PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Zica Brava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Charlie Runkle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brava comes into the arena with Chimaira - Nothing Remains blaring out of the sound system. Runkle is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Californication theme . Zica Brava has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Brava
vs
Runkle

168 cm
27
142 lbs
16 - 5 - 1

177 cm
27
147 lbs
21 - 11 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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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 16 - 5 - 1, fighting out of New York, Zica Brava!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 11 - 1, fighting out of New York, Charlie Runkle !
The judges for this bout are David Schapiro, Russell Pearce and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Runkle tries to keep at a distance but Brava has taken the fight into the clinch.
Brava lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Brava escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Brava moves into range and clinches up with Runkle .
A short right from Brava on the inside.
Runkle blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Runkle fails to land.
Brava tries a body shot but Runkle blocks it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Runkle .
Brava tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Runkle with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Brava goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Runkle is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Brava is defending well for now.
Brava tries to break free but Runkle pushes him back against the cage.
Runkle tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Brava avoids it.
Runkle using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Brava avoids the elbow strike from Runkle , against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brava content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Brava blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Brava lands a left hand.
Brava tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Brava.
Runkle is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Brava is defending well for now.
Nice elbow from Runkle .
Runkle misses with a body punch.
Brava misses with a body punch.
Runkle lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Brava or not.
Brava blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Runkle tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Runkle lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Brava backwards.
Brava misses with a punch to the body.
Runkle tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Brava's elbow.
Brava goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Brava misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Runkle .
Runkle lands an elbow inside that Brava shrugs off.
Runkle slows down the pace here.
Brava lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Runkle .
Brava tries a body shot but Runkle blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brava lands a body punch.
A short body shot lands from Brava as the two fighters clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Brava misses with a punch to the body.
Brava lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Brava scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Brava as Runkle tries to tie him up.
Runkle misses with some punches.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Brava.
Brava wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Brava lands a left hand.
Brava misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right hand to the body from Runkle .
A right handed body shot lands from Runkle .
Runkle lands a body punch in the clinch.
Brava pushes Runkle back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Runkle gets through Brava's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Runkle scores with a shoulder strike.
Runkle tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Runkle fails to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brava tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Runkle 's elbow.
Runkle lands a nice shot to the body.
Runkle scores a nice knee to the body.
Runkle tries to work over Brava's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Brava fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Brava dodges an elbow strike from Runkle .
Brava lands a body shot in the clinch.
Brava misses with a hook to the ribs.
Runkle trying to land knees to the body.
Brava lands a nice shot to the body.
Runkle tries to land knees in the clinch but Brava avoids the damage to the body.
Brava blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Runkle misses with an elbow over the top.
Runkle utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Runkle displaying some good clinch control by pressing Brava up against the cage.
Brava lands a right hand that snaps the head of Runkle backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runkle tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Brava's elbow.
Runkle blocks a body shot from Brava.
Brava lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Runkle backwards.
Brava lands a body punch.
Brava misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Runkle taking a breather.
Runkle misses with a hook to the ribs.
Runkle pushes off an throws an elbow but Brava leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Runkle swings wildly with an uppercut but Brava uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Runkle blocks an uppercut.
Runkle throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bravas head.
Brava stalling in the clinch.

Brava manages to break the clinch.
Zica Brava seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A jab from Brava misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Runkle looks to land a body kick but Brava moved away.
Brava misses with a right hand
and Runkle counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Runkle on the wrong end of a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Charlie Runkle will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Brava tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Runkle was well out of range. Poor timing from Brava.
Runkle tries to close the distance and clinch up but Brava swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Brava throws a lazy right hand but Runkle sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Runkle just misses with a punch to the body.
Brava cracks Runkle with an open hand slap.
Runkle throws a head kick that misses.
Runkle throws a nice outside leg kick.
Runkle throws a quick inside leg kick.
A head kick by Brava misses
and Runkle counters with a head kick.
Runkle throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Brava lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Brava fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Brava throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Runkle .
Brava pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
That kick from Brava tenderised Runkle 's leg. Runkle is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runkle pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Brava drives through and clinches with Runkle against the cage.
Brava goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nice body punch from Brava.
Runkle with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Charlie Runkle seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Brava.
Brava misses with a punch to the body.
Runkle misses with the head strike.
Brava misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Brava breaks from the clinch.
Brava tried to score with a low kick but Runkle checks it.
Runkle fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Runkle .
Brava misses with a body shot.
Runkle cracks a nice hook into Brava's ribs.
Brava checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runkle throws a body punch but Brava moves out of range.

