PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Evandro Brandao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmie Akesson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brandao comes into the arena with Tool - Forty Six & 2 blaring out of the sound system. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Brandao
vs
Akesson

192 cm
27
265 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

192 cm
27
240 lbs
9 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Evandro Brandao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jimmie Akesson!
The judges for this bout are Paulsen Ambrosius, Saam Ante and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brandao throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Evandro Brandao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brandao tries to clinch but Akesson is having none of it.
Akesson throws a low kick but Brandao moves out of range easily.
Akesson throws a front kick aimed at Brandao's knee but Brandao avoids it well.
Akesson throws a good cross that connects.
Brandao shoots and misses
and Akesson counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Brandao swings for the body but Akesson moves out of range.
Brandao 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 blocks a head kick by Akesson.
Brandao moves in looking to clinch but Akesson pushes him off.
Akesson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Brandao swings for the body but Akesson moves out of range.
Akesson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Brandao stuffs the takedown.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Brandao swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Akesson counters with a stiff right hand.
Akesson shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brandao misses the shot to the body.
Akesson lands a really nice looking cross but Brandao seems unphased.
Brandao throws a body shot but no joy.
Akesson misses with an uppercut. Brandao saw that one coming.
Brandao moves in looking to clinch but Akesson pushes him off.

Brandao closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akesson is pushing Brandao's head away, looking to escape. Brandao manages to hold on to the position though.
Akesson is trying to control Brandao's posture but Brandao avoids it.
Brandao is putting a hurting on Akesson here, landing some big shots from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akesson keeps Brandao under control for a moment.
Brandao advances nicely into full mount.
Akesson tries to hold on but Brandao postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akesson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Akesson tries to hold on but Brandao pushes him away.
Akesson wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Brandao.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandao avoids the attempt from Akesson to control.

Akesson somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Akesson throws an overhand right that lands on Brandao's shoulder, as Brandao tries to avoid the shot.
Brandao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akesson moves away.
Akesson displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Brandao throws out the jab.
Brandao moves out of range as Akesson strikes.
Akesson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Brandao sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Brandao swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Akesson lands with a good body shot.
Akesson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Brandao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nice shot by Akesson.
Brandao misses with a body shot.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Brandao tries to score a power double leg takedown but Akesson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Brandao somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evandro Brandao. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akesson misses with a hook.
Brandao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akesson moves away.
The crowd cheers as Akesson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Brandao doesn't seem phased though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab lands there for Akesson.

Akesson darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Brandao is trying to stand.
Akesson has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Ora Et Labora. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
It looks like Akesson is going to stand back up.

Akesson decides to stand up.
Brandao throws a sloppy body shot
enabling Akesson to counter with a crisp jab.

Brandao rushes Akesson and presses him up against the cage.
Brandao keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Akesson's efforts to push away.
Akesson tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Brandao smiles and moves away.
Brandao throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Akesson.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmie Akesson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Akesson throws a lazy right hand but Brandao sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Brandao closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Brandao stalling the fight.
Brandao tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Akesson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Akesson tries to circle away but Brandao has him pinned against the cage.
Brandao tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Akesson smiles and moves away.
Akesson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Brandao walks into a straight right hand from Akesson.
Brandao lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Akesson fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Akesson throws a hook to the side of Brandao's head but Brandao sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It looked like Brandao was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Akesson.
A swing and a miss from Brandao.
Akesson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Brandao staying out of range there.
Jimmie Akesson seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Akesson throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Brandao tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Akesson is in Brandao's guard.
Akesson wants to control from the top but Brandao keeps moving.
Brandao has a closed guard, preventing Akesson from standing up.
Brandao wants to stand but Akesson is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Akesson postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Brandao wants to stand but Akesson is controlling the position.
Akesson with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Brandao wants to stand up but Akesson is controlling him.
Akesson wants to get up but he can't break Brandao's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Akesson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Akesson cracks Brandao with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Brandao shoots in looking for a takedown. Akesson tries to sprawl out of it but Brandao keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Akesson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Evandro Brandao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akesson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Brandao as he jumps to the side.
Akesson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Akesson.
A slow jab from Akesson misses its intended target.
Akesson lands with a cross.
Akesson avoids the body shot from Brandao.
Akesson blocks a leg kick.
Brandao will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A slow jab from Akesson misses its intended target.
Brandao has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Brandao there as he acknowledges the shot.
Brandao wants to clinch.
Brandao ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brandao scores with a punch to the head.
Brandao lands a high kick!
Akesson looks for a takedown but Brandao sprawls well.
Brandao is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandao just misses with a punch to the body.
Brandao goes for a double leg but Akesson avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Akesson continues to drive forward.
Akesson throws out a counter right but Brandao avoids it with no problem.
Brandao takes a swing at Akesson's ribcage but misses.
Akesson tries to bum rush Brandao with a series of wild strikes but Brandao uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Brandao throws a body punch but Akesson moves out of range.
Brandao lands a nice shot that snaps Akesson's head back.
Akesson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Brandao on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Brandao connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Brandao with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Akesson tries a low kick but Brandao avoids it.
Nice defenses there by Brandao.
Brandao throws a leg kick but Akesson moved away.
Brandao is looking to clinch.
Brandao cracks Akesson with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Akesson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Akesson! But no joy.
Brandao connects with a body shot.
Akesson fails with a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akesson lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Brandao avoids the head kick by Akesson.
Nice takedown defense from Akesson. No joy for Brandao on that attempt.
Akesson only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Akesson scores with a nice body kick.
A head kick misses from Brandao.
Akesson connects with the punch.
Akesson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Brandao ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Akesson moves away.
Brandao changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Akesson tries to avoid it but Brandao manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Akesson to the ground. Akesson escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Akesson looks to land a right hand but Brandao moved out of range.
Brandao uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Akesson.
Brandao moves out of range of the strikes.
Brandao tries to clinch up.
Akesson throws a nice looking combination but Brandao bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Brandao moves out of range as Akesson strikes.
Akesson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Brandao misses with a low kick.
It seemed like Akesson was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmie Akesson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Akesson shoots in and drives through. Brandao sprawls well.
It looked like Brandao was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Akesson.

