PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Derrick Rankinstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tycho Branco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rankinstein comes to the cage accompanied by Going Back To Cali by LL Cool J. Branco has chosen Feel Happiness as his entrance music. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Rankinstein
vs
Branco

169 cm
23
147 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

170 cm
26
141 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Balco Boys - Hilo

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 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Derrick Rankinstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tycho Branco!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rankinstein moves into the clinch.
Branco trying to land knees to the body.
Rankinstein is struggling to control the position.
Rankinstein using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Branco has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Branco misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein tries to work over Branco's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rankinstein stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Branco lands a right hand.
Rankinstein can't find room to land a body shot as Branco controls the action.
Rankinstein on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Rankinstein is trying to stall.
A right hook to the body lands for Branco.
Branco managing to block the knees to the body from Rankinstein.
Branco struggles to land a body shot inside as Rankinstein controls his hands.
Rankinstein tries to land knees in the clinch but Branco avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rankinstein escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Branco misses with a double jab.
Rankinstein shoots for a takedown but Branco saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Branco buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Branco wants to clinch.
Rankinstein pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A swing and a miss from Rankinstein.
Branco jabs Rankinstein to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Branco keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Branco tries to close the distance and clinch but Rankinstein swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rankinstein lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Branco. No joy for Rankinstein on that attempt.
Rankinstein chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Branco can pounce on him.
Branco tries to clinch there but Rankinstein circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branco throws out a powerful jab.
Nice body kick there by Branco.
Branco moves away from the strike by Rankinstein.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Branco, as that shot connected.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rankinstein misses with the combination.
Branco is looking to land body kicks.
Good leg kick by Branco there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Branco moves out of range of the leg kick from Rankinstein.
Branco looks to land a left hand but Rankinstein moved out of range nicely.
Rankinstein steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Branco. That one must have hurt.
Branco misses with a two punch combination.
Branco slips under a jab from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein throws a jab when Branco was well out of range.
Branco misses with a low kick.
Branco walks into a jab.
Branco misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rankinstein.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branco fails in his attempt to clinch.
Branco fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rankinstein manages to avoid it.

Rankinstein shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rankinstein was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Rankinstein thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Branco is trying to escape the mount.
Poor strikes thrown by Rankinstein there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Branco tries to reverse the position but Rankinstein maintains control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Rankinstein cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Rankinstein can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Branco is looking to escape.
Rankinstein lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rankinstein landing strikes from the mount and Branco is in trouble!
Branco is looking to improve his position but Rankinstein isn't that keen on the idea.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Branco bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Rankinstein has control of Branco's left arm, preventing Branco from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Derrick Rankinstein will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rankinstein blocks a head kick by Branco.
Rankinstein keeps the fight on the outside.
Branco ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rankinstein moves away.
Rankinstein scores with a shot to the body.
Branco throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rankinstein thows a body shot but no joy.
Branco throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Branco uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rankinstein.
Branco throws a leg kick that misses.
Rankinstein avoids the body shot from Branco.
Branco cracks the inside of Rankinstein's front leg.
Branco throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rankinstein.
Rankinstein bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Branco moves in looking to clinch but Rankinstein pushes him off.
Rankinstein throws a hook but Branco blocks it.
Rankinstein throws a series of punches but Branco moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branco throws a head kick but Rankinstein moves out of range.
Branco is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rankinstein rather than just go for the knockout.
A jab lands there for Rankinstein.
Branco is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rankinstein throws a hook but Branco avoids it easily.
Branco is looking to clinch.
Branco scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rankinstein checks a low kick from Branco.
Branco throws a series of punches but Rankinstein moves out of range.
Branco throws a poor cross that misses
and Rankinstein counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Derrick Rankinstein is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rankinstein tries to land a body kick
and Branco counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tycho Branco seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rankinstein misses with a wild body shot.
Rankinstein bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Branco's head.
Branco wants to slow Rankinstein down by chopping away at his legs.
Branco pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Branco.
Branco wants to slow Rankinstein down by chopping away at his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rankinstein scores with a hook to the body. Branco takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Branco avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rankinstein thows a body shot but no joy.
Branco looks to land a combination but Rankinstein avoids it well.
Rankinstein fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Branco manages to avoid it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Branco wants to clinch up but Rankinstein keeps it at a distance.
Branco looks to throw the jab but Rankinstein is out of range.
Branco dodges the punch combination from Rankinstein.
Branco throws a looping overhand right but Rankinstein ducks down to avoid it.
Rankinstein throws a body kick that misses.
A lazy left from Branco finds it's target.
Rankinstein changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Branco tries to avoid it but Rankinstein manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Branco to the ground. Branco escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rankinstein takes a swing at Branco's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branco looks to land a combination but Rankinstein avoids it well.
Branco throws a right hand that Rankinstein ducks under and follows up with a left that Rankinstein also avoids with ease.
Branco staying out of range there.
A decent looking cross lands there for Branco.
Branco throws a body punch but Rankinstein moves out of range.
Branco misses with a wild body shot.
Branco throws a series of punches but Rankinstein moves out of range.
Branco checks a low kick from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A jab from Branco does it's job there.
Branco throws a right and a left that both miss.

