PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Fede Le Grand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bear Brand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Le Grand kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Rage Against The Machine - Killing In The Name Of. Bear Brand is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Le Grand
vs
Brand

190 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

173 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

[B2F] Born 2 Fight

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Fede Le Grand!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bear Brand!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Hirohito Nitta and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Le Grand finds it's way through Brand's defenses.
Brand shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Le Grand as he jumps to the side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Brand is defended easily by Le Grand.

Brand rushes Le Grand and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Le Grand really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Brand lands with a light punch inside.

Brand escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Brand shoots for a double leg takedown but Le Grand sprawls well. He's pushed Brand's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fede Le Grand has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bear Brand.

Brand gets a double leg takedown into Le Grand's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Brand wants to pass the guard but Le Grand is keeping the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Brand decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Le Grand, up you get!
Le Grand displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Brand.

Brand clinches up with Le Grand and pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brand breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fede Le Grand is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Brand fails to land the takedown.
Brand looks gassed!

Brand gets a clinch.
Le Grand keeps control of Brand as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Le Grand is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Le Grand softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Le Grand misses with a hook from the clinch.
Brand blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Brand has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Le Grand clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Le Grand looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Brand slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Le Grand is trying to get back to his feet but Brand has full control of the position and if anything, Le Grand has just worked his way into a worse spot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brand trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Le Grand doesn't escape.
Le Grand looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Brand really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Le Grand.
Le Grand controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Brand has good solid back control here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Le Grand has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le Grand is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Le Grand wants to get back to his feet.
Brand biding his time, controlling Le Grand.
Le Grand wants to get back to his feet.
What can Le Grand do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Brand's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Le Grand wants to get back to his feet.
Brand controls the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Le Grand trying to get back to his feet but Brand is in full control for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bear Brand dominated that round.
That's time! Le Grand's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Le Grand enables Brand to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Le Grand manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Brand controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Brand stands up from Le Grand's guard - Brand perhaps looking for a knockout.

Brand instigates a clinch.
Brand dodges an elbow strike from Le Grand.
Still in the clinch, Brand scores with a nice short uppercut.
Le Grand managing to block the knees to the body from Brand.
Brand is working Le Grand over against the cage.
Le Grand throws a punch but it's blocked by Brand.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brand throws a left and a right that both miss
and Le Grand counters with a left to the body.
Brand looks for a takedown but Le Grand sprawls well.
Brand is breathing heavily.
Brand looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Le Grand moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Le Grand throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Le Grand moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Brand has Le Grand up against the cage in a clinch.
Le Grand is trying to force a seperation but Brand has the dominant position.
Brand throws a head punch that misses.
Brand gets through Le Grand's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Brand gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Brand won't allow Le Grand to get back to his feet.

Brand stands and steps away. Le Grand gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Brand clinches.
Le Grand looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Brand wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Brand lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Le Grand swings wildly with an uppercut but Brand uses good head movement to avoid it.
Le Grand swings wildly with an uppercut but Brand uses good head movement to avoid it.

Brand lands a takedown into guard.
Brand advances to half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Brand is taking a breather. Le Grand says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Brand decides to stand and escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le Grand lands a slapping body shot.
Jab by Le Grand.
Brand throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Le Grand's waist but Le Grand gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brand off to one side.
Brand shoots in and drives through. Le Grand sprawls well.
Fede Le Grand has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bear Brand.
Le Grand lands with a right hand.
A cross from Le Grand lands.
Le Grand is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

Brand moves into the clinch.
Le Grand can't break the clinch.
Le Grand wants to get back to striking at distance but Brand won't allow it.
Brand keeps control of Le Grand as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Le Grand fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Le Grand misses with a short punch on the inside.
Brand wants to break the clinch but can't.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Le Grand creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Brand takes a shot to the head.
Le Grand is trying to break the clinch but Brand has him pressed against the cage.
Le Grand working hard to break the clinch.
Le Grand scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Le Grand wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Brand has him pressed against the cage.
Le Grand wants to break the clinch but can't.
Le Grand working aggressively here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Brand is stalling here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Le Grand wants to get back to striking at distance but Brand won't allow it.
Brand taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Brand has Le Grand pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Le Grand manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bear Brand 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! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Le Grand bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Brand's head backwards.
Fede Le Grand is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Brand walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Brand shoots in for a double leg but Le Grand sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Brand closes the distance and clinches up with Le Grand, looking for a takedown. Brand pushes Le Grand against the cage but Le Grand circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Le Grand defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Brand.
Fede Le Grand has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bear Brand.
Brand throws a left and a right that both miss
and Le Grand counters with a left to the body.
Jab from Le Grand.
A slapping body kick lands there for Le Grand.
Le Grand lands with a right hand.
Brand takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Le Grand lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Le Grand lands a head kick. Brand smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Le Grand lands an impressive looking overhand right. Brand doesn't seem phased though.
Le Grand fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Brand on the side of the head.
Brand takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Brand shoots in looking for a takedown. Le Grand tries to sprawl out of it but Brand keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Le Grand manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Le Grand scores with a head kick. Brand tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Le Grand explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Bear Brand seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Le Grand stalks Brand and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Brand's face. Brand staggers backwards, shaken.
Le Grand catches Brand with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Brand throws a left and a right that both miss
and Le Grand counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brand takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Le Grand uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Brand has time to react.
No luck for Brand with that takedown attempt.
Le Grand moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Le Grand lands with a kick to the temple. Brand shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Le Grand jabs at Brand's body.
Brand shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Le Grand pinned against the cage. Le Grand gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Le Grand is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Le Grand throws a combination. Brand tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Le Grand throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Brand.
Le Grand lands with a thumping leg kick.
Le Grand scores with a crisp jab that stopped Brand in his tracks.
Le Grand feints a jab promting Brand to slip. Le Grand then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Brand slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Brand takes one to the side of the head.
Nice takedown defense from Le Grand. No joy for Brand on that attempt.
Le Grand sizes up Brand with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Brand walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Fede Le Grand has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice combination there by Le Grand.
Brand takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Brand on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Le Grand. Le Grand obviously looking to wear him down.
Brand takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Brand has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
A low kick from Brand misses
and Le Grand connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Brand closes this distance looking for a takedown but Le Grand circles away.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Le Grand!
Brand fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brand stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Le Grand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fede Le Grand showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Brand 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 28:29
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bear Brand!