PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Branco (ranked 4215 p4p, 3901 weight class) and Jorge Rocha (ranked 260 p4p, 249 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Jorge Rocha was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Branco
vs
Rocha

155 cm
18
135
1 - 0 - 0

165 cm
18
140
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Mythical Fighter

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Antonio Branco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jorge Rocha!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Leandro Rodrigues and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
An inside leg kick lands from Rocha.
Jorge Rocha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rocha lands a nice looking kick to the body. Branco takes a step back to recover.
Nice takedown defense from Branco. No joy for Rocha on that attempt.
Branco appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Rocha connects with a solid leg kick.
Rocha throws a leg kick that misses.
A lazy body kick from Rocha

and Branco counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Branco is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rocha sees it coming and defends easily.

Rocha is defending against the submission attempts here by Branco.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Branco is looking for a kimura but Rocha is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Branco to get the leverage.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Branco seems to be working for a kimura but Rocha defends the submission attempt.

Branco is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Rocha looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

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.

Branco is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rocha is just riding it out for now. Branco eventually gives up the hold.

Branco is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Rocha is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Branco pulls his head out easily.

Branco wants to work for an arm triangle but Rocha is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Branco seems to be working for a kimura but Rocha defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branco tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rocha knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Branco has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.

Rocha has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Branco escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Branco!
You can see the frustration on Rocha's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Branco looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Branco is looking to take a break and control but Rocha is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Branco tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Branco tries for a kimura but Rocha is defending well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Branco tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rocha swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Rocha is trying hard to land a takedown here. Branco sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Rocha thumps Branco with a low kick.
Rocha throws a nice outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rocha decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Rocha is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Branco looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Branco is in trouble now - Rocha has advanced to mount!

Rocha jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Branco is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Branco and Rocha has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Branco is trying to get back to half guard.

Rocha tries for a kimura but Branco is defending well.
Branco gets back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rocha is trying to work for a kimura but Branco is defending well.
Branco is trying to get back to full guard.
Branco is working hard here to advance position.
Branco won't allow Rocha to pass to mount.

Branco actively working from the bottom here.

Branco looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rocha moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Branco.

Rocha thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Rocha goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Branco rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Rocha's guard! Nice work there by Branco!

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branco is pushing down on Rocha's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rocha is fighting to maintain full guard but Branco has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rocha looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Rocha tries to roll over but Branco keeps him under control.

Branco is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rocha is pressing down on Branco's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Rocha had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Branco defends it easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Branco passes into half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jorge Rocha showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rocha fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Branco changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Branco stuffs the takedown.
Branco leaves Rocha with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Antonio Branco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jorge Rocha.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Branco takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rocha throws a leg kick

and Branco counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Antonio Branco overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Branco works his way into side control.

Branco is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rocha has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rocha is trying to control Branco's posture but Branco avoids it.
Rocha tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Branco wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Branco thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rocha is looking to regain half guard here but Branco keeps moving and retains side control.

Branco goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Rocha rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Branco's guard! Nice work there by Rocha!

Branco looking for a guillotine here but Rocha defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Branco is looking for a triangle but Rocha pushes his legs off easily.
Branco on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Branco tries to get out of the position.

Branco is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rocha is aware though and is defending well.

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

Branco escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rocha gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

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

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.

Branco has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rocha can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Rocha drops back looking for a leg! Branco is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Branco manages to kick Rocha off! Rocha jumps back into Branco's guard.
Rocha trying to control the position from guard on top but Branco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Branco showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Branco has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 29:28
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Branco!
An out of breath Antonio Branco thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.