PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Davdio Branko (ranked 303 p4p, 234 weight class) and Balagot Liu (ranked 15 p4p, 13 weight class). 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?

Branko
vs
Liu

180 cm
30
144
22 - 17 - 0

173 cm
34
138
31 - 12 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Bondi MMA 🏝️

SynCity Fightwear
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

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 22 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Davdio Branko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 12 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Balagot Liu!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Liu, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Branko instigates a clinch.
Liu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Branko is trying to drag Liu to the mat but Liu just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Branko tries to score a body lock takedown but Liu shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Branko is trying to pull guard but Liu turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davdio Branko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Liu manages to break the clinch.
Branko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Branko shoots in looking for a takedown but Liu manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Branko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A swing and a miss from Liu.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Liu throws a shot from downtown. Branko moves away and avoids it.
Liu throws a jab but it's blocked by Branko.
Branko is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Liu stuffs the takedown attempt from Branko. Branko gets slowly back to his feet.
Sloppy strikes from Liu. Those never looked like landing.
Balagot Liu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Liu.
Branko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Liu.
Liu throws a nice outside leg kick.
Liu thuds his right hand into Branko's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Liu misses with a right hand

and Branko counters with a takedown into side control.

Branko looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Branko tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Branko has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Branko is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Liu is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Branko is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Liu has escaped the position, nice work there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Branko goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Liu rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Branko's guard! Nice work there by Liu!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Branko working for a triangle but Liu defends it easily.

Liu got a little sloppy there for a moment and Branko has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Liu has managed to get both his arms back between Branko's legs - danger averted.
Liu really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Branko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Branko is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Branko has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Liu defend it? Branko steps over the head and cranks it - Liu is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Branko!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Davdio Branko!