PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Imma Armoff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and RIck Brandford (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Armoff
vs
Brandford

181 cm
29
183 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

182 cm
23
190 lbs
9 - 5 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Powerful

BALCO UNIFORM

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Imma Armoff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, RIck Brandford!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brandford ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Armoff shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Brandford sprawls well. Brandford wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Armoff gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice cross by Brandford.
Armoff with a poor takedown
and Brandford counters with a lovely shot to the body.
RIck Brandford seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Armoff takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Armoff 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.
Brandford swings for the body but Armoff moves out of range.

Armoff drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Armoff drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Brandford dives on top into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brandford throwing strikes from guard but Armoff blocks nicely.
Armoff wants to sweep here but Brandford controlling him for the moment.
Armoff is pulling down on Brandford's head. It's preventing any offense from Brandford, at least for the moment.
Brandford throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Armoff works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Armoff is on top in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Armoff accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Armoff stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Brandford swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Brandford wants to stand and escape but Armoff is having none of it.
Armoff pushes down on Brandford's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Armoff is trying to work for a kimura but Brandford is defending well.

Armoff is working for a submission of some sort.
Brandford taking some punishment here, with Armoff in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Armoff wants to work for an arm triangle but Brandford is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Brandford can do anything to dispel that myth.

Armoff is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Brandford sees it coming and defends easily.
Armoff missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Armoff trying to mount his opponent but Brandford defends it.
Brandford really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Armoff. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Brandford has hold of Armoff's hands but Armoff slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Armoff landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Armoff thows a huge punch but Brandford dodges it nicely.
Armoff trying to mount his opponent but Brandford defends it.
Armoff throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Brandford to regain full guard.
Armoff pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Brandford is keeping the position for now.
Armoff trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Armoff tries to free his leg and advance position but Brandford is retaining full guard.
Armoff pushing down on Brandford's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Imma Armoff dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Brandford leaves Armoff with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Armoff shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Brandford as he jumps to the side.
Brandford throws a push kick but Armoff slaps the foot to one side.
Armoff with a poor takedown
and Brandford counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Imma Armoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Armoff crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Brandford - the referee stops the clock and Armoff gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Brandford. Armoff manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Armoff closes the distance and clinches up with Brandford, looking for a takedown. Armoff pushes Brandford against the cage but Brandford circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Brandford or perhaps it was just good defense by Armoff which made him look bad.
Brandford misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Armoff tries to score a power double leg takedown but Brandford sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Armoff somewhat.
Brandford thows a body kick. Armoff tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Armoff is defended easily by Brandford.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandford tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Armoff was well out of range. Poor timing from Brandford.
Brandford throws a front kick that sends Armoff stumbling back into the cage.
No luck for Brandford with that takedown attempt.
Armoff is trying hard to land a takedown here. Brandford sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Armoff decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Armoff is trying to work for a kimura but Brandford is defending well.
Armoff looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandford is trying to stand.
Brandford avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Armoff.

Armoff is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Brandford has managed to free his arm - good work.
Armoff not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Armoff is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Brandford has managed to free his arm - good work.

Armoff is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Brandford doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Armoff.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brandford is defending against the submission attempts here by Armoff.
Armoff missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Armoff 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.

Armoff seems to be working for a kimura but Brandford defends the submission attempt.

Armoff seems to be working for a kimura but Brandford defends the submission attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Armoff missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Imma Armoff dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Brandford swings for the body but Armoff moves out of range.
Brandford pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Brandford throws a leg kick but Armoff sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Armoff misses with a takedown attempt - Brandford sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Brandford finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
An inside leg kick from Brandford misses.
Brandford walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Armoff checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
RIck Brandford seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Brandford throws a push kick but Armoff slaps the foot to one side.
Armoff moves out of range as Brandford throws a body kick.
Brandford throws a leg kick which misses Armoff's front leg but catches the back leg as Armoff tries to avoid it.
Brandford is looking to land body kicks.
Armoff shoots in for a double leg but Brandford sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Brandford throws out a loose jab but Armoff uses good head movement to avoid it.
Armoff shoots in for a takedown but Brandford shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Imma Armoff. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brandford tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Armoff was well out of range. Poor timing from Brandford.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Armoff is trying hard to land a takedown here. Brandford sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Brandford looks for the body kick but Armoff saw that one coming.
Armoff moves away from the strike by Brandford.
Armoff closes the distance and clinches up with Brandford, looking for a takedown. Armoff pushes Brandford against the cage but Brandford circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Imma Armoff is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Armoff moves out of range as Brandford throws a body kick.
Brandford shoots for a takedown but Armoff saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Armoff shoots for a takedown but Brandford saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Armoff shoots in looking for a takedown. Brandford tries to sprawl out of it but Armoff keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Brandford manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Armoff chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Brandford can pounce on him.
A lazy left from Brandford finds it's target.

Brandford clinches.
Armoff drops down looking for an ankle pick but Brandford pulls his leg out and moves away.
Armoff takes one to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Brandford catches Armoff right on the button with a cross.
Armoff tries for a takedown but Brandford sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A looping hook to the body misses from Brandford. Armoff does a little dance to reset his feet.
Brandford looks for the body kick but Armoff saw that one coming.
Brandford takes a swing at Armoff's ribcage but misses.
Brandford throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Armoff fails to land the takedown.
Brandford throws a push kick but Armoff slaps the foot to one side.
Armoff tries for a takedown but Brandford sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Brandford keeps Armoff at a distance using the push kick.

Brandford dives in and scores a takedown into Armoff's guard.
Brandford lands a couple of elbows.
Brandford throwing strikes from guard but Armoff blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Armoff preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Brandford postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Brandford content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Armoff not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Brandford throws a big elbow that misses.
Brandford throwing strikes but missing.
Brandford stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Armoff swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Armoff has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Brandford content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Armoff wants to sweep here but Brandford controlling him for the moment.
Armoff managing to control the position.
Imma Armoff overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Brandford keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Armoff's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandford with a flurry of punches that miss.
Imma Armoff is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Brandford works over Armoff with some ground and pound from guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Armoff is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Armoff has his foot on Brandford's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Brandford works his way back into a safe position though.
Armoff controls Brandford momentarily but Brandford frees himself.
RIck Brandford has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Armoff is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Brandford working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Brandford must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Brandford throws a big right hand that misses.
Brandford works over Armoff with some ground and pound from guard.
Brandford scoring with some ground and pound.
Armoff manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

And that's the end of the fight!
RIck Brandford comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Armoff 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 29:28
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 29:28
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Imma Armoff!