PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jack Rafael (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Brandao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Rafael
vs
Brandao

181 cm
21
177 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

170 cm
21
170 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Project Mayhem

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Jack Rafael!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Diego Brandao!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Eliza Hachem and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Brandao closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rafael did well to prevent Brandao getting side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Brandao is stalling here. Rafael is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Brandao seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Rafael has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Brandao stops Rafael from passing to mount.
Rafael in side control, throwing shots but Brandao defends.
Brandao wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Brandao on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Rafael creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Brandao sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Brandao tries to improve position but can't.
Brandao throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Brandao has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rafael in side control lands a decent elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brandao is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Brandao is throwing a few token shots, despite Rafael being in side control.
Brandao gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Brandao wants to improve his position but Rafael is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rafael thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Brandao's head.
Rafael throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rafael is looking to advance position but Brandao won't allow it.

Brandao is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rafael pulls his head out easily.
Brandao is trying to stand up here but Rafael is controlling him well.
Rafael is nestled in close to Brandao, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Brandao avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rafael.
Brandao throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

Rafael is working for a submission of some sort.

Rafael is working for a submission of some sort.
Rafael not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandao keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Brandao is looking to improve his position.
Rafael missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Brandao slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rafael trying to control but Brandao is working from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rafael throws an elbow that misses. Brandao uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rafael's guard. Nice move by Brandao!
Rafael lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Brandao!
Rafael will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Brandao slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Brandao is looking to improve his position.
Rafael wants to take a breather but Brandao is having none of it.
Brandao trying to control but Rafael postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Rafael.

Brandao looking for submissions off his back.
Brandao wants to get back to his feet.
Brandao wants to get back to full guard.

Rafael is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Brandao is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rafael pulls his head out easily.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rafael connects with a nice short shot to Brandao's temple.
Rafael wants to pass the guard but Brandao is defending well.
Rafael with the ground and pound but Brandao uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Brandao wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rafael throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandao preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rafael missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Brandao lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rafael!
Brandao avoids the attempt from Rafael to control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rafael is looking to improve his position but Brandao isn't that keen on the idea.
Rafael is bucking up trying to escape but Brandao cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
BOOM! Brandao connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Brandao lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Brandao with a couple of short strikes.
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 Jack Rafael will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Brandao misses with a takedown attempt - Rafael sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rafael lands with a slapping head kick.
Brandao looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rafael throws a head kick that misses.
Brandao closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rafael circles away.
Rafael scores with a crisp jab that stopped Brandao in his tracks.

Rafael throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Brandao was covering up waiting for the punch and Rafael finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rafael trying to control but Brandao is working from the bottom.
Rafael throwing strikes from guard but Brandao blocks nicely.
Rafael working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Brandao's 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!

Brandao is looking for a triangle but Rafael pushes his legs off easily.
Brandao 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rafael throwing strikes but missing.
Rafael chips away with some ground and pound.
Brandao looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rafael is one step ahead there.
Brandao utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rafael trying to control but Brandao is working from the bottom.

Brandao has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Rafael doesn't defend quickly enough and Brandao has managed to lock this one up! Can Rafael escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Brandao on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Diego Brandao!
Diego Brandao is the new welterweight champion!
A victorious Diego Brandao thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.