PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robo Pope (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Browne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pope comes to the cage accompanied by Ghost - Monstrance Clock. This should be fireworks!

Pope
vs
Browne

225 cm
26
319 lbs
5 - 16 - 0

225 cm
21
300 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 16 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Robo Pope!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Travis Browne!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Sandra Marshall and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pope throws a lazy head kick

and Browne decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pope's guard.
Jeez, both these guys look absolutely knackered already, that's not a good sign!
Browne is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Pope is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Browne is controlling him.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Travis Browne wasn't active enough on the ground.
Pope throws a head kick that misses

and Browne counters with a takedown into side control.
Pope definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Browne stands up.
Nice sprawl there from Pope as Browne shoots in.
Nice takedown defense from Pope. No joy for Browne on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pope pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pope misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Browne dives in and grabs Pope's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pope pushes down on Browne's head and hops out.
Robo Pope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Browne.
Browne blocks a head kick by Pope.
Browne closes this distance looking for a takedown but Pope circles away.
Robo Pope seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pope throws a sloppy head kick

and Browne counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Browne seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pope does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Travis Browne wasn't active enough on the ground.
Pope throws a head kick that misses.
A head kick by Pope misses

and Browne counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Browne.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Browne is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Pope is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Pope has escaped and now he's on top!
Browne wants to stand and escape but Pope is having none of it.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pope stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Pope throws a head kick that misses

and Browne counters with a nice double leg into side control. Pope won't be happy with that.
Pope is not content to let Browne control the position.

Browne is trying to get an arm triangle but Pope is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Browne stands up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Browne looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pope is fending him off so far but Browne persists. Nope, Pope circles away and we're back to standing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pope pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Browne dominated that round.
That's time! Pope's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Pope throws a sloppy head kick

so Browne counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Pope is wriggling around but Browne manages to pass to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Browne trying to pass the guard but Pope defending well.
Browne stops Pope from getting back to his feet.
Pope on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Pope tries to get out of the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Browne wants to control but Pope is keeping him busy.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Browne working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Browne looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Browne postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Pope to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pope throws a head kick that misses.
Pope throws a head kick that misses

and Browne counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Browne.
Browne passes Pope's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Pope is staying active underneath Browne, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Pope pushes Browne off looking to stand but Browne dives back in and keeps control.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Travis Browne hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Pope throws a lazy head kick

and Browne counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Pope is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Pope can't break the clinch.
Pope wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Browne has him pressed against the cage.
Browne has Pope pressed against the cage, preventing Pope from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pope tries to circle away but Browne has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pope is trying to break free.
Browne is trying to maintain a safe position but Pope gets an underhook and turns Browne into the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Pope's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Pope wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
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.
Browne prevents Pope from breaking the clinch.
Pope wants to get back to striking at distance but Browne won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Travis Browne showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

A head kick by Pope misses

and Browne decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pope's guard.
Browne engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Travis Browne hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Browne tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Pope swivels and escapes.
A head kick misses from Pope.
Pope throws a sloppy head kick

and Browne counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Browne is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pope sees it coming and defends easily.
Browne is looking to take a break and control but Pope is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pope knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Browne on the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Browne is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Travis Browne.
Browne closes the distance and clinches up with Pope, looking for a takedown. Browne pushes Pope against the cage but Pope circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pope throws a head kick that misses

and Browne counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Browne has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pope is trying to stand back up but Browne is controlling him
Browne trying to control from half guard but Pope is working away.
Robo Pope has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Travis Browne has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Travis Browne has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Pope misses with a head kick.
Pope throws a head kick that misses

so Browne counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Browne looking to pass the guard.

Browne gets to his feet - Pope follows without any prompting.
Browne fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Robo Pope has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Browne.
A head kick misses from Pope.
Pope throws a sloppy head kick

and Browne counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Browne pushes down on Pope's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Browne stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Pope slaps away a takedown attempt from Browne, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pope throws a sloppy head kick and Browne moves out of range easily.
Pope displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Browne.
Pope throws a head kick that misses

and Browne counters with a takedown into side control.

Browne stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick by Pope misses

and Browne counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Browne passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Pope is trying to buck Browne off.
Browne wants to control but Pope is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Travis Browne comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Browne 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Travis Browne!
Robo Pope was interviewed post fight and said 'Vengeance is mine.'.