PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Andrew Barnes (ranked 804 p4p, 3452 weight class) and Conor OShea (ranked 125 p4p, 429 weight class). Andrew Barnes has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Barnes
vs
OShea

183 cm
24
176
10 - 5 - 0

210 cm
37
180
12 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Altitude Clothing

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Andrew Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Conor OShea!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes defending well as OShea loads up on a big left hand.
Sloppy strikes from OShea. Those never looked like landing.
OShea shoots in but Barnes avoids the takedown attempt easily.

OShea closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Barnes breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from OShea is defended easily by Barnes.
Barnes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OShea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
OShea throws a jab but it's blocked by Barnes.
Barnes throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OShea throws a series of punches but Barnes moves out of range.
OShea throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
OShea throws a head kick but Barnes moves out of range.
OShea is looking to clinch.
As OShea tries to get set, Barnes tries to push him back and clinch up but OShea manages to avoid the attempt.
OShea has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
A head kick misses from OShea.
Barnes avoids a punch combination nicely.
Barnes is looking to counter the offense by OShea and move into the clinch.
OShea doesn't manage to clinch there - Barnes circles away.
Barnes scores with a crisp jab that stopped OShea in his tracks.
Barnes misses with a low kick.
Barnes tries to move into range but OShea moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
OShea connects with a crisp jab.
OShea throws a right and a left that Barnes avoids nicely.
Good shot there by Barnes.
Barnes slaps away a takedown attempt from OShea, before circling back to the center of the mat.
As OShea looks to move away, Barnes throws a big counter combo but OShea just gets out of the way.
Andrew Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor OShea.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
OShea throws a shot to the body.
OShea swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Barnes counters by moving into the clinch.
Barnes blocks a body shot from OShea.
OShea lands a hook that snaps the head of Barnes backwards.
Barnes can't find room to land a body shot as OShea controls the action.
Barnes lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Barnes.
Barnes is trying to maintain a safe position but OShea gets an underhook and turns Barnes into the cage.

OShea drags the fight down to the ground.

Barnes gets to his feet. OShea looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
OShea throws a sloppy head kick

and Barnes counters by moving into the clinch.

OShea's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
OShea lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Barnes backs up against the cage.
OShea tries for a takedown but Barnes circles away easily
and Barnes counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Barnes throws a leg kick but OShea sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Barnes's corner calls for a 1-2. Barnes obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
OShea connects with a good right hand that stumbles Barnes. Barnes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Barnes throws a low kick but OShea moves out of range easily.
Barnes looks to land a combination but OShea avoids it well.
OShea looks to score with a jab to the body but Barnes is just out of range.
OShea tries a head kick but it misses.
Barnes seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
OShea throws a sloppy head kick and Barnes moves out of range easily.
Barnes was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

OShea gets in close and instigates a clinch.

OShea breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
OShea tries to clinch there but Barnes circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Barnes!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
OShea throws a right and a left that Barnes avoids nicely.
OShea fails with the takedown.
OShea throws a sloppy head kick

and Barnes counters by moving into the clinch.
Barnes scores with an uppercut up the middle.
OShea goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
OShea is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Barnes blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Barnes lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Barnes breaks from the clinch.
We've been told by Barnes's head coaches at Mentor Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
OShea throws an overhand right that lands on Barnes's shoulder, as Barnes tries to avoid the shot.
OShea dives in for a single leg takedown but Barnes sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Conor OShea seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnes throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by OShea.
OShea throws a sloppy head kick
and Barnes counters with a two punch combo.
OShea has his takedown stuffed
and Barnes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Andrew Barnes will probably get the nod.
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.

A head kick misses from Barnes.
OShea shapes to counter with a head kick.
OShea loads up on a big right hand but Barnes slips the punch.
OShea lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Barnes scores with a hook.
Sloppy strikes from OShea. Those never looked like landing.
OShea lunges at Barnes with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barnes's hand.
OShea has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Barnes uses good head movement to avoid the hook from OShea.
Barnes seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A left lands for OShea.
Barnes lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Conor OShea seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice straight punches there by OShea. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of OShea.
Barnes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from OShea.
OShea throws a series of punches but Barnes avoids them all with ease.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters circling - Barnes throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
OShea tries to clinch up but Barnes circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice defenses there by Barnes.
Barnes is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from OShea.
OShea misses with a body shot.
Barnes half committed to a counter leg kick.
Nice cross by OShea.
OShea is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Barnes lands with a shot to the body.
OShea throws a combination that misses
and Barnes counters with a two punch combo.
OShea needs to keep his hands up - Barnes had a free shot at his head there.
OShea swings and misses with a hook to the body.
OShea doesn't manage to clinch there - Barnes circles away.
Good exchange - Barnes coming out on top.
Barnes fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Barnes avoids the body shot from OShea.
Andrew Barnes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
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!
OShea misses with a head kick.
OShea moves in looking to clinch but Barnes pushes him off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OShea doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Barnes counters with a straight right hand.
Barnes thumps OShea with a low kick.
Barnes misses with a head kick.

