PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Erik Hiller (ranked 2621 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Brandao (ranked 6147 p4p, 0 weight class). Hiller comes into the arena with Rush and Run - Shake and Jump blaring out of the sound system. Brandao has chosen Mama Said Knock You Out! - LL COOL J as his entrance music. 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.

Hiller
vs
Brandao

176 cm
31
169 lbs
16 - 15 - 0

180 cm
43
166 lbs
20 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Erik Hiller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Diego Brandao!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, George Francis and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hiller avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Brandao leaves Hiller with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Brandao keeps the fight on the outside.
Hiller has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Hiller takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Brandao scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Brandao looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hiller ducks right into an uppercut from Brandao.
Hiller shoots in but Brandao avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Brandao fakes the leg kick and cracks Hiller in the body.
Hiller avoids the body shot from Brandao.
Hiller changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brandao misses with a head kick.
Hiller throws a low kick, looking for Brandao's leg but Brandao calmly moves out of range.
Brandao throws a head kick that misses
and Hiller counters with a left to the body.
Hiller ducks under a wild hook from Brandao.
Brandao misses with a head kick.
Brandao scores with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandao looks to score with a jab to the body but Hiller is just out of range.
Hiller feinted with a counter takedown.
Hiller slips under a jab.
Brandao throws a sloppy head kick and Hiller moves out of range easily.

Hiller clinches.

Hiller drags the fight down to the ground.
Brandao is looking to stand up but Hiller won't let him.
Hiller pulls Brandao in close to prevent any damage.
Hiller wants to sweep but no luck.
Brandao would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hiller wants to sweep here but Brandao controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiller trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Hiller keeping moving, preventing Brandao from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Brandao lands a right hook to the body.
Hiller keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Brandao is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hiller rather than just go for the knockout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hiller is defended easily by Brandao.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Hiller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hiller tries to clinch up.
Hiller blocks a head kick by Brandao.
Brandao tests Hiller's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hiller shoots for a takedown but Brandao saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Brandao throws a nice head kick!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hiller shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Brandao sprawls well. Brandao wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hiller gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiller tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Brandao paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Brandao feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hiller's calf.
Brandao connects with a solid leg kick.
Brandao throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Hiller looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Brandao is fending him off so far but Hiller persists. Nope, Brandao circles away and we're back to standing.
Brandao lands with a right hand.
A big right from Brandao misses.
Brandao slaps away a takedown attempt from Hiller, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A countering left hand to the body from Brandao misses.
Brandao keeps the fight on the outside.

Hiller throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Brandao tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Hiller is in Brandao's guard.
Brandao is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Brandao keeping moving, preventing Hiller from controlling successfully.
Brandao wants to get back to his feet but Hiller is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandao tries to strike from the bottom.
Hiller throws a strike but Brandao rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hiller looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Brandao engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hiller looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hiller keeping moving, preventing Brandao from controlling successfully.

Brandao gets to his feet. Hiller looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Hiller fails with a takedown attempt.

Brandao has closed the distance and engaged Hiller in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Brandao dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Brandao tries to land a front kick but Hiller steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A shot to the liver by Brandao. Beautiful body shot.

Brandao closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hiller tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Hiller turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Hiller manages to end up in side control.
Brandao is not content to let Hiller control the position.
Brandao is trying to get back to his feet.
Brandao tries to improve position but can't.
Hiller controlling the position.
Brandao tries to buck Hiller off but Hiller is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brandao can't do much from the bottom here.
Brandao is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandao is looking for a sweep.
Hiller taking a break here but Brandao is having none of it and regains half guard.
Brandao keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Brandao pushes Hiller off looking to stand but Hiller dives back in and keeps control.
Brandao trying to control but Hiller postures up.
Hiller is trying to control the action in half guard but Brandao is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hiller is stalling here. Brandao is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Hiller seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Brandao has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Hiller is looking for a sweep.

Brandao stands up and beckons Hiller to his feet.
Brandao lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hiller's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandao ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hiller shoots in for a double leg but Brandao sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hiller takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Brandao lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hiller circles away quickly and effectively.
Hiller shoots for a double leg takedown but Brandao sprawls well. He's pushed Hiller's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Diego Brandao seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brandao circles away from the clinch attempt.

