PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Twiggy BigBranch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cullen Castrello (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.

BigBranch
vs
Castrello

169 cm
31
142 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

185 cm
29
156 lbs
18 - 4 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Twiggy BigBranch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 4 - 2, fighting out of New York, Cullen Castrello!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Daniel Franklin and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Castrello tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Castrello wants to clinch up but BigBranch keeps it at a distance.
It looked like BigBranch wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

BigBranch manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Castrello on his heels. He'll look to pass Castrello's guard now, I'm sure.
Castrello is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and BigBranch dives into side control.
BigBranch throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
BigBranch misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Castrello taking a bit of punishment here - BigBranch scoring with strikes.
BigBranch wants to lay and pray for a moment but Castrello keeps working.
Castrello is pushing BigBranch's head away, looking to escape. BigBranch manages to hold on to the position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
BigBranch working the body and head with strikes.
BigBranch throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
BigBranch wants to control but Castrello is keeping him busy.
An elbow from BigBranch crashes against the mat.
Castrello is pushing BigBranch's head away, looking to escape. BigBranch manages to hold on to the position though.
BigBranch controls the position.
Castrello wants to get back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes there by BigBranch.
BigBranch trying to control the position but Castrello is working away.
Castrello is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, BigBranch asserts his dominance and retains side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Castrello is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

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.
Castrello throws an uppercut from half a mile away. BigBranch sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Castrello throws a combination that misses
and BigBranch counters with an inside leg kick.
BigBranch defending well as Castrello loads up on a big left hand.
Castrello uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from BigBranch.
BigBranch throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Castrello slips under a jab from BigBranch.
Castrello swings and misses with a hook to the body.
BigBranch is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Castrello.
BigBranch avoids a punch combination nicely.

Castrello gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
BigBranch misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Castrello blocks an uppercut.
BigBranch prevents a body shot from Castrello.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BigBranch has a couple of punches blocked by Castrello.
BigBranch takes an elbow to the temple.
BigBranch lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Castrello lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
BigBranch throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Castrellos head.
Castrello misses with the head strike.
BigBranch blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from BigBranch.
BigBranch struggles to land a body shot inside as Castrello controls his hands.
BigBranch has Castrello pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Castrello manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Castrello tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
BigBranch prevents a body shot from Castrello.
A short left from Castrello.
Castrello swings wildly with an uppercut but BigBranch uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from BigBranch.
Castrello working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
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!
Castrello creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Castrello struggles to land a body shot inside as BigBranch controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BigBranch blocks a punch to the side of the head.
BigBranch misses with a punch on the inside.
BigBranch digs a right hand into Castrello's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Castrello's gas tank.
BigBranch misses with a punch on the inside.
Castrello tries to throw a body punch but BigBranch avoids it by throwing Castrello back against the cage.
Castrello misses with a short punch on the inside.
Castrello lands with a right to the head.
Castrello swings wildly with an uppercut but BigBranch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Castrello misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Castrello throws a head punch that misses.
BigBranch dodges an elbow strike from Castrello.
Castrello tries a body shot but BigBranch blocks it.
Castrello blocks a body shot from BigBranch.
Nice body punch from Castrello.
Castrello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. BigBranch is defending well for now.
Castrello swings wildly with an uppercut but BigBranch uses good head movement to avoid it.
Castrello fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Twiggy BigBranch will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Castrello throws a leg kick that misses.
Castrello moves out of range of the strikes.
Castrello fakes a jab and throws a low kick but BigBranch checks it well.
Castrello ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Castrello moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Castrello ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Castrello missing with a left hand there. BigBranch was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Castrello sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
BigBranch misses with a low kick.
BigBranch tries to work over Castrello's front leg with a kick but Castrello checks it.
Castrello misses with a hook to the body
and BigBranch counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Castrello thinking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Castrello clinches up with BigBranch and pushes him back against the cage.
BigBranch lands a body punch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Castrello.
BigBranch digs a right hand into Castrello's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Castrello's gas tank.
A right handed body shot lands from Castrello.
Castrello tries a body shot but BigBranch blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castrello blocking some punches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from BigBranch.
BigBranch takes an elbow to the temple.
Castrello works on BigBranch's body with a couple of short punches.
A head punch on the inside from BigBranch fails to land.
BigBranch struggles to land a body shot inside as Castrello controls his hands.
BigBranch on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
BigBranch lands a nice uppercut.
Castrello misses with an elbow strike.
Castrello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. BigBranch is defending well for now.
Castrello lands an elbow just above BigBranch 's eye.
Castrello blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Castrello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. BigBranch is defending well for now.
BigBranch scores with a hook to the body.
Castrello throws a knee to the head but misses.
BigBranch lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Castrello.
A short left from BigBranch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short left from BigBranch.
Castrello gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
BigBranch lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Castrello blocking some punches.

