PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Bruce Lee (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cody Garbrandt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Garbrandt has chosen Volbeat - A Warrior's Call as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lee
vs
Garbrandt

173 cm
30
135 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

179 cm
27
150 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
KO power

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Bruce Lee!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Cody Garbrandt!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Chris Downing and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lee has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Garbrandt finds it's way round the side to connect with Lee's head.
Garbrandt throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Lee counters with a left and a right that stings Garbrandt.
Nice sprawl there from Lee as Garbrandt shoots in.
Lee appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Garbrandt has managed to clinch.

Lee breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lee throws a head kick but Garbrandt moves out of range.

Garbrandt clinches up with Lee and pushes him back against the cage.

Garbrandt's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Garbrandt tries to land a body kick
and Lee counters with a left and a right that stings Garbrandt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Garbrandt misses with an uppercut.
Lee appears to be looking for a big counter.
Garbrandt throws a body punch but Lee moves out of range.
Garbrandt throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Lee counters with a stiff right hand.
Garbrandt throws a sloppy body shot
and Garbrandt takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Cody Garbrandt seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Garbrandt shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Lee napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Lee tries to escape but Garbrandt is in control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Garbrandt thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Garbrandt wants to control but Lee is keeping him busy.

Lee throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Garbrandt avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Despite the aggression on Garbrandt's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Garbrandt keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Garbrandt throws a body shot but no joy.
Lee appears to be looking for a big counter.
Garbrandt fails with the takedown
and Lee counters with a one-two to the body.
Bruce Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cody Garbrandt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Garbrandt fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Lee, pushing him back against the cage.
Lee has a couple of punches blocked by Garbrandt.

Garbrandt manages to break the clinch.
Lee fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Garbrandt manages to avoid it.
Garbrandt is looking for the big counter here.
Garbrandt throws a leg kick that is checked

and Lee counters with a nice double leg into side control. Garbrandt won't be happy with that.

Garbrandt throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt throws a shot from downtown. Lee moves away and avoids it.
Lee is looking for a counter combo.
Garbrandt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Garbrandt scores with a head kick. Lee tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Garbrandt with a poor takedown
and Lee counters with a good, hard body kick but Garbrandt shrugs it off.
Garbrandt looks winded!
Garbrandt misses with the body kick
and Lee counters with a two punch combo.
Garbrandt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lee was well out of range. Poor timing from Garbrandt.
Lee throws a counter high kick but Garbrandt was just alert enough to avoid it.
Lee circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lee tries to counter with a takedown but Garbrandt is quick to defend against it.
Garbrandt throws a hook but Lee avoids it easily.
Lee seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Garbrandt tries to clinch there but Lee circles away.
Garbrandt tries to land a body kick
and Lee counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garbrandt misses with a double jab
and Lee counters with a straight right hand.

Garbrandt closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Lee to the mat! Lee manages to get full guard.
My spies in V C L training center (HOME OF THE TRUE CHAMPION inform me that Garbrandt has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Garbrandt stops Lee from standing up.
Garbrandt is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Lee is looking to stand up but Garbrandt isn't so interested in that idea.
Garbrandt controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Lee wants to get back to his feet but Garbrandt is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bruce Lee will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Garbrandt throws a head kick that misses.
Lee seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Garbrandt scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A swing and a miss from Garbrandt.
Garbrandt takes a kick to the side of the head.
Garbrandt looks to land a body kick but Lee moved away.
Lee changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Garbrandt fails with the takedown.
Lee appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Garbrandt rushes Lee and presses him up against the cage.
Garbrandt wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Garbrandt slows down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Garbrandt has him pressed against the cage.
Lee misses with the head strike.
Lee is trying to break free.
Lee throws a punch but it's blocked by Garbrandt.
Lee keeps control of Garbrandt as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Garbrandt is trying to break free.
Lee wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Lee wants to break free but Garbrandt has control.
Lee working hard to break the clinch.
Garbrandt tries to break free but Lee pushes him back against the cage.
Lee keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Garbrandt's efforts to push away.
Lee misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Garbrandt manages to break the clinch.
Garbrandt throws a nice looking combination but Lee bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lee is looking to counter with head kicks.
Garbrandt throws a lazy head kick
and Lee counters with a head kick. That will keep Garbrandt thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Garbrandt misses with a hook to the body
and Lee counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Garbrandt thinking.
Garbrandt misses with an uppercut
and Lee counters with a left and a right that stings Garbrandt.