Runkle takes the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Runkle prevents a body shot from Brava.
Brava misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Knees to the body from Runkle .
Runkle lands a left hand.
Runkle tries to throw a body punch but Brava avoids it by throwing Runkle back against the cage.
Brava's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Runkle fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Brava tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Brava avoiding damage as Runkle throws knees to the body.
Brava blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Brava blocks an elbow strike.
Brava lands a left hand that snaps the head of Runkle backwards.
Brava misses with a punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runkle blocks a body shot from Brava.
Runkle lands a hook that snaps the head of Brava backwards.
Brava taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Runkle lands a shoulder strike.
Brava tries to throw a body punch but Runkle avoids it by throwing Brava back against the cage.
Runkle misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Brava.
Brava pushes Runkle back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Brava scores with a shoulder strike.
Runkle tries a body shot but Brava blocks it.
Runkle lands a nice uppercut.
A knee to the head by Runkle .
Runkle has a couple of punches blocked by Brava.
Runkle blocking some punches.
Runkle misses with a body punch.
Brava tries to work over Runkle 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Runkle .
Runkle missing with knees to the body.
A right hook to the body lands for Brava.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runkle doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Runkle tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Brava avoids it.
Runkle can't find room to land a body shot as Brava controls the action.
Brava working aggressively here.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Runkle lands an elbow just above Brava 's eye.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Runkle throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bravas head.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Brava as Runkle tries to tie him up.
A left hand lands to the body for Runkle .
Brava tries to work over Runkle 's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Brava lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Runkle .
Brava scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Runkle lands with a light punch inside.
Runkle tries to throw a body punch but Brava avoids it by throwing Runkle back against the cage.
Brava managing to block the knees to the body from Runkle .
Good body shot from Brava.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Charlie Runkle will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Runkle chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Brava can pounce on him.
Runkle takes a kick to the side of the head.
Brava waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Runkle .
Runkle misses with a low kick.

Brava closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Brava doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Runkle comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Runkle tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Runkle lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Brava works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Brava tries to stall but Runkle uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Brava misses with a hook to the ribs.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Brava creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Brava.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Brava blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runkle dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Brava struggles to land a body shot inside as Runkle controls his hands.
Brava struggles to land a body shot inside as Runkle controls his hands.
Runkle throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Runkle lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Brava struggles to land a body shot inside as Runkle controls his hands.
Runkle stalling in the clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A short right from Runkle .
Runkle misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Brava.
Brava digs a right hand underneath Runkle 's ribcage. Runkle let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Brava pushes Runkle back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Runkle takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Brava lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Runkle .

Brava breaks from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Runkle walks forward, straight into a front kick from Brava.
Brava misses with a head kick.
Brava throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Charlie Runkle is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brava tries a head kick but it misses.
Brava turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Brava swings for the body but Runkle moves out of range.
Runkle takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Brava uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Runkle .
Brava throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Brava waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Runkle .
A looping hook to the body misses from Brava. Runkle does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zica Brava has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Brava looks for the body kick but Runkle saw that one coming.
Runkle throws a head kick that misses.
Runkle tries to close the distance and clinch up but Brava swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Brava misses the jab.
Brava throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runkle takes a swing at Brava's ribcage but misses.
Brava looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Brava keeps the fight on the outside.
Runkle throws a leg kick which misses Brava's front leg but catches the back leg as Brava tries to avoid it.
Runkle slips a jab and a cross from Brava.
Brava throws an off balance right hand
and Runkle counters with a body kick.
Brava throws a looping overhand right but Runkle ducks down to avoid it.
Brava on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Runkle . Runkle obviously looking to wear him down.
Brava looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Brava swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Runkle checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A nice inside leg kick there by Runkle . That's going to slow Brava down.
Runkle blocks the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runkle moves out of range of the body kick from Brava.
Brava just misses with a punch to the body.
Brava lands a nice looking kick to the body. Runkle takes a step back to recover.
Runkle is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Runkle is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Brava rather than just go for the knockout.
Brava chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Runkle can pounce on him.
Runkle fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Runkle just misses with a punch to the body.
Runkle changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Brava fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brava misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nice body kick there by Runkle .
A good leg kick by Runkle .

And that's the end of the fight!
Zica Brava showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Runkle 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 David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Charlie Runkle !
Charlie Runkle took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Vandal Fight Boutique (prices $8 - $30) for their support in the buildup to the fight.