PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hernan Cortes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tycho Branco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cortes's entrance music is Hard to see. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Branco's choice of entrance music: Feel Happiness. Hernan Cortes had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Cortes
vs
Branco

170 cm
30
146 lbs
23 - 9 - 1

170 cm
28
141 lbs
11 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « SFL ↑ 5x160Q
QFClothing

Brute

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 23 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Hernan Cortes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Tycho Branco!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Chris Edwards and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Branco tries to clinch but Cortes is having none of it.
Branco stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cortes.
Cortes lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Cortes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Good exchange - Cortes coming out on top.
Cortes stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Cortes wants it to stay on the feet.
Branco avoids the body shot from Cortes.
A big left from Branco misses.
Branco throws a good cross that connects.
Cortes uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cortes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Branco moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Cortes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Branco stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Cortes.
Branco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Cortes drops his hands momentarily and Branco takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
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 chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Branco throws a low kick but Cortes moves out of range easily.
Branco tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branco doesn't manage to clinch there - Cortes circles away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Cortes.
Cortes misses the jab.
Cortes bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Tycho Branco is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cortes on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Branco. Branco obviously looking to wear him down.
Cortes moves out of range of the body kick from Branco.
Branco looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Cortes checks a low kick from Branco.

Branco gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Branco working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Branco tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Cortes throws a punch but it's blocked by Branco.
Cortes pushes Branco back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Branco has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Cortes avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Branco lands a shot to the body.
Branco throws a punch but it's blocked by Cortes.
Cortes changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Branco fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branco misses with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Branco sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Branco throws a big shot that misses.
Branco uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Cortes moves out of range as Branco strikes.
Branco moves in looking to clinch but Cortes pushes him off.
Branco throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cortes loads up on a big right hand but Branco slips the punch.
Cortes connects with a good right hand that stumbles Branco. Branco circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Branco takes one to the chin there.
Cortes on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Branco pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Branco throws a jab but it's blocked by Cortes.
A nice inside leg kick there by Branco. That's going to slow Cortes down.
Branco throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortes clobbers Branco with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.

Cortes feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Branco preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Cortes throwing strikes but missing.
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.
Cortes throwing strikes from guard but Branco blocks nicely.
Cortes trying to control the position from guard on top but Branco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cortes throwing strikes from guard but Branco blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortes controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Branco controlling Cortes's posture.
Cortes tries to free his leg and advance position but Branco is retaining full guard.

Branco looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Cortes trying to control but Branco is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cortes looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Cortes trying to control the position from guard on top but Branco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hernan Cortes will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice body punch from Branco.

Cortes closes the distance and pushes Branco back into the cage.
Cortes drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Branco gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Branco looking to stall.
Branco lands a left hand that snaps the head of Cortes backwards.

Branco pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Branco throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Branco uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Cortes.
Branco thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cortes moves out of range of the body kick from Branco.
Branco ducks under a wild hook from Cortes.
Cortes throws a good cross that connects.
Branco tests Cortes's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Branco ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortes avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Cortes lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Branco throws a leg kick but Cortes moved away.

Cortes shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Cortes thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Branco's head.
Cortes works his way into full mount!
Cortes lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Branco hang on?
Cortes can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Branco is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branco is looking to get to half guard.
Cortes postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Branco looks a forlorn figure.
BOOM! Cortes connects with a massive shot to the dome!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Branco sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Branco trying to control here.
Branco pushes Cortes off looking to stand but Cortes dives back in and keeps control.
Branco keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortes is taking a breather. Branco says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Branco is refusing to be controlled, as Cortes sits in half guard.
Branco is trying to maintain the position but Cortes is very close to passing his half guard.
Cortes not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Branco is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cortes is looking to take a break and control but Branco is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Branco wants to improve his position but Cortes is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Branco throws a low kick but it's checked well by Cortes.
Branco throws a front kick aimed at Cortes's knee but Cortes avoids it well.
Branco throws a half hearted mid kick.
Branco walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cortes checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Cortes crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Branco - the referee stops the clock and Cortes gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Branco. Cortes manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Branco bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Branco tries to work over Cortes's front leg with a kick but Cortes checks it.
Cortes throws a series of punches but Branco avoids them all with ease.
Branco pushes Cortes away with a front kick.
Branco throws a low kick, looking for Cortes's leg but Cortes calmly moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cortes throws a lazy right hand but Branco sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Branco clinches up with Cortes and pushes him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Branco breaks from the clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Cortes.
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 Hernan Cortes will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Branco checks a leg kick nicely.
Branco 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.
A head kick misses from Branco.
Cortes moves in looking to clinch but Branco pushes him off.
Branco is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Cortes.
Branco throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Cortes works Branco's body with a nice hook.
Cortes throws a leg kick but Branco sees it coming and moves out of range.
Branco cracks the inside of Cortes's front leg.
Nice body punch from Cortes.
Branco throws a sloppy head kick and Cortes moves out of range easily.
Cortes's jab looks to have found its range, popping Branco under the eye.
Tycho Branco seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Cortes misses with an uppercut
and Branco cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Branco throws a sloppy head kick and Cortes moves out of range easily.
Branco misses with a body shot.
Nice body kick from Cortes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branco fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Cortes manages to avoid it.
Branco takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Cortes.
Branco throws a wild body kick that Cortes sees coming a mile off.
Branco punishes Cortes's body with a nice straight punch.
The fighters circling - Branco throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Branco slips under a jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Branco.
Cortes swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Branco.
A clash of legs there as Cortes blocks the low kick.
Branco is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cortes.
A clash of legs there as Cortes blocks the low kick.
Branco misses with a body shot
and Cortes counters with a left and a right that stings Branco.
Branco uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Cortes.
Branco motions for Cortes to come forward. Branco throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Cortes takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortes tries to clinch up.
Branco avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cortes scores with a nice strike.

Cortes tries to keep at a distance but Branco has taken the fight into the clinch.
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's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Cortes shoots in but Branco avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Branco tries to clinch up.
Branco throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Cortes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A big right from Cortes misses.
Cortes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cortes has his takedown stuffed
and Branco counters with a stiff right hand.
Cortes circles away from the clinch attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branco chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Branco walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Cortes checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
No luck for Cortes with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hernan Cortes. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Branco scores with a leg kick.
Cortes thows a left - swing and a miss!
Cortes throws a front kick aimed at Branco's knee but Branco avoids it well.

Branco closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cortes tries to throw a body punch but Branco avoids it by throwing Cortes back against the cage.
Branco scores with a shot to the side of Cortes's head.

Cortes gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Branco trying to control but Cortes postures up.
Branco is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branco avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Cortes.
Branco keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Branco works his way to full guard. Good work.
Cortes prevents Branco from getting back to his feet.
Cortes trying to control but Branco is working from the bottom.
Cortes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tycho Branco has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Branco working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cortes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cortes trying to control but Branco is working from the bottom.

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 Hernan Cortes.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Cortes, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Hernan Cortes!
After winning the bout, Hernan Cortes thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.