PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Hale (ranked 3922 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rob Mugabe (ranked 3790 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.

Hale
vs
Mugabe

174 cm
43
315 lbs
43 - 23 - 2

225 cm
31
300 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 23 - 2, fighting out of London, Brandon Hale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rob Mugabe!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Anthony Taglia and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Hale misses the target.
Mugabe tries to clinch up but Hale circles away and keeps his distance.
Hale lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

It looks like Rob Mugabe has been cut.

Mugabe gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
With the fighters up against the cage, Mugabe throws an elbow but misses.
Hale working aggressively here.
Mugabe looking to throw knees to the head but Hale is blocking nicely.
Mugabe tries to land knees in the clinch but Hale avoids the damage to the body.
Mugabe lands with a left to the head.
Hale is trying to pull guard but Mugabe has him pressed against the cage.
Mugabe throws an elbow but it's blocked.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A knee to the head by Mugabe.

It looks like Brandon Hale has been cut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mugabe.
Mugabe throws an elbow that misses.
Mugabe creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Mugabe lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hale avoids a wild elbow strike from Mugabe.

Mugabe gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Hale regains guard.

Hale looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mugabe passes into side control.
Hale sneaks back into half guard.
Mugabe performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Hale on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Mugabe there.
Hale blocking the ground and pound attempt from Mugabe.
Hale has hold of Mugabe's hands but Mugabe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mugabe is thwarting Hale's attempts to control the position.

Hale actively working from the bottom here.
Mugabe trying to control from half guard but Hale is working away.
Mugabe looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Mugabe lands strikes from half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hale has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Mugabe is working away from the top position though.
Mugabe is controlling the pace.
Mugabe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hale trying to control here.
Mugabe takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Mugabe seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mugabe working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hale is trying to maintain the position but Mugabe is very close to passing his half guard.
Hale might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Hale tries to roll over but Mugabe keeps him under control.
Hale is looking to control Mugabe's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hale avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hale looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hale has hold of Mugabe's hands but Mugabe slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Mugabe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mugabe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hale wants to control but Mugabe is keeping busy.
Mugabe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Mugabe is nestled in close to Hale, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Hale is trying to maintain the position but Mugabe is very close to passing his half guard.
Mugabe lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Mugabe winds up and cracks Hale with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rob Mugabe dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Hale misses with a double jab

and Mugabe counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hale is trying to get back to full guard.
Mugabe landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Mugabe prevents Hale from improving his position.
Rob Mugabe has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mugabe lands with a punch from half guard.

Mugabe seems to be looking for submissions.
Mugabe is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mugabe wants to take a breather but Hale is having none of it.
Hale taking some punishment here, with Mugabe in his half guard.
Mugabe looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mugabe is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Mugabe lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hale is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Mugabe scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mugabe prevents Hale from improving his position.
Hale trying to control here but he's found himself mounted! Oh no!
Hale is looking to improve his position but Mugabe isn't that keen on the idea.
Mugabe scores with a couple of good head shots there.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Mugabe cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Hale keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Mugabe is landing with some decent strikes but Hale is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hale is in a horrible position here. Mugabe smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mugabe lands a big shot to the head and Hale winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:29 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Rob Mugabe!
Rob Mugabe really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Vikai Gear logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.