PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Charlie Runkle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tycho Branco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Runkle might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Californication theme . Branco has chosen Feel Happiness as his entrance music. Charlie Runkle had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Runkle
vs
Branco

177 cm
25
147 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

170 cm
25
141 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Resistance

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charlie Runkle !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tycho Branco!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Ivan Kurochkin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Branco thows a leg kick but Runkle checks it
and Runkle counters with a left to the body.
Runkle lunges at Branco with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Branco's hand.
Branco avoids the body shot from Runkle .
Runkle 's corner calls for a 1-2. Runkle obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Runkle keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Branco keeps the fight on the outside.
Branco takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Runkle scores with a leg kick.
Runkle throws a leg kick but Branco moved away.
Tycho Branco seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Runkle throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Some wild striking there from Branco.
Branco misses with a two punch combination.
Runkle throws a head kick that misses.
Some bone on bone action there as Runkle checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Branco throws a looping overhand right but Runkle ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branco's jab looks to have found its range, popping Runkle under the eye.
Branco stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Runkle .
Runkle looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Branco misses with a low kick.
Runkle misses with a wild body shot.
Branco throws a series of punches but Runkle moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Runkle checks a leg kick.
Branco lands a nice shot that snaps Runkle 's head back.
The fight stays on the outside here - Branco looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Branco fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Runkle manages to avoid it.
Runkle throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Branco misses with a wild combination.
Runkle tries to work over Branco's front leg with a kick but Branco checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runkle missing with a left hand there. Branco was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Branco throws a leg kick but Runkle sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Runkle darts in and clinches Branco up against the cage.

Runkle escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Branco swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Runkle counters with a leg kick.
Branco goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Runkle shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nice jab there from Runkle .
Branco chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Runkle circles away from the clinch attempt.
Branco pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Runkle .
Branco uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Runkle .
Branco lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Branco misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runkle swats away the attempt to clinch by Branco.
Branco takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Branco wants to slow Runkle down by chopping away at his legs.
Runkle takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Branco tries to close the distance and clinch but Runkle swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Runkle fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Branco has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Runkle throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Runkle stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Branco fails with an attempt to clinch.
Branco ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Runkle tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Branco thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branco falls off balance throwing a combination
and Runkle connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Runkle keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Branco ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Runkle moves away.
Runkle throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Runkle dodges the punch combination from Branco.
Runkle cracks a nice hook into Branco's ribs.
Branco looks to score with a jab to the body but Runkle is just out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Branco has closed the distance and engaged Runkle in a clinch.
Runkle working Branco over with knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Branco looking to throw knees to the head but Runkle is blocking nicely.
Branco can't find room to land a body shot as Runkle controls the action.
Branco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Runkle avoids it.
Runkle misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Runkle content to slow the pace in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Branco throws a front kick that sends Runkle stumbling back into the cage.
A left lands for Branco.
Runkle throws a head kick that misses.
Tycho Branco is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Branco misses with a body shot.
Runkle slips a jab and a cross from Branco.
Runkle moves out of range as Branco strikes.
Runkle throws a leg kick which misses Branco's front leg but catches the back leg as Branco tries to avoid it.
Branco tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Runkle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Branco misses with a low kick as Runkle jumps back.
Branco misses with a double jab
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Runkle .
Runkle tries a head kick but it misses.
Branco bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Branco forces Runkle back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runkle misses with a punch on the inside.
Branco trying to land knees to the body.
Runkle lands with a light punch inside.
Runkle tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Branco's elbow.
Branco misses with an elbow strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Branco.
Runkle is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Runkle tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Branco's elbow.
Branco scores a nice knee to the body.
Runkle misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Runkle working hard to break the clinch.
Runkle misses with a short punch on the inside.
Come on Branco - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Branco missing with knees to the body.
Runkle tries to break free but Branco pushes him back against the cage.
Runkle blocks an elbow strike from Branco.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Branco throws an elbow but misses.
Branco pushes off an throws an elbow but Runkle leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Branco throws an elbow that misses.
Branco swings wildly with an uppercut but Runkle uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice elbow from Runkle .
Come on Branco - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Runkle takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Branco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Runkle avoids it.
Branco pushes off an throws an elbow but Runkle leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Branco misses with a hook from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A shot in the inside from Runkle .
Branco takes a knee to the side of the body.
Runkle lands a right hand.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Runkle .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Runkle 's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Branco creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Runkle 's defenses.

