PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Caio Barbosa (ranked 2163 p4p, 2177 weight class) and Davdio Branko (ranked 107 p4p, 109 weight class). Davdio Branko will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Barbosa
vs
Branko

163 cm
26
145
12 - 9 - 0

180 cm
22
144
6 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Conviction

Vegan Gains
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Caio Barbosa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Davdio Branko!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, John Roberts and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barbosa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Branko sprawls well. Branko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Barbosa gets slowly back to his feet.

Barbosa gets caught napping as Branko dives in and scores a takedown. Barbosa manages to retain guard.
Branko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Branko drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Branko jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Barbosa is trying to keep Branko in close.
Branko trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Barbosa manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Branko has an active guard here but Barbosa has managed to pass into half guard.
Branko is looking for a sweep. Barbosa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Branko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Branko trying to get back to full guard but Barbosa takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Branko is in all sorts of trouble here.
Barbosa wants to control the pace but Branko is squirming around nicely.
Barbosa wants to take his opponent's back but Branko doesn't allow it.
Barbosa tries to control but Branko wriggling away.
Branko working to try and regain half guard.
Barbosa content just to control the position here.
Barbosa can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Branko is looking to escape.
Barbosa mounts Branko! Really nice guard pass there!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Branko is surviving well by controlling Barbosa's body position as best he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Branko sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

Branko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Barbosa pulls his head out easily.
Barbosa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Branko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Still in half guard, Barbosa seems content to control.
Branko manages to get to full guard.
Barbosa slips nicely into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branko is refusing to be controlled, as Barbosa sits in half guard.
Branko is looking to improve his position.
Branko is pressing down on Barbosa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Branko keeping moving, preventing Barbosa from controlling successfully.

Branko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Barbosa is stalling in the full guard.

Branko has his foot on Barbosa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Barbosa works his way back into a safe position though.

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.
Barbosa slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Branko is looking to regain half guard here but Barbosa keeps moving and retains side control.
Barbosa is looking to take a break and control but Branko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Branko sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Barbosa prevents Branko from improving his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Barbosa passes to side control.
Barbosa trying to control the action but Branko is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Caio Barbosa will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Barbosa is defended easily by Branko.
Branko shoots in looking for a takedown. Barbosa tries to sprawl out of it but Branko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Barbosa manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Branko fails with the takedown.

Barbosa shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Branko napping and manages to drive through into side control!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Branko is looking to reverse the position.
Branko sneaks back into half guard.
Branko is trying to get back to full guard.
Branko keeps trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barbosa performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Branko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Branko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Barbosa tries to pass the half guard into mount. Branko knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Barbosa works his foot free and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Branko is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Barbosa is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Branko is in real trouble.
Barbosa tries to keep control of the position but Branko is staying busy.
Branko tries to break free.
Barbosa trying to control.
Branko is trying to break free.
Barbosa has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Branko's body.
Barbosa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Branko can do to turn this around?
Branko tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Barbosa tightening his grip on Branko, looking for the choke.
Barbosa trying to control.
Barbosa keeps control of the position easily here as Branko tries to buck him off.
Branko tries to escape but Barbosa has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Branko is trying to roll into a better position but Barbosa has get a rear naked choke and Branko is forced to tap out! This one is allllll over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Caio Barbosa!
After the big win, Caio Barbosa made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Top Gun Nutrition 160q 4 $150 and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.