PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Steve Barnes (ranked 5123 p4p, 4204 weight class) and Fiddy Cent (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Barnes
vs
Cent

170 cm
18
141
0 - 0 - 0

225 cm
25
130
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steve Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Fiddy Cent!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cent slips under a jab from Barnes.
Barnes throws a series of punches but Cent avoids them all with ease.
Cent fails in his attempt to clinch.
It looked like Barnes wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Cent has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Barnes.
Cent dives in for a single leg takedown but Barnes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Barnes throws a low kick but Cent moves out of range easily.
Cent moves in looking to clinch but Barnes pushes him off.
Barnes tried to score with a low kick but Cent checks it.
Barnes throws a lazy body kick

and Cent counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Cent is looking to work some ground and pound but Barnes has wrist control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cent trying to control but Barnes is working from the bottom.
Barnes wants to sweep but no luck.
Cent has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barnes is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cent trying to control but Barnes is working from the bottom.
Cent looking to sit in guard and control but Barnes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Cent is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Cent is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cent is trying to control the position but Barnes postures up.

Cent is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Barnes defends well.
Barnes seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cent 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.

Cent has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Barnes can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Barnes slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Cent working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barnes doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barnes manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throwing strikes from guard but Cent blocks nicely.

Cent manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Barnes misses with a body kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Barnes.
Barnes gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Cent counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Cent shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barnes but Barnes pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Barnes leaves Cent with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Steve Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fiddy Cent.
Cent looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barnes is fending him off so far but Cent persists. Nope, Barnes circles away and we're back to standing.
As Cent backs away, Barnes returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Barnes throws a quick inside leg kick.
Barnes defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Cent.
Cent throws a series of punches but Barnes moves out of range.
Barnes fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnes throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Cent stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Cent clinches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barnes tries to break the clinch but Cent is controlling the position.

Barnes breaks the clinch.
Barnes tries to bum rush Cent with a series of wild strikes but Cent uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Barnes dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Cent with a poor takedown
and Barnes counters with a leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Barnes.
Barnes throws a low kick but Cent moves out of range easily.
Cent wants to clinch.
Barnes throws a low kick, looking for Cent's leg but Cent calmly moves out of range.
And Cent tries to counter it with a takedown but Barnes pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Barnes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cent.
Cent fails with a takedown attempt.
Barnes appears to be looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barnes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Cent.
Cent uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Barnes.
Barnes throws an overhand right that lands on Cent's shoulder, as Cent tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes fails to land with a series of punches.
Cent lands a nice looking body shot.

Cent gets a clinch.

Barnes manages to break the clinch.
Barnes throws a lazy head kick
enabling Cent to counter with a crisp jab.
Barnes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Barnes stuffs the takedown.
Steve Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fiddy Cent.

Cent closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Barnes quickly recovers to half guard.
Barnes is looking to get back to is feet but Cent passes into side control.
Barnes might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cent happy to just control the position for now.
Barnes trying to control but Cent flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Cent tries to get the hooks in deep but Barnes pushed the leg off.
Barnes is trying to break free.
Barnes grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.

Cent is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Barnes has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes tries to break free.

Barnes defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Barnes trying to control the hands but Cent won't let him.
Barnes staying busy and making it hard for Cent to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Barnes defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Barnes tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Cent prevents Barnes from getting the reversal.
Barnes tries to control the position but Cent now has his back.
Cent tries to get the hooks in deep but Barnes pushed the leg off.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Cent is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Barnes is trying to get back to his feet but Cent has full control of the position and if anything, Barnes has just worked his way into a worse spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Cent looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barnes is fending him off so far but Cent persists. Nope, Barnes circles away and we're back to standing.
Barnes throws a leg kick but Cent sees it coming and moves out of range.
Cent lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Barnes throws a sloppy head kick and Cent moves out of range easily.
Cent is looking for the big counter here.
Barnes tries to land a front kick but Cent steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Steve Barnes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Cent gets a clinch.
Barnes stalling against the cage.
Barnes is struggling to control the position.
Cent wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cent misses with a hook from the clinch.

Cent breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barnes swings for the body but Cent moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cent scores with a jab to the head.
Cent tries to close the distance and clinch but Barnes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Steve Barnes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barnes throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cent tries to counter by closing the distance.
Cent stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Barnes.
Barnes punishes Cent's body with a nice straight punch.
Barnes connects with a looping right hand.

Cent darts in and clinches Barnes up against the cage.
Barnes swings wildly with an uppercut but Cent uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barnes is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Cent has Barnes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Barnes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barnes.
A short right from Cent on the inside.
Cent effectively controlling the action here.

Cent pulls guard effortlessly.
Cent is trying to keep Barnes in close.

Cent looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Barnes knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Cent on the ground.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Barnes stands up from Cent's guard - Barnes perhaps looking for a knockout.
Barnes throws a looping overhand right but Cent ducks down to avoid it.
It seemed like Cent was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Barnes throws a big shot that misses.
Cent tries to score a power double leg takedown but Barnes sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cent somewhat.
Steve Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fiddy Cent.
Cent changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Barnes tries to avoid it but Cent manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Barnes to the ground. Barnes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Barnes keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Cent takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Cent fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cent displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Barnes throws out the jab.
Barnes throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cent tries to counter with a clinch but Barnes shakes him off and moves away.
Cent needs to keep his hands up - Barnes had a free shot at his head there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes misses with a jab, cross combination.
Cent steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Cent shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Barnes as he jumps to the side.
As Cent looks to move away, Barnes throws a big counter combo but Cent just gets out of the way.
Good work by Cent as he checks the leg kick.
Cent moves in looking to clinch but Barnes pushes him off.
A big left from Barnes misses.
Cent throws a counter combo.
A chopping leg kick lands by Barnes.
Barnes misses with a two punch combination.
Barnes misses with a double jab
and Cent connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
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!
A low kick from Barnes is predictable there

and Cent counters by moving into the clinch.
Barnes content to slow the pace in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Barnes showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Barnes has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Josh West scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Barnes!