It looks like Charlie Runkle has been cut.
Branco scores with a nice hook to the head.
Runkle blocks an elbow strike from Branco.
Runkle tries to stall but Branco uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Runkle lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Runkle doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Runkle struggles to land a body shot inside as Branco controls his hands.
A nice left hand lands by Runkle .
Nice body punch from Branco - that landed with a thud.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Branco.
Runkle is trying to maintain a safe position but Branco gets an underhook and turns Runkle into the cage.
Runkle has a couple of punches blocked by Branco.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Runkle .
Branco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Runkle avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runkle tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Branco's elbow.
Runkle managing to block the knees to the body from Branco.
The referee calls for Runkle to work.
Branco keeps control of Runkle as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Branco throws an elbow but misses.
Branco throws an elbow that misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Branco tries to land knees in the clinch but Runkle avoids the damage to the body.
Runkle lands a knee to the body.
Branco blocks an uppercut.
Runkle dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Branco managing to block the knees to the body from Runkle .
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Branco digs a right hand into Runkle 's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Runkle 's gas tank.

Runkle breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Branco thumps Runkle with a low kick.
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 Charlie Runkle will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Charlie Runkle 's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Branco uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Runkle .
Runkle throws out a loose jab but Branco uses good head movement to avoid it.
Branco misses with a looping left.
Branco thows a body shot but no joy.
Branco tries a low kick but Runkle avoids it.
Runkle misses with a leg kick.
Runkle swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Runkle avoids a punch combination nicely.
Branco scores with the left hand. Runkle knows he should have avoided that one.
Charlie Runkle is winning the standup battle so far.
Branco's jab looks to have found its range, popping Runkle under the eye.
Branco throws a hook to the side of Runkle 's head but Runkle sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Branco lunges at Runkle with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Runkle 's hand.
Runkle cracks the inside of Branco's front leg.
A shot to the liver by Runkle . Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runkle swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Runkle takes one on the button.
Branco connects with a body shot.
Branco misses with the combination.
Runkle throws a leg kick which misses Branco's front leg but catches the back leg as Branco tries to avoid it.
Runkle lands a nice shot to the body.
Branco swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Branco. Runkle does a little dance to reset his feet.
Runkle is looking to wear down Branco with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Branco falls off balance throwing a combination
and Runkle counters with a head kick. That will keep Branco thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Runkle scores with a decent looking hook.
Branco slips under a jab.
Runkle tries to clinch up but Branco circles away and keeps his distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branco misses with a jab to the body
and Runkle counters with an outside leg kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Branco has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Runkle .
Runkle takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Branco looks to land a body kick but Runkle moved away.
Runkle works Branco's body with a nice hook.
Runkle scores with a body shot.
Branco moves in looking to clinch but Runkle pushes him off.
Branco throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Runkle walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
A solid leg kick lands there for Runkle .
A punch lands to the side of Branco 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Branco moves out of range of the strikes.
Runkle throws a leg kick but Branco checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Branco.
Runkle scores with the left hand. Branco knows he should have avoided that one.
Runkle tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Branco paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Branco connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Runkle momentarily.
Branco throws a nice looking combination but Runkle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Runkle is looking to clinch.
Branco throws the kick towards the body but Runkle avoids it.
Branco fails in his attempt to clinch.
Runkle throws a looping overhand right but Branco ducks down to avoid it.
Branco tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Runkle paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Branco defending well as Runkle loads up on a big left hand.
Runkle cracks Branco with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Branco misses with a jab, cross combination.
Branco throws a leg kick but Runkle moved away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runkle throws a sloppy head kick and Branco moves out of range easily.
Branco misses with a shot to the body
and Runkle counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Branco misses with a two punch combination.
Runkle fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Branco throws a lazy uppercut
and Runkle counters with a two punch combo.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Branco lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Branco rushes Runkle and presses him up against the cage.
Charlie Runkle has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Branco has a couple of punches blocked by Runkle .
Runkle on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Runkle tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Branco misses with a knee strike.
Branco creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Runkle 's defenses.
Branco misses with an elbow strike.
Tycho Branco has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Branco prevents a body shot from Runkle .

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Charlie Runkle .
Well Runkle has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Charlie Runkle !
Charlie Runkle gave a mention to Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30) in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).