PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Randy Newman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morgan Brand (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Newman is coming into this fight with a significant injury, which will no doubt have an effect on his cardio. This should be a great matchup!

Newman
vs
Brand

188 cm
19
212 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
215 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Randy Newman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Morgan Brand!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brand shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Newman as he avoids it easily.
Newman is breathing heavily.
Brand changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Newman tries to avoid it but Brand manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Newman to the ground. Newman escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Brand shoots in but no luck this time.
Randy Newman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morgan Brand.
Brand fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Brand misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A right-left combo lands from Newman.
Newman keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Brand shoots in but no luck this time.
Newman swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Brand.
Brand on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Brand takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Newman swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Brand.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Newman, as that shot connected.
Brand fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Brand takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Brand keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Newman.

Brand closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brand content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Newman is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The strikes coming from Brand are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Brand lands a decent elbow from side control.
Newman is not content to let Brand control the position.
Brand in side control, throwing shots but Newman defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Brand wants to control but Newman is keeping him busy.
Newman managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Brand.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No luck for Brand with that takedown attempt.
Brand shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Newman pinned against the cage. Newman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Newman misses with a wild combination.

Brand looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brand postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brand trying to control the position from guard on top but Newman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Brand accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Brand being controlled here momentarily.
Brand throws a big right hand that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Brand throwing strikes from guard but Newman blocks nicely.
Newman is wriggling around but Brand manages to pass to half guard.
Newman wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Brand shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Newman manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Newman avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Brand drops back, looking for a kneebar! Newman looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Newman looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Newman!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Randy Newman will probably get the nod.
That's time! Newman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Newman scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

Brand scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Brand not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Brand scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Newman keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Newman tries to kick Brand off but Brand keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Newman blocking the ground and pound attempt from Brand.
Newman is refusing to be controlled, as Brand sits in half guard.
Brand has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brand throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Brand cracks the inside of Newman's front leg.
Newman displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Brand.
Brand walks into a stiff left hand from Newman.
Brand fails with the takedown.
Brand closes the distance and clinches up with Newman, looking for a takedown. Brand pushes Newman against the cage but Newman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Randy Newman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morgan Brand.
Newman throws a combination. Brand tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Newman throws a big shot that misses.
Brand looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Brand shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Newman sprawls well. Newman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Brand gets slowly back to his feet.
Newman works Brand's body with a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brand shoots in for a takedown but Newman shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Brand has a takedown stuffed.
Newman throws a one two combo.
Brand takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Brand uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Newman.
Randy Newman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Newman pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Brand has closed the distance and engaged Newman in a clinch.

Brand's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Brand throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Newman stalks Brand and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Brand's face. Brand staggers backwards, shaken.
Brand fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Brand shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Brand showed some decent athleticism there.

Brand postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Newman to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Newman throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Brand closes this distance looking for a takedown but Newman circles away.

Brand gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Newman is trying to break free.
Newman tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Brand pulls guard effortlessly.
Newman in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Brand scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Newman lands a glancing blow to the side of Brand's head.
Brand closes this distance looking for a takedown but Newman circles away.
Newman scores with a jab to the body.
Brand showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Newman.
Brand throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Newman's waist but Newman gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Brand off to one side.
Brand fails with a takedown attempt.
Horrible takedown by Brand or perhaps it was just good defense by Newman which made him look bad.
A left and a right from Newman both land. Nice combination.
Newman throws out a loose jab but Brand uses good head movement to avoid it.
Brand shoots in but no luck this time.
Newman lands a really nice looking cross but Brand seems unphased.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Morgan Brand showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Newman's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Brand shoots in looking for a takedown. Newman tries to sprawl out of it but Brand keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Newman manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Brand fails with the takedown.
Good standup being displayed there by Newman as he connects with a hook.
Brand walks into a jab.
Newman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Newman wants it to stay on the feet.
Randy Newman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Morgan Brand.
Brand fails to land the takedown.
Brand will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Morgan Brand seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Newman throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Newman slaps away a takedown attempt from Brand, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Brand is trying hard to land a takedown here. Newman sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Newman lands with an uppercut that bounces Brand off the cage and back into rage.
Brand fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Newman misses the shot to the body.
Brand keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Newman.
Newman misses with a looping right.
Brand is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Newman as Brand shoots in.
Brand has a takedown stuffed.
Newman tries to close the distance and clinch but Brand swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Brand has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Brand shoots in for a takedown but Newman shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Brand ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Newman leaves Brand with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Newman lands with a cross.
Brand shoots for a double leg takedown but Newman sprawls well. He's pushed Brand's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Newman swinging wildly here.
Newman bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Newman misses with a two punch combination.
Newman slaps away a takedown attempt from Brand, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Newman misses the shot to the body.
Brand looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Newman is fending him off so far but Brand persists. Nope, Newman circles away and we're back to standing.

Brand fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Newman, pushing him back against the cage.
Newman misses with a punch on the inside.
Newman can't break the clinch.
Brand landing knees to the head.
Brand lands a knee to the head.
Brand is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Newman gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Brand effectively controlling the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brand blocks an uppercut.
Brand taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Morgan Brand.
Brand shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Brand moves into range and clinches up with Newman.
Brand has Newman pushed against the cage.
Newman tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Brand avoids it.

Brand manages to break the clinch.
Brand takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Brand dives in and grabs Newman's left leg, looking for a takedown. Newman pushes down on Brand's head and hops out.
Newman looks to clinch

and Brand counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Brand.
Brand trying to control but Newman is working from the bottom.
Newman trying to keep a closed guard but Brand is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brand throws and elbow that misses. Newman uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Brand's guard. Nice move by Newman!
Newman won't allow Brand to sweep him here.
Newman trying to stand up but can't free himself from Brand's guard.
Brand trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Morgan Brand.
I think Brand 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Morgan Brand!