David Branch returns to the UFC with split decision win over Krzysztof Jotko
DALLAS — David Branch waited a long time to return to the UFC but now he's back in the win column after eking out a split decision over top 10 ranked middleweight Krzysztof Jotko.
While it wasn’t the most exciting affair, Branch did what he had to do to get the win while using a grappling-heavy attack to ground Jotko's striking over three rounds.
A high-level submission specialist, Branch waited for an opening to dive forward and take Jokto to the mat about two minutes into the first round, but he couldn't hold him there for very long.
Jotko worked back to his feet but couldn't get away from Branch's iron grip as he locked him up in the clinch against the cage while firing away with short punches and knees.
The fighters exchanged punches back and forth throughout the second round with neither one really gaining a definitive advantage. Branch did manage to blast forward with another takedown but barely hit the mat before Jotko had a leg under him so he could work back to the feet in an instant.
Jotko started opening up with offense more as time ticked away, throwing a series of long punches and even a spinning wheel kick before Branch grabbed onto a body lock for a takedown.
Jotko consistently gave up the takedown but bounced back to his feet almost as quickly on every occasion.
The crowd got restless in the third with Branch once again locking up Jotko against the cage as the action stalled amidst both fighters jockeying for position.
Jotko tried to look for strikes any time he was separated from Branch, but he couldn't avoid the grappling exchanges, which came often over the 15 minute fight. When it was over, the Dallas faithful expressed their displeasure in the fight as Branch and Jotko awaited the decision.
Ultimately, the judges gave the fight to Branch by split decision with two cards of 29-28 in his favor with the third going 29-28 to Jotko.
"Chew me up," Branch said to the media as he left the Octagon, clearly not happy with his performance despite getting the win.
It had been several years since Branch competed in the UFC and perhaps he suffered through a few jitters but he still earned a victory, which is what mattered most in the end.
