PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Davdio Branko (ranked 1006 p4p, 2355 weight class) and Michal Sykora (ranked 79 p4p, 173 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Branko
vs
Sykora

180 cm
35
144
27 - 26 - 0

170 cm
29
142
14 - 15 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡
Furnace Performance 🔥

Furnace Performance 🔥

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 27 - 26 - 0, fighting out of London, Davdio Branko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michal Sykora!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Gwen Towbar and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sykora pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nice jab there from Sykora.
Sykora lands the left hand.
Sykora fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Branko is out of range.
Branko misses with a takedown attempt - Sykora sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Sykora is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Branko.
Branko shoots for a takedown but Sykora saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Branko fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davdio Branko. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Branko closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Branko prevents Sykora from standing back up.
Branko wants to free his trapped foot but Sykora is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Branko seems to be working for a kimura but Sykora defends the submission attempt.
Branko is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Sykora!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Branko looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Sykora is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Branko with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Sykora wants to try and get back to his feet.

Branko with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Sykora somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
A big left from Sykora misses.
Branko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sykora throws out the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Branko decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Branko tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sykora knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sykora tries to kick Branko off but Branko keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Branko is working for a submission of some sort.

Branko is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Branko seems to be working for a kimura but Sykora defends the submission attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sykora is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Branko is working for a kimura but Sykora is defending it quite comfortably.

Branko is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Sykora looks like he's trying to stand up.

Branko wants to work for an arm triangle but Sykora is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sykora tries to kick Branko off but Branko keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Branko is trying to work for a kimura but Sykora is defending well.
Sykora tries to kick Branko off but Branko keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Branko tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sykora knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

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

Branko is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Sykora as he works his way to full guard.
Sykora is looking to stand up but Branko isn't so interested in that idea.
Branko pushing down on Sykora's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sykora wants to get back to his feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Branko seems to be working for a kimura but Sykora defends the submission attempt.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Davdio Branko will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Sykora throws a low kick but Branko avoids it.
Branko half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Some wild striking there from Sykora.
Branko tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Sykora defends well and Branko ends up having to push Sykora into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Branko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sykora prevents it.
Branko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Sykora throws a knee to the head but misses.
Branko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Sykora fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davdio Branko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sykora looks to land a left hand but Branko moved out of range nicely.
Branko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sykora.
Branko seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Branko slips a jab from Sykora.
Branko walks into a jab.
Michal Sykora seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sykora with a jab.
Branko dives in and grabs Sykora's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sykora pushes down on Branko's head and hops out.
Sykora takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Branko shoots in looking for a takedown. Sykora tries to sprawl out of it but Branko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sykora manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab by Sykora.
Sykora throws a jab when Branko was well out of range.
Branko half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sykora scores with a hook.
Branko takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Sykora displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Branko.
Sykora throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Sykora swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Branko attempts a counter takedown but Sykora avoids it well and moves away.
Branko looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Michal Sykora is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sykora feints and then cracks Branko's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Branko down.
Sykora throws a head kick that half lands.
Branko tries for a takedown but Sykora sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branko takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
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.
Sykora misses the jab.

Branko shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sykora napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Branko is trying to get an arm triangle but Sykora is defending well.

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!

Sykora throws Branko to one side and escapes!
Sykora moves into range and connects with a jab.
Branko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Branko with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sykora counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A low kick lands for Sykora.
Michal Sykora seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sykora swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Branko decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sykora's guard.

Sykora wriggles free and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Sykora. Beautiful body shot.

Branko drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sykora is looking to stand up but Branko isn't so interested in that idea.

Branko is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Branko postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Sykora is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Branko, into his guard.

Branko working for submissions but it's allowed Sykora to get to half guard.
Sykora slows the pace down in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branko is looking for a sweep. Sykora is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Branko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Branko is looking for a sweep. Sykora is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Sykora decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Sykora misses with a hook

and Branko counters with a shoot takedown. Sykora fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Sykora manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Sykora with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

It looks like Davdio Branko has been cut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Branko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sykora gets the underhooks and prevents it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Michal Sykora 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!

Branko darts in trying to clinch
and Sykora counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Branko looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sykora is fending him off so far but Branko persists. Nope, Sykora circles away and we're back to standing.
Branko closes the distance and clinches up with Sykora, looking for a takedown. Branko pushes Sykora against the cage but Sykora circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Branko staying out of range there.
Sykora throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Sykora throws a nice outside leg kick.
Horrible takedown attempt by Branko or perhaps it was just good defense by Sykora, which made it look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Davdio Branko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Branko's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Sykora connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Branko scrambles back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sykora scores with a nice strike.
Sykora lands with a straight right. Branko didn't see that one coming.
Sykora looks to throw the jab but Branko is out of range.
Branko walks into a left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branko takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sykora defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Branko.
A slapping leg kick lands for Sykora.
Sykora scores with a spinning back kick!
Good exchange - Sykora coming out on top.
Sykora ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Branko tries for a takedown but Sykora circles away easily
and Sykora counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Branko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Sykora avoids it really well and circles away.
Sykora misses with a hook. Branko ducked under it nicely.
Sykora moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Sykora misses the jab.
Branko ducks under a wild hook from Sykora.
Branko tries to counter with a takedown but Sykora is quick to defend against it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sykora tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Branko with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Sykora to score with a decent uppercut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Branko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sykora as he avoids it easily.
Branko stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Sykora.
Sykora connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Branko's hands.
Sykora throws an overhand right that lands on Branko's shoulder, as Branko tries to avoid the shot.
Sykora waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Branko.
Branko tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sykora swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sykora works Branko's body with a nice hook.
Sykora has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Sykora scores with a hook.
Branko closes this distance looking for a takedown but Sykora circles away.
It seemed like Sykora was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A swing and a miss from Sykora.
Branko tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Sykora manages to circle out of the way.
Sykora bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Sykora throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branko tries to clinch up
and Sykora counters with a nice uppercut.
Sykora cracks a nice hook into Branko's ribs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sykora.
Sykora fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Sykora has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sykora misses with a hook.
Branko goes for a double leg but Sykora avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Sykora continues to drive forward.
Sykora pushes Branko back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Sykora misses with a knee to the head.
Branko looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Branko tries for a takedown. No joy.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sykora.
Branko drops down looking for an ankle pick but Sykora pulls his leg out and moves away.
Branko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A big left from Sykora misses.
Branko feinted with a counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branko moves away from the strike by Sykora.
Sykora stuffs the takedown attempt from Branko. Branko gets slowly back to his feet.
Sykora lands a front kick.
Sykora throws a hook but Branko avoids it easily.
Sykora misses with an uppercut.
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!
Sykora throws a nice head kick!
Branko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sykora throws a nice outside leg kick.
Branko slips a jab and a cross from Sykora.
Branko tries to counter with a takedown but Sykora is quick to defend against it.
Branko drops his hands momentarily and Sykora takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sykora pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Branko drops down looking for a counter takedown but Sykora sprawls and moves away.
Branko on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sykora darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Michal Sykora comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sykora 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:29
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Michal Sykora!