PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rubicon Brandy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Enrique Rold (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Brandy
vs
Rold

174 cm
34
152 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

168 cm
32
155 lbs
14 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rubicon Brandy!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Enrique Rold!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Albert Achterberg and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brandy will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Brandy closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Brandy lands in his opponent's guard.
Brandy throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rold works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Brandy in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Brandy landing with the ground and pound.
Brandy stands up over Rold, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rold escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Brandy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rold preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Brandy throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rold manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Brandy manages to get himself to full guard.

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rold looking to pass the guard.
Rold is looking to advance position but Brandy has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Brandy is in the full mount, landing strikes.
A nice elbow there by Brandy.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Brandy cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Brandy has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rold really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rold manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Brandy is looking to stall here but Rold recovers full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandy pushing down on Rold's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Rold has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Brandy is trying to work for a kimura but Rold is defending well.
Rold gets full guard.
Brandy looking to sit in guard and control but Rold gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Brandy escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rold gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rold advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rold is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

Rold is looking for a kimura but Brandy is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rold to get the leverage.

Rold is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Brandy is just riding it out for now. Rold eventually gives up the hold.
Rold is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Brandy trying to strike off his back.
Brandy trying to keep a closed guard but Rold is proving a slippery customer.
Rold controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rold wants to control from the top but Brandy keeps moving.
Rold has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Brandy is proving hard to escape from.
Brandy tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rold is looking to advance position but Brandy has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Rold regains half guard.
Brandy throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Rold to regain full guard.
Rold looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Brandy puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Brandy misses with a head shot. Rold uses the momentum to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rold misses with a low kick as Brandy jumps back.
Brandy tries to counter with a takedown but Rold is quick to defend against it.
Rold misses with a low kick.
Brandy fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Brandy with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rold counters with a good low kick that Brandy was not able to check.
Rold stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rubicon Brandy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brandy takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Brandy has a takedown stuffed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brandy shoots in for a takedown but Rold shows good takedown defense.
Rold delivers a nice body kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Rold.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandy with a poor takedown
and Rold counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Brandy walks into a straight right hand from Rold.
Brandy looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Rold lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Enrique Rold is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rold is looking to slow Brandy down with leg kicks.
Rubicon Brandy seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Brandy fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rold sprawls well initially but Brandy persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rold slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rold is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Rold working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Brandy doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Brandy manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Brandy preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandy is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Rold escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Brandy gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
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!
Brandy is looking to work some ground and pound but Rold has wrist control.
Rold tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Brandy is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Brandy gets to his feet. Rold looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Rold throws a low kick but it's checked well by Brandy.
Brandy stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rold.
Rold slaps away a takedown attempt from Brandy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A nice side step and Rold releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rold.
Rold swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Brandy dives in and grabs Rold's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rold pushes down on Brandy's head and hops out.

Brandy scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rold is working to avoid the ground and pound but Brandy connects with a decent elbow.
Brandy wants to control but Rold is keeping him busy.
Brandy is working Rold over with some ground and pound from side control.
Brandy working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandy wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rold keeps working.
Rold is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Brandy working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Brandy postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.

