PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Earl Franco (ranked 4780 p4p, 4723 weight class) and Vasya Gorshkov (ranked 475 p4p, 474 weight class). Earl Franco has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Franco
vs
Gorshkov

165 cm
18
182
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
18
180
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Earl Franco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Vasya Gorshkov!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Ryoma Takatsuka and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franco cracks Gorshkov with a good jab.
Gorshkov sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Franco connects with a single shot there.

Gorshkov tries to sprawl but Franco drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Franco is nestled in close to Gorshkov, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Gorshkov flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.

Franco seems to be looking for submissions.
Gorshkov is looking for a sweep. Franco is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Franco working Gorshkov over with strikes.
Gorshkov has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Gorshkov tries to roll over but Franco keeps him under control.
Gorshkov is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Franco blocks the strikes from Gorshkov.
Gorshkov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gorshkov trying to strike off his back.

Gorshkov is looking for a triangle but Franco pushes his legs off easily.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gorshkov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Gorshkov throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Gorshkov working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Franco doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Franco manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Gorshkov is striking off his back. Franco thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Gorshkov punching from the bottom.
Gorshkov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Gorshkov throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's two 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.
Gorshkov gets back to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Gorshkov is on top in guard.

Gorshkov lands a couple of elbows.
Gorshkov works over Franco with some ground and pound from guard.
Gorshkov won't allow Franco to sweep him here.
Franco is breathing heavily.
Franco utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gorshkov has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Montreal. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Franco has momentary wrist control but Gorshkov slips an elbow through the middle.
Gorshkov is working Franco over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Franco has momentary wrist control but Gorshkov slips an elbow through the middle.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gorshkov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Franco knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gorshkov on the ground.
Gorshkov scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gorshkov landing with the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Gorshkov's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Gorshkov is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Gorshkov scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Gorshkov keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Franco's head.
Gorshkov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gorshkov connects with a couple of short punches.
Gorshkov lands a couple of digs.
Gorshkov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Franco's head.
Gorshkov scoring with some ground and pound.
Gorshkov working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Gorshkov makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gorshkov postures up and lands a big shot to Franco's brow.
Gorshkov chips away with some ground and pound.

Franco is rocked!
Gorshkov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Oh Franco is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Gorshkov is working Franco over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gorshkov with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gorshkov content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Gorshkov working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Franco's head.
Gorshkov postures up from his opponent's guard, before exploding into some vicious ground and pound! Franco covers up, he's hurt! Gorshkov keeps throwing the strikes, glancing at the referee... Will he stop it?? One more big shot from Gorshkov and the ref steps in to end the fight! Gorshkov can't hide his delight as he celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vasya Gorshkov!