PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Brett Barker (ranked 4237 p4p, 3320 weight class) and Ivan Kowalski (ranked 0 p4p, 387 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Barker
vs
Kowalski

178 cm
22
154
1 - 1 - 0

177 cm
25
159
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brett Barker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Ivan Kowalski!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kowalski moves into the clinch.
Barker has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Barker wants to break free but Kowalski has control.
Kowalski has Barker pushed against the cage.
Barker has had enough of the clinch but Kowalski keeps him there for the moment.

Kowalski pulls guard effortlessly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kowalski seems keen to control Barker's posture.
Kowalski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Barker wants to stand but Kowalski has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kowalski has control of Barker's left arm, preventing Barker from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barker wants to get up but he can't break Kowalski's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kowalski pulls Barker in close to prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Kowalski scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Barker is looking to get back to is feet but Kowalski passes into side control.
Barker is breathing heavily.
Kowalski in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski cracks Barker with an elbow. That is naaassty.
A lull in the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kowalski forces Barker back against the cage and clinches.
Barker looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.

Kowalski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barker misses with a looping right.
A head kick misses from Barker.

Kowalski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Barker, pushing him back against the cage.

Kowalski breaks the clinch.
Barker tried to score with a low kick but Kowalski checks it.
Kowalski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Barker throws a series of strikes that have Kowalski backpedaling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kowalski pushes Barker up against the cage in a clinch.
A short body shot lands from Kowalski as the two fighters clinch.

Kowalski has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Barker uses from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kowalski is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Kowalski prevents Barker from getting back to his feet.
Kowalski sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kowalski connects with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kowalski not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kowalski stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barker swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kowalski's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kowalski advances position into side control!
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barker taking punishment in the form of punches.
A lull in the action here.
Kowalski is continuing to stall.
Kowalski connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Barker some visible discomfort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kowalski remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Kowalski is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Barker's half guard.
Barker wants to stand back up but Kowalski manages to pass into side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barker seems a little lost for a moment, as Kowalski dominates the positioning.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Kowalski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kowalski moves into range and clinches up with Barker.
Kowalski slowing the pace effectively.
Barker has had enough of the clinch but Kowalski keeps him there for the moment.

Kowalski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kowalski jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kowalski moves out of range as Barker strikes.
Barker throws a right and a left that both miss.
A jab from Barker misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Kowalski closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Well, if Kowalski is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski is looking to advance position but Barker won't allow it.
Ivan Kowalski has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kowalski seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kowalski is controlling the pace.
Kowalski scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kowalski tries to pass the half guard into mount. Barker knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kowalski keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Kowalski clinches with his opponent.
Kowalski lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Barker.
Come on Kowalski - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Barker backwards.

Kowalski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Barker pulls out of a head kick attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Kowalski has picked Barker up - he's going for a ride! Kowalski dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Barker pushes Kowalski off looking to stand but Kowalski dives back in and keeps control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski passes to side control.
Kowalski taking a breather here.
Ivan Kowalski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Kowalski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kowalski 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ivan Kowalski!