PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tao Ishinoba (ranked 4693 p4p, 4585 weight class) and Frank Franklin (ranked 556 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ishinoba
vs
Franklin

183 cm
25
175
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
169
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Tao Ishinoba!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Frank Franklin!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, James Atkins and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Franklin feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ishinoba keeping full guard, as Franklin tries to pass.
Franklin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Franklin cracks Ishinoba with a solid left hand.
Franklin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Franklin makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Franklin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ishinoba controls Franklin momentarily but Franklin frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Franklin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ishinoba works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ishinoba keeping full guard, as Franklin tries to pass.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Franklin accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Franklin throws a strike but Ishinoba rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Franklin is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Franklin keeping moving, preventing Ishinoba from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ishinoba's guard.

Ishinoba wants to sweep here but Franklin controlling him for the moment.
Franklin content to stall in guard here.
Franklin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Franklin content to stall in guard here.
Franklin throws a big elbow that misses.
Franklin working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Franklin postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ishinoba is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Franklin, into his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ishinoba trying to control but Franklin is working from the bottom.
Franklin is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Franklin is still trying to improve position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Franklin holds on and takes a little breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishinoba trying to control the position from guard on top but Franklin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Franklin is looking to sweep but instead, Ishinoba has passed into half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Franklin can do anything to dispel that myth.
Franklin is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Franklin tries to roll over but Ishinoba keeps him under control.
Franklin keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Ishinoba trying to control the action but Franklin is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Ishinoba is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Franklin is just riding it out for now. Ishinoba eventually gives up the hold.
Franklin preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Franklin manages to get to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Franklin seems keen to control Ishinoba's posture.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Franklin dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Ishinoba is looking to clinch but Franklin is avoiding it.
Franklin misses with a takedown attempt
and Ishinoba counters with a one-two to the body.

Ishinoba gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Franklin content to stall in guard here.
Ishinoba preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Franklin is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ishinoba is controlling him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Franklin looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ishinoba passes into half guard.
Franklin wants to control but Ishinoba is keeping busy.
Franklin is breathing heavily.
Franklin is looking for a sweep. Ishinoba is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Ishinoba is trying to work for a kimura but Franklin is defending well.
Franklin makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Franklin.
Franklin keeping moving, preventing Ishinoba from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Franklin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ishinoba is one step ahead there.
Franklin is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Franklin wants to hit a sweep here but Ishinoba passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Franklin there!
Ishinoba wants to take Franklin's back but he can't do it this time.
Ishinoba avoids the attempt from Franklin to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ishinoba trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ishinoba prevents Franklin from getting the reversal.
Ishinoba can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Franklin is looking to escape.
Franklin wants to hold on but Ishinoba pushes him away.
Ishinoba works his way to his opponent's back.
Franklin tries to break free.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here.

Ishinoba has his arm under Franklin's chin here. Game over son! Ishinoba squeezes tightly and Franklin is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Tao Ishinoba!