PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dawn Keebals (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kyle Branson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Branson's choice of entrance music: Meytal Cohen - Toxicity. Kyle Branson has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Dawn Keebals's chin.

Keebals
vs
Branson

200 cm
30
215 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

183 cm
29
215 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dawn Keebals!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Kyle Branson!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Gregory Folan and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Branson tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Keebals manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Branson has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Keebals is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Branson avoids the body shot from Keebals.

Branson shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Branson is looking to advance position but Keebals won't allow it.

Branson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Branson throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Keebals to regain full guard.
Branson sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Keebals's guard.

Branson is working for a kimura but Keebals is defending it quite comfortably.

Branson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Keebals sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Branson seems to be working for a kimura but Keebals defends the submission attempt.

Keebals is defending against the submission attempts here by Branson.
Keebals is looking to escape.

Branson is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Keebals sees it coming and defends easily.
Keebals is refusing to be controlled, as Branson sits in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branson is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Branson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Keebals defending well though.

Branson seems to be looking for submissions.

Branson is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Keebals is just riding it out for now. Branson eventually gives up the hold.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Branson wants to free his trapped foot but Keebals is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Branson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Keebals doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Branson.

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

Branson is working for a kimura but Keebals is defending it quite comfortably.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Branson connects with a nice short shot to Keebals's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Branson is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Keebals doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Branson.
Keebals wants to get back to his feet.
Branson wants to take a breather but Keebals is having none of it.
Keebals avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Branson.

Branson is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Branson is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Keebals has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Branson is trying to work for a kimura but Keebals is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Branson dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Branson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Keebals was well out of range. Poor timing from Branson.
Keebals looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Branson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Keebals.
Keebals thows a left - swing and a miss!

Branson closes the distance and clinches.
Keebals wants to get back to striking at distance but Branson won't allow it.
Branson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Branson has Keebals pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Keebals manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Branson wants to take the fight to the mat but Keebals manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Branson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Keebals pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Branson back to the cage. Keebals follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

It looks like Kyle Branson has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Branson rushes Keebals and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Branson jumps guard but Keebals turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Dawn Keebals has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kyle Branson.
Branson swings wildly with an uppercut but Keebals uses good head movement to avoid it.
Branson drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keebals wants to break free but Branson has control.
Keebals blocking some punches.
Branson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Branson tries to pull guard but Keebals forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Branson looking for a takedown.
Branson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Branson throws a punch but it's blocked by Keebals.
Branson goes for a takedown in the clinch but Keebals prevents it.

Keebals breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Branson bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Branson closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Keebals's guard.
Branson wants to control from the top but Keebals keeps moving.
Keebals knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Branson on the ground.

Branson 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.
Keebals is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Branson is controlling him.

Branson postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Keebals is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Branson, into his guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Branson looking for a guillotine here but Keebals defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Branson is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Keebals is aware though and is defending well.
Branson has a closed guard, preventing Keebals from standing up.
Branson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Keebals manages to get himself to full guard.
Keebals preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Branson postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Keebals is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Branson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Keebals looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Keebals looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Keebals!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Branson is looking to regain half guard here but Keebals keeps moving and retains side control.
Branson sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Keebals in particular looking to stall.
Branson is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Keebals's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Keebals's back!
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!

Keebals is trying to defend against the choke here but Branson has an arm under his chin. This one might not last much longer. Branson Tightens the hold and Keebals taps out furiously! Branson displays superior BJJ to win the fight.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:51 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kyle Branson!
During a confident post fight interview, Kyle Branson thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.