PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Tycho Branco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luke Skywalker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Branco comes to the cage accompanied by Feel Happiness. 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.

Branco
vs
Skywalker

170 cm
27
141 lbs
10 - 3 - 1

170 cm
27
142 lbs
24 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Brute
160!

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 10 - 3 - 1, fighting out of London, Tycho Branco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 13 - 0, fighting out of London, Luke Skywalker!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Chris Edwards and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skywalker tries to land a front kick but Branco steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Branco closes the distance and clinches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Branco takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Skywalker tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Branco avoids it.
Branco wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Branco blocks an elbow strike from Skywalker.
Skywalker misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Branco.

Branco breaks from the clinch.
Luke Skywalker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Skywalker throws the left hand but Branco avoids the punch easily.
Branco looks for the body kick but Skywalker saw that one coming.
Skywalker blocks a low kick nicely.
Skywalker tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Branco manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Branco throws a hook but Skywalker avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Skywalker misses its intended target.
Branco throws a leg kick which misses Skywalker's front leg but catches the back leg as Skywalker tries to avoid it.
Branco fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Skywalker manages to avoid it.
An inside leg kick lands from Branco.
Skywalker pushes Branco away with a front kick.
Skywalker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Skywalker fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Skywalker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Tycho Branco is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Branco misses with a low kick as Skywalker jumps back.
Branco dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Skywalker throws a leg kick but Branco moved away.

Branco gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Skywalker pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

Branco breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Branco takes a swing at Skywalker's ribcage but misses.
Branco throws a low kick but Skywalker moves out of range easily.
Branco uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Skywalker.
Good shot there by Skywalker.
Skywalker throws a body kick that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Skywalker wants to clinch up but Branco keeps it at a distance.
Skywalker takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Luke Skywalker has been cut.
Branco tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Skywalker was well out of range. Poor timing from Branco.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Skywalker misses with a body kick.
Skywalker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Branco.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branco takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Branco keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Skywalker.
Skywalker throws a looping overhand right but Branco ducks down to avoid it.
Branco circles away from the clinch attempt.

Skywalker moves into range and clinches up with Branco.

Branco breaks from the clinch.
Skywalker thows a body shot but no joy.
Skywalker swings for the body but Branco moves out of range.
Skywalker lands a nice looking body kick.
Branco has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Skywalker finds it's way round the side to connect with Branco's head.
Skywalker missing with a left hand there. Branco was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Skywalker fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Branco on the side of the head.
Skywalker tries to clinch up.
Skywalker moves out of range of the body kick from Branco.
Branco shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Branco connects with an inside leg kick.
Branco misses with a straight right.
Branco tests Skywalker's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Branco stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Branco fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Skywalker manages to avoid it.
Skywalker throws a half hearted mid kick.
Branco takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Skywalker.
Skywalker wants to clinch up but Branco keeps it at a distance.
Branco 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.
Branco attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Skywalker ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Skywalker scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Branco misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Branco takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Skywalker lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Skywalker misses with a right hand
and Branco counters with a nice uppercut.
Skywalker staying out of range there.
Branco throws a body kick that misses.
Branco blocks the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Branco misses with a wild body shot.
Skywalker keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Skywalker lands a nice shot to the body.
Branco bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Branco fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Skywalker manages to avoid it.
Branco pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Skywalker fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Branco is out of range.
Skywalker lands a front kick.
Skywalker chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A head kick from Branco lands but Skywalker takes it in his stride.
Branco takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Skywalker throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Skywalker throws a big shot that misses.
Skywalker slips a jab from Branco.
Skywalker throws the kick towards the body but Branco avoids it.
Skywalker uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Branco.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Luke Skywalker will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Luke Skywalker's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Skywalker lands with a thumping leg kick.
Skywalker checks a leg kick nicely.
Branco uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Skywalker.
Branco checks a leg kick nicely.
Branco stuffs the takedown.
Skywalker throws a front kick that sends Branco stumbling back into the cage.
Skywalker misses with a looping left.
Skywalker misses with a body kick.
Skywalker takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A swing and a miss from Branco.
Branco tries to land a front kick but Skywalker steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Branco avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Skywalker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Branco.

