PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Michael Barnes (ranked 2737 p4p, 24570 weight class) and Ju Hicks (ranked 267 p4p, 529 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barnes
vs
Hicks

170 cm
20
149
3 - 2 - 0

173 cm
23
145
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ju Hicks!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Wesley Smith and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ju Hicks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hicks darts in trying to clinch

and Barnes counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Barnes wants to control from the top but Hicks keeps moving.
Barnes postures up and lands a big shot to Hicks's brow.
Barnes stops Hicks from standing up.

Barnes thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hicks is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Barnes is controlling him.
Hicks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Barnes lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hicks looking to control.
Barnes advances position into side control!
Check out the look on Barnes's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Barnes has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Barnes is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hicks has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hicks is trying to buck Barnes off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hicks down.
Hicks really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Barnes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Barnes creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

Barnes is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hicks is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Barnes controlling the position from side mount.
Barnes lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Barnes working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Hicks is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Barnes scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Hicks to see if he's OK.
Hicks wants to get back to his feet.
Barnes wants to control but Hicks is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnes is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Hicks has escaped the position, nice work there.
Hicks is looking for a sweep.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Barnes cracks Hicks with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnes lands some shots froms side control.
Barnes landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Barnes working the ground and pound.

Barnes working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Barnes wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hicks keeps working.
Hicks takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Barnes lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Hicks down.

Barnes in side control, working for a kimura. He's got hold of an arm and he's torquing it... Hicks is tapping! That's the end of the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Michael Barnes!
Michael Barnes thanked the fans post fight for their support.
The defeated Ju Hicks had this to say: 'Hats off to my opponent. I was off my game tonight and he capitalized. '.