PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sala Barbo (ranked 192 p4p, 22 weight class) and Pat Verbeek (ranked 148 p4p, 16 weight class). Barbo's entrance music is Nissim. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Barbo
vs
Verbeek

172 cm
31
155 lbs
18 - 8 - 1

176 cm
35
167 lbs
20 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of London, Sala Barbo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Pat Verbeek!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbo takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Verbeek throws a poor cross that misses
and Barbo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Verbeek misses with a body kick.
Verbeek cracks Barbo with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Verbeek connects with a good right hand that stumbles Barbo. Barbo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Verbeek throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Verbeek, as that shot connected.
Barbo throws a low kick but it's checked well by Verbeek.
A jab from Verbeek misses.
Verbeek misses with a right hand
and Barbo counters with a left to the body.
Verbeek misses with a body shot.
Verbeek thuds his shin into the meat of Barbo's side.
Verbeek avoids a kick to the body.
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!
Verbeek throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Verbeek lands a two punch combo.
Verbeek tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbo avoids the body shot from Verbeek.
Verbeek has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Verbeek misses with a body shot
and Barbo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pat Verbeek seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barbo avoids a kick to the body.
Verbeek scores with a jab. Barbo acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Barbo throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Barbo avoids the body shot from Verbeek.
Verbeek lands a glancing blow to the side of Barbo's head.
Verbeek throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Verbeek takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A nice inside leg kick there by Verbeek. That's going to slow Barbo down.
Verbeek misses with a low kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Barbo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Verbeek tries to land a body kick
and Barbo counters with an inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Verbeek moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Verbeek throws a jab but it's blocked by Barbo.
Barbo scores with a jab to the body.
Barbo misses with a wild body shot.
Barbo cracks the inside of Verbeek's front leg.
Barbo connects with the punch.
Barbo lands with a good body shot.
Verbeek on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Verbeek lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Barbo avoids the head kick by Verbeek.
Verbeek throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And Barbo counters with a quick kick to the body but Verbeek blocks it.
Verbeek swings widly with a right hand
enabling Barbo to counter with a crisp jab.
Barbo misses with a kick to the body.
Verbeek misses with a straight left.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbo misses with a hook. Verbeek ducked under it nicely.
Barbo scores with a hook.
Verbeek is looking to slow Barbo down with leg kicks.
Nice straight punches there by Verbeek. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Verbeek.
A head kick by Verbeek misses
and Barbo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Verbeek tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barbo was well out of range. Poor timing from Verbeek.
Barbo feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Barbo, as that shot connected.
Verbeek throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Barbo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Verbeek throws a leg kick
and Barbo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Verbeek misses with a low kick as Barbo jumps back.
Barbo half committed to a counter leg kick.
It looks like Barbo has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Barbo is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Verbeek misses with a looping right.
Barbo seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Barbo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Verbeek under the eye.
Barbo ducks under a wild hook from Verbeek.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Verbeek moves out of range as Barbo throws a body kick.
Verbeek looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Verbeek throws a jab when Barbo was well out of range.
Barbo slips under a jab from Verbeek.
A big left from Verbeek misses.
Barbo moves out of range as Verbeek throws a body kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Verbeek.
Barbo blocks the body kick.
Verbeek throws a lazy right hand but Barbo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Decent striking displayed by Verbeek there.
Barbo throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Barbo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nice body punch from Verbeek.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A cross from Verbeek lands.
Barbo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pat Verbeek dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Verbeek lands a body shot.
Barbo takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Verbeek scores with a kick to the body.
Verbeek misses with a kick to the body
and Barbo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Verbeek throws a hook but Barbo blocks it.
Barbo will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Verbeek throws out a powerful jab.
Barbo with a hook.
Barbo misses with a wild body shot.
Verbeek looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barbo moves out of range of the body kick.
Verbeek misses the shot to the body.
Barbo looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Verbeek missing with a left hand there. Barbo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Barbo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Verbeek uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Barbo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verbeek jabs Barbo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Verbeek lunges at Barbo with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Barbo's hand.
Verbeek tries a head kick but it misses.
Barbo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Pat Verbeek seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Verbeek throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
A slow jab from Barbo misses its intended target.
Verbeek swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Verbeek misses with an uppercut. Barbo saw that one coming.
Barbo has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Barbo there as he acknowledges the shot.
Verbeek rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barbo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Barbo might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Verbeek misses with a double jab
and Barbo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Verbeek cracks a nice hook into Barbo's ribs.
Verbeek has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Verbeek's corner calls for a 1-2. Verbeek obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Barbo connects with a nice looking jab.
Verbeek fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Barbo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Barbo on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Barbo throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Verbeek throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Barbo counters with a straight right hand.
Verbeek with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A slow jab from Barbo misses its intended target.
Verbeek throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Barbo counters with a stiff right hand.
Verbeek takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Verbeek scores with a spinning back kick!
Verbeek dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barbo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Verbeek counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Barbo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Verbeek sizes up Barbo with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Barbo slips under a jab.
Verbeek misses with a hook to the body
and Barbo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Verbeek fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Barbo is out of range.
Barbo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

