PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Niko Barnes (ranked 4773 p4p, 5527 weight class) and Arthur Kraag (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Barnes might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=mdwvyEaL8Ac&feature=share. 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?

Barnes
vs
Kraag

185 cm
25
175
0 - 0 - 0

189 cm
25
182
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Niko Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Arthur Kraag !
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, David Hoff and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kraag misses with a looping right.
Kraag misses with a head kick.
As Kraag looks to move away, Barnes throws a big counter combo but Kraag just gets out of the way.
Barnes gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Arthur Kraag seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnes ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kraag moves away.
Kraag lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Barnes tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Barnes bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kraag misses the jab.
Kraag tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Barnes.

Barnes moves into range and clinches up with Kraag .
Barnes jumps guard but Kraag turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Kraag is trying to push Barnes away but Barnes has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Kraag breaks the clinch.
Kraag misses with a head kick.

Barnes shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Barnes showed some decent athleticism there.

Kraag pushes Barnes off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kraag misses with a lunging right hand

and Barnes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kraag 's guard.
Barnes tries to free his leg and advance position but Kraag is retaining full guard.
Kraag not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barnes works over Kraag with some ground and pound from guard.
Barnes wants to control from the top but Kraag keeps moving.
Kraag is looking to stand up but Barnes isn't so interested in that idea.
Barnes not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Barnes wanted to stand there but Kraag had control of the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Barnes closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kraag quickly recovers to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Barnes in particular looking to stall.
Barnes is trying to control the action in half guard but Kraag is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kraag wants to get back to full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barnes not doing much here.
Barnes trying to control from Kraag 's half guard. Kraag has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
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.

Kraag is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Barnes presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Barnes tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kraag smiles and moves away.

Barnes shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kraag manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Barnes has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Barnes postures up.
Barnes has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kraag is proving hard to escape from.
Kraag is trying to control the position but Barnes postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kraag is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Barnes presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Kraag is looking to control Barnes's arms but Barnes gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kraag has his back to the cage.

Barnes breaks from the clinch.

Barnes changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kraag looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Kraag explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
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!

Barnes shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Barnes is breathing heavily.
Kraag trying to control from the bottom.
Kraag has hold of Barnes's hands but Barnes slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kraag manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Barnes postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Kraag dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Barnes takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kraag fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barnes manages to avoid it.
Barnes tries to counter with a takedown but Kraag is quick to defend against it.
Kraag throws a wild body kick that Barnes sees coming a mile off.

Barnes decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kraag trying to control here.
Barnes trying to control the pace.
Barnes not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barnes stands up from half guard.
Kraag moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kraag throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Barnes stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barnes clinches up against the cage.

Barnes manages to pull guard.
Kraag has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Barnes will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Barnes controlling Kraag 's posture.
Kraag is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kraag decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Barnes misses with a combination
and Kraag makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kraag chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Barnes has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kraag finds it's way round the side to connect with Barnes's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnes fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kraag to the ground. Barnes is now in Kraag 's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Barnes is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kraag is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Barnes looking to pass the guard.

Barnes stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kraag has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Barnes is landing a low percentage of strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kraag lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Barnes at a distance.

Barnes feints and as Kraag raises his hands in defense, Barnes changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Kraag has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Barnes is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Kraag tries to break free but Barnes pushes him back against the cage.

Barnes works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Kraag manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kraag stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

It looks like Niko Barnes has been cut.
Kraag throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kraag lands with a thumping leg kick.
Arthur Kraag seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kraag . Barnes shrugs it off though.
Kraag throws a body punch but Barnes moves out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Kraag .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kraag connects with an inside leg kick.
Kraag scores with a nice head shot.

Barnes looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Kraag makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Niko Barnes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kraag darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Kraag buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kraag connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kraag thuds his right hand into Barnes's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kraag turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Barnes drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Kraag bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Arthur Kraag showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Niko Barnes's cut.
That's time! Barnes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kraag thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Barnes if he has to take too many more of those.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kraag .
Barnes displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Barnes gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Kraag manages to break the clinch.
Kraag tries a head kick but it misses.
Kraag takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kraag scoring well with a low kick there.
Kraag tries to land a front kick but Barnes steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnes throws a combination that misses
and Kraag counters with a nice low kick that buckles Barnes's knee momentarily.
Kraag waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barnes.
Barnes went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Barnes drops his hands momentarily and Kraag takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kraag scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kraag misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kraag gets caught flat footed, as Barnes shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kraag wants to stand but Barnes is controlling the position.
Barnes has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kraag is proving hard to escape from.
Kraag can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Barnes controls the pace.
Kraag controls Barnes momentarily but Barnes frees himself.
Barnes won't allow Kraag to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes wants to stand but Kraag has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Kraag pushes Barnes off and gets back to his feet.
Kraag dips to his left and cracks Barnes with an uppercut!
A lazy left from Kraag finds it's target.
Kraag scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A low kick from Barnes is predictable there
and Kraag counters with a low kick, right behind Barnes 's knee.
Barnes is looking to clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab from Kraag misses.
Kraag is looking to slow Barnes down with leg kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barnes shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kraag manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Barnes wants to pass the guard but Kraag is keeping the position.

Kraag is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Barnes presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Kraag blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kraag lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Barnes backwards.
Kraag has a couple of punches blocked by Barnes.

Kraag breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barnes ducks under a wild hook from Kraag .
Barnes gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Barnes defending well as Kraag loads up on a big left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barnes closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Kraag sneaks out the side door and pushes Barnes away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Arthur Kraag is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kraag wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Barnes takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kraag throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kraag throws a body punch but Barnes moves out of range.
A big left from Kraag misses.
Barnes tries to clinch but Kraag moves out of range.

Barnes drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Kraag is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kraag has had enough of the clinch but Barnes keeps him there for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arthur Kraag comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kraag winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arthur Kraag !
The defeated Niko Barnes had this to say: 'That dude can fight! Ill learn from this loss and comeback stronger and better. '.