PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bifjocky Tamali (ranked 6078 p4p, 557 weight class) and Philo Brathwaite (ranked 4435 p4p, 478 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Tamali
vs
Brathwaite

190 cm
25
193 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

190 cm
30
190 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bifjocky Tamali!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Philo Brathwaite!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Daniel Franklin and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tamali shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Brathwaite counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Tamali's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Tamali has managed to clinch.
Tamali tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short left from Tamali.
Brathwaite lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Brathwaite tries to work over Tamali's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Tamali breaks from the clinch.
Brathwaite throws a low kick but Tamali avoids it.
Brathwaite misses with a double jab.
Tamali is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Brathwaite.
Tamali throws a right and a left that Brathwaite avoids nicely.
Brathwaite is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Tamali thows a body kick. Brathwaite tries to catch it but that hurt him.
We've been informed that Brathwaite has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A big left from Tamali misses.
Brathwaite tries to counter by closing the distance.
Tamali misses with a straight left.
Tamali misses with a straight right.
No luck for Tamali with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamali misses with a wild body shot.
Brathwaite cracks Tamali with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

Tamali scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Tamali not doing much here.
Tamali seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Brathwaite for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brathwaite is trying to maintain the position but Tamali is very close to passing his half guard.
Tamali not doing much here.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Tamali shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Brathwaite sprawls well. Brathwaite wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tamali gets slowly back to his feet.
Brathwaite tries to counter with a clinch but Tamali shakes him off and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bifjocky Tamali. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tamali misses with a wild body shot.
Tamali fails to land the takedown.
Tamali shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Brathwaite defends it nicely.
A solid body kick from Tamali.
Tamali throws a right hand that misses
enabling Brathwaite to counter with a crisp jab.
A punch combination from Tamali misses.
Brathwaite tries to counter by closing the distance.
Brathwaite blocks the body kick.
Brathwaite steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Tamali.
Brathwaite tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tamali was well out of range. Poor timing from Brathwaite.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tamali misses with a looping right.
Brathwaite looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Tamali looks for a takedown but Brathwaite sprawls well.
Tamali fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Brathwaite avoids it really well and circles away.
Tamali just misses with a punch to the body.
Brathwaite blocks a head kick by Tamali.
Tamali scores with a push kick.
Tamali throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Brathwaite sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tamali throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Brathwaite.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tamali takes one to the side of the head.
Tamali misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bifjocky Tamali dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Tamali throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Brathwaite counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Brathwaite tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tamali's elbow.
Tamali goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tamali lands a left hand that snaps the head of Brathwaite backwards.
Brathwaite lands a body shot in the clinch.
Tamali prevents a body shot from Brathwaite.
Brathwaite lands a body shot in the clinch.
Brathwaite lands with a short shot to the head.
Brathwaite working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tamali prevents a body shot from Brathwaite.
Brathwaite tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A body shot lands from Brathwaite.
Tamali blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tamali lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Philo Brathwaite seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Brathwaite tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Brathwaite blocking some punches.
Tamali lands a shot to the body.
Tamali tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Brathwaite blocks a body shot from Tamali.
Brathwaite working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamali lands a right hand.
A short left from Brathwaite.
Tamali is trying to break free.
Tamali scores with a nice hook to the head.
Tamali tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Brathwaite's elbow.
Brathwaite lands an uppercut.
Tamali lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Tamali blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Tamali misses with a short punch on the inside.
Brathwaite tries a body shot but Tamali blocks it.
Brathwaite lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Good body shot from Brathwaite.
Tamali blocks an uppercut.
Tamali struggles to land a body shot inside as Brathwaite controls his hands.
Brathwaite misses with a hook to the ribs.
Brathwaite digs a right hand underneath Tamali's ribcage. Tamali let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Brathwaite misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tamali takes a shot to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Brathwaite breaks the clinch.
Brathwaite with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brathwaite stuffs the takedown attempt from Tamali. Tamali gets slowly back to his feet.
Tamali shoots in for a takedown but Brathwaite shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Tamali.
Brathwaite lands a body shot.
Brathwaite paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A chopping leg kick lands by Brathwaite.
Philo Brathwaite is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tamali fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bifjocky Tamali. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Brathwaite on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Brathwaite moves away from the strike by Tamali.
Brathwaite looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Tamali takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Tamali misses with a right hand

