PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Titus Branch (ranked 6989 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Kennedy (ranked 6510 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Branch
vs
Kennedy

178 cm
27
184 lbs
7 - 15 - 0

183 cm
36
178 lbs
16 - 28 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 7 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Titus Branch!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steven Kennedy!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Branch uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kennedy.
Kennedy misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kennedy misses with a kick to the body

and Branch counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Kennedy is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Branch wants to stand but Kennedy has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Branch gets to his feet - Kennedy follows without any prompting.

Kennedy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Branch is looking to take this one to the mat.
We've been informed that Kennedy has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kennedy.
Kennedy tries to work over Branch's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Branch has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kennedy avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Branch wants to take the fight to the mat but Kennedy manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Titus Branch. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kennedy's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kennedy shoots in for a takedown but Branch shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Branch half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Branch moves out of range of the body kick from Kennedy.
Kennedy looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Branch dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Titus Branch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Branch throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Branch will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Branch lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kennedy circles away quickly and effectively.
Branch misses with the combination.
Branch misses with a looping right.
Branch misses with a wild combination.
Kennedy has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Kennedy showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Branch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branch misses with a low kick.
Branch rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kennedy moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
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!
Kennedy delivers a nice body kick.

Kennedy gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Branch looking for a takedown.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kennedy goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Kennedy gets control of Branch's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kennedy will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Branch wants to get up but he can't break Kennedy's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Branch has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Kennedy has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Branch should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Kennedy has tightened it up now! Branch should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Steven Kennedy!
A victorious Steven Kennedy thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.