PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Katu Partio (ranked 132 p4p, 15 weight class) and Brando Reigns (ranked 293 p4p, 36 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Partio might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Sininen sunnuntai. Reigns is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Tragedy. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Partio
vs
Reigns

185 cm
33
163 lbs
23 - 12 - 1

166 cm
30
154 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Groove Gear

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 23 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Katu Partio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brando Reigns!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, William Peck and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reigns lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Partio misses with a body punch
and Reigns counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Partio takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Reigns throws a nice inside leg kick.
Partio throws a body punch but Reigns moves out of range.
Reigns swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Reigns walks into a straight right hand from Partio.
Reigns avoids the body shot from Partio.
Reigns listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Reigns misses with a straight right.
Reigns with a jab.
Reigns moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Partio looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Reigns throws a shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Partio swings for the body but Reigns moves out of range.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Reigns 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.
Reigns tries for a takedown but Partio sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A jab from Reigns does it's job there.
Partio throws a head kick but Reigns moves out of range.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Partio misses with a straight left.
Partio throws a lazy uppercut
and Reigns connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Partio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Partio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Partio misses with a hook. Reigns ducked under it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partio throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Reigns goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Partio throws a push kick but Reigns slaps the foot to one side.
Reigns ducks under a wild hook from Partio.
Reigns throws a lazy right hand but Partio sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Partio misses with a body kick.
Reigns is trying to counter with his kicks.
Nice body punch from Reigns.
Reigns scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Partio doesn't seem bothered though.
Partio scoring well with a low kick there.
Partio will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Reigns does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Partio throws a chopping leg kick but Reigns manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Reigns looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Partio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Reigns moves away.
Partio misses with a straight right.
The fighters circling - Reigns throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Reigns tries to land a leg kick but Partio saw it coming and moves away.
Partio throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Both fighters circling a little - Reigns finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reigns scores with a takedown into Partio's guard.
Reigns advances to half guard.

Partio looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Partio is staying active underneath Reigns, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Partio regains full guard. Nicely done.
Reigns is stalling in the full guard.
Reigns trying to control but Partio is working from the bottom.
Partio will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Partio tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Partio is working hard here to advance position.
Reigns stays in close to Partio's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Partio working for a triangle but Reigns defends it easily.
Reigns wants to control from the top but Partio keeps moving.
Reigns 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.
Reigns passes into half guard.

Partio is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Reigns pulls his head out easily.

Partio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Reigns is trying to control the action in half guard but Partio is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Reigns seems to be working for a kimura but Partio defends the submission attempt.

Partio looking for submissions off his back.
Reigns is pressing down on Partio's thigh, looking to free his foot. Partio is holding on for now.

Reigns is working for a submission of some sort.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Reigns avoids the body shot from Partio.
Reigns sizes up Partio with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Reigns moves out of range of the strikes.
Partio throws a hook but Reigns avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Reigns throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Partio throws the kick towards the body but Reigns avoids it.
Partio fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Reigns is out of range.
Partio tries to work over Reigns's front leg with a kick but Reigns checks it.
A slow jab from Partio misses its intended target.
Partio on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Reigns. Reigns obviously looking to wear him down.
Partio fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Reigns.
Reigns throws a shot from downtown. Partio moves away and avoids it.
Reigns throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Partio counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Partio avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Partio feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Reigns's calf.
A big right from Reigns misses.
Reigns takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Reigns tries to move into range but Partio moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reigns throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Katu Partio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reigns throws a shot from downtown. Partio moves away and avoids it.
Partio misses with a low kick.
Reigns takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Reigns jabs at Partio's body.
Partio is looking to land body kicks.
Partio uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Reigns.
Reigns tried to score with a low kick but Partio checks it.
Reigns throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reigns lands a lovely overhand right.
Partio blocks a jab.
Partio feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Reigns scores with a jab to the head.
Partio misses with a kick to the body.
Partio throws a push kick but Reigns slaps the foot to one side.
Partio checks the leg kick nicely there.
It looked like Partio wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Reigns checks a leg kick.
Reigns cracks Partio with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Reigns has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Reigns works the jab nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reigns wants to slow Partio down by chopping away at his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reigns misses with a looping left.
Reigns defending well as Partio loads up on a big left hand.
Reigns ducks under a wild hook from Partio.

Reigns darts in and clinches Partio up against the cage.
Partio lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Reigns looking to throw knees to the head but Partio is blocking nicely.
Partio blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Reigns lands a nice uppercut.
Partio swings wildly with an uppercut but Reigns uses good head movement to avoid it.
Reigns tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Partio takes a shot to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Reigns.
Reigns goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Partio misses with some punches.
Reigns lands with a light punch inside.
Reigns tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Partio's elbow.
Reigns tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Partio's elbow.
Partio struggles to land a body shot inside as Reigns controls his hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Partio blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Partio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Partio paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Brando Reigns seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Partio throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Reigns sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Reigns looks to score with a jab to the body but Partio is just out of range.
Reigns misses with an uppercut. Partio saw that one coming.
A little feinted left hand from Partio on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Reigns clobbers Partio with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Partio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Partio gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Reigns.
Reigns misses with a low kick.
Reigns uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Partio.
A solid leg kick lands there for Reigns.
Reigns throws a lazy body kick
and Partio cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Reigns changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Partio throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nice shot by Reigns.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Reigns lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Partio slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reigns misses with a straight right.
A little feinted left hand from Partio on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Reigns swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Reigns thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Partio if he has to take too many more of those.
A telegraphed right hand from Partio misses the target.
Reigns lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Reigns takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Partio blocks the body kick.
Reigns blocks the body kick.
Partio lands a jab to the nose.
Reigns throws out a loose jab but Partio uses good head movement to avoid it.
Reigns misses with a body kick.
Partio with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Reigns throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Partio will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Partio throws a front kick that sends Reigns stumbling back into the cage.
A nice leg kick lands there from Partio.
Reigns misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Brando Reigns will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Partio throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Partio tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Reigns thumps Partio with a low kick.
Partio connects with a crisp jab.
Reigns connects with a solid leg kick.
Partio misses with a body kick.
Reigns throws a leg kick but Partio sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Partio pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Partio uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Reigns.
Reigns moves out of range of the body kick.
Partio walks into a jab.
Reigns looks to throw the jab but Partio is out of range.
As Reigns backs away, Partio returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Partio throws a leg kick

and Reigns counters with a nice double leg into half 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!
Partio is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Partio trying to hold on to Reigns's head to control him but Reigns postures up.
Reigns prevents Partio from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Reigns seems to be looking for submissions.
Partio is looking to control Reigns's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Partio avoid being mounted?

Partio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Reigns passes to side control.
Partio tries to bench press Reigns off him but Reigns keeps the position.
Reigns works to advance to full mount. Partio defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Reigns wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Partio is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Katu Partio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reigns prevents Partio from getting the reversal.
Reigns wants to control the pace but Partio is squirming around nicely.

Reigns is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Partio has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Partio tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Reigns is trying to take his opponent's back.
Partio is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Partio gets back to half guard.
Reigns not doing much here.
Reigns wants to free his trapped foot but Partio is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Reigns uses his free foot to push down on Partio's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Partio.
Reigns forces the positional change into back control.
Partio is really stuck here.

Partio fending off the submission attempt from Reigns.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.
Partio tries to escape the position.
Reigns trying to control.

Reigns is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Partio is defending well though. Reigns let's go of the attempt for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Reigns missing with punches from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brando Reigns comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Reigns 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 Yves DeLean scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brando Reigns!
A relieved looking Brando Reigns thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.