PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kobe Bryant (ranked 3124 p4p, 2113 weight class) and Bruno Miranda (ranked 373 p4p, 278 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bryant
vs
Miranda

184 cm
34
195
16 - 19 - 1

190 cm
27
210
8 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
KO power

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Furnace Performance ðŸ”¥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 19 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bruno Miranda!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shigeki Fujiwara and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Miranda moves into the clinch.
Bryant tries to pull guard but Miranda forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Miranda wants a takedown.
Miranda tries to score a body lock takedown but Bryant shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Bryant ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bryant no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bryant is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Miranda defends well.
My spies in 3Band MMA inform me that Miranda has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Miranda trying to control the position from guard on top but Bryant is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Bryant manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Miranda wants a takedown but no success here.
Kobe Bryant has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bruno Miranda.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bryant gets underhooks to prevent Miranda's takedown attempt.
Miranda is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Miranda drops down looking for an ankle pick but Bryant pulls his leg out and moves away.
Miranda is trying hard to land a takedown here. Bryant sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Bryant avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Miranda misses with a two punch combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miranda throws a hook to the side of Bryant's head but Bryant sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Bryant is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Miranda.
Bryant staying out of range there.
Miranda throws a big shot that misses.
Miranda throws a shot from downtown. Bryant moves away and avoids it.
As Miranda looks to move away, Bryant throws a big counter combo but Miranda just gets out of the way.
Bryant blocks a jab.
Bryant scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

It looks like Bruno Miranda has been cut.
Bryant fails to land with a series of punches.
Miranda with the counter takedown but Bryant avoids it easily.
Bryant thuds his right hand into Miranda's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Bryant misses with the combination.
Miranda throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bryant.
Bryant wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Miranda throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Miranda tries to clinch there but Bryant circles away.
Bryant seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Miranda lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miranda misses with a straight right.
No joy there for Bryant, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Miranda wants to counter with a clinch but Bryant pushes him away.
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!
Miranda scores with a hook.
Bryant has been working on his boxing with his coaches at LA FIGHT BARN in the buildup to the fight.
Miranda pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Miranda ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bryant moves away.
Bryant doesn't manage to clinch there - Miranda circles away.
Miranda swings for the body but Bryant moves out of range.
Miranda thows a left - swing and a miss!
Miranda looks to land a right hand but Bryant moved out of range.
Miranda takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Miranda tries to counter with a clinch but Bryant shakes him off and moves away.
Miranda loads up on a big right hand but Bryant slips the punch.
Bryant throws a nice looking combination but Miranda bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Bryant looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Miranda tries to keep at a distance but Bryant has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miranda misses with a hook from the clinch.
Miranda drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bryant gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Bryant jumps guard but Miranda turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Bryant is trying to pull guard but Miranda has him pressed against the cage.
Miranda wants to take the fight to the mat but Bryant manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Bryant is trying to pull guard but Miranda turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Bryant ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Bryant no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Bryant working for a triangle but Miranda defends it easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Miranda's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Bryant is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Miranda defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bryant can't keep his opponent in guard - Miranda advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Miranda passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Bryant!
Miranda is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Bryant is trying desperately to improve position.

Miranda goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Bryant turns into him and now he's in Miranda's 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!
Bryant preventing the sweep.
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 Kobe Bryant will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bruno Miranda's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Miranda misses with a wild combination.
A counter left hand to the body from Bryant misses its target.
Bryant misses with a head kick.
Miranda lands with a right hand.
Bryant throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bryant moves out of range of the body kick.
Bryant is looking for a counter combo.
Miranda shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bryant as he jumps to the side.
It looked like Bryant was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Miranda.
Miranda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bryant.
Bryant keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Miranda.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bryant shoots in for a takedown but Miranda shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And Miranda tries to counter it with a takedown but Bryant pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Miranda waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bryant.
Bryant fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Miranda misses with a looping right.
Miranda uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bryant.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miranda looks to land a right hand but Bryant moved out of range.
Bruno Miranda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bryant takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Miranda might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Bryant tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Miranda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bruno Miranda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bryant throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Miranda changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Miranda.
Bryant misses with a head kick.
Bryant shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Miranda misses with a wild body shot.
Miranda comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bryant misses with a jab, cross combination.
Bryant takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bryant doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bryant bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Miranda stuffs the takedown attempt from Bryant. Bryant gets slowly back to his feet.
Bryant steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Miranda.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A slow jab from Miranda misses its intended target.
A combination from Bryant does no damage.
Miranda misses with a body shot
and Bryant counters with a series of strikes. Miranda will be more careful next time no doubt.
Miranda paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Miranda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bryant manages to avoid it.
Bryant wants to clinch.
Miranda fails to land with a series of punches.
Bryant takes a swing at Miranda's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miranda throws a looping overhand right but Bryant ducks down to avoid it.
Kobe Bryant is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bryant tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Miranda paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Miranda throws a poor cross that misses

and Bryant holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Bryant pulls guard effortlessly.

Bryant had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Miranda defends it easily.
Miranda 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.

Bryant working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Miranda doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Miranda manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Miranda got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bryant has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Miranda has managed to get both his arms back between Bryant's legs - danger averted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miranda advances to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bryant moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Miranda avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Miranda postures up and lands a big shot to Bryant's brow.
Bryant has momentary wrist control but Miranda slips an elbow through the middle.

Bryant is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Miranda is aware though and is defending well.
Kobe Bryant overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bryant keeping moving, preventing Miranda from controlling successfully.
Miranda lands a couple of digs.
Miranda wants to control from the top but Bryant keeps moving.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Bruno Miranda showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Bruno Miranda's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Bryant tries to clinch there but Miranda circles away.
Bryant lands a nice hook to Miranda's body. Miranda takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Miranda lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Bryant uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Miranda.
Bryant takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Bryant takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Miranda shoots in and drives through. Bryant sprawls well.
Miranda misses with a takedown

and Bryant holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bryant pulls guard successfully.
Miranda lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Bryant looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Bryant looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bryant looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Miranda sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Bryant's guard.
Miranda works his way into side control.
Miranda content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Miranda lands some shots froms side control.
Miranda creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Bryant struggling a bit here.
Miranda cracks Bryant with a big elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miranda has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Bryant!
Miranda breaks from Bryant's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Bryant manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Miranda takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Miranda wants to work for an arm triangle but Bryant is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Miranda lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Bryant looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Miranda slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryant is trying to get back to full guard.
Miranda is trying to control the action in half guard but Bryant is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bryant gets back to full guard.
Miranda in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Bryant has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Miranda can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Miranda wants to control from the top but Bryant keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Bryant had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Miranda defends it easily.
Miranda slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Miranda is looking to take a break and control but Bryant is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bryant is trying to get back to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruno Miranda comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Miranda 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 28:29
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruno Miranda!
Our winner, Bruno Miranda, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.