PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Markus Bratlie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ethan DuVall (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Markus Bratlie has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Bratlie
vs
DuVall

167 cm
21
143 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

180 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Markus Bratlie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ethan DuVall!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Michael Johnstone and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bratlie misses with the combination.
Bratlie tries for a takedown but DuVall sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
DuVall tries to counter with a clinch but Bratlie shakes him off and moves away.
Bratlie changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. DuVall tries to avoid it but Bratlie manages to keep hold of a leg and drag DuVall to the ground. DuVall escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
DuVall misses with a head kick.
Bratlie looks for a takedown but DuVall sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Markus Bratlie. That's going to take a lot out of him.

DuVall has Bratlie up against the cage in a clinch.

DuVall breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

DuVall closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bratlie to the mat! Bratlie manages to get full guard.
Bratlie looking to control.
Bratlie seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bratlie wants to control the position but DuVall says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Bratlie wants to improve his position but DuVall is controlling well.
DuVall trying to control the action but Bratlie is working from the bottom.
DuVall throws a strike but Bratlie avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
DuVall stays in close to Bratlie's body and controls the position.
DuVall wants to stand but Bratlie is controlling his posture from full guard.
Bratlie keeping moving, preventing DuVall from controlling successfully.

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.
DuVall tries to free his leg and advance position but Bratlie is retaining full guard.
DuVall preventing the sweep.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Bratlie is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Bratlie escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. DuVall gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bratlie trying to keep a closed guard but DuVall is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DuVall slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
DuVall is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

DuVall fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bratlie, pushing him back against the cage.

DuVall breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Bratlie rushes DuVall and presses him up against the cage.
DuVall tries to land knees in the clinch but Bratlie avoids the damage to the body.
Bratlie wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but DuVall has him pressed against the cage.
Bratlie has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. DuVall is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
DuVall using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bratlie has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
DuVall unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bratlie lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
DuVall is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
DuVall looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
DuVall tries to pull guard but Bratlie forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Bratlie lands a knee to the head.

DuVall escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
DuVall fails with a takedown attempt.
Bratlie appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Bratlie rushes DuVall and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Bratlie manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Bratlie lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ethan DuVall will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

DuVall darts in and clinches Bratlie up against the cage.
Bratlie is pressed up against the cage. DuVall has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bratlie down to the mat. Bratlie avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
DuVall with a lazy takedown attempt
and Bratlie counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Bratlie shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bratlie leaves DuVall with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Markus Bratlie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ethan DuVall.
DuVall has a takedown stuffed.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bratlie shoots for a takedown but DuVall saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
DuVall throws a body punch but Bratlie moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Bratlie as DuVall shoots in.
DuVall defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bratlie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bratlie tries to score a power double leg takedown but DuVall sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bratlie somewhat.
Bratlie sets himself, and DuVall steps forward looking for the clinch! Bratlie avoids it this time.
DuVall leaves Bratlie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
DuVall swats away the attempt to clinch by Bratlie.
DuVall tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
DuVall fails to land the takedown.
Bratlie keeps the fight on the outside.

Bratlie drives through and clinches with DuVall against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bratlie manages to pull guard.
Bratlie is looking to stand up but DuVall isn't so interested in that idea.

DuVall gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Bratlie shoots in for a takedown but DuVall shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Bratlie keeps the fight on the outside.
Bratlie shoots in looking for a takedown. DuVall tries to sprawl out of it but Bratlie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. DuVall manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Bratlie gets caught napping as DuVall dives in and scores a takedown. Bratlie manages to retain 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.
Bratlie trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Bratlie keeping moving, preventing DuVall from controlling successfully.
DuVall really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bratlie. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

DuVall gets to his feet. Bratlie looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

DuVall gets a takedown into half guard.
DuVall is trying to control the action in half guard but Bratlie is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

DuVall stands up from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bratlie.
DuVall thows a body kick. Bratlie tries to catch it but that hurt him.
DuVall closes this distance looking for a takedown but Bratlie circles away.

DuVall rushes Bratlie and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
DuVall goes for a takedown attempt but Bratlie pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
DuVall misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from DuVall is defended easily by Bratlie.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ethan DuVall showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bratlie instigates a clinch.
DuVall stalling in the clinch.
DuVall stops a takedown attempt from Bratlie.
DuVall lands a nice shot to the body.
Bratlie wants to take the fight to the mat but DuVall manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
DuVall is trying to pull guard but Bratlie has him pressed against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bratlie lands a hook to the side of the head.
DuVall is pressed up against the cage. Bratlie has hold of a leg and is looking to drag DuVall down to the mat. DuVall avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Markus Bratlie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
DuVall is looking to clinch but Bratlie is avoiding it.
Bratlie throws a counter high kick but DuVall was just alert enough to avoid it.
DuVall tries to clinch but Bratlie moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bratlie has taken the fight to the clinch.
Bratlie is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but DuVall is defending well.
DuVall fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Bratlie is pressed up against the cage. DuVall has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Bratlie down to the mat. Bratlie avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
DuVall has his takedown stuffed

and Bratlie counters by moving into the clinch.
Bratlie with an attempt at a knee that misses.
DuVall has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
DuVall has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bratlie after a bit of a struggle.
DuVall takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

DuVall tightens his grip and picks Bratlie up, before dumping him to the ground. Bratlie manages to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bratlie wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
DuVall stops Bratlie from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
DuVall wants to control from the top but Bratlie keeps moving.
Bratlie trying to control the position.
Bratlie wants to get back to his feet but DuVall passes into half guard.
DuVall throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
DuVall sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Bratlie defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
DuVall wants to take a breather but Bratlie is having none of it.
Bratlie is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
DuVall shoots in and drives through. Bratlie sprawls well.
Bratlie dives in for a single leg takedown but DuVall sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Bratlie clinches.
DuVall wants a takedown.
DuVall drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bratlie is struggling to control the position.
DuVall being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bratlie tries to score a body lock takedown but DuVall shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Bratlie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bratlie fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bratlie tries to close the distance and clinch up but DuVall swats him away and circles back towards the center.

DuVall changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bratlie looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
DuVall is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Bratlie will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

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 Markus Bratlie.
I think DuVall 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight for Ethan DuVall!
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight for Ethan DuVall!
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight for Ethan DuVall!

Ethan DuVall wins by unanimous decision!