, as Barbosa sits in half guard.
Zietsch keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Zietsch has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Barbosa is working away from the top position though.

Barbosa is looking for a kimura but Zietsch is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Barbosa to get the leverage.
Barbosa controlling the action here.
Zietsch controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Barbosa there.
Zietsch trying to control but Barbosa postures up.
Barbosa wants to take a breather but Zietsch is having none of it.
Zietsch trying to control but Barbosa postures up.
Zietsch is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Barbosa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Barbosa's back!
Zietsch throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zietsch lands with a hammerfist to the side of Barbosa's head.
Barbosa manages to reverse the position and now he's in Zietsch's guard. Nice work there by Barbosa.
Zietsch not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barbosa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Barbosa trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Zietsch is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zietsch avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Barbosa lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Zietsch keeping moving, preventing Barbosa from controlling successfully.
Zietsch working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Barbosa.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zietsch trying to control the position.
Zietsch keeping full guard, as Barbosa tries to pass.
Barbosa connects with a couple of short punches.
Zietsch wants to sweep here but Barbosa controlling him for the moment.
Hector Barbosa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zietsch is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barbosa is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barbosa throwing strikes from guard but Zietsch blocks nicely.
Zietsch lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Barbosa!

And that's the end of the fight!
Hector Barbosa showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zietsch has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 46:49
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 46:49
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marc Zietsch!
Marc Zietsch is the new featherweight champion!
Marc Zietsch decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.