Brandy tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rold is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Brandy's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Enrique Rold showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Brandy's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rold throws a low kick, looking for Brandy's leg but Brandy calmly moves out of range.
Rold connects with an inside leg kick.
Rold throws a nice outside leg kick.
A left lands for Rold.
Brandy misses with a takedown attempt
and Rold counters with a nice body shot.
Brandy shoots for a takedown but Rold saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Rold throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Brandy tries for a takedown but Rold circles away easily
and Rold makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rubicon Brandy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brandy blocks the body kick.
Rold swings for the body but Brandy moves out of range.
Brandy shoots in looking for a takedown but Rold manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Brandy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rold misses with a body kick.
Rold tries to land a front kick but Brandy steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Good standup being displayed there by Rold as he connects with a hook.
Brandy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rold slaps away a takedown attempt from Brandy, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rold connects with a good right hand that stumbles Brandy. Brandy circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Brandy has his takedown stuffed
and Rold counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Brandy thinking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rold looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Brandy appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Rold connects with a solid leg kick.
Rold scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Brandy throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nice takedown defense from Rold. No joy for Brandy on that attempt.
Brandy slips a jab from Rold.
A good leg kick by Rold.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brandy shoots for a takedown but Rold saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Brandy gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rold counters with a nice uppercut.
Brandy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rold swivels and escapes.
Rold is looking for the big counter here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandy takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Jab by Rold.
Brandy takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rold.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rold darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Brandy dives in and grabs Rold's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rold pushes down on Brandy's head and hops out.
Brandy throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rold's waist but Rold gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brandy off to one side.
Rold thinks about the counter body kick.
Brandy fails to land the takedown.
Rold lands the left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rold feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Brandy's calf.
Rold swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Brandy.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Brandy.
Rold has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rold is looking to slow Brandy down with leg kicks.
Rold throws a leg kick that misses.
Brandy shoots in but Rold avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rold connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Enrique Rold really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rold throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Brandy stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Brandy takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Brandy misses with a takedown
and Rold counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Brandy shoots in for a takedown but Rold shows good takedown defense.
Brandy backing away here, and Rold unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Rold lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rubicon Brandy is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice uppercut lands for Rold. That snapped Brandy's head back.
Rold chopping away at his opponent's legs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brandy dives in and grabs Rold's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rold pushes down on Brandy's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rubicon Brandy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rold connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Brandy is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
That kick from Rold tenderised Brandy's leg. Brandy is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Rold.
Rold cracks the inside of Brandy's front leg.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Brandy.
Rold delivers a nice body kick.
Brandy with a poor takedown
and Rold counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Brandy shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rold sprawls well. Rold wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Brandy gets slowly back to his feet.
As Brandy backs off Rold throws a huge counter combo but Brandy manages to avoid it all.
Rold lands a nice looking body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandy tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rold swivels and escapes.
Rold lands with a good body shot.
Rold turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Brandy shoots in looking for a takedown. Rold tries to sprawl out of it but Brandy keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rold manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Brandy takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandy fails with the takedown
and Rold makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Rold dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rold. Brandy shrugs it off though.
Rold fakes the leg kick and cracks Brandy in the body.
Brandy fails with a takedown attempt.
Rold is looking for the big counter here.
Rold works the jab nicely.
Brandy misses with a takedown attempt
and Rold counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A lazy left from Rold finds it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rold fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Brandy.
Brandy throws a head kick that misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rold.
Rold lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Enrique Rold seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Brandy moves out of range of the body kick from Rold.
Good leg kick by Rold there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Brandy fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rold avoids it really well and circles away.
A nice side step and Rold releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Brandy takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Enrique Rold dominated that fourth round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rold walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Brandy checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rold throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Brandy counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Rold!
Brandy working the ground and pound but Rold is defending the strikes.

Brandy goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rold rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Brandy's guard! Nice work there by Rold!

Brandy is working an open guard so Rold takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Rold works the jab nicely.
Rold misses with a body shot.
Rold thuds his shin into the meat of Brandy's side.
Rold misses with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brandy takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Brandy has his takedown stuffed
and Rold counters with a right hand to the body.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandy thows a left - swing and a miss!
Brandy backing away here, and Rold unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Brandy misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rold looks to throw the jab but Brandy is out of range.
Rold 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.
Rold thuds a left hand into Brandy's body.
Brandy will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Nice body kick there by Rold.
Brandy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rold as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rubicon Brandy. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brandy 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.
Enrique Rold is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandy takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Brandy takes one on the button.
Rold scores with a nice head shot.
Rold lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Brandy looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Brandy misses with a takedown
and Rold cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brandy shoots in for a double leg but Rold sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Rold throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandy has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Brandy there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rold lands with a kick to the temple. Brandy shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Brandy shoots in looking for a takedown but Rold manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Brandy's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rold lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

Rold gets caught flat footed, as Brandy shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Rold manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Brandy tries for a takedown. No joy.
Rold leaning his opponent against the cage.

Rold breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandy tries for a takedown but Rold circles away easily
and Brandy takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rold throws a nice head kick!
Brandy stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rold.
Rold misses with a wild body shot.
Rold scores with a kick to the midsection.
Brandy fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
And Rold responds with a good body kick, but Brandy manages to step out the way in time.
Rold throws a quick inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Enrique Rold comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rold 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 44:49
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 44:49
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 44:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Enrique Rold!
Enrique Rold is the new featherweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Enrique Rold started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.