and Brathwaite counters by moving into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brathwaite can't find room to land a body shot as Tamali controls the action.
Brathwaite's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A right hand to the body from Brathwaite.
Brathwaite struggles to land a body shot inside as Tamali controls his hands.
Tamali swings wildly with an uppercut but Brathwaite uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tamali blocks a body shot from Brathwaite.
Tamali is trying to maintain a safe position but Brathwaite gets an underhook and turns Tamali into the cage.
Tamali misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tamali scores with a nice hook to the head.
Brathwaite lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A shot in the inside from Brathwaite.
Brathwaite scores with a hook to the body.
Tamali blocking some punches.
A short right from Brathwaite on the inside.
Tamali misses with a punch on the inside.
Tamali misses with a hook to the ribs.
Brathwaite blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Brathwaite can't find room to land a body shot as Tamali controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brathwaite is leaning against Tamali and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Brathwaite misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Brathwaite lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tamali backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brathwaite scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Brathwaite goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Brathwaite takes a shot to the head.
Brathwaite misses with a hook from the clinch.
Brathwaite tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tamali's elbow.
Brathwaite scores with a shot to the side of Tamali's head.
Brathwaite gets through Tamali's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Brathwaite is trying to maintain a safe position but Tamali gets an underhook and turns Brathwaite into the cage.
Tamali lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Brathwaite backwards.
Tamali wants to get back to striking at distance but Brathwaite won't allow it.
Tamali misses with a punch on the inside.
Brathwaite scores with a shoulder strike.
Tamali is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Brathwaite is keeping busy.
Good body shot from Brathwaite.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tamali blocks a body shot from Brathwaite.
Tamali lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Philo Brathwaite showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Tamali takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Brathwaite throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Brathwaite misses with a looping left.
Tamali thows a left - swing and a miss!
Tamali slips a straight right by Brathwaite.
Brathwaite ducks under a wild hook from Tamali.
Tamali misses with a takedown

and Brathwaite moves into the clinch.
Brathwaite struggles to land a body shot inside as Tamali controls his hands.
Brathwaite misses with a shot to the kidneys.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tamali misses with a body punch.
Brathwaite tries a body shot but Tamali blocks it.
Brathwaite lands an uppercut.
Brathwaite prevents Tamali from breaking the clinch.

Tamali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tamali throws a lazy head kick
and Brathwaite finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tamali throws a right hand that misses
and Brathwaite counters with an inside leg kick.
Good shot there by Brathwaite.
Philo Brathwaite seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Tamali throws a shot from downtown. Brathwaite moves away and avoids it.
Tamali misses with an uppercut
letting Brathwaite counter with a right hand.
Tamali fails to land the takedown.
Tamali uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Brathwaite.
Tamali fails to land with a series of punches.
Brathwaite misses with a low kick as Tamali jumps back.
Tamali tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Brathwaite on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bifjocky Tamali seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Brathwaite scores with a jab to the head.
Tamali gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Brathwaite counters by clinching up.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bifjocky Tamali. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brathwaite lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Tamali backwards.
Brathwaite tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tamali's elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brathwaite tries a body shot but Tamali blocks it.
Brathwaite struggles to land a body shot inside as Tamali controls his hands.
Brathwaite scores with a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Tamali misses with some punches.
Brathwaite misses with a body punch.
Tamali lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Brathwaite misses with a body punch.
Tamali fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Brathwaite throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Tamali wants to break free but Brathwaite has control.
Brathwaite works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Brathwaite lands a left hand that snaps the head of Tamali backwards.
Brathwaite doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Brathwaite lands with a right to the head.
Tamali prevents a body shot from Brathwaite.
Brathwaite works on Tamali's body with a couple of short punches.
Brathwaite stalls.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tamali lands with a left to the head.
Tamali tries a body shot but Brathwaite blocks it.
A short body shot lands from Brathwaite as the two fighters clinch.
Tamali blocks a body shot from Brathwaite.
A right hand to the body from Brathwaite.
Tamali can't find room to land a body shot as Brathwaite controls the action.
Tamali tries a body shot but Brathwaite blocks it.
Brathwaite lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tamali tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right from Brathwaite on the inside.
Brathwaite has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Tamali pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Brathwaite feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Tamali's calf.
Donk. Brathwaite catches Tamali right on the button with a cross.
Some bone on bone action there as Tamali checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Tamali throws a left and a right that both miss
and Brathwaite counters with a slapping leg kick.
Brathwaite lands a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tamali with a nice cross.
Brathwaite tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tamali shoots for a takedown but Brathwaite saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tamali throws out a loose jab but Brathwaite uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tamali missing with a left hand there. Brathwaite was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Brathwaite keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Tamali looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tamali connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Brathwaite defending well as Tamali loads up on a big left hand.
Tamali scores with a shot to the body.
Brathwaite blocks a head kick by Tamali.
Brathwaite fails in his attempt to clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Philo Brathwaite comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Brathwaite 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 Wesley Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Philo Brathwaite!