PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Brutus Brannagan (ranked 1943 p4p, 218 weight class) and Yoki Mayoniko (ranked 1650 p4p, 190 weight class). Brutus Brannagan looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Brannagan
vs
Mayoniko

178 cm
28
175 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

185 cm
32
185 lbs
14 - 8 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sportivité

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brutus Brannagan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Yoki Mayoniko!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brannagan walks into a stiff left hand from Mayoniko.
Brannagan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mayoniko takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Mayoniko has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Mayoniko buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Brutus Brannagan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
An inside leg kick from Brannagan misses.
Brannagan misses with a hook
and Mayoniko connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Brannagan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Mayoniko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Mayoniko misses with a hook.
Brannagan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mayoniko was well out of range. Poor timing from Brannagan.

Mayoniko closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Brannagan's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Brannagan keeping full guard, as Mayoniko tries to pass.
Mayoniko preventing the sweep.
Brannagan keeping moving, preventing Mayoniko from controlling successfully.
Mayoniko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Brannagan swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mayoniko is pushing down on Brannagan's leg trying to pass to half guard. Brannagan is fighting to maintain full guard but Mayoniko has managed to sneak the leg through.
Brannagan's coaches at The Beast have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Mayoniko is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Mayoniko wants to take Brannagan's back here but Brannagan is holding on to an arm, himself looking to escape.

Mayoniko looking for a guillotine from mount but Brannagan is having none of it.
Brannagan wants to hold on but Mayoniko pushes him away.
Mayoniko controlling his opponent.

Mayoniko working for a guillotine from mount but Brannagan is in no mood to give up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brannagan can't escape the position.
Brannagan wants to control but Mayoniko is having none of it.
Brannagan slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Brannagan keeping control of the position.
Mayoniko content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Mayoniko wants to pass to mount but Brannagan is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brannagan wants to get back to full guard.
Mayoniko looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Brannagan preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Mayoniko works his way into full mount!
Mayoniko looking to control but Brannagan is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four 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.
Brannagan is looking to get to half guard.
Brannagan wants to control but Mayoniko is having none of it.
Mayoniko moves to take his opponent's back.
Brannagan is trying to break free.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Mayoniko has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Brannagan tries to roll but Mayoniko sticks to his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yoki Mayoniko dominated that round.
That's time! Brannagan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Mayoniko blocks a leg kick.
Mayoniko connects with a good right hand that stumbles Brannagan. Brannagan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Mayoniko smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Brannagan moves out of range of the body kick from Mayoniko.
Brannagan loads up on a big right hand but Mayoniko slips the punch.
Mayoniko throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Brannagan feints and as Mayoniko raises his hands in defense, Brannagan changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Brannagan with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Mayoniko looking to control.

Mayoniko has his foot on Brannagan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Brannagan works his way back into a safe position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brannagan trying to control the position from guard on top but Mayoniko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Brannagan controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Mayoniko looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brannagan preventing the sweep.
Mayoniko keeping full guard, as Brannagan tries to pass.
Brannagan throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Mayoniko trying to control the position.
Mayoniko has his hands on Brannagan's head, controlling the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Brannagan misses with a looping right.
Mayoniko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Brannagan throws a lazy body kick
and Mayoniko counters with a leg kick.
Mayoniko misses with a wild body shot.
Mayoniko scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Yoki Mayoniko seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Mayoniko lands a nice hook to Brannagan's body. Brannagan takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brannagan moves out of range of the strikes.
Brannagan is looking to slow Mayoniko down with leg kicks.
Mayoniko scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A thudding body kick lands there by Brannagan!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brannagan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Brannagan throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A swing and a miss from Mayoniko.
Brannagan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mayoniko sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mayoniko lands with a nice body punch.
A thudding body kick lands there by Mayoniko!
Brannagan misses with a hook.
Mayoniko steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Brannagan. That one must have hurt.

Brannagan closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Brannagan lands in his opponent's guard.
Mayoniko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Brannagan's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Mayoniko is looking for a triangle but Brannagan pushes his legs off easily.

Mayoniko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mayoniko can't keep his opponent in guard - Brannagan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Brannagan is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Mayoniko is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Mayoniko keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Brannagan is trying to control the action in half guard but Mayoniko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Brannagan stalling away here and it's allowed Mayoniko to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Brannagan won't allow Mayoniko to sweep him here.

Brannagan avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Brannagan stays in close to Mayoniko's body and controls the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Yoki Mayoniko will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Mayoniko lands with a nice body punch.
Nice cross by Brannagan.

Brannagan shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Mayoniko napping and manages to drive through into side control!
You can see the frustration on Mayoniko's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Brannagan just content to control the position.
Brannagan moves into full mount!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mayoniko sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Brannagan is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Mayoniko is trying to keep Brannagan in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brannagan makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Mayoniko escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Brannagan gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Brannagan trying to control the position from guard on top but Mayoniko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Mayoniko is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Brannagan defends well.
Mayoniko keeping moving, preventing Brannagan from controlling successfully.
Yoki Mayoniko has got the better of the ground game so far.
Mayoniko is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Mayoniko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Brannagan throws a big right hand that misses.

Mayoniko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Brannagan doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Brannagan manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mayoniko trying to control the position here.

Mayoniko is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Yoki Mayoniko is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mayoniko working for submissions but it's allowed Brannagan to get to half guard.
Still in half guard, Brannagan seems content to control.
Mayoniko tries to get to full guard but Brannagan has control of the leg.
Mayoniko is staying active underneath Brannagan, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Mayoniko manages to get to full guard.
Brannagan keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Mayoniko's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Brannagan trying to control but Mayoniko is working from the bottom.
Mayoniko wants to sweep but no luck.
Mayoniko keeping moving, preventing Brannagan from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Brannagan scores with a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Mayoniko.
Brannagan throws a wild body kick that Mayoniko sees coming a mile off.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A punch lands to the side of Mayoniko 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Brannagan misses with a hook to the body
letting Mayoniko counter with a right hand.
Brutus Brannagan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brannagan throws a nice looking combination but Mayoniko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brutus Brannagan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mayoniko has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!