PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Richard Braun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John McErlane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Braun kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is Ruby Soho - Rancid. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Braun
vs
McErlane

180 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

185 cm
20
166 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Prefers ground

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Elemental Fightwear

Attliction

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Richard Braun!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John McErlane!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Braun avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Braun moves in looking to clinch but McErlane pushes him off.
McErlane moves in looking to clinch but Braun pushes him off.
Braun plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Richard Braun seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McErlane fails with a takedown attempt.
Braun connects with a high kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from McErlane.

Braun feints and as McErlane raises his hands in defense, Braun changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
McErlane working a defensive guard here.
Braun would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

McErlane had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Braun is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. McErlane Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Braun's back instead.
Braun tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Braun tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Braun is working hard here to advance position.
Braun wants to get back to his feet.
Braun can't escape the position.
Braun is breathing heavily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Braun really wants to buck McErlane off and get back to his feet.

McErlane looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
McErlane controlling the position easily from mount.
McErlane prevents Braun from getting the reversal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

McErlane stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
A head kick from Braun lands but McErlane takes it in his stride.

Braun gets the takedown into side control.
McErlane manages to work his way to half guard, despite Braun's best efforts.

McErlane looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Braun is looking to advance position but McErlane won't allow it.
It looks like Braun is going to stand back up.
Braun is thwarting McErlane's attempts to control the position.

Braun is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so McErlane is just riding it out for now. Braun eventually gives up the hold.
Braun is thwarting McErlane's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Braun passes to full mount!

Braun is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

McErlane closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McErlane lands in his opponent's guard.

Braun uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Braun looks for a takedown but McErlane sprawls well.
McErlane with a poor takedown

and Braun counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Richard Braun has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McErlane.
McErlane tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Braun prevents McErlane from breaking the clinch.
Braun tries to land a knee to the head but McErlane blocks with his arms.
Braun connects with a knee to the head.
Braun unloads a knee to the mid-section. McErlane lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
McErlane is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
McErlane throws a knee to the head but misses.
Braun lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Braun missing with knees to the body.
Braun crunches a lovely knee into McErlane's ribcage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McErlane managing to block the knees to the body from Braun.
Knees to the body from Braun.
Braun lands a nice knee to the body.
McErlane takes a knee right on the jaw!

Braun breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McErlane is looking to clinch.
Braun checks a low kick from McErlane.

Braun bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Braun wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by McErlane, who protects the arm well.
McErlane is trying to get back to half guard.
McErlane wants to control but Braun postures up.

Braun is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. McErlane knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
McErlane stops Braun from passing to mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McErlane is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
McErlane makes his way to full guard. A much better position for McErlane.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Richard Braun dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

McErlane shoots in for a double leg but Braun sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Braun has taken the fight to the clinch.
Braun with a knee to the head.
Braun landing knees to the body.

Braun breaks the clinch.

Braun takes the fight into the clinch.
Braun misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from McErlane.
McErlane wants to break the clinch but can't.
Braun unloads a knee to the mid-section. McErlane lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Braun prevents the takedown attempt.
Braun throws a knee to the head but misses.
McErlane tries to stall but Braun uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
McErlane misses with a body punch.
Braun with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Braun breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
McErlane lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Braun sprawling to the canvas. McErlane follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Braun hang on?

Braun is rocked!
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. McErlane connects with a nice short shot to Braun's temple.
Oh Braun is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Braun is looking for a sweep. McErlane is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McErlane winds up and cracks Braun with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Braun is trying to defend against the ground and pound but McErlane scores with a couple of nice shots.
McErlane working Braun over with strikes.
Braun is trying to stand back up but McErlane is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
McErlane working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
McErlane trying to control the pace.

Braun manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Braun pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Braun is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Braun avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Braun misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Horrible takedown by McErlane or perhaps it was just good defense by Braun which made him look bad.
Braun seems to have got his legs back now.
Richard Braun has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McErlane.
McErlane is breathing heavily.
Braun looks for a takedown but McErlane sprawls well.
McErlane is looking to clinch but Braun is avoiding it.