Akesson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Brandao manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Akesson trying to stand up but can't free himself from Brandao's guard.
Jimmie Akesson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Brandao wants to stand up but Akesson is controlling him.

Brandao pushes Akesson off and scrambles back to his feet.
Akesson lands with an overhand left.
Brandao ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Brandao throws a body punch but Akesson moves out of range.
Akesson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Akesson fails to land the takedown.

Akesson gets tackled into the cage by Brandao. Brandao maintains the clinch.
Akesson working hard to break the clinch.
Akesson tries to break free but Brandao pushes him back against the cage.

Akesson breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akesson manages to avoid it.
Brandao ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Brandao misses with a low kick.
A punch lands to the side of Brandao 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Akesson throws a solid leg kick but Brandao takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Akesson.
Brandao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akesson manages to avoid it.
Brandao backing away here, and Akesson unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Akesson tries to land a leg kick but Brandao saw it coming and moves away.
Brandao throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Akesson's waist but Akesson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brandao off to one side.
Jab, jab by Akesson - just one landing.
Donk. Akesson catches Brandao right on the button with a cross.
Brandao staying out of range there.
Brandao misses with a body shot.
Brandao slips a jab from Akesson.
Akesson misses with the combination.
Brandao was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Brandao dodges the punch combination from Akesson.
Brandao was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Akesson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Akesson throws a hook but Brandao blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandao connects with the punch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Akesson lands with a good body shot.
Brandao wants to clinch up but Akesson keeps it at a distance.
A shot to the liver by Brandao. Beautiful body shot.
Akesson throws a right and a left that both miss.
The fighters circling - Akesson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Brandao misses with a jab to the body
and Akesson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Akesson throws an overhand right that lands on Brandao's shoulder, as Brandao tries to avoid the shot.
Jimmie Akesson is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Akesson misses the shot to the body.
Brandao lands with a shot to the body.
A big right from Akesson misses.
Brandao throws a body punch but Akesson moves out of range.
Brandao comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Brandao takes the fight into the clinch.

Brandao pulls guard effortlessly.
Akesson is looking to stand up but Brandao won't let him.
Akesson won't allow Brandao to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akesson tries to stand but Brandao is controlling from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Brandao wants to stand and escape but Akesson is having none of it.
Akesson wants to stand and escape but instead Brandao has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Akesson is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Brandao wants to get back to his feet.

Brandao has one foot on Akesson's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
A clash of legs there as Brandao blocks the low kick.
Akesson takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

Brandao has taken the fight to the clinch.
Akesson is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Brandao to keep the fight standing.
Evandro Brandao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmie Akesson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandao tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Akesson just stands there and leans against the cage.
Brandao is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Akesson to keep the fight standing.
Brandao lands an elbow that stopped Akesson in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Jimmie Akesson has been cut.
Brandao lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Akesson tries to pull guard but Brandao forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Brandao is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Evandro Brandao has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Akesson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Brandao pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Brandao misses with a low kick.
Brandao bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Akesson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Akesson tests Brandao's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Brandao looks to score with a jab to the body but Akesson is just out of range.
Akesson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Akesson throws a sloppy head kick and Brandao moves out of range easily.
Akesson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Brandao tries to clinch up.
Good exchange - Akesson coming out on top.
Brandao fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Akesson manages to avoid it.

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 Evandro Brandao.
I think Akesson 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 Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmie Akesson!