PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Forlorn Destroyer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rick Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Destroyer
vs
Franklin

190 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Pride Of New York

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Forlorn Destroyer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rick Franklin!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Chad Campbell and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Destroyer shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Franklin's guard.
Franklin wants to get back to his feet but Destroyer is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Destroyer won't allow Franklin to sweep him here.
Destroyer has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Franklin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Destroyer knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Franklin on the ground.
Destroyer prevents Franklin from getting back to his feet.
Destroyer makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
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.
Destroyer wants to pass the guard but Franklin is keeping the position.
Franklin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Franklin is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Destroyer chips away with some ground and pound.
Franklin wants to stand but Destroyer is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Destroyer working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Destroyer is looking to stand up but Franklin won't let him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Destroyer shoots in for a takedown but Franklin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Destroyer on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Franklin misses with a series of wild punches.

Destroyer drives through with a takedown into guard.
Destroyer pushes down on Franklin's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Destroyer seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Destroyer is trying to control. Franklin wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Destroyer not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Franklin kicks Destroyer off and gets back to his feet.
Franklin with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Destroyer but Destroyer pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Franklin scores with a sloppy right hand. Destroyer should have avoided that one.
Franklin shoots and misses

and Destroyer holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Franklin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Destroyer fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Forlorn Destroyer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Franklin.
Franklin looks gassed!
Destroyer doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Franklin counters with a body kick.
Franklin closes the distance looking to clinch

and Destroyer counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Franklin is wriggling around but Destroyer manages to pass to half guard.
Franklin tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Destroyer seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Franklin is looking to escape.
Destroyer landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Destroyer wants to control but Franklin is keeping him busy.
Destroyer working the head and body with strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Franklin wants to control but Destroyer is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Destroyer working Franklin over with strikes.
Destroyer landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Destroyer wants to take a breather but Franklin is having none of it.
Destroyer lands strikes from half guard.
Destroyer stops Franklin from getting back to his feet.
Destroyer looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Franklin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Destroyer looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Franklin is trying to stand up here but Destroyer is controlling him well.
Destroyer takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Franklin pushes Destroyer off and gets back to his feet.
Rick Franklin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Destroyer shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Franklin's guard.
Destroyer thows a big elbow that misses.
Destroyer stops Franklin from standing up.
Destroyer controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Franklin wants to stand and escape but Destroyer is having none of it.
Destroyer landing with the ground and pound.
Destroyer's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
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.
Destroyer landing some decent shots from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forlorn Destroyer dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Destroyer shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Franklin is trying to defend but Destroyer finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Destroyer is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Destroyer trying to pass the guard but Franklin defending well.

Franklin kicks off Destroyer and gets to his feet.
Franklin darts in trying to clinch

and Destroyer counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Destroyer won't allow Franklin to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Destroyer working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Franklin's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Destroyer postures up in Franklin's guard and throws a big left but Franklin blocks it.
Franklin preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Forlorn Destroyer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Franklin scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Franklin closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Destroyer is trying to stand.
Destroyer on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Destroyer tries to get out of the position.
Franklin scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Destroyer is looking to escape.

Franklin is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Franklin seems to be looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Destroyer keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Franklin working Destroyer over with strikes.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Destroyer tries to score a power double leg takedown but Franklin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Destroyer somewhat.
Franklin throws a combination that misses

and Destroyer counters with a takedown into side control.
Destroyer fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Franklin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Destroyer missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Franklin tries to kick Destroyer off but Destroyer keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Franklin blocking the ground and pound attempt from Destroyer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Destroyer works over Franklin with some ground and pound from guard.
Destroyer trying to control but Franklin is working from the bottom.
Destroyer pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Franklin is keeping the position for now.
Franklin is looking to stand up but Destroyer isn't so interested in that idea.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Destroyer misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Destroyer doesn't manage to clinch there - Franklin circles away.
Franklin throws a leg kick that misses.

That's four 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.
A lazy left from Franklin finds it's target.
Franklin misses with the combination.
Danga de danga de dang - Franklin scores with a four punch combination!
Destroyer gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Franklin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Destroyer's guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Forlorn Destroyer. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Franklin stands up from Destroyer's guard - Franklin perhaps looking for a knockout.

Franklin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Destroyer sprawls well initially but Franklin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Destroyer trying to control here.
Franklin thows a huge punch but Destroyer dodges it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rick Franklin will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Destroyer avoids the head kick by Franklin.
Franklin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Destroyer counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Destroyer is nestled in close to Franklin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Destroyer looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Franklin with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Destroyer stops Franklin from getting back to his feet.
Destroyer prevents Franklin from improving his position.
Destroyer looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Franklin tries to roll over but Destroyer keeps him under control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Destroyer working Franklin over with strikes.
Destroyer trying to control from half guard but Franklin is working away.
Franklin wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Destroyer prevents Franklin from standing back up.
Franklin taking some punishment here, with Destroyer in his half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Destroyer connects with a nice short shot to Franklin's temple.
Franklin wants to get back to his feet.
Franklin taking some punishment here, with Destroyer in his half guard.
Franklin taking some punishment here, with Destroyer in his half guard.
Destroyer prevents Franklin from standing back up.
Destroyer lands strikes from half guard.
Franklin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Destroyer is working away from the top position though.
Franklin looks like he's trying to stand up.
Destroyer wants to free his trapped foot but Franklin is holding on for dear life with his legs.

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.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Franklin gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Destroyer counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Destroyer.
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 has his feet on Destroyer's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Franklin looks to clinch

and Destroyer counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Franklin!
Franklin is desperately trying to improve his position but Destroyer has a good base and remains in mount.
Destroyer looking to finish Franklin with some ground and pound. This is bad for Franklin!
Franklin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Franklin tries to lock up and control but Destroyer gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Franklin is looking to get to half guard.
Destroyer pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Destroyer lands a heavy elbow.
Franklin tries to lock up and control but Destroyer gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Destroyer scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Destroyer avoids the attempt from Franklin to control.
Franklin sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Nice strikes from Destroyer there.
Destroyer is looking to take a break and control but Franklin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Franklin is looking to escape.
Franklin wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Destroyer lands a nice short elbow.
Franklin looks like he's trying to stand up.
Franklin on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Franklin moves in looking to clinch but Destroyer pushes him off.
Franklin with a poor takedown

and Destroyer counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Franklin's guard now.
Forlorn Destroyer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rick Franklin.
Destroyer stands up over Franklin, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Destroyer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Franklin manages to escape and get back to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Destroyer is defended easily by Franklin.
Franklin misses with a double jab

and Destroyer counters by moving into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Forlorn Destroyer showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Destroyer has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Forlorn Destroyer!