PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bruno Da Gaucho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Islam Muranov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). On his way into the cage it seems that Bruno Da Gaucho has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Bruno Da Gaucho seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Da Gaucho
vs
Muranov

168 cm
26
141 lbs
18 - 2 - 0

170 cm
25
138 lbs
6 - 2 - 1

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bruno Da Gaucho!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Islam Muranov!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Dmitry Maklakov and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.
Da Gaucho misses with the combination.

Da Gaucho looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Da Gaucho wants to control but Muranov is keeping him busy.

Da Gaucho is looking for a kimura but Muranov is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Da Gaucho to get the leverage.
Muranov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Da Gaucho. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Da Gaucho is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Muranov doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Da Gaucho.
Da Gaucho is trying to control. Muranov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muranov wants to improve his position but Da Gaucho is controlling well.
Da Gaucho is keen to just control but Muranov is a slippery customer.
Da Gaucho prevents Muranov from improving his position.
Da Gaucho trying to control the action but Muranov is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Bruno Da Gaucho just wasn't active enough.

Da Gaucho is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Muranov's half guard.

Da Gaucho is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muranov is trying to get back to full guard.
Muranov is still trying to improve position.
Da Gaucho is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Muranov!
Da Gaucho has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Muranov's face.
Da Gaucho looking to control but Muranov is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Da Gaucho raining down hammerfists from mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Muranov in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.

Da Gaucho is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Muranov is surviving well by controlling Da Gaucho's body position as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Da Gaucho looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Da Gaucho looking to ground and pound but Muranov is blocking nicely.
Poor strikes thrown by Da Gaucho there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Da Gaucho working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Da Gaucho jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Muranov manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Da Gaucho throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Muranov works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Gaucho thows a huge punch but Muranov dodges it nicely.
Muranov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Da Gaucho.
Da Gaucho is looking to advance position but Muranov won't allow it.
Da Gaucho is looking to stall here but Muranov recovers full guard.
Da Gaucho trying to control the position from guard on top but Muranov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Da Gaucho preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Da Gaucho shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Well, if Da Gaucho is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Da Gaucho wants to take a breather but Muranov is having none of it.
Da Gaucho not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Muranov wants to improve his position but Da Gaucho is controlling well.
Da Gaucho trying to control the action but Muranov is working from the bottom.
Muranov moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muranov keeping moving, preventing Da Gaucho from controlling successfully.
Bruno Da Gaucho overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Da Gaucho scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Da Gaucho stopping the sweep attempt from Muranov.
Da Gaucho advances position into side control!

Da Gaucho looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Da Gaucho is looking to take a break and control but Muranov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Muranov sneaks back into half guard.
Muranov trying to control but Da Gaucho postures up.

Da Gaucho wants to work for an arm triangle but Muranov is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Da Gaucho is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Da Gaucho slips a nice elbow through Muranov's hands, connecting with Muranov's forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muranov is looking for a sweep. Da Gaucho is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Da Gaucho wants to control but Muranov is keeping him busy.
Da Gaucho missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Da Gaucho is trying to work for a kimura but Muranov is defending well.

Da Gaucho is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Muranov is looking for a sweep. Da Gaucho is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Muranov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Da Gaucho in particular looking to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Da Gaucho is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Muranov regains half guard.
Da Gaucho is trying to control the action in half guard but Muranov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruno Da Gaucho dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Da Gaucho dives in and scores a takedown into Muranov's guard.
Muranov keeping moving, preventing Da Gaucho from controlling successfully.
Da Gaucho has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Da Gaucho wants to pass the guard but Muranov is keeping the position.
Muranov not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Da Gaucho wants to control from the top but Muranov keeps moving.
Da Gaucho is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Muranov is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Bruno Da Gaucho wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Da Gaucho shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Muranov is trying to defend but Da Gaucho finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Muranov is not content to let Da Gaucho control the position.

