PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Harrold Branch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bartosz Banico (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Branch comes to the cage accompanied by Cocaine Blues, Johnny Cash. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Branch
vs
Banico

185 cm
24
191 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Harrold Branch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bartosz Banico!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Eliza Hachem and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Branch!
Branch lands with a nice combination. Banico backs away looking to recover.
Banico misses with a takedown
and Branch counters with a stiff right hand.
Branch displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Branch stuffs the takedown.
Banico shoots in for a takedown but Branch shows good takedown defense.
Harrold Branch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bartosz Banico.
Branch dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Banico.
Banico doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Branch counters with a three punch combo that has Banico backing up. Banico nods at Branch to acknowledge the strikes.
Banico takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Banico misses with a takedown
and Branch counters with a straight right hand.
Banico looks gassed!
Banico closes the distance and clinches up with Branch, looking for a takedown. Banico pushes Branch against the cage but Branch circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Branch. No joy for Banico on that attempt.
Branch scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Branch throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Branch lands with a nice combination. Banico backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branch scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Branch moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Branch lands a nice leg kick that just misses Banico's sensitive parts.
Branch pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Banico back to the cage. Branch follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Branch shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Banico eats them both and turns towards Branch to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Branch lands a jab-cross combination.
Banico doesn't succeed with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Branch turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Branch bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Banico's head backwards.
A punch lands to the side of Banico 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Banico on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Branch. Branch obviously looking to wear him down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banico moves forwards but Branch connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd cheers as Branch lands an impressive looking overhand right. Banico doesn't seem phased though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branch throws a combination. Banico tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Branch lands a jab-cross combination.
Branch defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Banico.
Banico shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Branch counters with a series of strikes. Banico will be more careful next time no doubt.
Branch pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Banico back to the cage. Branch follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Banico fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Branch lands with a nice combination. Banico backs away looking to recover.
Branch throws a quick inside leg kick.
Branch throws a quick inside leg kick.
Branch throws a combination. Banico tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Branch moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Banico is trying desperately to land a takedown but Branch is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Banico.
Banico throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Branch's waist but Branch gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Banico off to one side.
Bartosz Banico seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branch shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Banico eats them both and turns towards Branch to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Branch is working the combinations to good effect here.
Branch displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Banico chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Branch can pounce on him.
Branch lands with a nice combination. Banico backs away looking to recover.
Branch stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Branch wants it to stay on the feet.
Branch stalks Banico and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Banico's face. Banico staggers backwards, shaken.
Branch shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Banico eats them both and turns towards Branch to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Branch feints a jab promting Banico to slip. Branch then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Banico slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Branch lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Banico backs up against the cage.
Banico has a takedown stuffed.
Branch throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branch lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Banico has his takedown stuffed
and Branch counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Banico thinking.
Branch thuds a left hand into Banico's body.
Banico shoots in for a takedown but Branch shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Branch closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Branch goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Banico has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Branch buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Branch stuns Banico with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Banico with a lazy takedown attempt
and Branch counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Banico gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Branch.
Branch fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Banico.
Branch turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harrold Branch dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Banico tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Branch swivels and escapes.
Banico fails with the takedown
enabling Branch to counter with a crisp jab.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Branch.
Branch scoring well with a low kick there.
Harrold Branch is winning the standup battle so far.
Banico shoots in looking for a takedown but Branch manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Banico's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Harrold Branch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bartosz Banico.
Branch lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Branch.
Jab, jab by Branch - just one landing.
Banico takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Banico on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Banico with a lazy takedown attempt
and Branch counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Branch lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Branch connects with an inside leg kick.
Branch is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Banico can do to turn this around?
Danga de danga de dang - Branch scores with a four punch combination!
Banico is breathing heavily.
Branch goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branch tests Banico's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A punch lands to the side of Banico 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Banico's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Branch closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Banico gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Branch connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Banico has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Banico is defended easily by Branch.
Branch is looking to slow Banico down with leg kicks.
Branch lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Branch scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Banico has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Branch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banico shoots and misses
and Branch counters with a nice leg kick.
Banico shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Branch scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Branch displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Branch looks to land a combination. Banico sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Branch displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Branch pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Banico back to the cage. Branch follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Branch stuffs the takedown attempt from Banico. Banico gets slowly back to his feet.
Branch moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Branch throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Branch throws a combination. Banico tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Banico tries for a takedown but Branch circles away easily
and Branch counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branch throws a one two combo.
Banico shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Banico dives in and grabs Branch's left leg, looking for a takedown. Branch pushes down on Banico's head and hops out.
A right-left combo lands from Branch.
Branch goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Banico shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Branch counters with a series of strikes. Banico will be more careful next time no doubt.
Branch moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Banico doesn't succeed with the takedown
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
and Branch counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Branch lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Branch.
Branch is looking to slow Banico down with leg kicks.
Banico takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banico dives in and grabs Branch's left leg, looking for a takedown. Branch pushes down on Banico's head and hops out.
Harrold Branch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Branch lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Banico fails with the takedown
and Branch counters with a nice uppercut.
Banico moves forwards but Branch connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Branch goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Banico fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Branch avoids it really well and circles away.
Banico takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banico fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Branch's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Branch duly obliges.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harrold Branch dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A nice combination there by Branch.
Banico fails with the takedown
and Branch counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That kick from Branch tenderised Banico's leg. Banico is trying to keep his angry face on.
Banico walks into a straight right hand from Branch.
Branch shoots for a takedown but Banico saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Banico.
Nice shot lands for Branch.
Branch lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Branch lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Banico backs up against the cage.
Branch throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A nice leg kick lands there from Branch.
Banico dives in and grabs Branch's left leg, looking for a takedown. Branch pushes down on Banico's head and hops out.
Harrold Branch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bartosz Banico.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branch moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Danga de danga de dang - Branch scores with a four punch combination!
Branch cracks Banico with an open hand slap.
Branch lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Banico doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Branch makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Branch scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Branch scores with a three punch combo!
Branch lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Branch stuffs the takedown.
Banico doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Branch counters with a leg kick.
Banico shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Branch but Branch pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Left hook, right uppercut from Branch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banico with a lazy takedown attempt
and Branch counters with a left to the body.
Branch's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Branch duly obliges.
Left hook, right uppercut from Branch.

Banico shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Banico showed some decent athleticism there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banico takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Branch regains full guard. Nicely done.

Branch has his feet on Banico's thighs here. He's pushed Banico off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Banico screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:01 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Harrold Branch!
As Harrold Branch got his breath back, he grabbed the microphone and managed to blurt out the following: Thank You all so much thanks QFC for giving me a fight and thanks to my opponent for taking this fight. Its been a long road to stand here today, i've been through hell and back with drugs and crime and i stand here ready to be a new man! THANK YOU ALL!!'.