PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yuka Brasil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Rappenecker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brasil comes to the cage accompanied by Gang Starr - Work. Rappenecker has chosen Burial - Untrue as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Tom Rappenecker enters the cage!

Brasil
vs
Rappenecker

175 cm
23
194 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

185 cm
23
185 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Yuka Brasil!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Tom Rappenecker!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Paulo Santos and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rappenecker scores with a leg kick.

Rappenecker has Brasil up against the cage in a clinch.

Rappenecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Brasil keeps the fight on the outside.
Brasil misses with a wild combination.
Brasil wants to clinch but Rappenecker slips to the side
and Rappenecker counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Rappenecker showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Brasil.
Brasil is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rappenecker.
Brasil misses with a body kick.
Rappenecker clinches but Brasil breaks the clinch

and Brasil counters with a shoot takedown. Rappenecker fights it but they end up in guard.

Brasil drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rappenecker manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Brasil has Rappenecker in his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rappenecker trying to control but Brasil is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rappenecker trying to stand up but can't free himself from Brasil's guard.
Brasil wants to sweep here but Rappenecker controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Brasil throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Rappenecker escapes and throws Brasil's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Rappenecker trying to control the action but Brasil is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rappenecker misses with a takedown attempt

and Brasil counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rappenecker is looking to break free of the clinch but Brasil has double underhooks.

Rappenecker manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Brasil drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rappenecker manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Brasil has Rappenecker in his guard.
Rappenecker must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rappenecker wants to stand but Brasil has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Brasil wants to sweep here but Rappenecker controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rappenecker trying to control but Brasil is working from the bottom.
Brasil looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Brasil escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rappenecker gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Brasil is breathing heavily.
Brasil trying to strike off his back.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Brasil is on top in guard.

Brasil decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Rappenecker, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rappenecker.
Brasil is looking to regain half guard here but Rappenecker keeps moving and retains side control.

Rappenecker looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Brasil is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Rappenecker off and has taken his back!

Brasil is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Rappenecker knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Rappenecker for a finish.
Rappenecker has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
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 Yuka Brasil will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Rappenecker tries to close the distance and clinch up but Brasil swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rappenecker loads up on a big right hand but Brasil slips the punch.

Rappenecker clinches up with Brasil and pushes him back against the cage.

Rappenecker breaks the clinch.
Brasil shoots for a takedown but Rappenecker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Brasil stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rappenecker.
Yuka Brasil seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rappenecker misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brasil ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rappenecker moves away.
Rappenecker tries to clinch but Brasil is having none of it.
Rappenecker throws a head kick but Brasil moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brasil wants to clinch up but Rappenecker keeps it at a distance.
Brasil takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Horrible takedown by Rappenecker or perhaps it was just good defense by Brasil which made him look bad.
Rappenecker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rappenecker throws a series of punches but Brasil avoids them all with ease.
Rappenecker cracks the inside of Brasil's front leg.
Rappenecker wants to clinch.

Brasil clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rappenecker wants to break the clinch but can't.

Rappenecker breaks from the clinch.
Brasil wants to clinch.
Rappenecker swinging wilding here.
The fight stays on the outside here - Brasil looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Rappenecker darts in and clinches Brasil up against the cage.
Rappenecker wants to get back to striking at distance but Brasil won't allow it.

Rappenecker breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Brasil looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Rappenecker!
You get the feeling that Rappenecker really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Rappenecker tries to hold on but Brasil postures up.
Rappenecker is trying to stand.
Rappenecker working to try and regain half guard.
Rappenecker is breathing heavily.

Brasil jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Rappenecker manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Rappenecker is not content to let Brasil control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Brasil tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Brasil goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Rappenecker has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Brasil but great work by Rappenecker.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rappenecker thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Brasil is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Yuka Brasil will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Brasil blocks the body kick.
Brasil throws a lazy head kick
and Rappenecker counters with a solid body kick.
Rappenecker shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Brasil but Brasil pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Brasil is looking to clinch.
Good exchange - Brasil coming out on top.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rappenecker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Brasil tries to avoid it but Rappenecker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Brasil to the ground. Brasil escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Brasil tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rappenecker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rappenecker fails with the takedown

and Brasil counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Yuka Brasil has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Rappenecker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brasil looking for a takedown.
Rappenecker is looking to break free of the clinch but Brasil has double underhooks.

