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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Antonio Branco (ranked 2896 p4p, 5139 weight class) and Kai Kitano (ranked 208 p4p, 310 weight class). Kitano is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Shintaro Katsu - Unchain my Heart. Kai Kitano will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.
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| 155 cm
20
135
4 - 2 - 0 |
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176 cm
20
145
1 - 1 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Big heart |
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BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed |
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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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Antonio Branco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kai Kitano!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Mauricio Rocha and Thiago Cunha.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice uppercut there from Kitano.
A cross from Kitano lands.
Kitano connects with a looping right hand.
A jab lands there for Kitano.
Kitano bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Branco's head.
Kitano ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Branco avoids the body shot from Kitano.
Branco moves forwards but Kitano connects with a nice, crisp jab.
A jab from Kitano finds it's way through Branco's defenses.
Jab, jab by Kitano - just one landing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kitano bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Branco's head backwards.
Branco takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Branco is pinned up against the ropes taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Branco tries to move into range but Kitano moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kitano waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Branco.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Branco walks into a left hand.
Kitano is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Branco had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.
A big right from Kitano misses.
Kitano is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
A punch combination from Kitano misses.
Branco tries to counter with a takedown but Kitano is quick to defend against it.
Kitano throws out a powerful jab.
Branco takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kitano lands with a hook. Branco tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Branco steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kitano.
Branco appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Branco slips under a jab.
Kitano with a jab.
Kitano misses with a straight right.
Kitano lunges at Branco with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Branco's hand.
Branco has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Branco there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kitano takes a swing at Branco's ribcage but misses.
Branco tries to counter with a takedown but Kitano is quick to defend against it.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kitano lands with an overhand left.
Kitano's corner calls for a 1-2. Kitano obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kitano punishes Branco's body with a nice straight punch.
Kitano misses with a double jab
and Branco counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Branco is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kitano is just riding it out for now. Branco eventually gives up the hold.
Branco wants to work for an arm triangle but Kitano is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branco trying to work for an americana but Kitano has managed to regain full guard.
Branco is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Branco is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Branco drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kitano looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kitano looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kitano!
Kitano tries to move into full mount but can't pass Branco's legs.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branco is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kitano off and has taken his back!
Branco is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Branco looking for the choke from the back.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Kai Kitano dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!
A combination from Kitano does no damage.
Kitano has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kitano clobbers Branco with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Good exchange - Kitano coming out on top.
Kitano's corner calls for a 1-2. Kitano obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kitano misses with a hook
and Branco counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Branco 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.
Branco is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kitano sees it coming and defends easily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Branco is working for a submission of some sort.
Branco is working for a submission of some sort.
Branco is looking for a kimura here.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kitano makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kitano.
Branco might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Branco drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kitano looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kitano looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kitano!
Branco regains half guard.
Kitano looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Kitano stalling away here and it's allowed Branco to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branco escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kitano gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Branco is looking for a triangle but Kitano pushes his legs off easily.
Branco is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Branco is looking for a triangle here but Kitano uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Branco wants to control but Kitano postures up.
Kitano wants to stand but Branco has his arm trapped.
Kitano is looking to take a break and control but Branco is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Branco tries to bench press Kitano off him but Kitano keeps the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Kai Kitano showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!
Kitano misses with an uppercut.
Kitano might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kitano throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Branco attempts a counter takedown but Kitano avoids it well and moves away.
Jab, jab by Kitano - just one landing.
Branco has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kitano finds it's way round the side to connect with Branco's head.
Kitano works Branco's body with a nice hook.
Kitano moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Kai Kitano seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Branco takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kitano throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
A nice combination there by Kitano.
Kai Kitano seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Branco uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kitano.
Branco half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Kitano lands a nice shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Kitano misses the target.
Branco drops down looking for a counter takedown but Kitano sprawls and moves away.
Kitano digs a good hook to Branco's body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Branco has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Kitano finds it's way round the side to connect with Branco's head.
Kitano rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Branco counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kitano felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Branco trying to pass the guard but Kitano defending well.
Kitano moves into full guard.
Branco drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Branco jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Branco is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Branco drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kitano looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kitano looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kitano!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branco manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kitano's best efforts.
Kitano is thwarting Branco's attempts to control the position.
Branco looking for submissions off his back.
Branco is trying to get back to full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kitano seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Branco looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Branco is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kitano is looking to stall here but Branco recovers full guard.
Kitano wants to control from the top but Branco keeps moving.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Branco working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kitano doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kitano manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kitano stopping the sweep attempt from Branco.
Branco working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kitano doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Branco is tightening it up a little... Kitano has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Kitano reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Kitano taps out! Nice BJJ there by Branco!
Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Antonio Branco!
After winning the bout, Antonio Branco thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
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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
54% |
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