McErlane gets caught flat footed, as Braun shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Braun drops back, looking for a kneebar! McErlane looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. McErlane looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from McErlane!
McErlane wants to control but Braun is keeping him busy.
Braun is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, McErlane asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Braun tries to bench press McErlane off him but McErlane keeps the position.
McErlane trying to control the action but Braun is working from the bottom.
Braun is looking to regain half guard here but McErlane keeps moving and retains side control.
Braun is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Braun regains full guard. Nicely done.
Richard Braun overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Braun bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in McErlane's guard.

McErlane looking for a guillotine here but Braun defends easily.

Braun decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
McErlane shoots in but Braun avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Braun closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Braun wants to get back to his feet.

Braun is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McErlane doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Braun.
McErlane throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Braun trying to pass the guard but McErlane defending well.

Braun is working for a kimura but McErlane is defending it quite comfortably.
Braun wants to stand up but McErlane has a hold of him and won't allow it.
McErlane is trying to get back to full guard.

Braun 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Braun decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
McErlane misses with the combination.
Braun throws a head kick that misses.

Braun closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Braun is pressed up against the cage. McErlane has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Braun down to the mat. Braun avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
McErlane takes a knee right on the jaw!

Braun manages to break the clinch.
Richard Braun is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Braun fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McErlane checks a leg kick nicely.
McErlane lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

McErlane closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - McErlane lands in his opponent's guard.
McErlane works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Richard Braun will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

McErlane blocks a head kick by Braun.
Braun tries to clinch up

and McErlane counters with a nice double leg into side control. Braun won't be happy with that.
Braun prevents McErlane from improving position.

McErlane looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Braun is looking for a sweep.
Braun is looking to work his way out of this bad position but McErlane is controlling him well.
McErlane sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Braun is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Braun is looking for a sweep.
Braun takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

McErlane stands up.

McErlane clinches.
McErlane tries a knee to the head but Braun blocks it.
McErlane is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Braun gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Braun keeps control of McErlane as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Braun escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McErlane fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Braun has McErlane up against the cage in a clinch.
Braun lands a knee to the body.
Braun landing knees to the body.
Braun crunches a lovely knee into McErlane's ribcage.
Braun lands a nice knee to the body.
Braun missing with knees to the body.
McErlane tries to score a body lock takedown but Braun shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Richard Braun has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John McErlane.

Braun escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Braun wants to clinch up but McErlane keeps it at a distance.

Braun has managed to clinch.
Braun lands an elbow just above McErlane 's eye.

Braun escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McErlane takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Braun scores with a takedown into McErlane's guard.

Braun drops back, looking for a kneebar! McErlane looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. McErlane looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from McErlane!
McErlane is looking to take a break and control but Braun is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Braun tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

McErlane is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Braun knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Braun sneaks back into half guard.
McErlane landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
McErlane moves into full mount! Braun won't be happy about that!
Braun is trying desperately to improve position.
Braun is trying to stand.
McErlane prevents Braun from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by McErlane.

McErlane looking to secure an arm triangle but Braun defends it well.
McErlane looking to control but Braun is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

McErlane has control of Braun's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Braun regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Braun working to try and regain half guard.
McErlane with shots to the head and body - Braun looks very uncomfortable down there.
Braun is in all sorts of trouble here.
Braun bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
McErlane manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Braun manages to get himself to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Braun escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. McErlane gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Braun keeping moving, preventing McErlane from controlling successfully.

Braun looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

McErlane drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and McErlane jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
McErlane wants to control from the top but Braun keeps moving.
McErlane passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Braun is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
McErlane wants to control but Braun is keeping him busy.
John McErlane has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Braun is trying to work for a sweep but McErlane has mounted him!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to John McErlane.
I think Braun has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... John McErlane!