PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Carlton Goodwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Xavier Barboza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carlton Goodwin has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Goodwin
vs
Barboza

206 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

193 cm
21
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

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 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Carlton Goodwin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Xavier Barboza!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Leandro Rodrigues and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goodwin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Barboza but Barboza pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Barboza gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Goodwin really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Barboza is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Barboza's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Goodwin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Barboza is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Barboza is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Goodwin pulls his head out easily.

Goodwin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barboza pushes Goodwin off looking to stand but Goodwin dives back in and keeps control.
Barboza is trying to control but Goodwin manages to pass to mount!
Goodwin avoids the attempt from Barboza to control.
Barboza keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Barboza is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Barboza tries to reverse the position but Goodwin maintains control.
Goodwin lands a big elbow.
Goodwin working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Goodwin moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Barboza has worked his arm free - good work by Barboza!

Goodwin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Barboza is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barboza gets back to half guard.
Barboza wants to get back to full guard.
Barboza tries to kick Goodwin off but Goodwin keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barboza trying to control from the bottom.
Barboza is looking for a sweep. Goodwin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
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.
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.
Barboza wants to get back to his feet.
Goodwin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Goodwin is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Barboza has managed to free his arm - good work.

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

Goodwin gets the takedown into side control.
Barboza wants to control but Goodwin postures up.
Barboza tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Goodwin wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barboza is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Barboza is looking to control Goodwin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Barboza avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Carlton Goodwin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Goodwin wants to clinch
and Barboza counters with a right hand to the body.

Barboza closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Goodwin tries to roll over but Barboza keeps him under control.
Barboza is stalling here. Goodwin is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Barboza seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Goodwin has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Barboza tries to buck Goodwin off but Goodwin is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barboza keeps Goodwin under control for a moment.
Barboza manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goodwin is looking to get back to is feet but Barboza passes into side control.
Goodwin is trying to get back to his feet.
Barboza misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Barboza tries to move into full mount but can't pass Goodwin's legs.
Barboza working away.

That's two 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.
Barboza misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Barboza goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Goodwin rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Barboza's guard! Nice work there by Goodwin!
Barboza trying to control the position.

Goodwin stands up from Barboza's guard - Goodwin perhaps looking for a knockout.

Barboza clinches up with Goodwin and pushes him back against the cage.
Barboza stops a takedown attempt from Goodwin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barboza keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Goodwin's efforts to push away.
Barboza effectively controlling the action here.
Barboza is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Barboza lands a nice uppercut.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Barboza.

Barboza breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Goodwin looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A head kick misses from Barboza.

Barboza closes the distance and pushes Goodwin back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barboza breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Barboza feints and as Goodwin raises his hands in defense, Barboza changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Barboza is breathing heavily.
Goodwin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Barboza trying to control the position from guard on top but Goodwin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Barboza looking to sit in guard and control but Goodwin gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barboza working a defensive guard but Goodwin passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Xavier Barboza showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Goodwin gets tackled into the cage by Barboza. Barboza maintains the clinch.
Barboza working Goodwin over with knees to the body.

Goodwin is fighting off a takedown attempt but Barboza is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Goodwin to the mat. Goodwin regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Goodwin is trying to keep Barboza in close.
Barboza must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Goodwin has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Barboza can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Barboza wants to pass the guard but Goodwin is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barboza in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goodwin wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Barboza is now in half guard.
Barboza stalling away here and it's allowed Goodwin to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Barboza throws a big elbow that misses.
Barboza trying to control but Goodwin is working from the bottom.
Goodwin working a defensive guard here.

Goodwin looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Barboza won't allow Goodwin to get back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
No luck for Goodwin with that takedown attempt.
Goodwin moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromBarboza.
Barboza misses with a few strikes there.

Barboza scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Barboza prevents Goodwin from escaping the position.

Barboza decides to take the fight back to the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Goodwin shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Barboza's guard.
Carlton Goodwin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Barboza controls Goodwin momentarily but Goodwin frees himself.
Goodwin working some strikes from top position.
Goodwin throws a big elbow that misses.
Barboza looking to control.
Barboza looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Goodwin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Barboza is controlling Goodwin's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Goodwin seems to be looking for submissions.

Goodwin is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Barboza sees it coming and defends easily.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Nice strikes from Goodwin there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barboza is trying to control but Goodwin passes into side control!
Barboza tries to get back to half guard but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Xavier Barboza comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Barboza has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Xavier Barboza!