QFC Tournament 424 Round 2 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dennis Striker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shawn Braxton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Striker
vs
Braxton

167 cm
24
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
24
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dennis Striker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shawn Braxton!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Leandro Rodrigues and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Braxton darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Braxton seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Braxton wants to control but Striker is keeping him busy.
Striker is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Braxton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Striker defending well though.
Striker desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Striker trying to hold on to Braxton's head to control him but Braxton postures up.
Striker is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Braxton is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Striker avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Braxton.
Striker holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Dennis Striker just wasn't active enough.
Striker closes the distance and clinches up with Braxton, looking for a takedown. Striker pushes Braxton against the cage but Braxton circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Braxton leaves Striker with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Braxton shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Striker pinned against the cage. Striker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Striker moves into the clinch.
Striker has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Braxton after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dennis Striker. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Braxton tries for a takedown. No joy.

Striker is trying to trip Braxton. He has hold of a leg but Braxton is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Striker persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Striker has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Braxton is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Striker postures up in Braxton's guard and throws a big left but Braxton blocks it.
Striker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Striker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Braxton works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Braxton avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Striker wants to control from the top but Braxton keeps moving.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Braxton can do anything to dispel that myth.
Striker with a flurry of punches that miss.
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!
Striker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Striker has gone for a leg lock! Braxton slips out almost immediately though and dives into Striker's guard.

Striker is looking for a triangle but Braxton pushes his legs off easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Striker has momentary wrist control but Braxton slips an elbow through the middle.

Striker throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Striker working a defensive guard here.
Braxton in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Striker has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Striker looking to control.
Braxton missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Striker pulls Braxton in to control the position.
Striker controls Braxton momentarily but Braxton frees himself.
Braxton keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Striker's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Striker not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Dennis Striker.
Braxton closes this distance looking for a takedown but Striker circles away.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Striker tries to clinch but Braxton moves out of range.
Braxton shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Striker but Striker pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Striker looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Braxton misses with a takedown attempt - Striker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Striker moves to clinch but Braxton breaks away

and Braxton counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Striker!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Dennis Striker will probably get the nod.
That's time! Striker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Striker tries to close the distance and clinch up but Braxton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Striker leaves Braxton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Striker manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Braxton on his heels. He'll look to pass Braxton's guard now, I'm sure.
Braxton pulls Striker in close to prevent any damage.
Braxton is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Braxton looking for a sweep. Not yet Braxton, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Striker controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Striker throws a big right hand that misses.
Striker throws a big elbow that misses.

Braxton working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Striker doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Braxton is tightening it up a little... Striker has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Striker reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Striker taps out! Nice BJJ there by Braxton!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Shawn Braxton!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
76%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Small (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nacho Beristain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Small
vs
Beristain

165 cm
20
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

171 cm
24
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Brandon Small!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Nacho Beristain!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Thiago Cunha and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Beristain with a lazy takedown attempt

and Small holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Small prevents a takedown attempt there.

Small drags the fight down to the ground.
Small on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Small tries to get out of the position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Beristain drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Beristain as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Small screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Beristain! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Nacho Beristain!
Nacho Beristain decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
23%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mark Listenor (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Colt Steel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Listenor
vs
Steel

170 cm
21
143 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
24
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mark Listenor!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Colt Steel!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Listenor closes the distance but Steel moves to the side

and Steel decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Listenor's guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Listenor is looking to stand up but Steel isn't so interested in that idea.
Steel advances to half guard.
Steel passes the guard and advances to mount!
Steel controlling the pace for now.
Listenor is trying to stand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steel throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Listenor has his hands clasped together but Steel breaks the hold and Listenor is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Steel!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Colt Steel!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
35%

Main event

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cokorda Raka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Magomed Guseinov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cokorda Raka has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Raka
vs
Guseinov

