PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nate Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Moses Sithole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barnes kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be. Sithole has chosen I Miss The Misery as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Barnes
vs
Sithole

185 cm
40
210 lbs
37 - 26 - 0

187 cm
26
209 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sun-Tzu
Museum of Monsters & Madmen

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 37 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nate Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Moses Sithole!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Ian Loll and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes throws an overhand right that lands on Sithole's shoulder, as Sithole tries to avoid the shot.
Barnes misses with a low kick.
Barnes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sithole.
Barnes lands a head kick. Sithole smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Moses Sithole has been cut.

Barnes lands a big right hand that sends Sithole crashing to the mat! Barnes stays standing though and waves Sithole back to his feet!

Sithole is rocked!
We've been informed that Sithole 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.
Barnes uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Sithole.
Sithole is still on wobbly legs! Can Barnes finish him?
Barnes scores with a jab to the body.
Moses Sithole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sithole on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Barnes. Barnes obviously looking to wear him down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Barnes.
Barnes moves out of range of the body kick from Sithole.
Barnes thuds a left hand into Sithole's body.
Sithole seems to have recovered his senses.
Sithole looks winded!
Sithole misses with a looping left.
Barnes turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sithole blocks a jab.
Barnes throws a leg kick but Sithole checks it.
A right-left combo lands from Sithole.

It looks like Nate Barnes has been cut.
Sithole scores with a jab to the body.
Barnes has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Qube Ground in the buildup to the fight.
Sithole looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sithole moves out of range of the body kick.
Sithole throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Barnes jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barnes takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Barnes on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Sithole. Sithole obviously looking to wear him down.
Barnes lands with an uppercut that bounces Sithole off the cage and back into range.
Sithole shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sithole misses with a straight right.
Barnes wants to slow Sithole down by chopping away at his legs.
Sithole lands a slapping body shot.
Sithole is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barnes.
As Sithole backs away, Barnes returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Barnes is looking to slow Sithole down with leg kicks.
Sithole lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Sithole looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barnes is fending him off so far but Sithole persists. Nope, Barnes circles away and we're back to standing.
Sithole lands a right hook to the body.
Barnes walks into a stiff left hand from Sithole.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnes thuds his right hand into Sithole's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Sithole lands with a nice body punch.
Barnes drops his hands momentarily and Sithole takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sithole waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barnes.
Sithole throws a low kick but Barnes avoids it.
Sithole fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Sithole is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Barnes's half guard.
Sithole performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sithole missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sithole throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Barnes is trying to stand.
Barnes is not content to let Sithole control the position.
Sithole thows a huge punch but Barnes dodges it nicely.
Sithole trying to control the action but Barnes is working from the bottom.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Barnes is looking to improve his position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Barnes - that will leave a mark!
Sithole tries to work over Barnes's front leg with a kick but Barnes checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sithole lands a jab.
Sithole throws a body punch but Barnes moves out of range.
Sithole throws a sloppy head kick
and Barnes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Barnes pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sithole drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Barnes defends it well.
Sithole digs a good body shot into Barnes's ribs.
Decent striking displayed by Sithole there.
Sithole misses with a low kick.
Barnes lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Donk. Barnes catches Sithole right on the button with a cross.
Barnes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sithole tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barnes was well out of range. Poor timing from Sithole.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnes moves forwards but Sithole connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nate Barnes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sithole misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barnes.
Barnes ducks right into an uppercut from Sithole.
Barnes looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Barnes is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Moses Sithole will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Barnes misses with a few strikes there.
Barnes avoids a kick to the body.
Sithole steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Barnes.
Sithole jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice defenses there by Sithole.
Barnes blocks a head kick by Sithole.
Barnes tried to counter with a leg kick but Sithole avoided it.
Sithole connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Sithole throws a low kick but Barnes moves out of range easily.
Sithole checks a low kick from Barnes.
Sithole swings for the body but Barnes moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sithole throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Sithole connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Barnes's hands.

