PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jose Brandao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhail Rakhmanov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brandao comes to the cage accompanied by Work Hard, Play Hard. The crowd seem to be enjoying Rakhmanov's choice of entrance music: Russian national anthem. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Brandao
vs
Rakhmanov

176 cm
26
184 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

179 cm
25
190 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Milwaukee's Best 160

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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jose Brandao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mikhail Rakhmanov!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brandao moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Brandao throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Brandao looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Rakhmanov tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Brandao uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rakhmanov.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rakhmanov.
Nice shot lands for Rakhmanov.
Brandao just misses with a punch to the body.
Rakhmanov lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Brandao lands a slapping body shot.
Rakhmanov has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Rakhmanov throws a hook but Brandao blocks it.
Brandao throws a head kick that misses.
Brandao tries to clinch up but Rakhmanov circles away and keeps his distance.
A chopping leg kick lands by Brandao.
Brandao just misses with a punch to the body.
Brandao defending well as Rakhmanov loads up on a big left hand.
Jose Brandao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rakhmanov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Brandao is fending him off so far but Rakhmanov persists. Nope, Brandao circles away and we're back to standing.
Brandao tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandao tries to score with a low kick but Rakhmanov moves his leg out of the way.
Decent striking displayed by Rakhmanov there.
Rakhmanov throws a chopping leg kick but Brandao manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Brandao showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rakhmanov.
Brandao feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rakhmanov's calf.
A big right from Rakhmanov misses.
Rakhmanov throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Brandao fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rakhmanov is out of range.
Rakhmanov jabs at Brandao's body.
Brandao throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rakhmanov with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Brandao to score with a decent uppercut.
Brandao waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Brandao drops his hands momentarily and Rakhmanov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Rakhmanov.
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!
Rakhmanov shoots in for a takedown but Brandao shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A decent looking cross lands there for Brandao.
A decent looking cross lands there for Brandao.
Jose Brandao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rakhmanov throws a big shot that misses.
Brandao lands a leg kick that knocks Rakhmanov off balance momentarily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Brandao.
Rakhmanov throws a head kick that half lands.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Brandao.
Brandao turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Brandao throws a body punch but Rakhmanov moves out of range.
Rakhmanov has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Brandao.
Brandao has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Brandao there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rakhmanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Brandao was well out of range. Poor timing from Rakhmanov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov moves out of range as Brandao throws a body kick.
Rakhmanov misses with a double jab.
Brandao scores with a head kick.
Brandao lands with a thumping leg kick.
Brandao lands a nice shot that snaps Rakhmanov's head back.
Brandao throws a wild body kick that Rakhmanov sees coming a mile off.
Rakhmanov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Brandao swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rakhmanov misses with a takedown attempt - Brandao sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Jose Brandao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikhail Rakhmanov.
Brandao buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rakhmanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rakhmanov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Brandao is able to avoid easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brandao looks to land a right hand but Rakhmanov moved out of range.
Brandao misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Brandao. Beautiful body shot.
Both fighters circling a little - Brandao finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Brandao takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Brandao tries a head kick but it misses.
Brandao clobbers Rakhmanov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Brandao scores with a jab. Rakhmanov acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rakhmanov misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Brandao.
Brandao attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rakhmanov misses with a low kick.

Rakhmanov fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Brandao to the ground. Rakhmanov is now in Brandao's guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Brandao is trying to control the position but Rakhmanov postures up.
Rakhmanov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Brandao is pulling down on Rakhmanov's head to control his posture.
Rakhmanov throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Brandao dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Brandao lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Rakhmanov cracks Brandao with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Brandao scores with a hook.
Brandao slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Brandao.
Rakhmanov shoots in looking for a takedown but Brandao manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rakhmanov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Brandao swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Brandao scores with a nice strike.
Rakhmanov misses with a head kick.
Rakhmanov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Brandao goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brandao fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Brandao ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rakhmanov throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Brandao stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Rakhmanov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandao jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rakhmanov tries a head kick but it misses.
Brandao drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Rakhmanov attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nice defenses there by Brandao.
Brandao misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rakhmanov.
Brandao throws a quick inside leg kick.
Brandao lands with a nice body kick.

Brandao clinches up against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Brandao as Rakhmanov tries to tie him up.
Brandao wants to stall.
Brandao scores with a knee to the head.
Rakhmanov's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandao with a knee to the head.

