PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marcelo Barbosa (ranked 1072 p4p, 50 weight class) and Erran Morad (ranked 1842 p4p, 87 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Barbosa
vs
Morad

165 cm
23
137 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

178 cm
22
146 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Marcelo Barbosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erran Morad!
The judges for this bout are Topper Green, Donatello Bradman and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morad scores with a nice head shot.
Barbosa throws out a powerful jab.
Barbosa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Morad misses with a few strikes there.
Barbosa connects with a single shot there.
Barbosa misses with a looping right.
Morad steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Barbosa.
Barbosa throws a hook but Morad avoids it easily.
Barbosa lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Erran Morad has been cut.

Morad clinches up with Barbosa and pushes him back against the cage.
We've been informed that Morad 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barbosa tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Morad smiles and moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Morad. Barbosa does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barbosa ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Morad moves away.
Morad misses with a body shot.
Morad takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Morad moves into the clinch successfully.

Barbosa decides to pull guard.

Barbosa looking for a guillotine here but Morad defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Barbosa working for a triangle but Morad defends it easily.

Barbosa has his foot on Morad's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Morad works his way back into a safe position though.

Barbosa escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Morad gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Barbosa keeping full guard, as Morad tries to pass.

Barbosa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Morad stands and throws Barbosa's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Barbosa is trying to control Morad's posture but Morad avoids it.
Barbosa is looking to reverse the position.
Barbosa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Barbosa manages to work his way to half guard, despite Morad's best efforts.
Morad wants to free his trapped foot but Barbosa is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Barbosa is staying active underneath Morad, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Morad is pressing down on Barbosa's thigh, looking to free his foot. Barbosa is holding on for now.

Barbosa actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Barbosa looking for submissions off his back.

Barbosa actively working from the bottom here.

Barbosa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Morad pulls his head out easily.
Morad is looking to advance position but Barbosa won't allow it.
Barbosa is pressing down on Morad's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Barbosa is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Morad is aware though and is defending well.
Barbosa keeping full guard, as Morad tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morad wants to stand but Barbosa has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Morad is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Barbosa has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Morad is looking to defend but Barbosa has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Morad! Barbosa pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Morad taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Marcelo Barbosa!