OShea closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The referee is keeping an eye on Barnes - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Barnes struggles to land a body shot inside as OShea controls his hands.

OShea manages to break the clinch.
OShea throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Barnes counters with a slapping leg kick.
Barnes moves out of range of the strikes.
Barnes stuns OShea with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
OShea shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Barnes as he jumps to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OShea shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Barnes counter with a right hand.
Andrew Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor OShea.
OShea is breathing heavily.
Barnes feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits OSheas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
OShea wants to clinch up but Barnes keeps it at a distance.
A slow jab from Barnes misses its intended target.
OShea looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Barnes is fending him off so far but OShea persists. Nope, Barnes circles away and we're back to standing.
Barnes half committed to a counter leg kick.
Barnes slips a jab and a cross from OShea.
Barnes cracks OShea with a good jab.
OShea throws a combination that misses
and Barnes counters with a three punch combo that has OShea backing up. OShea nods at Barnes to acknowledge the strikes.
Barnes throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
OShea avoids the head kick by Barnes.
OShea closes the distance and lands a one-two.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
OShea ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barnes moves away.
Barnes seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Barnes will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
OShea throws a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OShea tries to clinch but Barnes moves out of range.
OShea throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Barnes sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Barnes throws a nice outside leg kick.
OShea throws a head kick that misses
and OShea takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A jab from OShea misses.
Barnes jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
OShea looks to land a left hand but Barnes moved out of range nicely.
Barnes takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Barnes scores with a leg kick.
OShea shoots in and drives through. Barnes sprawls well.
Andrew Barnes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Barnes lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
OShea closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Barnes connects with a solid leg kick.
Barnes throws a nice looking combination but OShea bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Andrew Barnes dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

OShea shoots in and drives through. Barnes sprawls well.
OShea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
OShea cracks Barnes with an open hand slap.
Barnes jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Barnes throws a head kick but OShea moves out of range.
Barnes lands a nice leg kick that just misses OShea's sensitive parts.
OShea misses with a right hand
and Barnes counters with a nice low kick that buckles OShea's knee momentarily.
OShea with a lazy takedown attempt
and Barnes counters with a three punch combo that has OShea backing up. OShea nods at Barnes to acknowledge the strikes.
A big right from OShea misses.
OShea is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Barnes attempts a counter takedown but OShea avoids it well and moves away.
OShea takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

OShea closes the distance and clinches.

Barnes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OShea changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Barnes tries to avoid it but OShea manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Barnes to the ground. Barnes escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Andrew Barnes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Conor OShea.
Barnes lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

OShea is rocked!
OShea has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Barnes blocks a head kick by OShea.
Barnes wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
OShea is still on wobbly legs! Can Barnes finish him?
Barnes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that OShea can do to turn this around?
OShea shoots for a double leg takedown but Barnes sprawls well. He's pushed OShea's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
OShea misses with a looping right.
A quick step to the side and Barnes tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
OShea seems to have recovered his senses.
Barnes lands a nice leg kick that just misses OShea's sensitive parts.
Barnes scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
OShea misses with a head kick.
OShea misses with a hook.
Barnes is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from OShea.
OShea gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Barnes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Barnes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barnes passes OShea's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Barnes gets to his feet - back to striking we go!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes avoids the body shot from OShea.
Barnes throws a big counter combination but OShea scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
OShea misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
OShea avoids the body shot from Barnes.
OShea misses with a takedown attempt
and Barnes counters with a nice uppercut.
OShea rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barnes counters with a left to the body.
Barnes with a nice cross.
Barnes cracks OShea with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Barnes connects with a jab.
OShea rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Barnes counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
OShea misses with some punches.
OShea jumps guard but Barnes stands there with OShea around his waist. OShea gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Barnes manages to break the clinch.
OShea closes the distance looking to clinch
and Barnes counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
OShea fails with the takedown.
Barnes seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
OShea tries for a takedown but Barnes circles away easily
and Barnes counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Barnes ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
OShea is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barnes.
OShea throws a combination that misses
and Barnes counters with a three punch combo that has OShea backing up. OShea nods at Barnes to acknowledge the strikes.
Barnes throws a shot to the body.
OShea avoids the head kick by Barnes.
OShea tries to close the distance and clinch but Barnes swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Barnes throws a hook but OShea avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes takes a swing at OShea's ribcage but misses.
OShea throws a sloppy head kick and Barnes moves out of range easily.
OShea misses with the combination.
OShea is looking to clinch but Barnes is avoiding it.
Barnes tries to counter by clinching up but OShea breaks away and moves out of range.
OShea fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
OShea throws a shot from downtown. Barnes moves away and avoids it.
OShea throws a lazy uppercut
and Barnes cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Conor OShea has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barnes lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Barnes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barnes lands a straight punch to the body, keeping OShea at a distance.
Barnes connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Barnes ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrew Barnes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Barnes has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrew Barnes!
Andrew Barnes was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.