PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kenny Brandon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darius Ellis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brandon's entrance music is Catch Em By Surprise. A fine choice. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Brandon
vs
Ellis

170 cm
20
164 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

185 cm
28
165 lbs
2 - 12 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

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 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kenny Brandon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Darius Ellis!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ellis gets tackled into the cage by Brandon. Brandon maintains the clinch.

Brandon pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ellis rushes Brandon and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ellis is looking to take this one to the mat.
Brandon wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Ellis has him pressed against the cage.
Brandon trying to land knees to the body.
Ellis wants a takedown but no success here.
Brandon swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Ellis on the inside.
Ellis throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Brandon lands a body shot in the clinch.
Brandon blocks the elbow strike.

Brandon has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ellis is trying to keep an underhook but Brandon manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Ellis looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ellis is not content to let Brandon control the position.
Ellis is looking to get back to full guard here but Brandon has managed to pass to side control instead.

Brandon wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ellis, who protects the arm well.
The strikes coming from Brandon are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellis keeping his opponent close.
Brandon throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Ellis tries to improve position but can't.

Brandon is trying to get an arm triangle but Ellis is defending well.
Ellis parries the strikes from Brandon easily there. Brandon is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Ellis to escape.
Brandon misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
We've been hearing that Brandon has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandon lands a nice forearm strike.
Brandon working the ground and pound but Ellis is defending the strikes.
Brandon working away.

Brandon tries for a kimura but Ellis is defending well.
Brandon lands a few punches from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Brandon is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ellis is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Brandon stands up and beckons Ellis to his feet.

Ellis gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Ellis lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Brandon lands a left hand.
Brandon gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Ellis.
Kenny Brandon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Ellis.
Ellis blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Ellis as Brandon tries to tie him up.
Ellis misses with a knee to the head.
Ellis looking for a takedown.
Brandon jumps guard but Ellis turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Ellis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Brandon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ellis.
Ellis swinging wildly here.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ellis lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Brandon has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Brandon and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Ellis throws a leg kick

and Brandon moves into the clinch.
Ellis goes for a takedown in the clinch but Brandon prevents it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ellis manages to break the clinch.
Brandon shoots in looking for a takedown. Ellis tries to sprawl out of it but Brandon keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ellis manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Ellis lands a body shot.
Brandon pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Ellis has managed to clinch.
Ellis blocks an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Ellis breaks the clinch.
Brandon tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ellis swivels and escapes.

Ellis gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Ellis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ellis rushes Brandon and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Brandon's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Ellis closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kenny Brandon dominated that round.
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.

Brandon feints a jab promting Ellis to slip. Brandon then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Ellis slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Brandon moves into the clinch.
Ellis is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Brandon is defending well for now.
Brandon doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Brandon throws a punch but it's blocked by Ellis.
Brandon presses Ellis against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Ellis leaning his opponent against the cage.
Ellis landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Brandon lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Ellis pushes off an throws an elbow but Brandon leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Brandon wants a takedown but no success here.
Ellis trying to land knees to the body.
Ellis misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Brandon.
Ellis missing with knees to the body.

Ellis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ellis clinches.

Brandon pulls Ellis into guard.
Brandon is controlling Ellis's posture.
Ellis wanted to stand there but Brandon had control of the position.
Brandon is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Brandon looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ellis is one step ahead there.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Brandon working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kenny Brandon.
Ellis swinging wildly here.
Ellis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Brandon has Ellis up against the cage in a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Ellis - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Ellis lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Darius Ellis seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Brandon lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Brandon avoids a wild elbow strike from Ellis.
Ellis is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Brandon is keeping busy.
A short right from Ellis.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ellis tries to land knees in the clinch but Brandon avoids the damage to the body.
Brandon has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ellis after a bit of a struggle.
Ellis tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Ellis unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Brandon lands an uppercut.

Ellis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Brandon has managed to clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Ellis.
Ellis misses with a knee strike.
Brandon pushes off an throws an elbow but Ellis leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A short right from Ellis.

Ellis pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Ellis has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ellis dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Ellis jumps guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandon is pushing down on Ellis's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ellis is fighting to maintain full guard but Brandon has managed to sneak the leg through.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Brandon seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Brandon is looking to take a break and control but Ellis is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brandon is looking to advance position but Ellis won't allow it.
Kenny Brandon overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ellis controlling the position for now.
Brandon looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brandon trying to control from half guard but Ellis is working away.
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 Kenny Brandon will probably get the nod.
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. This is the final round!

Brandon has managed to clinch.
Ellis is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ellis throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Brandon blocks it with crossed arms.
Brandon is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ellis is keeping busy.
Ellis lands an elbow that stopped Brandon in his tracks for a moment.

Brandon ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Brandon no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ellis would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Ellis looking to sit in guard and control but Brandon gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ellis is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Brandon trying to control but Ellis is working from the bottom.
Brandon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ellis is keeping the position for now.
Ellis utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Brandon tries to free his leg and advance position but Ellis is retaining full guard.
Brandon trying to control the position from guard on top but Ellis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ellis trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ellis has a takedown stuffed.
Brandon shoots in but Ellis avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Brandon shoots in for a takedown but Ellis shows good takedown defense.
Ellis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Brandon's waist but Brandon gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ellis off to one side.
Kenny Brandon has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Ellis.
Brandon will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Ellis closes the distance and pushes Brandon back into the cage.
Ellis tries to land knees in the clinch but Brandon avoids the damage to the body.
Ellis with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Brandon tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ellis just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ellis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ellis unloads a knee to the mid-section.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandon blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
With the fighters up against the cage, Ellis throws an elbow but misses.
Brandon changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ellis fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Brandon pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Ellis throws out a leg kick but Brandon moves out of range and Ellis only half commits.
Ellis dives in and grabs Brandon's left leg, looking for a takedown. Brandon pushes down on Ellis's head and hops out.

Ellis has closed the distance and engaged Brandon in a clinch.
Ellis tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Ellis trying to land knees to the body.
Brandon swings wildly with an uppercut but Ellis uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Brandon.
Brandon jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ellis walks away with a smile on his face. Brandon gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandon misses with a takedown attempt - Ellis sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Brandon turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ellis avoids the head kick by Brandon.

Ellis rushes Brandon and presses him up against the cage.
Brandon is looking to break free of the clinch but Ellis has double underhooks.

Ellis breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Ellis clinches up with Brandon and pushes him back against the cage.
Darius Ellis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
Brandon misses with a punch on the inside.
Brandon dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Ellis doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brandon wants to get back to striking at distance but Ellis won't allow it.
Ellis throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kenny Brandon is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Brandon has clasped his hands together around Ellis's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Ellis tries to improve position but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Darius Ellis.
I think Brandon has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Darius Ellis!
A very excited looking Darius Ellis rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.