PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brando Reigns (ranked 1664 p4p, 166 weight class) and Anton Poirier (ranked 2002 p4p, 192 weight class). Reigns comes into the arena with Tragedy blaring out of the sound system. Poirier is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Chariot - . . . and Shot Each Other. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Reigns
vs
Poirier

166 cm
29
154 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

173 cm
30
146 lbs
10 - 10 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Brando Reigns!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Anton Poirier!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reigns takes one on the button.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Poirier has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Poirier looks to land a combination but Reigns avoids it well.
A looping hook to the body misses from Poirier. Reigns does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reigns has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Temple of Cloud Warriors-youth in the buildup to the fight.
Reigns throws a leg kick
and Poirier counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Poirier looks to score with a jab to the body but Reigns is just out of range.
Poirier fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Poirier misses with a body punch
and Reigns connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Reigns misses with a leg kick.
Reigns works the jab nicely.
Poirier waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Reigns.
Reigns feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Reigns misses with a low kick.
Reigns works Poirier's body with a nice hook.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Reigns.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Poirier tries to work over Reigns's front leg with a kick but Reigns checks it.
Poirier connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Reigns momentarily.
Reigns throws a lazy body kick
and Poirier counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Poirier lands a nice looking body shot.
Poirier takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Poirier shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Reigns looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reigns is staying active underneath Poirier, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Reigns wants to improve his position but Poirier is controlling well.
Poirier is controlling the pace.
Poirier tries to pass the half guard into mount. Reigns knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Poirier keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

Poirier seems to be looking for submissions.
Reigns on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Poirier wants to free his trapped foot but Reigns is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Poirier wants to lay and pray for a moment but Reigns keeps working.
Reigns is looking for a sweep. Poirier is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Reigns controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Poirier tries to pass to full mount but Reigns defends it.
Reigns manages to get to full guard.
Poirier slips nicely into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Poirier is thwarting Reigns's attempts to control the position.

Reigns looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Poirier is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Reigns is just riding it out for now. Poirier eventually gives up the hold.
Poirier wants to pass the guard but Reigns is defending well.

Poirier is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Reigns defends it well.
Reigns keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Reigns is looking to control Poirier's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Reigns avoid being mounted?
Reigns manages to get to full guard.

Reigns looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Poirier trying to control the position from guard on top but Reigns is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Poirier preventing the sweep.
Reigns bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Poirier's guard.

Poirier keeping moving, preventing Reigns from controlling successfully.
Reigns throwing strikes but missing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Poirier is on top in guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reigns tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Reigns trying to control the position.
Reigns looking to hit a scissor sweep but Poirier is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Reigns moves out of range as Poirier throws a body kick.
Poirier is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Reigns uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Poirier.
Reigns 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.
Reigns lands a jab.
Poirier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Poirier dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Reigns. That did some damage!
Reigns checks a leg kick nicely.
Reigns walks into a left hand.
Poirier tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Reigns was well out of range. Poor timing from Poirier.
Reigns bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reigns throws out a loose jab but Poirier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Poirier swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Poirier thows a left - swing and a miss!
Anton Poirier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Poirier throws a shot from downtown. Reigns moves away and avoids it.
Reigns thows a left - swing and a miss!
Poirier avoids the body shot from Reigns.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poirier doesn't manage to clinch there - Reigns circles away.
Poirier does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Reigns fails to pull guard.

Reigns pulls guard.
Reigns bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Poirier's guard.

Reigns trying to control but Poirier is working from the bottom.
Reigns works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Reigns wants to pass the guard but Poirier is defending well.
Reigns wants to take a breather but Poirier is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Reigns.
Reigns prevents Poirier from improving his position.
Poirier is concentrating on defense, preventing Reigns from advancing position.
Poirier gets full guard.
Reigns trying to control the position from guard on top but Poirier is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Poirier has his hands on Reigns's head, controlling the position.
Anton Poirier has got the better of the ground game so far.
Poirier wants to sweep here but Reigns controlling him for the moment.
Reigns tries to free his leg and advance position but Poirier is retaining full guard.
Reigns stopping the sweep attempt from Poirier.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poirier keeping full guard, as Reigns tries to pass.
Reigns passes Poirier's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Reigns seems to be working for a kimura but Poirier defends the submission attempt.
Poirier is looking for a sweep. Reigns is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Reigns is looking to advance position but Poirier won't allow it.
Reigns throwing shots but Poirier is blocking nicely.

Reigns is looking for a kimura here.
Reigns has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Poirier is squirming around, avoiding Reigns's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Poor strikes thrown by Reigns there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Reigns trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Poirier wants to control but Reigns is having none of it.
Reigns lands with some strikes.
Poirier is trying to escape the mount.
Reigns tries to control but Poirier wriggling away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Poirier wants to hold on but Reigns pushes him away.
Reigns content just to control the position here.
Poirier sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brando Reigns dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Poirier takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Reigns connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Reigns looks to score with a jab to the body but Poirier is just out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Poirier checks a leg kick.
Reigns throws a body kick that misses.
Jab, jab by Reigns - just one landing.
Reigns misses with a looping right.
Poirier lands a head shot.
Poirier misses with a head kick.
Reigns connects with a jab.
Reigns just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reigns blocks a head kick by Poirier.
Reigns uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Poirier.
Reigns comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Reigns cracks Poirier with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
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!
Reigns looks to land a right hand but Poirier moved out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poirier keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A jab from Reigns does it's job there.
Poirier takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Reigns fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Poirier has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Reigns misses with a hook.
Reigns bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Poirier moves out of range as Reigns strikes.
Poirier connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Reigns momentarily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Poirier, as that shot connected.
Reigns misses with a body kick.
Poirier tries a low kick but Reigns avoids it.
Poirier throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reigns was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Reigns thumps Poirier with a low kick.
Reigns throws out a loose jab but Poirier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Reigns slips a straight right by Poirier.
Reigns thuds a left hand into Poirier's body.
A shot to the liver by Reigns. Beautiful body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Poirier checks a leg kick.
Reigns shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Poirier pinned against the cage. Poirier gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Poirier swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Poirier tries to clinch up.
Reigns is looking to counter punch.
Nice body punch from Poirier.
Reigns lands with a nice body punch.
Poirier fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Reigns has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Poirier looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Reigns feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Poirier connects with a crisp jab.
Reigns takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Reigns connects with a leg kick. Poirier looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Poirier on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Poirier doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Reigns pushes Poirier up against the cage in a clinch.
Reigns lands a left hand that snaps the head of Poirier backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Poirier.
Reigns misses with a punch to the body.
Reigns has Poirier pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Poirier manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Reigns stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
A right hand to the body from Reigns.
The referee calls for Poirier to work.
Poirier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Reigns swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Poirier lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Reigns backwards.
Poirier is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Reigns is keeping busy.
Poirier stalling against the cage.
Poirier throws a punch but it's blocked by Reigns.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Reigns lands with a right to the head.
Poirier is pressed up against the cage. Reigns has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Poirier down to the mat. Poirier avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Brando Reigns. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reigns swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Reigns throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Poirier looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The fighters circle momentarily. Poirier darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Reigns takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Reigns throws a hook to the side of Poirier's head but Poirier sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Poirier unleashes a big counter combination but Reigns bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Poirier plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!

Reigns has taken the fight to the clinch.
A short right from Poirier on the inside.
Reigns throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Poirier looking to stall.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Reigns creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Reigns keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Poirier's efforts to push away.
Reigns lands a left hand.
Poirier gets underhooks to prevent Reigns's takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brando Reigns showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Reigns 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brando Reigns!
Our winner, Brando Reigns, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.