PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Drew Branch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diieguito Marrentoo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Drew Branch has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Branch
vs
Marrentoo

173 cm
21
144 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

178 cm
19
142 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Drew Branch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Diieguito Marrentoo!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marrentoo scores a takedown into full mount!
Branch is wriggling around trying to escape.
A nice elbow there by Marrentoo.
Marrentoo is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Marrentoo prevents Branch from getting the reversal.
Marrentoo is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Marrentoo wants to control the pace but Branch is squirming around nicely.
Marrentoo content just to control the position here.
Marrentoo trying to control but Branch is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Despite being in the dominant position, Diieguito Marrentoo just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Branch swats away the attempt to clinch by Marrentoo.
Branch swinging wilding here.
Marrentoo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Some wild striking there from Branch.
A punch combination from Branch misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Marrentoo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Marrentoo misses with a looping right.
Branch lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Marrentoo backs up against the cage.
Marrentoo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Branch.
Branch misses with a double jab.

Marrentoo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Branch's guard.
Marrentoo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Branch can't keep his opponent in guard - Marrentoo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Marrentoo trying to control the action but Branch is working from the bottom.
Marrentoo slows the pace down in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Marrentoo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Branch sees it coming and defends easily.
Marrentoo looks gassed!
Marrentoo is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Branch!
Branch wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Marrentoo.
Branch really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Marrentoo raining down shots from the mount!
Branch is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Branch gets back to half guard.
Branch punching from the bottom.
Marrentoo trying to control from half guard but Branch is working away.
Marrentoo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Branch looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Branch actively working from the bottom here.
Marrentoo is controlling the pace.
Marrentoo is trying to control the action in half guard but Branch is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diieguito Marrentoo dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Branch swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Branch missing with a left hand there. Marrentoo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
No luck for Marrentoo with that takedown attempt.
Branch stuffs the takedown attempt from Marrentoo. Marrentoo gets slowly back to his feet.
Branch throws a series of punches but Marrentoo avoids them all with ease.
Some wild striking there from Branch.
Marrentoo doesn't manage to clinch there - Branch circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Branch misses with the combination.
Marrentoo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Branch.
Branch throws a shot from downtown. Marrentoo moves away and avoids it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marrentoo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Drew Branch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diieguito Marrentoo.
Branch looks to land a right hand but Marrentoo moved out of range.
Branch looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Branch misses with a series of wild punches.
Marrentoo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Branch paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Branch looks to land a combination but Marrentoo avoids it well.
Branch throws a right and a left that both miss.
Marrentoo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Branch as he jumps to the side.
Branch keeps the fight on the outside.
Branch works over Marrentoo's head and body with a nice combination.
Marrentoo fails with the takedown.
Marrentoo misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Branch throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Branch stuffs the takedown attempt from Marrentoo. Marrentoo gets slowly back to his feet.
Branch fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Branch scores with a one two! Marrentoo had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Branch has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Marrentoo tries to clinch up.
Branch fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Branch bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Marrentoo throws the kick towards the body but Branch avoids it.
Branch throws a left and a right that both miss

and Marrentoo counters with a shoot takedown. Branch fights it but they end up in guard.
Marrentoo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branch working a defensive guard here.
Branch looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Marrentoo tries to free his leg and advance position but Branch is retaining full guard.
Marrentoo tries to stand but Branch is controlling from the bottom.
Branch looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Marrentoo puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Marrentoo thows a huge punch but Branch dodges it nicely.
Branch is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Marrentoo will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Branch throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Marrentoo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Marrentoo trying to control the position from guard on top but Branch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Marrentoo content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Branch escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Marrentoo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Marrentoo controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Marrentoo's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Marrentoo trying to control but Branch is working from the bottom.

Branch looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Diieguito Marrentoo 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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Marrentoo scores with a nice body kick.
Branch throws a head kick but Marrentoo moves out of range.

Marrentoo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Branch has Marrentoo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Marrentoo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Marrentoo tries to pull guard but Branch won't allow it.
Branch is looking to break free of the clinch but Marrentoo has double underhooks.
Branch wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Marrentoo prevents Branch from breaking the clinch.
Marrentoo tries to pull guard but Branch holds him up against the cage and eventually Marrentoo drops back down to his feet.
Marrentoo has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Branch is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Drew Branch has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Diieguito Marrentoo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Branch can't get the takedown.

Marrentoo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Marrentoo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Branch's guard.
Branch keeping full guard, as Marrentoo tries to pass.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Branch has an active guard here but Marrentoo has managed to pass into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marrentoo stalling away here and it's allowed Branch to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Branch lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Marrentoo!

Branch goes for an armbar but Marrentoo turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Marrentoo.
Marrentoo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Branch escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Marrentoo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Marrentoo thows a big elbow that misses.

Marrentoo gets to his feet - Branch follows without any prompting.
Branch tries to bum rush Marrentoo with a series of wild strikes but Marrentoo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Marrentoo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Branch falls off balance throwing a combination
and Marrentoo counters with a one-two to the body.
Drew Branch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Marrentoo wants to clinch.
Branch swats away the attempt to clinch by Marrentoo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branch scoring well with a low kick there.
Marrentoo avoids a kick to the body.
Marrentoo showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Branch.
Marrentoo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Marrentoo tries to clinch up.
Drew Branch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Branch throws a series of punches but Marrentoo moves out of range.

Marrentoo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Marrentoo preventing the sweep.

Branch looking for subs off his back but Marrentoo has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Marrentoo passes the guard and advances to mount!
Branch sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Marrentoo trying to control the action but Branch is working from the bottom.
Drew Branch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Marrentoo thows a huge punch but Branch dodges it nicely.
Diieguito Marrentoo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Marrentoo is looking to advance position but Branch won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Diieguito Marrentoo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Marrentoo 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Diieguito Marrentoo!