PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fletch Brandis (ranked 3771 p4p, 13092 weight class) and Toktogulovich Bakiyev (ranked 83 p4p, 132 weight class). Brandis kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Lynyrd Skynyrd : The Ballad of Curtis Loew. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Toktogulovich Bakiyev was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Brandis
vs
Bakiyev

191 cm
41
235
24 - 19 - 0

171 cm
51
153
40 - 66 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Fletch Brandis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 40 - 66 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toktogulovich Bakiyev!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Brandis looking to score a takedown here. Bakiyev is defending well but Brandis drives through and ends up in Bakiyev's guard.
Brandis stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bakiyev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Brandis prevents Bakiyev from getting back to his feet.
Brandis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Brandis controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Bakiyev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brandis forces his way into half guard.
Bakiyev looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brandis wants to work for an arm triangle but Bakiyev is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Brandis is working for a kimura but Bakiyev is defending it quite comfortably.

Brandis is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Brandis 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.

Brandis is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev looks like he's trying to stand up.
Brandis is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Bakiyev wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Brandis passes the guard and advances to mount!
Bakiyev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Brandis. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Brandis is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Bakiyev can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Brandis content just to control the position here.
Bakiyev felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Brandis wants to finish this one by submission but Bakiyev is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Brandis.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandis is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Bakiyev is in real trouble.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Brandis is working for the choke. It looks like he might have got it... has he...? Yes! Bakiyev is tapping out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Fletch Brandis!
Fletch Brandis thanked the fans post fight for their support.