Branco rushes Skywalker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
A short uppercut from Skywalker.
Skywalker gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

It looks like Tycho Branco has been cut.
Skywalker lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Branco lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker crunches a lovely knee into Branco's ribcage.
Branco will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Skywalker looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Branco throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Skywalkers head.
Skywalker lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Branco takes an elbow to the temple.
Skywalker looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Branco manages to pull guard.
Skywalker throws a big elbow that misses.
Branco keeping moving, preventing Skywalker from controlling successfully.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Skywalker throws a big elbow that misses.
Skywalker tries to free his leg and advance position but Branco is retaining full guard.
Skywalker preventing the sweep.
Skywalker showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Branco utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branco working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Skywalker.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Branco 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.
Skywalker must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Skywalker tries to free his leg and advance position but Branco is retaining full guard.
Skywalker throws a strike but Branco rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Branco prevents Skywalker from getting back to his feet.
Branco stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Skywalker swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Skywalker throws a big shot that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branco throws out a loose jab but Skywalker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Branco throws a leg kick but Skywalker moved away.
Branco ducks under a wild hook from Skywalker.
Skywalker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Branco.
Skywalker looks to land a right hand but Branco moved out of range.
Skywalker takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Skywalker looks for a takedown but Branco sprawls well.
Branco looks to land a combination but Skywalker avoids it well.
Branco throws a low kick but Skywalker moves out of range easily.
Branco avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Skywalker lands with a thumping leg kick.
Branco throws a big shot that misses.
Skywalker thuds his shin into the meat of Branco's side.
Branco shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Skywalker ducks under a wild hook from Branco.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Skywalker does no damage.
Branco is looking to land body kicks.

Branco gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short left from Branco.
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 breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Skywalker connects with a body shot that sends Branco's belly button to the back.
Skywalker throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Branco stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The fighters circling - Skywalker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A leg kick checked by Skywalker.
A big right from Skywalker misses.
Branco on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Branco lands a high kick!
Skywalker lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Skywalker - that will leave a mark!
Branco avoids the body shot from Skywalker.
Branco stuns Skywalker with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Branco keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Skywalker.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Luke Skywalker will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Skywalker misses with a looping left.
Skywalker looks to land a left hand but Branco moved out of range nicely.
Luke Skywalker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Branco throws a wild body kick that Skywalker sees coming a mile off.
Branco lands with a kick to the ribs.
Branco misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Skywalker keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Skywalker checks a leg kick.
Skywalker misses with a body kick.
Branco swats away the attempt to clinch by Skywalker.
Branco moves out of range as Skywalker throws a body kick.
Branco tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Skywalker is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Skywalker punishes Branco's body with a nice straight punch.
Branco takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Skywalker scores with a hook to the body. Branco takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skywalker wants to clinch
and Branco counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Branco avoids a kick to the body.
Branco tries a head kick but it misses.
Branco scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Branco is looking to score with low kicks.
Skywalker takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Branco circles away from the clinch attempt.
Branco takes a swing at Skywalker's ribcage but misses.
Branco with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Skywalker to score with a decent uppercut.
Skywalker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Branco tries to avoid it but Skywalker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Branco to the ground. Branco escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Skywalker looks to score with a jab to the body but Branco is just out of range.
Skywalker does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Skywalker throws a hook to the side of Branco's head but Branco sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Skywalker looks to throw the jab but Branco is out of range.
Branco dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Skywalker gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Branco counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Skywalker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Skywalker misses with an attempted mid kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Branco swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Branco throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Skywalker keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Branco.
Skywalker avoids a kick to the body.
Skywalker tries for a takedown but Branco sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Branco uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Skywalker.
Skywalker throws a body kick that misses
and Branco cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A clash of legs there as Branco blocks the low kick.
Skywalker throws a front kick that sends Branco stumbling back into the cage.
Branco throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
The fighters circle momentarily. Skywalker darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Branco thows a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Skywalker blocks the leg kick.
Branco looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Skywalker ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Branco moves away.
Branco moves out of range of the body kick.
Skywalker throws the kick towards the body but Branco avoids it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Skywalker, as that shot connected.
Branco avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Branco throws a jab but it's blocked by Skywalker.
Branco throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Skywalker throws a hook but Branco avoids it easily.
Skywalker misses with an uppercut.
Skywalker lands with a hook. Branco tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Branco crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Skywalker - the referee stops the clock and Branco gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Skywalker. Branco manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Skywalker tries to clinch up.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Branco crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Skywalker - the referee stops the clock and Branco gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Skywalker. Branco manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

Skywalker has closed the distance and engaged Branco in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skywalker throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Skywalker pushes off an throws an elbow but Branco leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

Branco breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Branco ducks under a wild hook from Skywalker.
Skywalker doesn't manage to clinch there - Branco circles away.
Skywalker connects with a body shot.
Branco with a body punch. A glancing blow.
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!
Skywalker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Branco.
Branco takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Branco is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tycho Branco has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Luke Skywalker is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Skywalker takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Skywalker misses with an attempted mid kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Skywalker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Skywalker fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Branco looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Skywalker tries a low kick but Branco avoids it.
Skywalker misses with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Luke Skywalker.
Well Skywalker has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Luke Skywalker!
A very excited looking Luke Skywalker made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.