PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sal Branch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Andre Fialho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Andre Fialho will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Branch
vs
Fialho

191 cm
20
177 lbs
0 - 6 - 0

182 cm
24
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Sal Branch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Andre Fialho!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fialho misses with the body kick

and Branch counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Branch working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Fialho is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Branch is controlling him.

Fialho has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Branch off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Fialho fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Branch.

Branch gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fialho to score an easy takedown into full guard.
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!
Fialho looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Fialho wants to control from the top but Branch keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fialho slips nicely into half guard.
Fialho keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Fialho stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Branch to get to his feet.
Branch fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fialho throws a series of punches but Branch moves out of range.
Branch feinted with a counter takedown.
Fialho fails to land with a series of punches.
Fialho tries to clinch but Branch is having none of it.

Fialho feints and as Branch raises his hands in defense, Fialho changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fialho throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fialho slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Fialho trying to control the position from guard on top but Branch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fialho sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Fialho must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Branch has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Fialho off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Fialho tries to bum rush Branch with a series of wild strikes but Branch uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fialho moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Branch is rocked!

It looks like Sal Branch has been cut.
Fialho grits his teeth and throws a big right-left combo! Branch takes both shots clean on the chin and is out cold! Fialho cracks him once more on his way down, as the crowd goes wild! They enjoyed that one!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Andre Fialho!
After winning the bout, Andre Fialho thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.