PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brian Braida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damian Marciano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Braida comes into the arena with Here I am blaring out of the sound system. Marciano has chosen New York as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Braida
vs
Marciano

178 cm
23
185 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

181 cm
20
180 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brian Braida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, Damian Marciano!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Eddie Farnsworth and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Braida fails with the takedown.
Marciano throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Braida misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Marciano misses with an uppercut.
Braida is looking to clinch.
Marciano stuffs the takedown attempt from Braida. Braida gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brian Braida. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Braida closes the distance and clinches.
Braida drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Marciano gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Marciano has had enough of the clinch but Braida keeps him there for the moment.
Marciano gets underhooks to prevent Braida's takedown attempt.
Braida keeps control of Marciano as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Braida tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marciano gets underhooks to prevent Braida's takedown attempt.

Braida gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Braida connects with a nice short shot to Marciano's temple.
Marciano is trying to stand.
Marciano is concentrating on defense, preventing Braida from advancing position.
Marciano avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Braida.
Braida works his foot free and advances to mount.
Braida avoids the attempt from Marciano to control.
Braida with a couple of short strikes.
Braida looking to finish with strikes here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Poor strikes thrown by Braida there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Marciano is looking to improve his position but Braida isn't that keen on the idea.

Braida with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Braida lands with some strikes.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Braida cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Braida working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Braida scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Marciano?

Marciano is rocked!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Braida with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Marciano is still in real trouble! Can Braida finish him?
Braida thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Marciano seems to have recovered his senses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Braida trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Braida lands a big elbow.
Marciano wants to hold on but Braida pushes him away.
Braida breaks from Marciano's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Braida working Marciano over with strikes here.
Braida lands a big elbow.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oooooh, big shot lands for Braida! Marciano is hurt baaadly! Braida is firing away with more strikes - Marciano is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:03 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Brian Braida!