PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Blake Richardson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rich Franklin will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Richardson
vs
Franklin

188 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

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 Los Angeles, Blake Richardson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rich Franklin!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Richardson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Franklin is looking to clinch but Richardson is avoiding it.
Richardson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Franklin tries to avoid it but Richardson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Franklin to the ground. Franklin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Richardson or perhaps it was just good defense by Franklin which made him look bad.
Franklin fails in his attempt to clinch.
Franklin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Richardson is fending him off so far but Franklin persists. Nope, Richardson circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from Franklin as Richardson shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Blake Richardson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Franklin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Richardson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Richardson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Franklin as he avoids it easily.
Rich Franklin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Richardson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Franklin stuffs the takedown attempt from Richardson. Richardson gets slowly back to his feet.

Franklin shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Franklin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Richardson gets full guard.
Franklin chips away with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Franklin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Richardson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Franklin won't allow Richardson to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Richardson preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Richardson keeping moving, preventing Franklin from controlling successfully.

Richardson is looking for a triangle here but Franklin uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Richardson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Richardson tries to escape but Franklin is in control.
Franklin wants to control but Richardson is keeping him busy.
Richardson can't do much from the bottom here.
Richardson is trying to improve his position.
Richardson is working to avoid the ground and pound but Franklin connects with a decent elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Richardson is trying to get back to half guard.
Richardson is breathing heavily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Richardson tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Richardson on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Franklin lands with a nice combination. Richardson backs away looking to recover.
Richardson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Franklin shoots in but no luck this time.
Richardson shoots and misses
and Franklin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick from Franklin lands but Richardson takes it in his stride.
Richardson with a lazy takedown attempt
and Franklin cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Franklin catches Richardson with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Richardson misses with a takedown
and Franklin counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Franklin lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Franklin.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Franklin scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin doesn't manage to clinch there - Richardson circles away.
Franklin wants to clinch up but Richardson keeps it at a distance.
Richardson shoots and misses
and Franklin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Franklin stuffs the takedown attempt from Richardson. Richardson gets slowly back to his feet.
Franklin scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Danga de danga de dang - Franklin scores with a four punch combination!
Franklin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Richardson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Franklin somewhat.
Franklin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Richardson's head.
A left and a right from Franklin both land. Nice combination.
Richardson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Franklin swivels and escapes.
Richardson takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Franklin thuds his right hand into Richardson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Richardson is rocked!
Franklin connects with a jab and follows up with a big overhand right! Oh that's hurt Richardson! He's out on his feet! Franklin rushes in and drops Richardson with another big right hand, forcing the referee to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Rich Franklin!