172 cm
20
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
24
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Cokorda Raka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Magomed Guseinov!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Matheus Silva and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Raka blocks the elbow strike.
Raka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Guseinov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Guseinov lands an elbow inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Guseinov throws an elbow but misses.
Raka is trying to drag Guseinov to the mat but Guseinov just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Raka can't break the clinch.
Guseinov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Guseinov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Guseinov throws an elbow but it misses.
Raka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Guseinov just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cokorda Raka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raka changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Guseinov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Raka shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Guseinov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Guseinov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Raka's defenses.
Raka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Raka avoids the elbow strike from Guseinov, against the cage.
Guseinov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Guseinov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Raka changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Guseinov fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Raka circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Guseinov has managed to clinch.
Guseinov throws an elbow but it misses.
Guseinov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Guseinov lands a nice elbow.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Guseinov.
Guseinov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Guseinov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Guseinov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Guseinov is pressed up against the cage. Raka has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Guseinov down to the mat. Guseinov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Raka rushes Guseinov and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raka tries to pull guard but Guseinov won't allow it.
Raka tries to pull guard but Guseinov won't allow it.
Raka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Guseinov gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Guseinov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Raka's brow.
Guseinov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Raka blocks an elbow strike.
Guseinov lands an elbow just above Raka 's eye.
With the fighters up against the cage, Guseinov throws an elbow but misses.
Guseinov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Guseinov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
With the fighters up against the cage, Guseinov throws an elbow but misses.
Raka jumps guard but Guseinov stands there with Raka around his waist. Raka gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raka blocks the elbow strike.
Raka dodges an elbow strike from Guseinov.
Nice elbow from Guseinov.
Guseinov lands an elbow just above Raka 's eye.
Raka blocks an elbow strike from Guseinov.
Guseinov misses with an elbow strike.
Raka fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Guseinov throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Guseinov creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Raka's defenses.
Guseinov misses with an elbow strike.
Guseinov misses with an elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Guseinov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Magomed Guseinov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Guseinov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Guseinov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Raka swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Guseinov moves into the clinch.
Guseinov lands an elbow inside that Raka shrugs off.
Guseinov throws an elbow that misses.
Guseinov throws an elbow but it misses.
Raka dodges an elbow strike from Guseinov.
Raka lands a hook to the side of the head.
Guseinov misses with an elbow over the top.
Guseinov lands an elbow inside.
Magomed Guseinov seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Raka tries to break free but Guseinov pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raka blocks an elbow strike from Guseinov.
Raka blocks the elbow strike.
Guseinov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Raka looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Raka takes an elbow to the forehead.
Guseinov keeps control of Raka as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Raka tries to pull guard but Guseinov holds him up against the cage and eventually Raka drops back down to his feet.
Guseinov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Guseinov throws an elbow but it misses.
Guseinov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Guseinov lands an elbow just above Raka 's eye.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guseinov lands an elbow inside.
Raka tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Guseinov smiles and moves away.
Guseinov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Raka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Raka shoots in but Guseinov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cokorda Raka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Guseinov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Raka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Guseinov fails in his attempt to clinch.

Raka clinches.
Guseinov lands a damaging elbow.
Guseinov throws an elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guseinov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Guseinov lands a nice elbow.
Guseinov misses with an elbow strike.
Guseinov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Guseinov lands a damaging elbow.
Raka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Guseinov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Raka jumps guard but Guseinov stands there with Raka around his waist. Raka gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Guseinov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Guseinov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Guseinov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Raka's brow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Raka jumps guard but Guseinov turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Raka is trying to pull guard but Guseinov turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Nice elbow from Guseinov.

It looks like Cokorda Raka has been cut.
Guseinov creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Raka avoids a wild elbow strike from Guseinov.
Guseinov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Raka avoids a wild elbow strike from Guseinov.
Nice elbow from Guseinov.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Guseinov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Guseinov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Magomed Guseinov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Cokorda Raka's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Guseinov fails in his attempt to clinch.
Raka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Raka misses with a head kick.
Guseinov takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Guseinov moves in looking to clinch but Raka pushes him off.
Guseinov fails with an attempt to clinch.

Guseinov gets a clinch.
Raka tries to pull guard but Guseinov holds him up against the cage and eventually Raka drops back down to his feet.
Guseinov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Guseinov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Guseinov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Guseinov pushes off an throws an elbow but Raka leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raka is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Guseinov to keep the fight standing.
Guseinov lands an elbow inside.
Guseinov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Guseinov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Raka blocks an elbow strike.
Guseinov pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Guseinov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Raka fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cokorda Raka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Guseinov lands a damaging elbow.
Guseinov is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Raka takes an elbow to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Guseinov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Raka avoids the elbow strike from Guseinov, against the cage.
Guseinov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Raka dodges an elbow strike from Guseinov.
Raka wants to take the fight to the mat but Guseinov manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Raka is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Guseinov to keep the fight standing.
Guseinov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Raka avoids the elbow strike from Guseinov, against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Guseinov throws an elbow but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Guseinov.
Guseinov throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Guseinov pushes off an throws an elbow but Raka leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Guseinov lands an elbow inside.
Raka has had enough of the clinch but Guseinov keeps him there for the moment.
Raka takes an elbow to the forehead.
Raka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Guseinov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Raka blocks the elbow strike.
Raka tries to pull guard but Guseinov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Guseinov just misses with a elbow thrown towards Raka's brow.
Raka jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Guseinov walks away with a smile on his face. Raka gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Guseinov darts in trying to clinch

and Raka counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Raka.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Guseinov lands an elbow that stopped Raka in his tracks for a moment.
Raka jumps guard but Guseinov stands there with Raka around his waist. Raka gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Guseinov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Raka blocks an elbow strike from Guseinov.
Raka tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Guseinov lands an elbow that stopped Raka in his tracks for a moment.
Guseinov misses with an elbow over the top.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Guseinov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Guseinov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Magomed Guseinov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Guseinov 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight for Magomed Guseinov!
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight for Magomed Guseinov!
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight for Magomed Guseinov!

Magomed Guseinov wins by unanimous decision!