PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Davdio Branko (ranked 1335 p4p, 955 weight class) and Charlie River (ranked 80 p4p, 55 weight class). River has chosen Waylon Jennings - I've Always Been Crazy as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Branko
vs
River

180 cm
27
144
15 - 12 - 0

170 cm
26
143
17 - 9 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
New Standard

Conquer
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Davdio Branko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Charlie River!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Winston Howard and Summer Carpenter.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Branko wants to clinch but River slips to the side
and Branko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
River connects with a single shot there.
River with a body punch. A glancing blow.
River throws out a loose jab but Branko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Branko appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Branko takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Branko really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
River throws a hook but Branko avoids it easily.
River throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jab by River.
River lands a head shot.
River stuffs the takedown attempt from Branko. Branko gets slowly back to his feet.
It seemed like River was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Branko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Branko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
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!
Branko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davdio Branko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branko shoots in for a double leg but River sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice defenses there by Branko.
Branko shoots in looking for a takedown. River tries to sprawl out of it but Branko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. River manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
River throws a fast counter high kick but Branko manages to duck under it in time.
River jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Branko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says River as he avoids it easily.
A chopping leg kick lands by River.
River throws out a loose jab but Branko uses good head movement to avoid it.
River jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Branko shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
River stuffs the takedown.
Branko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as River sprawls well. River wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Branko gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by River.
Charlie River is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
River lands with a cross.
Branko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts River as he jumps to the side.
Branko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
River has worked on his takedown defense in the runup to this fight and it is paying off so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right-left combo lands from River.

It looks like Davdio Branko has been cut.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Branko.
River misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
River cracks a nice hook into Branko's ribs.
Branko shoots in and drives through. River sprawls well.
River throws a head kick but Branko moves out of range.
Branko slips under a jab from River.
Branko darts in looking for a takedown but River gets double underhooks and turns Branko into the cage.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from River! But no joy.
River misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Branko tries for a takedown but River manages to get underhooks.
River scores with a hook to the body.
Branko tries for a takedown but River manages to get underhooks.
River lands with a light punch inside.
River lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
River misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Branko.
Branko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Branko wants to take the fight to the mat but River manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
River lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River is pressed up against the cage. Branko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag River down to the mat. River avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Branko doesn't succeed with the takedown
and River counters with a nice uppercut.
Branko is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
River is looking to slow Branko down with leg kicks.
Branko darts in looking for a takedown but River gets double underhooks and turns Branko into the cage.
Branko tries for a takedown. No joy.
Branko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but River gets the underhooks and prevents it.
River lands a left hand.
Branko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by River after a bit of a struggle.
Branko fails to pull guard.
River tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
River lands a nice shot to the body.
River lands a left hand that snaps the head of Branko backwards.
River scores with a nice hook to the head.
Branko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but River gets the underhooks and prevents it.
River taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie River dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Davdio Branko's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

River dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Branko. That did some damage!

Branko shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
River won't allow Branko to pass to mount.

Branko looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
River has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
River pushes Branko off looking to stand but Branko dives back in and keeps control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Branko is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but River still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, River has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Branko manages to get back to half guard.

Branko actively working from the bottom here.
River wants to stand but Branko has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Branko looking for subs from the bottom but River mounts him!

River get's back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from River. No joy for Branko on that attempt.
Branko with a lazy takedown attempt
and River counters with a flying knee. Nice.
River lands with a nice combination. Branko backs away looking to recover.

Branko is rocked!
River misses with a two punch combination.
Branko tries to counter with a takedown but River is quick to defend against it.
Oh Branko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Branko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
River is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Branko with a body shot.
Branko seems to have got his legs back now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davdio Branko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Branko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and River counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Branko is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Branko avoids the body shot from River.
Branko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Branko showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from River.
River misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Branko.
Horrible takedown attempt by Branko or perhaps it was just good defense by River, which made it look bad.
Branko tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but River defends well and Branko ends up having to push River into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

River breaks from the clinch.
River thumps Branko with a low kick.
River wants to land a leg kick but Branko is out of range.
Branko tries to counter with a takedown but River is quick to defend against it.
River slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Branko is trying hard to land a takedown here. River sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Branko chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before River can pounce on him.
River lands with a cross.
A solid leg kick lands there for River.
River slaps away a takedown attempt from Branko, before circling back to the center of the mat.
River tries to score with a low kick but Branko moves his leg out of the way.
River swings away with a body shot that misses

and Branko counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

River manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branko is trying hard to land a takedown here. River sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
River will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
River ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Branko chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before River can pounce on him.
Branko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? River is fending him off so far but Branko persists. Nope, River circles away and we're back to standing.
River stuns Branko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
River thuds a left hand into Branko's body.
River connects with a solid leg kick.
River lands a right hook to the body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from River. Branko shrugs it off though.
Branko misses with a takedown
and River connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Charlie River showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Davdio Branko's cut.
That's time! Branko's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A nice leg kick lands there from River.
River misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Branko changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Branko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Branko takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Branko takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
River getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
River connects with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Branko wants to clinch but River slips to the side
and River counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
An inside leg kick lands from River.
Branko shoots in but River avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A little jabbing left from River on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A nice side step and River releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davdio Branko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
River throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Branko drops down looking for a counter takedown but River sprawls and moves away.
River throws a nice head kick!

Branko fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with River, pushing him back against the cage.
River lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Branko or not.
River prevents a takedown attempt there.
Branko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. River fights it off and pushes away nicely.
River connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Branko momentarily.
Nice body punch from River.
River with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Charlie River seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
River pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
River throws an overhand right that lands on Branko's shoulder, as Branko tries to avoid the shot.
River looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Branko is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Branko is trying hard to land a takedown here. River sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
River looks to throw a body kick

and Branko counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
River prevents Branko from moving into mount.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if River can do anything to dispel that myth.

Branko swings around for an armbar but River sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Branko's guard.

Branko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Branko is looking for a triangle here but River uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branko looking for a sweep but River has passed into full mount! Oh no!

River gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Branko gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
River throws a half hearted mid kick.
Branko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
River is looking to slow Branko down with leg kicks.
Horrible takedown attempt by Branko or perhaps it was just good defense by River, which made it look bad.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
River takes a swing at Branko's ribcage but misses.
River shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Branko eats them both and turns towards River to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
River steps in with a hook that catches Branko right on the chin and knocks him to the floor! River follows him down with more strikes and that's all she wrote! Branko looks absolutely devastated.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:17 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Charlie River!
A victorious Charlie River thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.