PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Douglas Ratliff (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and George Bran (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ratliff
vs
Bran

223 cm
24
162 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

172 cm
25
155 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Douglas Ratliff!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, George Bran!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Donatello Bradman and Ben Watson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bran looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Bran postures up in Ratliff's guard and throws a big left but Ratliff blocks it.
Bran postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Ratliff is on top in guard.
Ratliff controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Bran throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Ratliff is looking to work some ground and pound but Bran has wrist control.
Bran working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ratliff.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ratliff trying to control the position from guard on top but Bran is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ratliff stopping the sweep attempt from Bran.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ratliff won't allow Bran to get back to his feet.
Bran is adopting a defensive guard.
Bran looking to control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Bran tries to clinch
and Ratliff counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Bran looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ratliff trying to hold on to Bran's head to control him but Bran postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bran trying to pass the guard but Ratliff defending well.

Bran is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ratliff sees it coming and defends easily.
Ratliff wants to get back to full guard.
Ratliff really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ratliff blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bran.
Bran not doing much here.
Bran prevents Ratliff from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ratliff is working hard here to advance position.
Bran missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Bran missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Bran is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Bran has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ratliff trying to hold on to Bran's head to control him but Bran postures up.
Ratliff wants to improve his position but Bran is controlling well.
Bran tries to pass the half guard into mount. Ratliff knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bran is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Ratliff is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ratliff wants to control but Bran is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bran stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ratliff is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bran seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ratliff does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ratliff tries for a takedown but Bran sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Bran shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bran showed some decent athleticism there.
Bran stalling.
Ratliff wants to improve his position but Bran is controlling well.
Bran seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ratliff does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bran might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ratliff haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Bran postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Ratliff to stand up.

Ratliff closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bran lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Bran is breathing heavily.
Ratliff trying to hold on to Bran's head to control him but Bran postures up.
Ratliff is looking for a sweep. Bran is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bran tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Ratliff.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Bran is thwarting Ratliff's attempts to control the position.
Bran thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ratliff's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ratliff wants to improve his position but Bran is controlling well.
Ratliff moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Bran slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Bran pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ratliff is keeping the position for now.
Ratliff looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ratliff looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Bran shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ratliff manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bran trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Bran keeps trying to improve his position.
Ratliff has his hands on Bran's head, controlling the position.
Ratliff is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Ratliff looking for a guillotine here but Bran defends easily.
Bran wants to control from the top but Ratliff keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bran looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. George Bran hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Bran shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Bran was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Bran working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A lull in the action here as Bran stalls from top position.
Bran tries to score with some ground and pound. Ratliff controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Bran showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bran decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ratliff trying to hold on to Bran's head to control him but Bran postures up.
Ratliff won't allow Bran to pass to mount.
Ratliff wants to improve his position but Bran is controlling well.

Bran is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ratliff has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bran wants to take a breather but Ratliff is having none of it.
Ratliff is pressing down on Bran's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ratliff will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ratliff looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bran is one step ahead there.
Bran takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ratliff controls Bran momentarily but Bran frees himself.
Bran pushes down on Ratliff's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ratliff wants to control but Bran is keeping busy.
Ratliff works his way to full guard. Good work.
Bran slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Bran being controlled here momentarily.

Ratliff escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Bran gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bran postures up.
Ratliff is striking off his back. Bran thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Ratliff trying to get back to full guard but Bran takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Ratliff wants to hold on but Bran pushes him away.
Bran unloading with bombs!
Bran loads up on a couple of big shots to the head that have Ratliff scrambling to escape. He can't get free though and several more unanswered shots from Bran land to the head. The referee has no choice but to stop the fight. Bran stands and salutes the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). George Bran!