PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alex Rua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brad Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barnes is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Red Right Hand - Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Rua
vs
Barnes

180 cm
27
199 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

180 cm
31
190 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alex Rua!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brad Barnes!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barnes misses with a jab to the body
and Rua connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rua connects with a good right hand that stumbles Barnes. Barnes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rua with a jab.
Rua misses with a few strikes there.
Barnes scores with a nice head shot.
Rua lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rua tried to score with a low kick but Barnes checks it.
Barnes dodges the punch combination from Rua.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rua. Barnes does a little dance to reset his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rua is defended easily by Barnes.
Barnes takes a shot right to the bread basket.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Barnes throws a combination that misses
and Rua counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rua lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Barnes throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rua.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes misses with a hook. Rua ducked under it nicely.
Rua misses with a wild combination.
Barnes throws a jab but it's blocked by Rua.
Barnes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rua.
Barnes swings for the body but Rua moves out of range.
Brad Barnes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnes throws a lazy right hand but Rua sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rua moves out of range as Barnes strikes.
Rua throws a poor cross that misses
and Barnes counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Barnes scores with a nice body kick.
Barnes takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rua closes the distance and clinches up with Barnes, looking for a takedown. Rua pushes Barnes against the cage but Barnes circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Barnes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rua moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barnes staying out of range there.
Rua just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rua counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Barnes lands a lovely overhand right.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnes thuds a left hand into Rua's body.
Rua is breathing heavily.
Barnes misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Barnes keeps Rua at a distance using the push kick.
Barnes lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A jab from Barnes finds it's way through Rua's defenses.
Barnes pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Barnes scores with a spinning back kick!
Barnes thows a body shot but no joy.
Barnes misses with an attempted mid kick.
Brad Barnes is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barnes misses the jab.
A big left from Barnes misses.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rua is defended easily by Barnes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alex Rua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barnes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rua paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barnes closes the distance and pushes Rua back into the cage.
Rua has Barnes pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Barnes manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Barnes is pressed up against the cage. Rua has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Barnes down to the mat. Barnes avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rua ducks under a wild hook from Barnes.
Barnes throws a hook but Rua avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rua.
Rua on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rua on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rua takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Rua is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barnes lands a nice shot to the body.
Oh Rua is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Barnes lands a big right hook! Rua looks hurt but is still standing! Barnes lands a left jab and another right hook! This time Rua falls down and Barnes dives in with a huge hammer fist! Rua's eyes roll back! The referee calls for the bell and Barnes runs up the cage to celebrate with his fans!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Brad Barnes!