Rankinstein gets a takedown into half guard.
Rankinstein prevents Branco from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rankinstein tries to pass the half guard into mount. Branco knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rankinstein sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Branco defending well though.
Branco is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Branco regains full guard. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rankinstein trying to control but Branco is working from the bottom.
Branco working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rankinstein.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tycho Branco will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Branco uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rankinstein.
Rankinstein lands a really nice looking cross but Branco seems unphased.
Branco throws a right and a left that Rankinstein avoids nicely.
Branco looks to score with a jab to the body but Rankinstein is just out of range.
Branco swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Branco lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rankinstein tests Branco's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rankinstein misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Branco.
Rankinstein on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Rankinstein dodges the punch combination from Branco.
Rankinstein lands with an uppercut that bounces Branco off the cage and back into range.

Branco clinches up against the cage.
Branco throws an elbow that misses.
Branco unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Rankinstein tries a body shot but Branco blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branco is trying to stall.
Branco throws a punch but it's blocked by Rankinstein.
Branco tries a knee to the head but Rankinstein blocks it.
Branco blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rankinstein looking to throw knees to the head but Branco is blocking nicely.
Rankinstein tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Branco tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Rankinstein avoiding damage as Branco throws knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Rankinstein fails to land.
Rankinstein is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rankinstein.
Rankinstein throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Branco blocks it with crossed arms.
Branco creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Rankinstein fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rankinstein lands a hook that snaps the head of Branco backwards.
Branco with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rankinstein takes an elbow to the temple.
Branco is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rankinstein is defending well for now.
Rankinstein avoiding damage as Branco throws knees to the body.
Branco prevents a takedown attempt there.
Branco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rankinstein avoids it.
Branco blocks an elbow strike.

Rankinstein breaks from the clinch.

Branco forces Rankinstein back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Branco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rankinstein avoids it.
Branco misses with an elbow over the top.
Branco misses with an elbow strike.
Branco misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rankinstein.
Branco doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rankinstein utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Branco has Rankinstein pressed against the cage, preventing Rankinstein from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Branco tries to land a knee to the head but Rankinstein blocks with his arms.
Branco throws an elbow but it misses.

Rankinstein pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Branco is looking to score with low kicks.
A solid leg kick lands there for Branco.
Rankinstein misses with a body kick.
Decent striking displayed by Branco there.
No joy there for Rankinstein, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Branco.
Tycho Branco is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Branco ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Branco throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rankinstein counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rankinstein checks a low kick from Branco.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rankinstein misses with a right hand
and Branco cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rankinstein throws a body kick that misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Branco!
Branco takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Branco slips a jab from Rankinstein.
Rankinstein blocks a leg kick.
Rankinstein connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Branco's hands.
Branco tries to close the distance and clinch but Rankinstein swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Branco fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rankinstein checks it well.
Rankinstein misses with a straight right.

Branco pushes Rankinstein up against the cage in a clinch.
Rankinstein on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rankinstein wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Derrick Rankinstein. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rankinstein wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Rankinstein misses with a punch to the body.
Branco missing with knees to the body.
Rankinstein wants to get back to striking at distance but Branco won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tycho Branco.
I think Branco 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 Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tycho Branco!
After winning the bout, Tycho Branco thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.