Garbrandt has taken the fight to the clinch.
Lee is trying to break the clinch but Garbrandt has him pressed against the cage.
Lee is trying to push Garbrandt away but Garbrandt has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Lee tries to break the clinch but Garbrandt is controlling the position.
Garbrandt tries to circle away but Lee has him pinned against the cage.
Garbrandt has Lee pressed against the cage, preventing Lee from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Garbrandt is trying to force a seperation but Lee has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee wants to break the clinch but can't.
Garbrandt wants to take the fight to the mat but Lee manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Lee working aggressively here.
Garbrandt is trying to break free.
Lee prevents Garbrandt from breaking the clinch.
Lee misses with a hook from the clinch.
Lee tries to break the clinch but Garbrandt is controlling the position.
Lee is looking to break free of the clinch but Garbrandt has double underhooks.
Lee working aggressively here.
Garbrandt keeps control of Lee as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Garbrandt can't break the clinch.
Garbrandt is trying to break free.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Lee here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

Lee pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Garbrandt shoots in looking for a takedown but Lee manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Garbrandt's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Lee appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bruce Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cody Garbrandt.
Garbrandt is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Garbrandt clinches up against the cage.
Garbrandt wants a takedown but no success here.
Garbrandt blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Garbrandt is trying to push Lee away but Lee has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Garbrandt is looking to break free of the clinch but Lee has double underhooks.
Garbrandt is trying to break free.

Lee breaks from the clinch.
A punch lands to the side of Garbrandt 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Garbrandt shoots in looking for a takedown. Lee tries to sprawl out of it but Garbrandt keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Lee manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Lee went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Lee dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Lee lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Lee avoids a kick to the body.
Lee tries to counter with a takedown but Garbrandt is quick to defend against it.

Garbrandt darts in and clinches Lee up against the cage.
Lee tries to break free but Garbrandt pushes him back against the cage.
Lee is trying to break the clinch but Garbrandt is controlling him.
Lee is defending well against a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lee breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Garbrandt pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Garbrandt misses with a kick to the body.
Garbrandt moves in looking to clinch but Lee pushes him off.
Lee drops down looking for a counter takedown but Garbrandt sprawls and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garbrandt fails with the takedown
and Lee counters with a straight right hand.
Garbrandt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Garbrandt is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Garbrandt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lee was well out of range. Poor timing from Garbrandt.
Lee seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Garbrandt will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Lee appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bruce Lee has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cody Garbrandt.
Lee lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Lee is looking to clinch but Garbrandt is avoiding it.
Garbrandt misses with a takedown
and Lee counters with a left and a right that stings Garbrandt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Lee went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Garbrandt tries to clinch
and Lee counters with a nice uppercut.
Garbrandt with a poor takedown
and Lee counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Garbrandt is lucky that one didn't land flush.
A low kick from Garbrandt misses
and Lee counters with a two punch combo.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lee throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A low kick from Garbrandt is predictable there
and Lee counters with a three punch combo that has Garbrandt backing up. Garbrandt nods at Lee to acknowledge the strikes.
Garbrandt wants to clinch up but Lee keeps it at a distance.
Garbrandt doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Garbrandt takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Garbrandt takes a kick to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lee tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Garbrandt with a poor takedown
and Lee counters with a nice low kick that buckles Garbrandt's knee momentarily.
Lee is looking to clinch but Garbrandt is avoiding it.
Lee wants to clinch.
Garbrandt tries to clinch but Lee moves away
and Lee counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Lee tries to avoid it but Garbrandt manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Lee to the ground. Lee escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lee lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Lee circles away from the clinch attempt
and Lee counters with a one-two to the body.
Lee throws a nice head kick!
Garbrandt throws a head kick that misses.
Garbrandt thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lee drops down looking for a counter takedown but Garbrandt sprawls and moves away.
Garbrandt stalks Lee and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Lee's face. Lee staggers backwards, shaken.
Cody Garbrandt has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Garbrandt throws a combination that misses
and Lee counters with a straight right hand.
Bruce Lee is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
An inside leg kick lands from Lee.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bruce Lee showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lee, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alan Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruce Lee!