PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Luke Skywalker (ranked 1489 p4p, 2794 weight class) and BJ Barrett (ranked 149 p4p, 276 weight class). Skywalker kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Skywalker Theme. 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?

Skywalker
vs
Barrett

168 cm
23
158
7 - 6 - 1

174 cm
23
144
1 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 7 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Luke Skywalker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, BJ Barrett!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Skip Squint and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barrett tries to clinch but Skywalker is having none of it.
Skywalker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Skywalker misses with a right hand
and Barrett makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Skywalker lands a slapping body shot.
Barrett dives in for a single leg takedown but Skywalker sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Skywalker throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Skywalker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barrett was well out of range. Poor timing from Skywalker.
Skywalker with a jab.
Skywalker lands a really nice looking cross but Barrett seems unphased.
A telegraphed right hand from Skywalker misses the target.
Barrett steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Skywalker.
We've been hearing reports that Skywalker has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Skywalker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barrett with the counter takedown but Skywalker avoids it easily.
Nice cross by Skywalker.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skywalker throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Barrett counters by clinching up.
Barrett is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Skywalker is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Skywalker struggles to land a body shot inside as Barrett controls his hands.
Skywalker can't break the clinch.
Barrett is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Luke Skywalker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of BJ Barrett.
Skywalker has had enough of the clinch but Barrett keeps him there for the moment.
Skywalker controlling the action here for a moment.
Skywalker controlling the action here for a moment.
Skywalker tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Barrett's elbow.
Barrett changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Skywalker fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Barrett keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Skywalker throws a right hand that Barrett ducks under and follows up with a left that Barrett also avoids with ease.

Skywalker tries to keep at a distance but Barrett has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barrett controlling the action here for a moment.
Skywalker leaning against his opponent.
Barrett blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barrett is trying to drag Skywalker to the mat but Skywalker just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Skywalker misses with a body punch.

Skywalker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Skywalker throws a predictable looking body shot
and Barrett counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Barrett checks a low kick from Skywalker.
A jab lands there for Skywalker.
Barrett slips under a jab from Skywalker.
Skywalker fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barrett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Skywalker.
Barrett tries to clinch but Skywalker is having none of it.
Skywalker swings for the body but Barrett moves out of range.
Barrett tries to clinch but Skywalker is having none of it.
Barrett lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Barrett takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Skywalker throws the left hand but Barrett avoids the punch easily.
Barrett wants to counter the offense by Skywalker and move into the clinch position.
Skywalker connects with a leg kick.
Skywalker throws a body shot but no joy.
Skywalker dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Barrett. That did some damage!
Skywalker missing with a left hand there. Barrett was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Skywalker slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Skywalker swats away the attempt to clinch by Barrett.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barrett takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Barrett gets in close and instigates a clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Skywalker scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Skywalker stalling.
Skywalker fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Skywalker lands a shot to the body.
Barrett is trying to pull guard but Skywalker has him pressed against the cage.
Barrett tries to score a body lock takedown but Skywalker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Skywalker holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Skywalker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Skywalker scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Skywalker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barrett moves away.
Skywalker sets himself, and Barrett steps forward looking for the clinch! Skywalker avoids it this time.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Skywalker dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Skywalker clobbers Barrett with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
The fight stays on the outside here - Barrett looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Barrett with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Skywalker to score with a decent uppercut.
Skywalker throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Skywalker takes a swing at Barrett's ribcage but misses.
Skywalker throws a hook to the side of Barrett's head but Barrett sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barrett staying out of range there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barrett closes the distance but Skywalker moves to the side
and Skywalker counters with a straight right hand.

Barrett moves into the clinch.
A short left from Barrett.
Skywalker tries a body shot but Barrett blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Skywalker.
Skywalker stalls.
A short right from Skywalker.
Skywalker pushes Barrett back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Barrett manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Skywalker's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Skywalker tries to throw a body punch but Barrett avoids it by throwing Skywalker back against the cage.

Skywalker manages to break the clinch.
Skywalker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Barrett tries to counter by closing the distance.
Skywalker lands with a cross.
Skywalker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Barrett can do to turn this around?
Skywalker misses with a hook.
Barrett feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barrett slips under a jab.
Luke Skywalker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barrett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Skywalker.
Barrett tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Luke Skywalker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barrett tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Skywalker makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Skywalker misses with the combination.
Barrett staying out of range there.
Barrett moves to clinch but Skywalker breaks away
and Skywalker counters with a nice body shot.
A telegraphed right hand from Skywalker misses the target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Skywalker, as that shot connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barrett walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Barrett will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Skywalker swings away with a body shot that misses
and Barrett counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Skywalker scores with a jab. Barrett acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Skywalker. Barrett does a little dance to reset his feet.
Barrett throws a counter combo.
Skywalker misses with an uppercut
letting Barrett counter with a right hand.
Skywalker circles away from the clinch attempt
and Skywalker counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Skywalker thuds a left hand into Barrett's body.

Barrett is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Skywalker's half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Barrett is working for a kimura here but Skywalker manages to reverse the position and he's now in Barrett's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Skywalker is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Barrett is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Barrett is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Skywalker lands a couple of digs.
Skywalker scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Barrett is on top in guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Luke Skywalker dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Skywalker fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Skywalker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barrett manages to avoid it.
Skywalker fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Barrett wants to clinch.
Skywalker lands a nice shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barrett keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
BJ Barrett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Skywalker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barrett.
Skywalker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barrett was well out of range. Poor timing from Skywalker.
Barrett doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barrett takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Barrett avoids a punch combination nicely.
Skywalker throws a lazy uppercut
and Barrett counters with a series of strikes. Skywalker will be more careful next time no doubt.
Barrett tries to clinch up but Skywalker circles away and keeps his distance.
Barrett takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Skywalker misses with a wild body shot.
Skywalker circles away from the clinch attempt.
Barrett moves out of range of the strikes.
Barrett changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Skywalker. Barrett does a little dance to reset his feet.
Skywalker misses the jab.
Barrett takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barrett fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Barrett on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Barrett keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
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!
Skywalker wants to land a leg kick but Barrett is out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Barrett! But no joy.

Barrett moves into the clinch.

Barrett wants the takedown. Skywalker is fighting it off but Barrett persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Skywalker's guard against the cage.
Barrett stopping the sweep attempt from Skywalker.
Barrett wants to control from the top but Skywalker keeps moving.
Skywalker wants to sweep here but Barrett controlling him for the moment.
Barrett sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Skywalker pulls Barrett in close to prevent any damage.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barrett trying to control the position from guard on top but Skywalker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Skywalker scores with a punch to the head.
Skywalker misses with a two punch combination.
Luke Skywalker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Skywalker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barrett.
Skywalker ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Barrett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Skywalker.
Skywalker throws a hook but Barrett avoids it easily.
BJ Barrett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barrett fails with an attempt to clinch.
Skywalker waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Barrett.
Barrett defending well as Skywalker loads up on a big left hand.
Barrett steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Skywalker.
Barrett slips under a jab from Skywalker.
Barrett swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

Barrett has closed the distance and engaged Skywalker in a clinch.
Barrett can't find room to land a body shot as Skywalker controls the action.
Skywalker blocks an uppercut.
Barrett tries a body shot but Skywalker blocks it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Luke Skywalker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Skywalker, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Skywalker!
A relieved looking Luke Skywalker thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.