PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Adeodatus Aurelius (ranked 3176 p4p, 5653 weight class) and Antonio Branco (ranked 207 p4p, 274 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Aurelius
vs
Branco

168 cm
19
144
3 - 3 - 0

155 cm
19
135
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Adeodatus Aurelius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Antonio Branco!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Mauricio Rocha and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Aurelius darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Branco slips under a jab.
Branco changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Aurelius looks to clinch

and Branco counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Branco seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Aurelius does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Branco wants to pass to mount but Aurelius is defending the position.
Aurelius trying to control here.
Branco trying to control the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Branco seems to be working for a kimura but Aurelius defends the submission attempt.
Aurelius trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Aurelius is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Branco pulls his head out easily.

Branco is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Aurelius defends it well.

Branco seems to be looking for submissions.

Branco seems to be looking for submissions.
Aurelius is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The fighters are battling for position here. Aurelius manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Branco looking to sit in guard and control but Aurelius gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Aurelius throws a big elbow that misses.
Aurelius stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Branco swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Aurelius trying to control the position from guard on top but Branco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Branco is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Aurelius is aware though and is defending well.

Branco throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Aurelius escapes and throws Branco's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Aurelius wants to lay and pray for a moment but Branco keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branco is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Branco is trying to maintain the position but Aurelius is very close to passing his half guard.
Aurelius is looking to take a break and control but Branco is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Branco wants to control but Aurelius is keeping busy.

Aurelius seems to be working for a kimura but Branco defends the submission attempt.
Branco desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Branco actively working from the bottom here.

Aurelius is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Branco is just riding it out for now. Aurelius eventually gives up the hold.
Branco is holding on to half guard well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Branco makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Branco.
Branco keeping moving, preventing Aurelius from controlling successfully.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Antonio Branco will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Aurelius throws a body punch but Branco moves out of range.
Branco feints the counter takedown.
Aurelius throws a right hand that misses

and Branco decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Aurelius's guard.
Aurelius will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Aurelius trying to control the position.
Branco is looking to advance position but Aurelius has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Branco is desperately trying to improve his position but Aurelius has a good base and remains in mount.
Aurelius throwing strikes here but Branco is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Branco regains half guard.
Aurelius definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Branco actively working from the bottom here.
Aurelius trying to control the action but Branco is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Branco actively working from the bottom here.

Branco looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Branco is defending against the submission attempts here by Aurelius.

Aurelius wants to work for an arm triangle but Branco is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Branco is staying active underneath Aurelius, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Branco has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Aurelius. Oh but Branco has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Aurelius goes limp - he's gone! Branco jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Antonio Branco!
A relieved looking Antonio Branco thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.