PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gorm Branting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cody Zeller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Branting
vs
Zeller

187 cm
24
278 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

210 cm
29
270 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Spartan Nutrition

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gorm Branting!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Cody Zeller!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Wagner Zegers and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice inside leg kick there by Zeller. That's going to slow Branting down.
Branting swings for the body but Zeller moves out of range.
Zeller looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Zeller misses with a shot to the body
and Zeller takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zeller scores with a push kick.
Zeller scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Zeller.
Branting is breathing heavily.
Branting avoids a kick to the body.
Branting is looking to counter punch.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Branting crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Zeller - the referee stops the clock and Branting gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Zeller. Branting manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Zeller looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Zeller feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Branting's calf.
Zeller throws a wild body kick that Branting sees coming a mile off.
It looked like Branting wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Branting gets cracked there but stands up to it.

It looks like Gorm Branting has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Zeller drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Zeller controlling from side mount.

Zeller is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Branting knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branting is looking for a sweep.
Branting can't do much from the bottom here.
Zeller misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Zeller landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Zeller wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Branting, who protects the arm well.

Zeller is trying to get an arm triangle but Branting is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeller looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Branting is avoiding damage well.
Branting tries to bench press Zeller off him but Zeller keeps the position.

Zeller thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Branting is trying to control Zeller's posture but Zeller avoids it.
Branting is looking for a sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zeller is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Branting has escaped the position, nice work there.
Branting is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Zeller's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Zeller is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Branting is just riding it out for now. Zeller eventually gives up the hold.
Branting wants to sweep but Zeller has passed to side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Zeller trying to control the position but Branting is working away.
Zeller throws a strike aimed at the side of Branting's head but Branting avoids it well.
Zeller working the ground and pound but Branting is defending the strikes.
Branting might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Zeller throws an elbow but Branting slips to the side and avoids it well.
Zeller trying to control the action but Branting is working from the bottom.

Zeller tries for a kimura but Branting is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cody Zeller dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Gorm Branting's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Branting swats away the attempt to clinch by Zeller.
Branting misses with a body shot.
Zeller swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Branting throws a body punch but Zeller moves out of range.
As Branting backs off Zeller throws a huge counter combo but Branting manages to avoid it all.
Zeller uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Branting.
The fighters circling - Branting throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Branting lands with a cross.
Zeller scores with a spinning back kick!
Zeller goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zeller fails to land with a series of punches.
A swing and a miss from Branting.
Zeller has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Branting throws a good cross that connects.
Zeller misses with a low kick.
Branting throws a hook but Zeller blocks it.
Branting is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zeller.
Zeller lets loose with a powerful body kick. Branting will feel that in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid body kick from Zeller.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Branting walks forward, straight into a front kick from Zeller.
Branting throws a shot from downtown. Zeller moves away and avoids it.
Zeller explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Zeller scores with a leg kick.
Zeller throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Branting walks into a left hand.
Gorm Branting is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zeller fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Zeller pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Branting misses the target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Zeller.
Zeller fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Zeller's coach down at Condor Training was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Zeller's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zeller fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

A head kick lands from Zeller that sends Branting to the canvas. Branting tries to scramble back to his feet but Zeller brings him back down into side control.

Branting is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Zeller is trying to get an arm triangle but Branting is defending well.
Oh Branting is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Zeller lands an elbow.

Zeller has hold of Branting's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Branting tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Zeller cranks the arm and Branting screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Branting, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Cody Zeller!