PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roy Country (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Barnett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Country
vs
Barnett

225 cm
25
300 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
26
250 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roy Country!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Josh Barnett!
The judges for this bout are Joseph Jones, Steve Montenegro and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Country fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Barnett to the ground. Country is now in Barnett's guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Barnett manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Country manages to get himself to full guard.
Country looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barnett is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barnett is fighting to break Country's control of his arms but Country is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

Barnett drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Country dives on top into guard.
Country landing some decent shots from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Barnett wants to sweep here but Country controlling him for the moment.
Barnett is looking to sweep but instead, Country has passed into half guard.
Barnett is looking to improve his position.

Barnett looking for submissions off his back.
Ground and pound from Country.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett wants to improve his position but Country is controlling well.
Country is trying to control. Barnett wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Country is looking for a kimura but Barnett is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Country to get the leverage.
Barnett avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Country.
Country landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Country missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Country is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Country is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Barnett avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Country.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Country landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Country sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Barnett defending well though.
Country frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Country jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Barnett is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Barnett and Country has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Barnett wants to control but Country postures up.
Barnett tries to improve position but can't.
Country throws a strike aimed at the side of Barnett's head but Barnett avoids it well.
Barnett regains half guard.
Barnett tries to roll over but Country keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett is still trying to improve position.
Country not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Barnett is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Country is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Country is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roy Country dominated that 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.

Barnett tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Country defends well and Barnett ends up having to push Country into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Barnett goes for a takedown attempt but Country pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Country drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Country with a flurry of punches that miss.
Roy Country overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Country throws a big elbow that misses.
Barnett wants to sweep but no luck.
Country working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Barnett looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Country.
Barnett keeping moving, preventing Country from controlling successfully.
Barnett wants to sweep here but Country controlling him for the moment.

Country stands up from Barnett's guard - Country perhaps looking for a knockout.
Country fails with the takedown

and Barnett counters with a single leg into guard. Country didn't expect that.
Country on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Country tries to get out of the position.
Barnett slips nicely into half guard.
Country is striking from the bottom but he's now found himself mounted! Oh dear - not enough focus on defense there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Country tries to lock up and control but Barnett gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Barnett looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Barnett postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Country looks a forlorn figure.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett cracks Country with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Barnett can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Country is looking to escape.
Country tries to reverse the position but Barnett maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Barnett is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Country has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Barnett scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barnett fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Country really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Barnett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Country's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Barnett shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Barnett stands and throws Country's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Barnett throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Country works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Barnett looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnett passes to side control.

Barnett is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Country is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Country is trying to buck Barnett off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett working the body and head with strikes.

Barnett is trying to get an arm triangle but Country is defending well.
Country manages to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Barnett passes to side control.
Barnett is looking to take a break and control but Country is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Country bucks up and tries to throw Barnett off but instead Barnett has got his back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Country is trying to break free.
Barnett scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Country is looking for a way out.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Country is taking damage to the body and head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Barnett looking to break Country's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Country remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Barnett will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnett scores with punches and elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Barnett comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Barnett has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Joseph Jones scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Barnett!
Our winner, Josh Barnett, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.