PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tom Hagen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Brathe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brathe is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Axewound-Cold. Marcus Brathe struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 186.5lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Marcus Brathe will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hagen
vs
Brathe

178 cm
36
201 lbs
27 - 8 - 0

189 cm
28
205 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Good knees
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!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 27 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tom Hagen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Marcus Brathe!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Mauricio Rocha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Brathe, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Hagen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Brathe sprawls well initially but Hagen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.

Brathe is defending against the submission attempts here by Hagen.
Brathe is pressing down on Hagen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hagen tries to free his leg and advance position but Brathe is retaining full guard.
Brathe looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hagen is one step ahead there.

Hagen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hagen forces his way into half guard.

Hagen seems to be looking for submissions.
Brathe wants to improve his position but Hagen is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brathe looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hagen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Brathe!
Brathe tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Brathe wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Brathe is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Hagen gets his way!

Hagen is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Brathe has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Hagen avoiding Brathe 's attempts to control his hands.
Hagen doesn't have the hooks in and Brathe manages to turn into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brathe won't allow Hagen to sweep him here.
Hagen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Brathe drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Brathe jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Brathe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hagen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hagen advances position into side control!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hagen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Brathe has escaped the position, nice work there.
Brathe tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Hagen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hagen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Hagen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Brathe is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Brathe tries to bench press Hagen off him but Hagen keeps the position.

Hagen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hagen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hagen lands some shots froms side control.
You can see the frustration on Brathe's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Brathe is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hagen tries for a kimura but Brathe is defending well.
Brathe manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hagen's best efforts.

Hagen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Brathe moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hagen scoring with some ground and pound.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hagen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Brathe dives on top into guard.

Brathe trying to control but Hagen is working from the bottom.
Hagen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Brathe drops back looking for a leg! Hagen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hagen manages to kick Brathe off! Brathe jumps back into Hagen's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Brathe throws a leg kick but Hagen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Hagen slips a straight right by Brathe.
Brathe has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Hagen is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Brathe tries a head kick but it misses.
Brathe scores with a nice right hand.
Hagen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Hagen slips under a jab from Brathe.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brathe looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hagen blocks a jab.
Brathe throws a head kick but Hagen moves out of range.
Brathe feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hagen's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hagen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hagen defending well as Brathe loads up on a big left hand.
Brathe throws a body kick that misses.
Brathe scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Brathe throws a head kick that misses.
Hagen slips a jab from Brathe.
Brathe connects with a solid leg kick.
Brathe misses with a head kick.
Brathe misses with an uppercut.
Brathe motions for Hagen to come forward. Brathe throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hagen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Brathe tries to avoid it but Hagen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Brathe to the ground. Brathe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hagen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Brathe as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hagen moves out of range of the body kick.
A head kick misses from Brathe.
Brathe closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brathe lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hagen circles away quickly and effectively.
Danga de danga de dang - Brathe scores with a four punch combination!
Hagen misses with a takedown attempt - Brathe sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Hagen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brathe is looking to slow Hagen down with leg kicks.
Hagen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hagen checks a leg kick nicely.
Brathe throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brathe misses with a head kick.
Brathe goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Brathe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hagen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Brathe.
Brathe moves into range and connects with a jab.
Hagen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Brathe connects with a single shot there.
Marcus Brathe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brathe throws a body punch but Hagen moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Brathe. No joy for Hagen on that attempt.
Brathe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hagen moves out of range as Brathe strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brathe throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hagen.
Brathe tries a head kick but it misses.

Hagen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hagen lands a couple of digs.

Brathe is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Hagen drops back looking for a leg! Brathe is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Brathe manages to kick Hagen off! Hagen jumps back into Brathe's guard.

Hagen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Hagen passes Brathe's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Brathe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Brathe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A bone on bone clash there as Hagen blocks the leg kick.
Hagen checks a low kick from Brathe.
Brathe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Brathe as Hagen shoots in.
Brathe lands a head kick!
Brathe paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brathe connects with a nice looking jab.
Tom Hagen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Brathe misses with a hook.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hagen is defended easily by Brathe.
Brathe scores with a hook to the body. Hagen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Brathe is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brathe displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hagen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Hagen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hagen drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Brathe.

Hagen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Brathe tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hagen is in Brathe's guard.
Brathe pulls Hagen in close to prevent any damage.
Hagen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Brathe is looking for a sweep. Hagen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Brathe regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brathe tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Brathe can't keep his opponent in guard - Hagen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Hagen seems to be working for a kimura but Brathe defends the submission attempt.
Brathe gets full guard.
Brathe bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hagen's guard.

This has been an exciting period of action!
Hagen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Brathe wants to control from the top but Hagen keeps moving.
Hagen wants to sweep but no luck.
Hagen wants to hit a switch here but Brathe passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Hagen there!
Hagen is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brathe looking to secure an arm triangle but Hagen defends it well.
Hagen holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Brathe tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Hagen working to try and regain half guard.

Brathe working for a guillotine from mount but Hagen is in no mood to give up.
Brathe can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Hagen is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Hagen 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.

Brathe is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Hagen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Brathe pulls his head out easily.
Hagen manages to get to full guard.
Brathe is pushing down on Hagen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hagen is fighting to maintain full guard but Brathe has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hagen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hagen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marcus Brathe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Brathe has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Brathe!
Marcus Brathe really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Sinister Nutrition logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.