PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ferdinando Branca (ranked 3657 p4p, 3771 weight class) and Ralph Smith (ranked 439 p4p, 447 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Branca
vs
Smith

175 cm
25
190
3 - 1 - 0

182 cm
25
192
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Arcticus University: London

The Dirty Needle Project (158Q @ $25)

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Ferdinando Branca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ralph Smith!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Ferdinando Branca has been cut.
Branca tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Smith swivels and escapes.
Branca fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Branca takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Smith 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.
Branca walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

Branca is rocked!
Ralph Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Branca tries to clinch but Smith is having none of it.
Oh Branca is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

Branca feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Branca working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Branca seems to have got his legs back now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Smith tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Branca scoring with punches to the head and body.

Branca drops back looking for a leg! Smith is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Smith manages to kick Branca off! Branca jumps back into Smith's guard.
Branca engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Branca. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branca trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Branca throws a big elbow that misses.
Branca working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Smith preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.
Smith is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Smith looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Branca makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Branca scoring with punches to the head and body.
Smith can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Branca controls the pace.
Branca looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Branca passes Smith's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branca not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Branca not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Branca takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Branca takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Branca lands a nice short elbow.
Branca is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Branca not doing much here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Branca not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Branca slips a nice elbow through Smith's hands, connecting with Smith's forehead.
Branca controlling the action here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Branca working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branca working the head and body with strikes.
Branca thows a huge punch but Smith dodges it nicely.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Smith can do anything to dispel that myth.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Branca lands a nice short elbow.

Smith is rocked!

Branca looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Smith is still in real trouble! Can Branca finish him?
Branca lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Smith! More strikes land and this one is all over! Branca jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ferdinando Branca!