PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mareks Stepaneks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Diego Brandao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Diego Brandao acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Stepaneks
vs
Brandao

176 cm
25
134 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
24
145 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mareks Stepaneks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Diego Brandao!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Konstantin Menshow and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stepaneks scores a takedown into full mount!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Stepaneks fails to advance to Brandao's back.
Brandao holds on for dear life, controlling Stepaneks's posture momentarily.
Stepaneks pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Stepaneks takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.

Brandao fending off the submission attempt from Stepaneks.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Brandao trying to control the hands but Stepaneks breaks the grip.

Stepaneks goes for a risky armbar from back mount and it's not paid off. Brandao escapes and is now in half guard on top.
Stepaneks really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Stepaneks moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepaneks wants to sweep here but Brandao controlling him for the moment.

Stepaneks throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Brandao 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.
Stepaneks keeping moving, preventing Brandao from controlling successfully.

Stepaneks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Brandao is aware though and is defending well.
Brandao would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Stepaneks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

Stepaneks looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Brandao passes into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Stepaneks manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Stepaneks looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Stepaneks is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Stepaneks keeping moving, preventing Brandao from controlling successfully.

Stepaneks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Brandao can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Brandao wants to control from the top but Stepaneks keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brandao lands a couple of digs.

Stepaneks looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Stepaneks is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Brandao is aware though and is defending well.

Stepaneks looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Stepaneks looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Brandao passes into half guard.

Stepaneks actively working from the bottom here.
Stepaneks is breathing heavily.
Brandao trying to control from half guard but Stepaneks is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stepaneks is looking to improve his position.

Stepaneks looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Stepaneks tries to roll over but Brandao keeps him under control.
Brandao slows the pace down in half guard.
Brandao wants to stand up but Stepaneks has a hold of him and won't allow it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
The fighters are battling for position here. Stepaneks manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Brandao tries to free his leg and advance position but Stepaneks is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mareks Stepaneks dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stepaneks misses with a takedown attempt - Brandao sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Stepaneks manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Brandao on his heels. He'll look to pass Brandao's guard now, I'm sure.
Stepaneks tries to free his leg and advance position but Brandao is retaining full guard.
Stepaneks stopping the sweep attempt from Brandao.
Stepaneks stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Brandao swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stepaneks slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stepaneks advances to full mount.
Stepaneks pushing the pace here, looking to move to his opponents back and work for a finish.
Brandao is trying desperately to improve position.
Stepaneks avoids the attempt from Brandao to control.

Stepaneks has control of Brandao's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Brandao regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Stepaneks is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Brandao to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Brandao shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brandao wants to get back to his feet.
Brandao is wriggling around trying to escape.
Stepaneks fails to move to back control.
Brandao has given up his back. Will we see Stepaneks going for some submissions?

Stepaneks looking for the choke but no joy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Stepaneks has the hooks in and he's looking for a rear naked choke here. Brandao is defending well but eventually Stepaneks manages to get an arm under the chin and he's locked on the RNC! Brandao has no choice but to tap now! He does! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Mareks Stepaneks!