Hiller clinches with his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hiller throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Brandaos head.
Hiller taking a breather.
The referee calls for Hiller to work.
Hiller misses with a body punch.
Hiller goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hiller with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hiller has Brandao pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Brandao manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Hiller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hiller tries to pull guard but Brandao forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hiller is looking to take this one to the mat.
Brandao blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hiller displaying some good clinch control by pressing Brandao up against the cage.
Hiller's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Brandao is pressed up against the cage. Hiller has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Brandao down to the mat. Brandao avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Hiller tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Brandao manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Brandao throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Brandao lands with a nice body punch.

Brandao gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Brandao wants to get back to striking at distance but Hiller won't allow it.
Brandao is leaning against Hiller and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hiller swings wildly with an uppercut but Brandao uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hiller blocks a body shot from Brandao.
Hiller lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hiller tries to stall but Brandao uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Hiller misses with a punch on the inside.
Hiller misses with some punches.
Hiller tries to pull guard but Brandao forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Hiller wants to stall.
Hiller misses with some punches.
Brandao wants to break the clinch but can't.

Brandao's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Diego Brandao is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Brandao fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Brandao has closed the distance and engaged Hiller in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brandao lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Brandao breaks the clinch.
Brandao connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Brandao closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Brandao tries a body shot but Hiller blocks it.
Brandao goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diego Brandao showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Brandao throws a chopping leg kick but Hiller manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Brandao throws a wild body kick that Hiller sees coming a mile off.
Hiller half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Diego Brandao seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Brandao throws a body kick that misses

and Hiller counters with a shoot takedown. Brandao fights it but they end up in guard.
Hiller trying to control the position from guard on top but Brandao is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Brandao uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Brandao just misses with a punch to the body.

Brandao instigates a clinch.
Brandao misses with a punch on the inside.
Brandao scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hiller jumps guard but Brandao stands there with Hiller around his waist. Hiller gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Brandao gets underhooks to prevent Hiller's takedown attempt.
Hiller is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Erik Hiller. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hiller stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Brandao working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brandao pushes Hiller back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hiller blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Brandao scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hiller has Brandao pressed against the cage, preventing Brandao from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hiller is working for takedown but Brandao is calmly controlling the position for now.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A short right from Brandao on the inside.

Brandao manages to break the clinch.
Brandao scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Brandao throws the kick towards the body but Hiller avoids it.
Brandao has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Brandao forces Hiller back against the cage and clinches.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Brandao as Hiller tries to tie him up.
Hiller tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hiller is trying to pull guard but Brandao has him pressed against the cage.
Brandao wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Hiller has him pressed against the cage.
Brandao misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hiller tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A bit of stalling here from Hiller.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Brandao creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Brandao wants to break free but Hiller has control.
Brandao swings wildly with an uppercut but Hiller uses good head movement to avoid it.

Brandao manages to break the clinch.
Brandao goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hiller attempts a counter takedown but Brandao avoids it well and moves away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Brandao circles away from the clinch attempt.
Brandao looks to land a body kick but Hiller moved away.
Brandao misses with a wild body shot.
Hiller changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Brandao tries to avoid it but Hiller manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Brandao to the ground. Brandao escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Brandao motions for Hiller to come forward. Brandao throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Brandao goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Hiller avoids the head kick by Brandao.
Hiller blocks a head kick by Brandao.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandao plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Brandao gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Hiller counters with a takedown into side control.
Hiller working the ground and pound.
Brandao is looking to regain half guard here but Hiller keeps moving and retains side control.
Brandao is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Brandao prevents Hiller from moving into mount.
Hiller wants to control but Brandao is keeping him busy.
Hiller 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.
Brandao is pushing Hiller's head away, looking to escape. Hiller manages to hold on to the position though.
Hiller wants to lay and pray for a moment but Brandao keeps working.
Diego Brandao is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brandao tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hiller lands some shots froms side control.
Erik Hiller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brandao wants to get back to his feet but Hiller drags him back down.
Brandao controls the position for a moment.
Hiller controlling from side mount.
Brandao is trying to get back to his feet.
Hiller trying to control the action but Brandao is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diego Brandao comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Brandao winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diego Brandao!
Diego Brandao took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.