PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bryce Dixon (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ron Franks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ron Franks is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Dixon
vs
Franks

195 cm
22
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
230 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bryce Dixon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ron Franks!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dixon fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Franks fails with an attempt to clinch.
Dixon tries to bum rush Franks with a series of wild strikes but Franks uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dixon throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dixon fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Franks tries to clinch up but Dixon circles away and keeps his distance.
Dixon throws a series of punches but Franks avoids them all with ease.
Dixon fails to land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Franks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Franks tries to clinch but Dixon moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Franks misses with a double jab

and Dixon counters with a combination of strikes to the head and body that crumple Franks!

Franks is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dixon throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Dixon throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Franks tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dixon sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Franks defending well though.
Franks is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Dixon's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Dixon's back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dixon is keeping busy.
Franks misses with a punch to the head.
Franks somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

Franks working for a choke but Dixon is defending well.
Franks has good solid back control here.

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.

Franks is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Dixon defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franks controlling the position well here. Dixon rolled but Franks kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Franks throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Dixon covering up well and avoiding damage.
Dixon staying busy and making it hard for Franks to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bryce Dixon dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Franks with a lazy takedown attempt

and Dixon counters with a single leg into guard. Franks didn't expect that.
Franks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Franks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Franks working for a triangle but Dixon defends it easily.
Dixon postures up and lands a big shot to Franks's brow.
Dixon works over Franks with some ground and pound from guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Franks can do anything to dispel that myth.
Franks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Franks is on top in guard.
Franks trying to control the position from guard on top but Dixon is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dixon is working an open guard so Franks takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Dixon throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Franks moves into the clinch.

Franks manages to break the clinch.
Franks closes the distance and clinches up with Dixon, looking for a takedown. Franks pushes Dixon against the cage but Dixon circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Dixon is trying hard to land a takedown here. Franks sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Franks closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Dixon looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dixon trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Franks sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Dixon tries to kick Franks off but Franks keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Franks is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Franks is pressing down on Dixon's thigh, looking to free his foot. Dixon is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Franks stands up and beckons Dixon to join him on the feet.
Dixon throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Franks counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Franks.
Franks controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ron Franks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Franks darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Franks is working for a submission of some sort.
Franks passes to full mount!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franks trying to control but Dixon is having none of it.
Franks looking to finish with strikes here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Franks sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Franks throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

Franks moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Dixon has worked his arm free - good work by Dixon!

Franks stands up and we're back to a striking position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Franks closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Franks is taking a breather. Dixon says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Franks stops Dixon from getting back to his feet.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Franks. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dixon blocking the ground and pound attempt from Franks.
Franks stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ron Franks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Franks has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ron Franks!