PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Shark Attack (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brandon Hale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hale has chosen Dead Sara - Weatherman as his entrance music. Brandon Hale has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Attack
vs
Hale

180 cm
33
177 lbs
22 - 21 - 0

174 cm
38
177 lbs
37 - 19 - 2

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Aspire Clothing
King of Clothes

FORCEE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Shark Attack!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 37 - 19 - 2, fighting out of London, Brandon Hale!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, William Peck and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hale throws a body shot but no joy.
Hale cracks Attack with an open hand slap.
Hale wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Attack looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Hale!
Attack cracks Hale with a big elbow.
Attack throws an elbow but Hale slips to the side and avoids it well.
Attack prevents Hale from escaping the position.
Hale sneaks back into half guard.
Attack thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hale's head.
Attack sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hale defending well though.
Attack not landing any meaningful shots this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hale looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hale taking some punishment here, with Attack in his half guard.
Attack throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hale blocking the ground and pound attempt from Attack.
Attack thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hale's head.
Attack drops an elbow to the side of Hale's head.
Attack throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hale is trying to stand.
Attack not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Attack throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Attack thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hale's head.
Hale is trying to stand.
Attack is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Attack thows a huge punch but Hale dodges it nicely.
Attack landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Hale actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hale tries to get to full guard but Attack has control of the leg.
Hale has hold of Attack's hands but Attack slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Attack not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Attack missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Attack working the head and body with strikes.
Attack throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Attack working Hale over with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Attack looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hale with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Attack throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Attack throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Attack throwing shots but Hale is blocking nicely.
Attack not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Attack sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hale defending well though.
Attack lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Attack thows a huge punch but Hale dodges it nicely.

Hale manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Attack keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Attack has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hale avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
I was talking to Attack's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Hale lands with a light punch inside.
Hale is trying to stall.

Attack works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Attack got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hale has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Attack has managed to get both his arms back between Hale's legs - danger averted.
Hale looking to hit a scissor sweep but Attack is one step ahead there.
Attack with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hale utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Attack with a flurry of punches that miss.

Hale is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Attack defends well.
Hale is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Attack working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Attack with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hale wants to sweep here but Attack controlling him for the moment.
Attack scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Hale working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Attack doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Attack manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Attack throwing strikes but missing.

Hale kicks Attack off and gets to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shark Attack dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A nice leg kick lands there from Hale.
Attack keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Attack tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hale paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Attack on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hale. Hale obviously looking to wear him down.
Hale misses with an uppercut. Attack saw that one coming.
Attack is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hale can do to turn this around?
Hale throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Attack uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hale.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Attack fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Attack closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hale counters with a left and a right that stings Attack.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hale ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hale throws a head kick that misses.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Hale.
Hale connects with a solid leg kick.
Nice body punch from Hale.
Attack shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hale connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

It looks like Shark Attack has been cut.
Attack moves out of range as Hale strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hale cracks a nice hook into Attack's ribs.
Attack shoots in looking for a takedown but Hale manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Attack's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shark Attack. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hale lands a nice shot that snaps Attack's head back.
Hale looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hale stuffs the takedown.
Hale is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hale digs a good hook to Attack's body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hale.
Attack misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Attack fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hale lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
A jab from Hale does it's job there.

Attack shoots in and gets a takedown into Hale's guard.
Hale is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

Hale is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Attack defends well.
Hale working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Attack.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hale working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Attack.
Attack has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Attack throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Attack throwing strikes but missing.
Hale is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Hale utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Attack throws a big right hand that misses.
Shark Attack overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Hale manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Hale breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A jab from Hale misses.

Attack drives through and clinches with Hale against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Hale showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shark Attack's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Hale fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Attack fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hale lands an overhand right.
Hale misses with a body punch
and Attack counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Attack gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Attack.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hale throws a right hand that Attack ducks under and follows up with a left that Attack also avoids with ease.
Attack appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hale scores with a leg kick.
Attack takes one to the chin there.
Hale scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Attack doesn't seem bothered though.
Attack looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hale is fending him off so far but Attack persists. Nope, Hale circles away and we're back to standing.
Attack moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromHale.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Shark Attack. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Attack shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Hale's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hale manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Attack manages to get himself to full guard.

Hale scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Attack preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Attack wants to stand but Hale is controlling the position.
Hale looking to pass the guard.
Hale with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
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!

Attack pushes Hale off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Hale wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hale waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Attack.
Attack was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Attack on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Attack avoids the body shot from Hale.
A little feinted left hand from Attack on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Attack shoots and misses
and Hale counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Attack looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That kick from Hale tenderised Attack's leg. Attack is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hale, right into the meat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Attack shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Hale to counter with a crisp jab.
Hale avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Attack fails with a takedown attempt.
Hale scores with a jab to the body.
Hale scores with a jab to the body.
Attack on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brandon Hale comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hale 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Peck scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brandon Hale!
A very excited looking Brandon Hale rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.