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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tom Drechsler (ranked 25460 p4p, 5272 weight class) and Tom Branch (ranked 428 p4p, 398 weight class). Drechsler's entrance music is Back in Black. A fine choice. Branch is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by 28 by Zach Bryan. Man, I cannot wait for this one!
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| 185 cm
25
155
1 - 3 - 0 |
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165 cm
24
155
2 - 2 - 0 |
BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced |
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Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Likes musicals |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tom Drechsler!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Branch!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and Andrew Berry.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Drechsler tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Branch manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Drechsler will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Branch fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Branch tries to bum rush Drechsler with a series of wild strikes but Drechsler uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Drechsler shoots in but no luck this time.
Drechsler fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Branch, pushing him back against the cage.
Branch looking for a takedown.
Drechsler is looking to control Branch's arms but Branch gets an underhook and turns him. Now Drechsler has his back to the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Drechsler.
The referee calls for Branch to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drechsler jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Branch walks away with a smile on his face. Drechsler gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Drechsler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Branch tries to score a power double leg takedown but Drechsler sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Branch somewhat.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Branch throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Drechsler gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Branch works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Branch gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Drechsler regains guard.
Drechsler is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Branch presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Branch drops down looking for an ankle pick but Drechsler pulls his leg out and moves away.
Branch takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Drechsler tries a head kick but it misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branch throws a sloppy head kick and Drechsler moves out of range easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Drechsler tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Branch paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Drechsler tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
As Drechsler backs off Branch throws a huge counter combo but Drechsler manages to avoid it all.
Branch slaps away a takedown attempt from Drechsler, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Drechsler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Branch tries to avoid it but Drechsler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Branch to the ground. Branch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Drechsler avoids a punch combination nicely.
Branch throws a head kick that misses.
Drechsler tries to close the distance and clinch but Branch swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Branch changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Drechsler looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drechsler is not content to let Branch control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Branch looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Branch controls the position.
Branch working away.
Branch moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Drechsler sneaks back into half guard.
Branch slows the pace down in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Drechsler trying to control here.
Drechsler tries to roll over but Branch keeps him under control.
Branch working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Tom Branch dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Drechsler tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Branch counters with a single leg into guard. Drechsler didn't expect that.
Drechsler keeping full guard, as Branch tries to pass.
Branch is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Branch postures up.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Drechsler wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Branch sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Branch works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Branch with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Branch is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Branch content to control rather than advance.
Drechsler is looking to control Branch's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Drechsler avoid being mounted?
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.
Drechsler is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Branch is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Drechsler tries to get to full guard but Branch has control of the leg.
Branch is taking a breather. Drechsler says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Drechsler avoids the head kick by Branch.
Branch slaps away a takedown attempt from Drechsler, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Drechsler tries to land a front kick but Branch steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Drechsler tries to clinch but Branch moves out of range.
Drechsler really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Drechsler changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Branch tries to avoid it but Drechsler manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Branch to the ground. Branch escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branch stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Branch wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tom Drechsler. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Drechsler ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Branch moves away.
Branch lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Branch is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Drechsler.
Drechsler lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Branch circles away quickly and effectively.
Drechsler leaves Branch with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Branch shoots in for a takedown but Drechsler shows good takedown defense.
Branch walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Drechsler checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Branch bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Drechsler is trying to improve his position.
Branch slows the pace down.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Drechsler taking a bit of punishment here - Branch scoring with strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Drechsler is not content to let Branch control the position.
Drechsler can't do much from the bottom here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Tom Branch showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Branch shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Drechsler napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Branch moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Branch landing a few strikes.
Branch is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Drechsler will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Drechsler wants to control but Branch postures up.
Branch tries to stand but Drechsler is controlling his head.
Drechsler taking a bit of punishment here - Branch scoring with strikes.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Drechsler dodges the ground and pound from Branch.
A lull in the action here as Branch stalls from top position.
Drechsler taking a bit of punishment here - Branch scoring with strikes.
Drechsler seems a little lost for a moment, as Branch dominates the positioning.
Tom Branch is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Branch working away.
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.
Drechsler seems a little lost for a moment, as Branch dominates the positioning.
Tom Branch has got the better of the ground game so far.
Branch wants to lay and pray for a moment but Drechsler keeps working.
Drechsler is trying to get back to half guard.
Branch controls the position from side control.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Drechsler moves in looking to clinch but Branch pushes him off.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Drechsler tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Branch swivels and escapes.
Drechsler doesn't manage to clinch there - Branch circles away.
Branch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Drechsler as he jumps to the side.
Drechsler drops down looking for a counter takedown but Branch sprawls and moves away.
Drechsler avoids the head kick by Branch.
Branch closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Drechsler struggling a bit here.
Branch just content to control the position.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branch tries to stand but Drechsler is controlling his head.
Branch trying to control the position but Drechsler is working away.
Branch controlling the position from side mount.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Branch working the ground and pound from side control.
Tom Drechsler has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Branch comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Branch winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Branch!
Tom Branch opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
30% |
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