BigBranch breaks the clinch.
Castrello takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Castrello tries to close the distance and clinch but BigBranch swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Castrello scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
BigBranch is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Castrello's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
BigBranch connects with a body shot.
BigBranch closes the distance and clinches up with Castrello, looking for a takedown. BigBranch pushes Castrello against the cage but Castrello circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Castrello swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
BigBranch moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
BigBranch takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
BigBranch throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Castrello lands a nice shot that snaps BigBranch's head back.
BigBranch is looking to score with low kicks.

BigBranch shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Castrello's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castrello wants to stand and escape but BigBranch is having none of it.
BigBranch is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
BigBranch loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Castrello is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst BigBranch is controlling him.
BigBranch is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Castrello is looking to stand up but BigBranch isn't so interested in that idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
BigBranch is working Castrello over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
BigBranch is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Castrello preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
BigBranch postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as BigBranch accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Castrello wants to stand but BigBranch is controlling the position.
Castrello avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Castrello wants to stand and escape but BigBranch is having none of it.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Castrello fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Twiggy BigBranch dominated that second 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!

BigBranch tries a low kick but Castrello avoids it.
Castrello dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Castrello tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
BigBranch fires out a quick counter leg kick but Castrello just manages to avoid it.
BigBranch connects with a solid leg kick.
Castrello tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. BigBranch manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
BigBranch has his takedown stuffed
and Castrello counters with a straight right hand.
BigBranch throws out a loose jab but Castrello uses good head movement to avoid it.
Castrello swinging wildly here.
BigBranch half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

BigBranch tries to keep at a distance but Castrello has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castrello fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from BigBranch - that landed with a thud.
Castrello pushes BigBranch back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A shot in the inside from Castrello.

That's one minute gone in the round.
BigBranch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
BigBranch working aggressively here.
Cullen Castrello seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
BigBranch working aggressively here.
Castrello blocks an uppercut.
Castrello putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has BigBranch in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Castrello throws an elbow that misses.
Castrello tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
BigBranch throws a head punch that misses.
BigBranch misses with a body punch.
Castrello lands an elbow that stopped BigBranch in his tracks for a moment.
Castrello misses with a hook from the clinch.
BigBranch takes a knee right on the jaw!
BigBranch working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
BigBranch goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
BigBranch misses with a hook to the ribs.
BigBranch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
BigBranch trying to control the position but instead, Castrello has worked for underhooks and has pushed BigBranch into the cage.
Cullen Castrello has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castrello crunches a lovely knee into BigBranch's ribcage.
BigBranch lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Castrello has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
BigBranch can't find room to land a body shot as Castrello controls the action.
A right hook to the body lands for BigBranch.
Castrello putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has BigBranch in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Castrello working BigBranch over with knees to the body.
BigBranch tries to work over Castrello's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
BigBranch takes a shot to the head.
Castrello tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Castrello lands a nice elbow.
Castrello works on BigBranch's body with a couple of short punches.
Castrello scores with a shot to the side of BigBranch's head.
BigBranch misses with a punch to the body.
Castrello is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. BigBranch is defending well for now.
Castrello lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Castrello creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through BigBranch's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
BigBranch tries to throw a body punch but Castrello avoids it by throwing BigBranch back against the cage.
Castrello looking to stall.
Castrello misses with a short punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Castrello lands an elbow just above BigBranch 's eye.
BigBranch can't break the clinch.
Castrello blocks an uppercut.
Castrello using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
BigBranch blocks a body shot from Castrello.
BigBranch digs a right hand into Castrello's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Castrello's gas tank.
Castrello throws a knee to the head but misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Castrello as BigBranch tries to tie him up.
Castrello prevents a body shot from BigBranch.
With the fighters up against the cage, Castrello throws an elbow but misses.
Castrello throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but BigBranch blocks it with crossed arms.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BigBranch tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Castrello blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Castrello misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from BigBranch.
Castrello misses with a hook to the ribs.
Castrello lands a knee to the body.
BigBranch misses with a hook from the clinch.
Castrello prevents a body shot from BigBranch.
Castrello looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Castrello misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from BigBranch.
Castrello is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Castrello throws a blind hook that connects with the side of BigBranchs head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Castrello prevents a body shot from BigBranch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Castrello.
BigBranch swings wildly with an uppercut but Castrello uses good head movement to avoid it.
Castrello tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Twiggy BigBranch is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
BigBranch blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cullen Castrello comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think BigBranch has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 29:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Twiggy BigBranch!
Twiggy BigBranch decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.