PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Cody Garbrandt (ranked 4670 p4p, 4617 weight class) and Leif Cassidy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Garbrandt
vs
Cassidy

175 cm
22
140
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
140
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Cody Garbrandt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Leif Cassidy!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Michael Johnstone and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Garbrandt.
Cassidy steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Garbrandt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Garbrandt is defended easily by Cassidy.
Cassidy slaps away a takedown attempt from Garbrandt, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cody Garbrandt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Garbrandt looks for a takedown but Cassidy sprawls well.
Garbrandt shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Cassidy defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Garbrandt tries to keep at a distance but Cassidy has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Garbrandt's defenses.
Garbrandt takes an elbow to the forehead.
Cassidy's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Garbrandt takes an elbow to the temple.
With the fighters up against the cage, Cassidy throws an elbow but misses.
Cassidy avoiding damage.
Garbrandt takes an elbow to the temple.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Garbrandt takes an elbow to the temple.
Cassidy pushes off an throws an elbow but Garbrandt leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Garbrandt has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Cassidy after a bit of a struggle.
Garbrandt is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Cassidy is defending well.
The referee calls for Cassidy to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Cassidy.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Garbrandt blocks the elbow strike.
Cassidy lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Cassidy just misses with a elbow thrown towards Garbrandt's brow.
Garbrandt tries for a takedown but Cassidy manages to get underhooks.
Cassidy throws an elbow that misses.
Cassidy pushes off an throws an elbow but Garbrandt leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Garbrandt goes for a takedown attempt but Cassidy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Cassidy getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Garbrandt has a takedown stuffed.
Garbrandt sets himself, and Cassidy steps forward looking for the clinch! Garbrandt avoids it this time.
Cassidy misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Cassidy.
Garbrandt shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Cassidy but Cassidy pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Cassidy swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Garbrandt shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Cassidy sprawls well. Cassidy wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Garbrandt gets slowly back to his feet.
Garbrandt shoots in looking for a takedown but Cassidy manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Garbrandt's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Cassidy takes the fight into the clinch.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Garbrandt is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Garbrandt is breathing heavily.
Garbrandt drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cassidy gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garbrandt blocks an elbow strike.
Garbrandt goes for a takedown attempt but Cassidy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Garbrandt darts in looking for a takedown but Cassidy gets double underhooks and turns Garbrandt into the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Cassidy.
Cassidy creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Garbrandt's defenses.
Garbrandt is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Cassidy gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Cassidy creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Cassidy lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Cassidy lands a nice elbow.
Cassidy prevents the takedown attempt.
Cassidy misses with an elbow over the top.
Cassidy effectively controlling the action here.
Garbrandt dodges an elbow strike from Cassidy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Leif Cassidy dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Garbrandt looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Garbrandt sets himself, and Cassidy steps forward looking for the clinch! Garbrandt avoids it this time.
Garbrandt takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Garbrandt with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cassidy to score with a decent uppercut.
Nice sprawl there from Cassidy as Garbrandt shoots in.
Cassidy cracks Garbrandt with a good jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Garbrandt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Cody Garbrandt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Cassidy cracks Garbrandt with a right hand to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garbrandt staying out of range there.
Garbrandt looks for a takedown but Cassidy sprawls well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Cassidy.
Cassidy fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Garbrandt on the side of the head.

Garbrandt is rocked!
Cassidy cracks Garbrandt with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Garbrandt tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Cassidy pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Garbrandt is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Leif Cassidy!