Da Gaucho is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Muranov is just riding it out for now. Da Gaucho eventually gives up the hold.
Muranov wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Da Gaucho is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Muranov is just riding it out for now. Da Gaucho eventually gives up the hold.
Da Gaucho wants to take a breather but Muranov is having none of it.
Da Gaucho prevents Muranov from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Da Gaucho seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Muranov does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Da Gaucho seems to be working for a kimura but Muranov defends the submission attempt.
Da Gaucho throwing shots but Muranov is blocking nicely.
Muranov wants to control but Da Gaucho is keeping busy.
Da Gaucho trying to control the action but Muranov is working from the bottom.
Da Gaucho working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Gaucho throwing shots but Muranov is blocking nicely.
Da Gaucho missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Muranov gets back to full guard.
Da Gaucho working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Da Gaucho won't allow Muranov to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Da Gaucho accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Da Gaucho trying to control the position from guard on top but Muranov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Da Gaucho controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruno Da Gaucho clearly takes that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Da Gaucho closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Muranov is looking for a sweep.
Muranov throws a couple of strikes even though he's not really in a good position to do so.
Da Gaucho throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Da Gaucho looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Da Gaucho trying to control the action but Muranov is working from the bottom.
Da Gaucho is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Muranov can do to turn this around?
Da Gaucho in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Muranov tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Muranov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Da Gaucho trying to control the action but Muranov is working from the bottom.
Da Gaucho remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muranov tries to bench press Da Gaucho off him but Da Gaucho keeps the position.

Da Gaucho looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Muranov is looking for a sweep.
Muranov is not content to let Da Gaucho control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muranov is looking for a sweep.
Da Gaucho trying to control the action but Muranov is working from the bottom.

Da Gaucho working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Da Gaucho wants to control but Muranov is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Gaucho in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Da Gaucho tries for a kimura but Muranov is defending well.
Muranov sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Muranov is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Da Gaucho's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Da Gaucho's back!
Da Gaucho tries to escape but Muranov has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Da Gaucho is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Grappling Pro Helsinki, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Muranov is looking to get the fight back to the feet.
Muranov not allowing Da Gaucho to control his hands.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Muranov has Da Gaucho's back but decides to stand back up... Obviously he fancies his chances in the standup department!
Bruno Da Gaucho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Da Gaucho drives through with a takedown into Muranov's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruno Da Gaucho had his way with Islam Muranov in that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Da Gaucho is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Muranov's half guard.

Da Gaucho is trying to work for a kimura but Muranov is defending well.
Da Gaucho wants to lay and pray for a moment but Muranov keeps working.
Muranov is looking for a sweep. Da Gaucho is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Da Gaucho uses his free foot to push down on Muranov's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Muranov.
Muranov is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Da Gaucho wants to control the pace but Muranov is squirming around nicely.
Da Gaucho is really struggling to control Muranov but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Muranov is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Da Gaucho moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Muranov has worked his arm free - good work by Muranov!
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Da Gaucho is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Muranov knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Da Gaucho tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Da Gaucho wants to lay and pray for a moment but Muranov keeps working.
Muranov sneaks back into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muranov trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Da Gaucho manages to pass to mount!
Muranov tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Da Gaucho working for a submission but Muranov is keeping him at bay.
Da Gaucho can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Muranov is looking to escape.
Muranov wants to hold on but Da Gaucho pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Da Gaucho throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Da Gaucho tries to control but Muranov wriggling away.
Muranov wants to hold on but Da Gaucho pushes him away.
Da Gaucho with shots to the head and body - Muranov looks very uncomfortable down there.
A nice elbow there by Da Gaucho.
Da Gaucho scoring with strikes but Muranov is staying in there.
Muranov manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Da Gaucho is looking to take a break and control but Muranov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Islam Muranov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bruno Da Gaucho is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Muranov is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Da Gaucho pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruno Da Gaucho showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Da Gaucho has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 50:45
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 50:45
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruno Da Gaucho!
Bruno Da Gaucho retains his bantamweight title!