The first round was a close affair, but the superior grappler won out. Just before the bell to signal the end of the first round, Palhares was deep into a knee bar. He wasn't able to finish it, but Branch looked very close to tapping at points. Branch was a gamer, however, and raised his hand to get the crowd to cheer for him as Palhares attempted the submission. The round ended, but a clear 10-9 for Palhares.

The second round was where Palhares merely finished what he started. He was able to finish Branch off in the same way he intended in the first: with a kneebar.

"It’s not a secret, it’s because of my height, and many guys come from Wrestling, so they know how to defend themselves while standing, the takedowns, but this legs part is harder to defend because nobody’s prepared for it. I’ll keep looking for a way to fit my coups. When I get it right, I hold it until he taps out."