Rakhmanov breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brandao throws a low kick, looking for Rakhmanov's leg but Rakhmanov calmly moves out of range.
Brandao steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rakhmanov.
Brandao is looking to land body kicks.
Brandao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Brandao throws a low kick but Rakhmanov moves out of range easily.
Rakhmanov takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Rakhmanov takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Brandao tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rakhmanov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Brandao with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rakhmanov looks to land a right hand but Brandao moved out of range.
Rakhmanov thows a body shot but no joy.
Rakhmanov checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandao uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rakhmanov.
Rakhmanov moves out of range of the strikes.
Rakhmanov takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rakhmanov 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.
Brandao thumps Rakhmanov with a low kick.
Brandao pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rakhmanov avoids the head kick by Brandao.
Rakhmanov scores with a punch to the head.
Nice body punch from Rakhmanov.
Jose Brandao is winning the standup battle so far.
Rakhmanov tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Brandao was well out of range. Poor timing from Rakhmanov.
Sloppy strikes from Rakhmanov. Those never looked like landing.
Rakhmanov swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Brandao misses with a leg kick.
Rakhmanov checks a leg kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick there by Rakhmanov.
Brandao dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rakhmanov checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rakhmanov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Brandao.
Rakhmanov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Brandao.
Rakhmanov takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Brandao tried to score with a low kick but Rakhmanov checks it.
Danga de danga de dang - Brandao scores with a four punch combination!
Rakhmanov just misses with a punch to the body.
Rakhmanov connects with a crisp jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rakhmanov chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Brandao moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rakhmanov is breathing heavily.
Brandao throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Brandao dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Brandao lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Brandao comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rakhmanov misses with a wild body shot.
Brandao tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rakhmanov is able to avoid easily.
Rakhmanov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice body kick there by Brandao.
Brandao tries to clinch up.
Brandao keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Brandao lunges at Rakhmanov with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rakhmanov's hand.
Brandao 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.
Brandao defending well as Rakhmanov loads up on a big left hand.
Brandao pushes Rakhmanov away with a front kick.
Rakhmanov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Brandao cracks Rakhmanov with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Brandao checks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandao scores with a leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Brandao.
Brandao clobbers Rakhmanov with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rakhmanov has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Brandao.
Rakhmanov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rakhmanov throws a leg kick that misses.
Brandao misses with a low kick.
Brandao cracks a nice hook into Rakhmanov's ribs.
Rakhmanov lands a nice hook to Brandao's body. Brandao takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Brandao moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Brandao throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Rakhmanov stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Brandao.
Brandao ducks right into an uppercut from Rakhmanov.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rakhmanov lands a head kick!
Brandao throws a lazy uppercut

and Rakhmanov decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Brandao's guard.
Mikhail Rakhmanov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov postures up.
Rakhmanov tries to free his leg and advance position but Brandao is retaining full guard.
Rakhmanov postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Brandao is pulling down on Rakhmanov's head. It's preventing any offense from Rakhmanov, at least for the moment.
Brandao is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rakhmanov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rakhmanov postures up in Brandao's guard and throws a big left but Brandao blocks it.
Rakhmanov throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Brandao works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Brandao is pulling down on Rakhmanov's head to control his posture.
Rakhmanov slips nicely into half guard.
Brandao trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Rakhmanov manages to pass to mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakhmanov landing strikes from the mount.
Brandao regains half guard.
Rakhmanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Brandao wants to control but Rakhmanov is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rakhmanov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rakhmanov thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Brandao's head.
Brandao is trying to get back to full guard.
Brandao is working hard here to advance position.
Rakhmanov wants to take a breather but Brandao is having none of it.
Brandao is looking to control Rakhmanov's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Brandao avoid being mounted?

Rakhmanov is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Brandao sees it coming and defends easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandao tries to roll over but Rakhmanov keeps him under control.
Mikhail Rakhmanov has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rakhmanov is thwarting Brandao's attempts to control the position.
Rakhmanov prevents Brandao from improving his position.
Brandao avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rakhmanov.
Brandao has his hands clasped together around Rakhmanov's back. He's all about the action.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rakhmanov throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rakhmanov seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Brandao controlling the position well.
Brandao blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rakhmanov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jose Brandao showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Brandao, 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jose Brandao!
An out of breath and clearly excited Jose Brandao thanked Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).