PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arto Bambang (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nate Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bambang comes into the arena with Suicidal Tendencies - Nobody Hears blaring out of the sound system. Barnes has chosen Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be as his entrance music. Arto Bambang has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bambang
vs
Barnes

177 cm
36
212 lbs
26 - 21 - 0

185 cm
38
210 lbs
34 - 24 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 26 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Arto Bambang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nate Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Yves DeLean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bambang connects with a right hand. Barnes shakes it off.

It looks like Nate Barnes has been cut.
Good leg kick by Barnes there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Bambang misses with a jab to the body
enabling Barnes to counter with a crisp jab.
We've been informed that Barnes has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Bambang swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It seemed like Barnes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bambang. Barnes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barnes feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Bambangs jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

Barnes gets caught flat footed, as Bambang shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Barnes wants to improve his position but instead Bambang has moved into half guard.

Bambang is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Bambang is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Barnes doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Bambang.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bambang is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Barnes is just riding it out for now. Bambang eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bambang is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Barnes trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bambang misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Barnes is squirming around, avoiding Bambang's attempts to control the action.
Bambang definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Barnes manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Bambang not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Bambang wants to work for an arm triangle but Barnes is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bambang wants to take a breather but Barnes is having none of it.

Bambang is working for a submission of some sort.

Barnes is defending against the submission attempts here by Bambang.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bambang is trying to control the action in half guard but Barnes is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barnes works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bambang scoring with some ground and pound.
Bambang tries to free his leg and advance position but Barnes is retaining full guard.
Barnes lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Bambang is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bambang has his foot on Barnes's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barnes works his way back into a safe position though.
Bambang has a closed guard, preventing Barnes from standing up.

Bambang is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Barnes must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bambang looking to control.
Barnes pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bambang is keeping the position for now.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arto Bambang dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nate Barnes's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bambang looks to throw the jab but Barnes is out of range.
Bambang shoots and misses
and Barnes counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Bambang cracks Barnes with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bambang lands a right hook to the body.
A jab from Barnes finds it's way through Bambang's defenses.
Bambang throws a hook to the side of Barnes's head but Barnes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bambang misses with a two punch combination.
Barnes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barnes throws a hook but Bambang avoids it easily.
Bambang misses with a right hand
and Barnes counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bambang rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barnes counters with a stiff right hand.
Bambang lands with a good body shot.
Arto Bambang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bambang shoots for a double leg takedown but Barnes sprawls well. He's pushed Bambang's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
It seemed like Barnes was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Bambang gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Barnes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arto Bambang. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bambang misses with a left hand
and Barnes counters with a right hand to the body.
Barnes is looking to chop away at Bambang's legs.
Bambang tries to counter by clinching up but Barnes breaks away and moves out of range.
Bambang throws a good cross that connects.
Nate Barnes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bambang darts in trying to clinch
and Barnes counters with a leg kick.
Barnes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Barnes doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Barnes avoids the body shot from Bambang.
Bambang scores with a nice strike.
Bambang misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barnes.
Barnes moves out of range as Bambang strikes.
Barnes's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Bambang connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Barnes scrambles back to his feet.
Bambang misses with a left hand
and Barnes counters with a straight right hand.
Barnes feints and then cracks Bambang's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bambang down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bambang throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barnes let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bambang shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barnes but Barnes pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barnes lands a leg kick that knocks Bambang off balance momentarily.
Barnes throws a leg kick which misses Bambang's front leg but catches the back leg as Bambang tries to avoid it.
Bambang throws a body shot but no joy.
Bambang scores with a nice strike.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bambang.
Bambang scores with a hook to the body. Barnes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Bambang misses with a shot to the body
and Barnes counters with a slapping leg kick.
Bambang scores with a decent looking hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Barnes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bambang.
Bambang tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Barnes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Barnes has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Bambang tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Barnes defends well and Bambang ends up having to push Barnes into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A nice side step and Barnes releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Barnes jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Bambang throws a lazy uppercut
and Barnes counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Bambang lands a nice looking body shot.
Bambang misses with a body shot
and Barnes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Bambang rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barnes counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Barnes moves out of range of the strikes.
Barnes connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Bambang fails with the takedown
and Barnes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Barnes is looking to chop away at Bambang's legs.
Bambang was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A slow jab from Bambang misses its intended target.
Barnes is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Bambang ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barnes moves away.
Barnes steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Barnes waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bambang.
Bambang misses the body punch
and Barnes counters with a nice uppercut.
Bambang looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Barnes looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Barnes lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Barnes is looking to land body kicks.

Bambang moves into the clinch.
Bambang scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Bambang jumps guard but Barnes turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Barnes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nate Barnes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nate Barnes's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Bambang misses with a wild body shot.
Barnes punishes Bambang's body with a nice straight punch.
Bambang is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Barnes misses with a low kick.
A quick step to the side and Bambang tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bambang avoids the body shot from Barnes.
Barnes lands with a straight right. Bambang didn't see that one coming.
Nice jab there from Bambang.
Bambang misses the body punch
and Barnes counters with a straight right hand.
Bambang lunges at Barnes with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barnes's hand.
Bambang moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Bambang ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Barnes takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Bambang shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnes is trying to maintain the position but Bambang is very close to passing his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bambang tries to pass the half guard into mount. Barnes knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Bambang is working hard here to advance position.
Bambang not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are battling for position here. Barnes manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bambang throws a strike but Barnes rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bambang is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Bambang working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Barnes has passed into half guard!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes slows the pace down in half guard.

Bambang is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barnes pulls his head out easily.
Barnes seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Bambang has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Barnes is working away from the top position though.
Bambang works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bambang is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes wants to get up but he can't break Bambang's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Barnes passes Bambang's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Barnes moves nicely into side control.
Bambang is being controlled here.

Barnes decides to stand back up. Barnes steps back and let's Bambang get back to his feet.
Bambang throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnes.
Barnes lands a nice shot that snaps Bambang's head back.
Bambang misses with an uppercut
and Barnes counters with a nice leg kick.
Bambang misses with a right hand
and Barnes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Barnes lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Bambang misses with a right hand
letting Barnes counter with a right hand.
Bambang throws a lazy uppercut

and Barnes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Bambang tries to pull guard but Barnes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Bambang tries to pull guard but Barnes forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Bambang is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Barnes gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arto Bambang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barnes lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bambang backwards.
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!
Barnes lands with a left to the head.

It looks like Arto Bambang has been cut.
Barnes pressing his opponent against the cage.
Bambang is trying to drag Barnes to the mat but Barnes just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bambang wants to get back to striking at distance but Barnes won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nate Barnes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Barnes 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 Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nate Barnes!
Nate Barnes thanked the fans post fight for their support.