PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ben Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Cortez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Barnes
vs
Cortez

195 cm
27
210 lbs
10 - 5 - 0

183 cm
21
219 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

THRIFTY THREADS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ben Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Cortez!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cortez loads up on a big right hand but Barnes slips the punch.
Barnes moves out of range of the strikes.
Cortez throws a leg kick that is checked
and Barnes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Rafael Cortez has been cut.
Cortez tries to land a body kick
and Barnes counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A good leg kick by Barnes.
Barnes lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Cortez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barnes was well out of range. Poor timing from Cortez.
Cortez throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Barnes counters with a thumping low kick.
Barnes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Cortez.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good shot there by Cortez.
Cortez misses with a body shot.
Cortez throws a jab when Barnes was well out of range.
Rafael Cortez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Cortez wants to land a leg kick but Barnes is out of range.
A lazy body kick from Cortez
and Barnes counters with a big head kick but Cortez shrugs it off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barnes darts in trying to clinch

and Cortez counters with a single leg into guard. Barnes didn't expect that.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Barnes looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Cortez postures up in Barnes's guard and throws a big left but Barnes blocks it.
Barnes trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cortez tries to free his leg and advance position but Barnes is retaining full guard.
Cortez trying to control but Barnes is working from the bottom.
Cortez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Barnes swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes wants to stand up but Cortez is controlling him.
Cortez trying to control the position from guard on top but Barnes is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Barnes slips under a jab from Cortez.
Cortez pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnes throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Cortez throws a big shot that misses.
Cortez throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barnes throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cortez.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Cortez gets a double leg takedown into Barnes's guard.
Barnes is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Barnes looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cortez is one step ahead there.
Barnes not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Barnes will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Cortez decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Cortez swats away the attempt to clinch by Barnes.
That kick from Barnes tenderised Cortez's leg. Cortez is trying to keep his angry face on.
We've been told by Barnes's head coaches at Qube Striking that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes lands with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnes scoring well with a low kick there.
Barnes throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Barnes lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Cortez has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Cortez and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Barnes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cortez.
Good exchange - Barnes coming out on top.
Barnes checks a leg kick.
Barnes turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Cortez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barnes throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cortez looks winded!
Cortez thows a leg kick but Barnes checks it
and Barnes counters with an inside leg kick.

Barnes has managed to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Barnes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rafael Cortez's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cortez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Barnes.
Cortez misses with a hook to the body
and Barnes counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Cortez scores with a push kick.
A low kick from Cortez is predictable there
and Barnes counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Cortez thinking.
Cortez throws a leg kick that is checked
and Barnes counters with a body kick.
Cortez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Barnes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Barnes doesn't manage to clinch there - Cortez circles away.
Barnes lands with a thumping leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Barnes.
Barnes looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The fighters circling - Cortez throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Cortez has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Barnes.
Cortez is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Barnes lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Barnes, right into the meat.
Cortez takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Barnes, right into the meat.
Barnes misses with a low kick.
Cortez has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Barnes finds it's way round the side to connect with Cortez's head.
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 throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Cortez takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

Barnes darts in and clinches Cortez up against the cage.
Barnes lands a body shot.
Barnes putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Cortez in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez takes a knee right on the jaw!
Barnes connects with a knee to the head.
Barnes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Barnes.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Barnes.
Barnes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Barnes crunches a lovely knee into Cortez's ribcage.
Barnes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Barnes lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cortez.
Barnes connects with a knee to the head.

That has opened up Rafael Cortez's cut even more.
Barnes connects with a nasty looking knee right to Cortez's face.
Barnes working Cortez over with knees to the body.
Cortez avoiding damage as Barnes throws knees to the body.
Barnes throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Cortezs head.
Barnes lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Cortez.
Cortez takes a knee right on the jaw!
Cortez's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A right hand to the body from Barnes.

Barnes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Barnes lands a big head kick that sends Cortez tumbling to the mat! Barnes takes a step backwards and waves Cortez back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Cortez is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Are you kidding me?! Barnes ducked down and unloaded an uppercut from hell that sent Cortez clean off his feet! Someone make me a GIF - that's knockout of the night for sure!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Ben Barnes!
During a confident post fight interview, Ben Barnes thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.