Verbeek drives through and clinches with Barbo against the cage.
Verbeek blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Verbeek misses with a short punch on the inside.

Verbeek pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Verbeek lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Barbo misses with a body shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Verbeek.
Verbeek connects with a body shot that sends Barbo's belly button to the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Barbo walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Barbo moves out of range as Verbeek strikes.
Barbo slips a straight right by Verbeek.
Barbo misses with a body shot.
Verbeek throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Barbo throws a right hand that misses
and Verbeek counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice body kick from Verbeek.
Barbo fakes the leg kick and cracks Verbeek in the body.
Barbo throws out a loose jab but Verbeek uses good head movement to avoid it.
Barbo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Barbo doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Good work by Barbo as he checks the leg kick.
Barbo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pat Verbeek showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Barbo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Verbeek darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Barbo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Barbo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Barbo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Verbeek throws a front kick aimed at Barbo's knee but Barbo avoids it well.
Barbo staying out of range there.
Verbeek uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Barbo.
A leg kick checked by Barbo.
Verbeek avoids the body shot from Barbo.
Verbeek scores with a kick to the midsection.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Verbeek lands a nice shot to the body.
Verbeek throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Barbo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Barbo checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Verbeek pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Barbo back to the cage. Verbeek follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Verbeek connects with a crisp jab.
Verbeek fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barbo manages to avoid it.
Verbeek lands a nice shot to the body.
Verbeek throws a body punch but Barbo moves out of range.
A nice inside leg kick there by Barbo. That's going to slow Verbeek down.
Barbo slips a straight right by Verbeek.
Barbo tries to clinch up but Verbeek circles away and keeps his distance.
Barbo swings for the body but Verbeek moves out of range.
Verbeek misses the shot to the body.
Barbo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Verbeek.
Verbeek lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Barbo at a distance.
Barbo checks a low kick from Verbeek.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Verbeek works the jab nicely.
Verbeek throws a big shot that misses.
Barbo looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barbo takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Verbeek walks into a left hand.
Verbeek throws the left hand but Barbo avoids the punch easily.
Barbo moves in looking to clinch but Verbeek pushes him off.
Verbeek throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The fight stays on the outside here - Verbeek looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Verbeek throws a right hand that misses
and Barbo counters with a stiff right hand.
Sala Barbo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Barbo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Barbo throws a right hand that misses
and Verbeek counters with a stiff right hand.
Barbo 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Verbeek misses with a looping left.
Verbeek misses with a body shot.
A slapping body kick lands there for Verbeek.
A low kick from Verbeek is predictable there
enabling Barbo to counter with a crisp jab.
Verbeek on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Barbo is looking to slow Verbeek down with leg kicks.
Verbeek misses with a shot to the body
and Barbo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Verbeek misses the shot to the body.
Verbeek throws a right hand that misses
and Barbo counters with a straight right hand.
Verbeek finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Verbeek tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Barbo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Verbeek throws a poor cross that misses
and Barbo counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barbo takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Barbo tries to work over Verbeek's front leg with a kick but Verbeek checks it.
Verbeek darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Verbeek dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Barbo. That did some damage!
Some bone on bone action there as Barbo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Barbo walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Barbo drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Barbo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Verbeek throws a lazy right hand but Barbo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Verbeek cracks Barbo with an open hand slap.
Barbo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Verbeek moves away.
Verbeek throws a head kick that misses.
Barbo thinks about countering with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pat Verbeek comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Verbeek has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pat Verbeek!
A victorious Pat Verbeek thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.