PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abdul Barnett (ranked 24853 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Williams (ranked 5387 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barnett
vs
Williams

221 cm
18
278 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

187 cm
21
225 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Abdul Barnett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josh Williams!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Williams drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Barnett can't do much from the bottom here.
Williams throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Williams swings around for an armbar but Barnett sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Williams's guard.

Williams throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Williams has his foot on Barnett's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barnett works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams controlling the position.

Williams looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Barnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Williams is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Williams is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Barnett is aware though and is defending well.
Barnett will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Williams throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Williams working for submissions but it's allowed Barnett to get to half guard.
Williams moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Williams not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Williams has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Barnett can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Williams isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Barnett stacks Williams on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Barnett!
Williams regains half guard, as Barnett was trying to land strikes.
Williams is holding on to half guard well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams tries to roll over but Barnett keeps him under control.
Williams felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Williams is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Barnett's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Barnett's back!
Will Williams go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Williams is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

Barnett is looking to stand back up. He's having to work hard to escape but eventually he manages it.

Williams shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Barnett's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Williams wants to control from the top but Barnett keeps moving.

Barnett escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Williams gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Williams slips nicely into half guard.
Barnett trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Williams manages to pass to mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Williams sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Josh Williams will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Williams looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Barnett is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Williams dives into side control.

Barnett is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Williams has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Williams staying calm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sloppy strikes there by Williams.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Williams working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Barnett is not content to let Williams control the position.
A lull in the action here.
You can see the frustration on Barnett's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Williams is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Barnett knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Williams tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Barnett is trying to control Williams's posture but Williams avoids it.
Williams in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Williams. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Williams trying to control the action but Barnett is working from the bottom.
Barnett looking for a sweep but Williams has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Williams throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Barnett tries to buck Williams off but Williams takes his back!
Williams has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Williams has good solid back control here.
Barnett is trying to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Williams is looking for the choke from the back position but Barnett is controlling his hands well.
Barnett wants to get back to his feet.
Williams throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Williams is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Williams's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Williams has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Barnett has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Williams showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Barnett lands a head kick. Williams smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Barnett tries to sprawl but Williams drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Williams missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Barnett is trying to maintain the position but Williams is very close to passing his half guard.
Williams performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barnett kicks Williams off and gets back to his feet.

Williams manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Barnett on his heels. He'll look to pass Barnett's guard now, I'm sure.
Williams wants to control from the top but Barnett keeps moving.
Barnett wants to stand up but Williams is controlling him.
Williams looking to sit in guard and control but Barnett gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Williams is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Williams not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnett wants to control from the top but Williams keeps moving.
Williams pulls Barnett in close to his closed guard and prevents Barnett from doing any damage or advancing position.
Williams utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Williams throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnett is fighting to break Williams's control of his arms but Williams is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Barnett trying to control the position from guard on top but Williams is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Williams tries to clinch but Barnett moves out of range.

Williams gets a takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnett is trying to stand.

Williams seems to be working for a kimura but Barnett defends the submission attempt.
Williams takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Barnett is trying to get back to full guard.

Williams decides to stand and escape the position.
Abdul Barnett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Williams tries to clinch up.
Williams defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Barnett.
Williams steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Barnett.

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 Abdul Barnett.
I think Williams 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Josh Williams!
Josh Williams decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.