PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harry Briggs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benedikt Iskandar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Briggs
vs
Iskandar

202 cm
24
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Harry Briggs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Benedikt Iskandar!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Seu Braga and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Briggs shoots in looking for a takedown. Iskandar tries to sprawl out of it but Briggs keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Iskandar manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Briggs sets himself, and Iskandar steps forward looking for the clinch! Briggs avoids it this time.
Briggs has a takedown stuffed.
Iskandar tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Briggs shoots and misses

and Iskandar counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Briggs. 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.
Briggs looking for a sweep. Not yet Briggs, not yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Briggs working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Briggs 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.
Briggs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Briggs pulls Iskandar in close to prevent any damage.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Iskandar must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Briggs escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Iskandar gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Iskandar got a little sloppy there for a moment and Briggs has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Iskandar has managed to get both his arms back between Briggs's legs - danger averted.

That's two 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.
Briggs not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Briggs is looking to clinch.
Briggs sets himself, and Iskandar steps forward looking for the clinch! Briggs avoids it this time.
Briggs darts in looking for a takedown but Iskandar gets double underhooks and turns Briggs into the cage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Briggs.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Briggs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Briggs will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Iskandar with the counter takedown but Briggs avoids it easily.
Briggs is breathing heavily.
Briggs goes for a double leg but Iskandar avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Iskandar continues to drive forward.
Iskandar drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Briggs defends it well.
Briggs shoots in for a double leg but Iskandar sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Briggs sets himself, and Iskandar steps forward looking for the clinch! Briggs avoids it this time.
Briggs with a poor takedown

and Iskandar moves into the clinch.
Iskandar is trying to break free.
Iskandar is trying to force a seperation but Briggs has the dominant position.
Briggs taking a breather.

Briggs manages to break the clinch.
Harry Briggs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Briggs looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Iskandar scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Briggs shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Iskandar defends it nicely.
Briggs shoots in for a double leg but Iskandar sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Briggs tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Iskandar swivels and escapes.
Briggs fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Iskandar avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benedikt Iskandar dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Briggs.
Iskandar wants to counter the offense by Briggs and move into the clinch position.
Iskandar stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Iskandar wants it to stay on the feet.
Iskandar drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Briggs defends it well.
Iskandar stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Iskandar wants it to stay on the feet.
Iskandar is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Briggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Briggs shoots for a takedown but Iskandar saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Briggs tries to score a power double leg takedown but Iskandar sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Briggs somewhat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iskandar stuffs the takedown attempt from Briggs. Briggs gets slowly back to his feet.
Benedikt Iskandar is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Briggs tries for a takedown but Iskandar circles away easily

and Iskandar counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Iskandar.
Iskandar tries to circle away but Briggs has him pinned against the cage.
Briggs effectively controlling the action here.
Briggs keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Iskandar's efforts to push away.
Iskandar is looking to break free of the clinch but Briggs has double underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Iskandar blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Iskandar has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Iskandar has had enough of the clinch but Briggs keeps him there for the moment.
Iskandar tries to break the clinch but Briggs is controlling the position.
Briggs throws a knee to the head but misses.

Briggs pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Briggs looks for a takedown but Iskandar sprawls well.
Iskandar drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Briggs defends it well.
Briggs will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Iskandar changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Briggs doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Iskandar holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iskandar wants to break the clinch but can't.
Iskandar wants to break free but Briggs has control.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Briggs throws a knee to the head but misses.
Iskandar is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Briggs tries to stall but Iskandar uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Iskandar manages to break the clinch.
Iskandar stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Iskandar wants it to stay on the feet.

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.
Briggs is looking to clinch but Iskandar is avoiding it.
Iskandar steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Briggs.
Briggs shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Iskandar defends it nicely.
Iskandar wants to counter the offense by Briggs and move into the clinch position.
Briggs shoots in but Iskandar avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Briggs sets himself, and Iskandar steps forward looking for the clinch! Briggs avoids it this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Briggs shoots in and drives through. Iskandar sprawls well.
And Iskandar tries to counter it with a takedown but Briggs pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Briggs tries for a takedown but Iskandar sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And Iskandar tries to counter it with a takedown but Briggs pushes his down on his head and steps out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benedikt Iskandar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Briggs fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Briggs throws a head kick but Iskandar moves out of range.
Iskandar is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Briggs is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Briggs tries for a takedown but Iskandar circles away easily

and Iskandar counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Iskandar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Iskandar is trying to break the clinch but Briggs is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Briggs pressing his opponent against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Briggs manages to break the clinch.
Briggs tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Iskandar defends well and Briggs ends up having to push Iskandar into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Harry Briggs. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Briggs shoots for a double leg takedown but Iskandar sprawls well. He's pushed Briggs's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Iskandar changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Briggs shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Iskandar defends it nicely.

That's two 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.
Briggs looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Horrible takedown attempt by Briggs or perhaps it was just good defense by Iskandar, which made it look bad.
Briggs shoots in but Iskandar avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Iskandar stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Iskandar wants it to stay on the feet.
Iskandar with the counter takedown but Briggs avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Briggs shoots for a takedown but Iskandar saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Iskandar with the counter takedown but Briggs avoids it easily.
Briggs fails with a takedown attempt.
Briggs sets himself, and Iskandar steps forward looking for the clinch! Briggs avoids it this time.
Briggs tries to score a power double leg takedown but Iskandar sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Briggs somewhat.
Iskandar displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Briggs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Briggs dives in and grabs Iskandar's left leg, looking for a takedown. Iskandar pushes down on Briggs's head and hops out.
Briggs tries for a takedown but Iskandar circles away easily

and Iskandar moves into the clinch.
Iskandar wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Briggs trying to stall but Iskandar improves his position.
Briggs tries to stall but Iskandar uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Iskandar tries to break free but Briggs pushes him back against the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Iskandar prevents a body shot from Briggs.
Harry Briggs has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Benedikt Iskandar is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Briggs manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benedikt Iskandar comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Iskandar 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 27:30
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benedikt Iskandar!