PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mario Barrera (ranked 118 p4p, 17 weight class) and Miro Bang (ranked 268 p4p, 39 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Barrera
vs
Bang

190 cm
31
205 lbs
20 - 5 - 1

200 cm
34
214 lbs
24 - 17 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Bullet Proof System
Aspire Clothing

Urban Fighter
KAISER Nutrition - Q160

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 20 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Mario Barrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Miro Bang!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Dean Styles and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bang fails with the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bang.
Barrera throws a body shot but no joy.
Barrera lands a body shot.
Barrera throws a body shot but no joy.
Barrera throws a body punch but Bang moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice takedown defense from Barrera. No joy for Bang on that attempt.
Barrera is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Mario Barrera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miro Bang.
Barrera dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Bang tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Barrera manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Barrera is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Barrera has been working on his boxing with his coaches at The Studio in the buildup to the fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bang closes this distance looking for a takedown but Barrera circles away.
Barrera went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bang tries to clinch up but Barrera circles away and keeps his distance.
Barrera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bang was well out of range. Poor timing from Barrera.
Barrera misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bang.
Bang with a poor takedown
and Barrera counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bang thinking.
Barrera pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Barrera throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bang appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Barrera misses with a hook.
Barrera pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bang drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Barrera defends it well.
Barrera fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bang looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barrera punishes Bang's body with a nice straight punch.
Bang gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Barrera makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Barrera jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barrera ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bang moves away.
A shot to the body from Barrera misses

and Bang counters with a single leg into guard. Barrera didn't expect that.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bang is looking to work some ground and pound but Barrera has wrist control.
Bang throwing strikes from guard but Barrera blocks nicely.
Bang postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Bang pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barrera is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barrera is adopting a defensive guard.
Bang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Barrera 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bang loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bang passes Barrera's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Bang is looking for a kimura but Barrera is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bang to get the leverage.
Bang throwing shots but Barrera is blocking nicely.

Bang seems to be working for a kimura but Barrera defends the submission attempt.
Barrera is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barrera avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bang.

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

Bang seems to be working for a kimura but Barrera defends the submission attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bang is looking to pass Barrera's guard but actually Barrera recovers to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Barrera dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Barrera throws the left hand but Bang avoids the punch easily.
Barrera swings for the body but Bang moves out of range.
Barrera displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bang.
Barrera fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bang manages to avoid it.
Mario Barrera is winning the standup battle so far.
Barrera throws a right and a left that Bang avoids nicely.
Bang fails with the takedown
and Barrera counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bang thinking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barrera throws a body punch but Bang moves out of range.
Barrera tries to land a front kick but Bang steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mario Barrera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barrera displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bang.
Mario Barrera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miro Bang.
Bang tries to score a power double leg takedown but Barrera sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bang somewhat.
Mario Barrera is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bang is looking to chop away at Barrera's legs.
Barrera throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bang wants to clinch up but Barrera keeps it at a distance.
Bang tries to score a power double leg takedown but Barrera sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bang somewhat.

That's two 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.
Barrera throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Barrera tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bang was well out of range. Poor timing from Barrera.
Bang shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Barrera sprawls well. Barrera wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bang gets slowly back to his feet.
Bang shoots in for a double leg but Barrera sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Bang scores with a takedown into Barrera's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bang trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bang throwing strikes from guard but Barrera blocks nicely.
Bang works over Barrera with some ground and pound from guard.
Bang postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bang throwing strikes from guard but Barrera blocks nicely.
Bang has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Bang postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Barrera is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Bang, into his guard.

Barrera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bang can do to turn this around?

Bang looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Barrera passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bang actively working from the bottom here.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Bang is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barrera pulls his head out easily.
Bang wants to get back to full guard.

Bang looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bang wants to improve his position but Barrera is controlling well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Bang is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barrera pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Barrera dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Barrera takes a swing at Bang's ribcage but misses.
Barrera misses with a wild body shot.
Bang wants to clinch up but Barrera keeps it at a distance.
A counter left hand to the body from Barrera misses its target.
Barrera throws a body shot but no joy.
Barrera with a hook.
Bang tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Barrera counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bang thinking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barrera just misses with a punch to the body.
Bang drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Barrera defends it well.
A swing and a miss from Barrera.
Bang feints the counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bang darts in looking for a takedown but Barrera gets double underhooks and turns Bang into the cage.
Bang throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Barrera's waist but Barrera gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bang off to one side.
Barrera takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Barrera throws a body punch but Bang moves out of range.
Bang shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Barrera cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Mario Barrera has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Miro Bang.
Barrera fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Barrera is looking to wear down Bang with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bang takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bang is trying hard to land a takedown here. Barrera sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Barrera defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bang.
Bang takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barrera throws out a loose jab but Bang uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bang has his takedown stuffed
and Barrera counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Barrera looks to score with a jab to the body but Bang is just out of range.
Barrera swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Barrera throws a body shot but no joy.
Bang with the counter takedown but Barrera avoids it easily.
Bang uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barrera.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barrera throws a body punch but Bang moves out of range.
Bang changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Bang tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Barrera defends well and Bang ends up having to push Barrera into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barrera throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barrera throws a hook to the side of Bang's head but Bang sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barrera throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Bang closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Barrera did well to prevent Bang getting side control.
Bang sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Barrera defending well though.
Barrera moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bang slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Barrera dodges the ground and pound from Bang.

Bang tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bang is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Barrera is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Barrera tries to buck Bang off but Bang is having none of it.
Bang throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Bang swings around for an armbar but Barrera sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Bang's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bang has an active guard here but Barrera has managed to pass into half guard.
Miro Bang has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Bang looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mario Barrera showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Barrera, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Barrera!