PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rubicon Brandy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Katsu Higashikuni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Brandy
vs
Higashikuni

174 cm
31
152 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

162 cm
35
146 lbs
30 - 16 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rubicon Brandy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Katsu Higashikuni!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Josh West and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick from Higashikuni misses.
Higashikuni attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

Brandy gets caught flat footed, as Higashikuni shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Higashikuni with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Brandy 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.
Higashikuni throws a strike but Brandy rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now Higashikuni is on top in guard.

Higashikuni lands a couple of digs.
Brandy is trying to control the position but Higashikuni postures up.
Brandy avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Brandy keeping moving, preventing Higashikuni from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandy wants to sweep but no luck.
Higashikuni in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Higashikuni trying to control but Brandy is working from the bottom.
Brandy avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Higashikuni's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Brandy looking to control.
Brandy wants to sweep but no luck.
Brandy will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Higashikuni working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Higashikuni chips away with some ground and pound.
Higashikuni trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni tries to free his leg and advance position but Brandy is retaining full guard.
Brandy has Higashikuni pulled in close to control his posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A swing and a miss from Higashikuni.
Higashikuni checks the leg kick nicely there.
Higashikuni with the counter takedown but Brandy avoids it easily.
Higashikuni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Brandy manages to avoid it.
Higashikuni buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Higashikuni with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Brandy to score with a decent uppercut.

Higashikuni gets the takedown into side control.
Brandy takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Higashikuni wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Brandy, who protects the arm well.
Higashikuni in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Brandy defending against the ground and pound.
Higashikuni creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Brandy sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Brandy avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Higashikuni.
Brandy struggling a bit here.
Higashikuni creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Brandy sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Brandy is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Brandy taking punishment in the form of punches.
Brandy is looking to regain half guard here but Higashikuni keeps moving and retains side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

Higashikuni tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Higashikuni wants to lay and pray for a moment but Brandy keeps working.
You can see the frustration on Brandy's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Higashikuni throws an elbow but Brandy slips to the side and avoids it well.
Brandy is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sloppy strikes there by Higashikuni.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A head kick misses from Higashikuni.
Higashikuni throws a quick inside leg kick.
Brandy tries a head kick but it misses.
Brandy slips a straight right by Higashikuni.
Higashikuni swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Brandy.
Higashikuni lands with a good body shot.
Higashikuni scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Brandy gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Brandy lands a head kick!
Brandy blocks a head kick by Higashikuni.
A telegraphed right hand from Brandy misses the target.
Higashikuni blocks a head kick by Brandy.
Brandy lands a slapping body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brandy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Brandy takes one on the button.
Brandy lands a high kick!
Brandy uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Higashikuni.
Higashikuni connects with the punch.
Katsu Higashikuni seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Higashikuni throws a jab but it's blocked by Brandy.
Brandy tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Higashikuni manages to circle out of the way.
Higashikuni throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Brandy is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Higashikuni.
Brandy cracks the inside of Higashikuni's front leg.
Brandy has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Higashikuni.
Higashikuni throws a leg kick but Brandy moved away.
Brandy tries to counter with a takedown but Higashikuni is quick to defend against it.
Brandy misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Brandy stuffs the takedown.
Brandy takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Brandy tries to counter by clinching up but Higashikuni breaks away and moves out of range.
Brandy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Higashikuni misses with a jab, cross combination.
Brandy misses with a takedown attempt

and Higashikuni counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Higashikuni trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Brandy not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Brandy bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Higashikuni's guard.

Higashikuni 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.

Higashikuni looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Brandy passes into half guard.
Higashikuni tries to roll over but Brandy keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni moves into full guard.
Brandy preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Brandy tries to free his leg and advance position but Higashikuni is retaining full guard.
Brandy trying to control but Higashikuni is working from the bottom.
Brandy controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Higashikuni is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Brandy's half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Katsu Higashikuni showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Higashikuni, right into the meat.
Higashikuni tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Higashikuni connects with a leg kick. Brandy looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Brandy takes a swing at Higashikuni's ribcage but misses.
Higashikuni misses with a hook. Brandy ducked under it nicely.
Brandy feinted with a counter takedown.
Brandy tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Higashikuni was well out of range. Poor timing from Brandy.
Brandy scores with a head kick. Higashikuni tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

It looks like Katsu Higashikuni has been cut.
Higashikuni 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Higashikuni misses with a low kick.
Brandy tries a head kick but it misses.
Higashikuni tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Higashikuni thumps Brandy with a low kick.
Brandy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Brandy defending well as Higashikuni loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandy on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Higashikuni. Higashikuni obviously looking to wear him down.
Higashikuni paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Higashikuni takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Brandy cracks Higashikuni with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Higashikuni connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Brandy pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Higashikuni changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Brandy tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Higashikuni, right into the meat.
Brandy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Higashikuni darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Higashikuni misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Higashikuni lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Brandy misses with a body kick.
Brandy throws a head kick but Higashikuni moves out of range.
Higashikuni tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Higashikuni throws a sloppy head kick

and Brandy decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Higashikuni's guard.

Higashikuni throws his legs up looking for a submission but Brandy uses it to pass to side control.
Katsu Higashikuni is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Brandy slows the pace down.
Brandy wants to control but Higashikuni is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Higashikuni's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Brandy is looking to take a break and control but Higashikuni is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Higashikuni is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rubicon Brandy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Higashikuni manages to get back to half guard.
Brandy tries to pass the half guard into mount. Higashikuni knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Higashikuni trying to hold on to Brandy's head to control him but Brandy postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rubicon Brandy.
Well Higashikuni has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 28:29
Judge Josh West scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Katsu Higashikuni!
During a confident post fight interview, Katsu Higashikuni thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.