PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arnoldo Vargas (ranked 8550 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luiz Barbosa (ranked 6016 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Vargas
vs
Barbosa

153 cm
18
278 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

200 cm
22
242 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Arnoldo Vargas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Luiz Barbosa!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Andrew Berry and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbosa looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Vargas feinted with a counter takedown.

Barbosa closes the distance and pushes Vargas back into the cage.
Barbosa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Barbosa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Barbosa throws a combination. Vargas tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Arnoldo Vargas has been cut.
Vargas takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Barbosa throws a right and a left that both miss.
Vargas drops down looking for a counter takedown but Barbosa sprawls and moves away.
Vargas really is a fat lump.
Barbosa dives in and grabs Vargas's left leg, looking for a takedown. Vargas pushes down on Barbosa's head and hops out.
Vargas tries to counter by clinching up but Barbosa breaks away and moves out of range.
Crunch! Barbosa slams his shin into Vargas's torso.
Barbosa fails with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa shoots in for a takedown but Vargas shows good takedown defense.
Arnoldo Vargas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Barbosa.
Vargas leaves Barbosa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Vargas changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Barbosa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Vargas tries to avoid it but Barbosa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Vargas to the ground. Vargas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Vargas appears to be looking for a big counter.
Vargas stuffs the takedown.
Vargas shoots in but Barbosa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Barbosa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vargas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Barbosa looks winded!
Horrible takedown attempt by Vargas or perhaps it was just good defense by Barbosa, which made it look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas shoots in for a takedown but Barbosa shows good takedown defense.
Vargas blocks a head kick by Barbosa.
Barbosa throws a nice head kick!

Barbosa takes the fight into the clinch.

Barbosa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barbosa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vargas sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Barbosa shoots in looking for a takedown but Vargas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barbosa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Barbosa.
Vargas is looking for a counter combo.

Vargas drives through with a takedown into Barbosa's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Vargas seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Vargas throwing strikes from guard but Barbosa blocks nicely.
Barbosa doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vargas being controlled here momentarily.
Vargas is in close to Barbosa's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Vargas trying to control but Barbosa is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vargas in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Vargas wants to control from the top but Barbosa keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vargas takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luiz Barbosa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Arnoldo Vargas's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Barbosa moves into range and clinches up with Vargas.
Vargas fails to pull guard.

Barbosa manages to break the clinch.
Barbosa lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Vargas tries to keep at a distance but Barbosa has taken the fight into the clinch.

Barbosa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbosa misses with a takedown attempt - Vargas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Vargas appears to be looking for a big counter.
Barbosa misses with a takedown

and Vargas counters with a shoot takedown. Barbosa fights it but they end up in guard.

Barbosa has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Vargas is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Barbosa. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barbosa pulls guard.
Vargas landing with the ground and pound.

Barbosa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Barbosa controlling the position.

Vargas postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Barbosa is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Vargas, into his guard.

Luiz Barbosa has got the better of the ground game so far.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Barbosa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Barbosa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vargas keeping moving, preventing Barbosa from controlling successfully.
Vargas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Barbosa is one step ahead there.
Barbosa tries to free his leg and advance position but Vargas is retaining full guard.
Barbosa not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Barbosa won't allow Vargas to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa wants to control from the top but Vargas keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vargas wants to sweep but no luck.
Vargas looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Barbosa closes the distance and clinches up with Vargas, looking for a takedown. Barbosa pushes Vargas against the cage but Vargas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Arnoldo Vargas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Barbosa.

Barbosa clinches up against the cage.
Vargas gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Barbosa.
Barbosa is breathing heavily.
Barbosa fails to pull the fight into his guard.

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.
Vargas looking for a takedown.
Barbosa prevents a takedown attempt there.

Barbosa breaks the clinch.
Vargas defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Barbosa.
Vargas leaves Barbosa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Barbosa shoots in for a takedown but Vargas shows good takedown defense.
And Vargas counters with a quick kick to the body but Barbosa blocks it.
No luck for Barbosa with that takedown attempt.
Vargas is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Luiz Barbosa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Arnoldo Vargas's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Barbosa tries a head kick but it misses.
Barbosa scores with a kick to the body.
Luiz Barbosa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Barbosa shoots in looking for a takedown but Vargas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barbosa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Barbosa tries to score a body lock takedown but Vargas shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbosa stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Barbosa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Vargas just stands there and leans against the cage.
Arnoldo Vargas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Luiz Barbosa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Barbosa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Barbosa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vargas slaps away a takedown attempt from Barbosa, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Barbosa gets a clinch.

Vargas drags the fight down to the ground.
Vargas is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Vargas seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Barbosa does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa is trying to stand back up but Vargas is controlling him
Barbosa is trying to maintain the position but Vargas is very close to passing his half guard.
Vargas prevents Barbosa from improving his position.
Barbosa is trying to control but can't.
Barbosa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Vargas is trying to control. Barbosa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbosa moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Barbosa is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Barbosa has a closed guard, preventing Vargas from standing up.
Vargas is fighting to break Barbosa's control of his arms but Barbosa is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Barbosa is trying to keep Vargas in close.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Vargas tries for a takedown but Barbosa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Barbosa fails with a takedown attempt.
Barbosa shoots in looking for a takedown but Vargas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Barbosa's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Barbosa has his takedown stuffed
and Vargas counters with a left and a right that stings Barbosa.
Barbosa moves out of range of the body kick from Vargas.
Luiz Barbosa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barbosa with a lazy takedown attempt
and Vargas counters with a nice body shot.
A jab from Barbosa misses.
Vargas seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Arnoldo Vargas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luiz Barbosa is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Barbosa is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Barbosa blocks a head kick by Vargas.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arnoldo Vargas showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Barbosa 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 James Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luiz Barbosa!