Rappenecker breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rappenecker shoots in and drives through. Brasil sprawls well.
Rappenecker takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A head kick by Brasil misses
and Rappenecker counters with a nice kick to the body.

Rappenecker gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Rappenecker escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Brasil shoots in but Rappenecker avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Brasil wants to clinch but Rappenecker slips to the side
and Rappenecker counters with a left and a right that stings Brasil.

Brasil closes the distance and clinches.
Brasil tries to score a body lock takedown but Rappenecker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Rappenecker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rappenecker fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brasil circles away from the clinch attempt

and Brasil counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Brasil is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rappenecker trying to hold on to Brasil's head to control him but Brasil postures up.
Rappenecker is controlling Brasil's trapped leg to prevent Brasil from advancing to side control.

Brasil wants to work for an arm triangle but Rappenecker is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rappenecker is looking to control Brasil's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rappenecker avoid being mounted?

Brasil is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Rappenecker still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Rappenecker has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Rappenecker is looking to take a break and control but Brasil is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Rappenecker tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rappenecker has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Brasil is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rappenecker tries to move into full mount but can't pass Brasil's legs.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Brasil closes the distance looking to clinch

and Rappenecker counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Tom Rappenecker just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Brasil wants to clinch

and Rappenecker counters by clinching up.

Rappenecker breaks the clinch.
Brasil throws a right hand that Rappenecker ducks under and follows up with a left that Rappenecker also avoids with ease.
Rappenecker stuffs the takedown attempt from Brasil. Brasil gets slowly back to his feet.
Rappenecker misses with a double jab.
Brasil takes a head kick and keeps coming.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Brasil misses with a takedown
and Rappenecker counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Brasil is lucky that one didn't land flush.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Rappenecker gets the takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rappenecker happy to just control the position for now.
Brasil tries to buck Rappenecker off but Rappenecker is having none of it.

Rappenecker decides to stand back up. Rappenecker steps back and let's Brasil get back to his feet.
Rappenecker wants to clinch up but Brasil keeps it at a distance.
Yuka Brasil is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rappenecker shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Brasil's guard.
Brasil is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rappenecker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Rappenecker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rappenecker would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Brasil doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brasil looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rappenecker is one step ahead there.
Brasil keeping moving, preventing Rappenecker from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Rappenecker clinches.
Brasil wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yuka Brasil. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rappenecker pulls guard successfully.
Rappenecker is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Tom Rappenecker has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rappenecker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rappenecker trying to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Brasil accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Brasil advances to half guard.
Rappenecker makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rappenecker.
Brasil tries to free his leg and advance position but Rappenecker is retaining full guard.
Rappenecker looking to control.
Brasil stops Rappenecker from standing up.
Brasil sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rappenecker's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Rappenecker dominated that fourth round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rappenecker bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Brasil tries to clinch up
and Rappenecker counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good leg kick by Rappenecker there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Brasil tries to clinch
and Rappenecker counters with an inside leg kick.
Rappenecker tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Brasil swivels and escapes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Decent striking displayed by Brasil there.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rappenecker wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Brasil has him pressed against the cage.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rappenecker pulls guard.
Brasil trying to control but Rappenecker is working from the bottom.
Brasil cracks Rappenecker with a solid left hand.
Brasil tries to free his leg and advance position but Rappenecker is retaining full guard.
Brasil passes Rappenecker's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Brasil looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rappenecker wants to control but Brasil is keeping busy.

That's two 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.

Brasil is looking for a kimura here.

Brasil is working for a kimura but Rappenecker is defending it quite comfortably.

Brasil is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rappenecker is just riding it out for now. Brasil eventually gives up the hold.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rappenecker tries for a takedown but Brasil sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rappenecker, right into the meat.
Brasil tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Rappenecker changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Brasil tries to avoid it but Rappenecker manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Brasil to the ground. Brasil escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Yuka Brasil has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Rappenecker.
Rappenecker tries to score with a low kick but Brasil moves his leg out of the way.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Brasil tries to clinch up

and Rappenecker counters with a nice double leg into side control. Brasil won't be happy with that.
Brasil is trying to work for a sweep but Rappenecker has mounted him!
Brasil looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Will Rappenecker go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Brasil breaks Rappenecker's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Brasil stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rappenecker swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rappenecker wants to sweep here but Brasil controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tom Rappenecker comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rappenecker has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 45:50
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tom Rappenecker!
Tom Rappenecker is the new middleweight champion!