PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Franco Paolini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Swagger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Paolini
vs
Swagger

194 cm
22
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
20
250 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 Los Angeles, Franco Paolini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jack Swagger!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paolini throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Paolini throws a series of punches but Swagger moves out of range.
Paolini connects with a crisp jab.
Paolini lands a jab-cross combination.
Paolini swinging wildly here.
A combination from Swagger does no damage.
Paolini throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Swagger.

Swagger shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Paolini is trying to defend but Swagger finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Swagger stops Paolini from getting back to his feet.
Swagger perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swagger throws a strike but Paolini avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Swagger controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jack Swagger hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Swagger shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Swagger showed some decent athleticism there.
Swagger thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Paolini's head.
Paolini looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paolini blocking the ground and pound attempt from Swagger.

Swagger gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Paolini throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Paolini is breathing heavily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Swagger.
Swagger fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Swagger working the body and head with strikes.
Swagger in side control, throwing shots but Paolini defends.
Paolini defending against the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Swagger stands up.

Swagger feints and as Paolini raises his hands in defense, Swagger changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Swagger connects with a couple of short punches.
Swagger thows a big elbow that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Swagger stands up and waves to Paolini to follow him.

Swagger bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A lull in the action here.
Paolini dodges the ground and pound from Swagger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee asks Swagger politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Swagger prefers to stall for the moment though.
Swagger tries to move into full mount but can't pass Paolini's legs.
Swagger lands some shots froms side control.
Paolini is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Swagger trying to control the position but Paolini is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Swagger closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Swagger lands in his opponent's guard.
Swagger throws and elbow that misses. Paolini uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Swagger's guard. Nice move by Paolini!
Swagger tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Paolini trying to stand up but can't free himself from Swagger's guard.

Swagger pushes Paolini off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Paolini lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Swagger blocks the body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Swagger drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Swagger decides to stand back up. Swagger steps back and let's Paolini get back to his feet.

Swagger looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Swagger looking to sit in guard and control but Paolini gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Swagger seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Swagger preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Paolini has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Swagger is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swagger pulls Paolini in close to prevent any damage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Jack Swagger has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Paolini misses with a jab, cross combination.

Swagger forces Paolini back against the cage and clinches.

Paolini is fighting off a takedown attempt but Swagger is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Paolini to the mat. Paolini regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Swagger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Swagger is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swagger trying to control the position from guard on top but Paolini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Swagger's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jack Swagger was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Swagger gets a takedown into half guard.
Swagger working the head and body with strikes.
Paolini avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Swagger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Swagger decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

Swagger shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Paolini is trying to defend but Swagger finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Swagger sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Paolini defending well though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Swagger is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Swagger sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Paolini defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jack Swagger showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Swagger dives in and scores a takedown into Paolini's guard.
Paolini wants to stand and escape but Swagger is having none of it.
Paolini working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Swagger.
Swagger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paolini works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Swagger is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Swagger tries to free his leg and advance position but Paolini is retaining full guard.

Swagger stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Paolini misses with a two punch combination.
Sloppy strikes from Swagger. Those never looked like landing.

Swagger drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Swagger postures up and lands a big shot to Paolini's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swagger slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Swagger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Paolini wants to stand but Swagger is controlling the position.
Swagger in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Swagger has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Swagger looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jack Swagger wasn't active enough on the ground.

Swagger drives through with a takedown into Paolini's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Paolini is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Swagger accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Swagger throws a big right hand that misses.
Swagger throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swagger scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Swagger postures up in Paolini's guard and throws a big left but Paolini blocks it.
Swagger must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Swagger cracks Paolini with a solid left hand.
Jack Swagger is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Swagger showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Swagger looking to score a takedown here. Paolini is defending well but Swagger drives through and ends up in Paolini's guard.
Franco Paolini has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Swagger controls from within his opponent's guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Swagger throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Paolini works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jack Swagger comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Swagger winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 26:30
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jack Swagger!