PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joseph Michaels (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nicolas Barcos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joseph Michaels has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Michaels
vs
Barcos

178 cm
21
190 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

165 cm
27
196 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

Olympic wrestler
Brawler
Good gas tank

Voodoo Nutrition

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joseph Michaels!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nicolas Barcos!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, John Kavanagh and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barcos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Barcos looking to score a takedown here. Michaels is defending well but Barcos drives through and ends up in Michaels's guard.
Barcos lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barcos wants to control from the top but Michaels keeps moving.

Michaels is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Barcos defends well.
Barcos landing some decent shots from guard.
We've been hearing good reports from Michaels's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Barcos preventing the sweep.

Michaels working for a triangle but Barcos defends it easily.
Barcos distracts Michaels with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barcos is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Michaels working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Barcos doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Barcos manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Michaels has his foot on Barcos's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barcos works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barcos sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Michaels's guard.
Barcos working over Michaels with some ground and pound. Michaels looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Barcos takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Barcos has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Barcos working over Michaels with some ground and pound. Michaels looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Barcos working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Barcos is thwarting Michaels's attempts to control the position.
Barcos lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Barcos lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Barcos has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Michaels is in a horrible position here. Barcos smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Michaels is desperately trying to improve his position but Barcos has a good base and remains in mount.
Barcos lands a big elbow.
Michaels tries to lock up and control but Barcos gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
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!
Barcos lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Michaels hang on?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Barcos landing punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Michaels is looking to get to half guard.
Michaels is bucking up trying to escape but Barcos cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Barcos connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Barcos landing punches.
Michaels is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Barcos can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Michaels is looking to escape.
Barcos has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at DaJet Conditioning, Transition, Escape School. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Barcos punishing his opponent with strikes.
Barcos landing strikes, looking to finish!
Michaels tries to reverse the position but Barcos maintains control.
Barcos lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Michaels can't escape the position.
Barcos putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Barcos cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Barcos lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Barcos lands a couple of good shots and Michaels has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Barcos keeps control of the position as Michaels tries to break free.
Barcos not allowing Michaels to control his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barcos throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Michaels!
Barcos looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Barcos lands shots from the back.
Barcos lands a shot to the head.
You can see the frustration on Michaels's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Barcos scores with punches and elbows.
Barcos lands punches and elbows.

Michaels is rocked!
Michaels tries to escape but Barcos has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Michaels is trying to remain composed but Barcos is hammering down strikes to the side of his head.
Oh Michaels is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Barcos looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Barcos lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
Barcos lands a massive shot to the side of Michaels 's head and he's out cold! Barcos jumps to his feet and milks the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Nicolas Barcos!
A relieved looking Nicolas Barcos thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.