PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Titus Branch (ranked 4163 p4p, 454 weight class) and Adriano Conte (ranked 4542 p4p, 485 weight class). Conte has chosen Giuseppe Verdi - Requiem as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Branch
vs
Conte

178 cm
20
175 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

182 cm
20
170 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
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 4 - 1 - 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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Adriano Conte!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Chad Campbell and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Branch has his takedown stuffed
and Conte counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Titus Branch has been cut.
Branch tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Conte defends well and Branch ends up having to push Conte into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Branch fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Conte avoids it really well and circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Titus Branch. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Branch closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Branch lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Conte wants to hit a switch here but Branch passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Conte there!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Conte is in all sorts of trouble here.
Conte has given up his back. Will we see Branch going for some submissions?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Conte defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
I really don't envy Conte right now.

Conte defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Branch is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Conte knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Conte for a finish.
Branch struggling to keep hold of the position.
Conte rolls, trying to escape but Branch keeps control of the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Conte tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Conte tries to reverse the position but Branch maintains control.

Branch working for a submission but Conte is keeping him at bay.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Conte bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Conte trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Branch is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Conte is aware though and is defending well.
Conte not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Conte tries to free his leg and advance position but Branch is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Branch managing to control the position.
Conte stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Branch swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Branch wants to stand but Conte is controlling the position.
Conte looking to pass the guard.
Branch keeping moving, preventing Conte from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Conte wants to pass the guard but Branch is keeping the position.
Conte is still trying to improve position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Conte trying to control but Branch is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Conte lands a leg kick that knocks Branch off balance momentarily.
Branch tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Conte defends well and Branch ends up having to push Conte into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Conte keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Branch closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Branch lands in his opponent's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Branch pushing down on Conte's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
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 Titus Branch will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Titus Branch's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Branch has his takedown stuffed
and Conte counters with a two punch combo.
Conte with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Branch takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Branch takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Branch shoots for a double leg takedown but Conte sprawls well. He's pushed Branch's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Conte swats away the attempt to clinch by Branch.
Branch drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Branch doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Conte counters with a big right hand! Oh Branch is in trouble here! Conte follows up with more strikes and that's it! The ref has stopped it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Adriano Conte!
Adriano Conte thanked the fans post fight for their support.