Nate Barnes's cut is getting worse.
A shot to the body from Sithole misses
and Barnes counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Sithole throws a right hand that misses
and Barnes counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Barnes takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sithole misses with a hook to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Barnes moves out of range as Sithole throws a body kick.
Barnes loads up on a big right hand but Sithole slips the punch.
Sithole takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sithole pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Barnes thumps Sithole with a low kick.
Some wild striking there from Barnes.
Barnes has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Sithole finds it's way round the side to connect with Barnes's head.
Barnes looks to land a body kick but Sithole moved away.
Barnes avoids the head kick by Sithole.
Nice sprawl there from Barnes as Sithole shoots in.
Barnes lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Barnes checks the leg kick.
Sithole swings away with a body shot that misses
and Barnes counters with a nice body kick.
Barnes connects with an inside leg kick.
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!
Sithole misses with a hook. Barnes ducked under it nicely.
Moses Sithole seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Sithole feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Barnes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sithole won't allow Barnes to get back to his feet.
Sithole keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Barnes's head.
Barnes controls Sithole momentarily but Sithole frees himself.
Sithole throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes is trying to control the position but Sithole postures up.
Sithole passes Barnes's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Sithole is keen to just control but Barnes is a slippery customer.
Sithole is taking a breather. Barnes 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.
Sithole is continuing to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Barnes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Barnes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Barnes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sithole attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Barnes throws a head kick that misses.
Sithole goes for a double leg but Barnes avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Barnes continues to drive forward.
Barnes throws a leg kick but Sithole checks it.
Barnes walks into a stiff left hand from Sithole.
Barnes misses with a straight left.
Sithole feints the counter takedown.

Sithole knocks Barnes to the floor with a head kick! Can he finish him!?
Oh Barnes is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sithole misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Sithole content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Sithole throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Moses Sithole showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Sithole digs a good body shot into Barnes's ribs.
Barnes seems to have got his legs back now.
Sithole cracks the inside of Barnes's front leg.
Sithole ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barnes moves away.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Sithole crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Barnes - the referee stops the clock and Sithole gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Barnes. Sithole manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Some bone on bone action there as Barnes checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Sithole steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Barnes. That one must have hurt.
Nice body kick from Barnes.
Sithole misses with a head kick.
Barnes scores with a nice body kick.
Barnes on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Barnes throws a right and a left that Sithole avoids nicely.
Barnes scores with a hook to the body. Sithole takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sithole throws a right and a left that Barnes avoids nicely.
Barnes tries to counter by clinching up but Sithole breaks away and moves out of range.
Sithole takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sithole is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barnes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes lunges at Sithole with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sithole's hand.
Barnes lands a lovely overhand right.
Sithole throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Barnes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Barnes wants it to stay on the feet.
Sithole loads up on a big right hand but Barnes slips the punch.
A cross from Sithole lands.
Sithole shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Barnes counters with a right hand to the body.
Barnes fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Sithole has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Barnes.
Barnes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barnes scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throws a leg kick that is checked

and Sithole counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sithole trying to control but Barnes is working from the bottom.
Barnes pulls Sithole in close to prevent any damage.
You can see that Sithole has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
Barnes trying to keep a closed guard but Sithole is proving a slippery customer.
Barnes wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Barnes is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sithole looking for a sweep. Not yet Sithole, not yet.
Sithole is trying to keep Barnes in close.
Barnes tries to stand but Sithole is controlling from the bottom.
Sithole has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barnes trying to control but Sithole is working from the bottom.
Sithole looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sithole controls Barnes momentarily but Barnes frees himself.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Nate Barnes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sithole swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Barnes throws a looping overhand right but Sithole ducks down to avoid it.
Barnes throws a head kick that misses.
Sithole wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Sithole throws a leg kick but Barnes sees it coming and moves out of range.
Sithole throws the kick towards the body but Barnes avoids it.
Nice body kick there by Sithole.
Sithole fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Barnes is out of range.
An attempted straight right counter from Barnes misses the target.
Sithole tries a head kick but it misses.
Barnes misses with a hook.
Barnes chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Sithole can pounce on him.
Sithole throws a head kick but Barnes moves out of range.
Sithole's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Sithole scores with a kick to the body.
Sithole checks a leg kick.
Sithole lands a slapping body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nate Barnes.
Well Sithole 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Moses Sithole!
During a confident post fight interview, Moses Sithole thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.