PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Franklin Worner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Albert (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as John Albert enters the cage!

Worner
vs
Albert

180 cm
25
130 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
135 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Franklin Worner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Albert!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, George Francis and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Albert fails with the takedown

and Worner counters with a takedown into side control.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Albert tries to improve position but can't.

Worner stands up.
Albert shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Worner defends it nicely.

Worner drives through and clinches with Albert against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner stops a takedown attempt from Albert.
Franklin Worner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Albert.
Albert is looking for a takedown.
Worner is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Albert lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Worner gets control of Albert's arms and successfully pulls guard. Worner will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Worner had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Albert defends it easily.
Worner is looking to stand up but Albert isn't so interested in that idea.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Worner not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Worner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Albert defends well.
Albert in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Albert trying to control the position from guard on top but Worner is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Worner is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Albert trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Worner avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Worner is working an open guard so Albert takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Albert looks for a takedown but Worner sprawls well.

Worner gets a double leg takedown into Albert's guard.
Worner is breathing heavily.
Albert is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Worner really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Worner decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Worner bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Albert taking a bit of punishment here - Worner scoring with strikes.
Albert is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Worner wants to control but Albert is keeping him busy.

Worner thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Albert can't do much from the bottom here.
Albert wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Albert struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franklin Worner dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Worner looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Worner is looking to advance position but Albert has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Worner is looking to get to half guard.
Albert trying to control but Worner is having none of it.
Worner is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner is squirming around, avoiding Albert's attempts to control the action.
Albert is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Worner is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Albert trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Worner tries to improve his position but instead Albert has taken his back!
Albert is not going to allow Worner to sit and survive in this position.
Albert wants to control but Worner is keeping busy.
Worner is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Albert trying to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Albert controlling from the back.
Albert trying to control.
Worner is in bad spot here.
Worner staying busy and making it hard for Albert to control.
Worner wants to escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Albert is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Albert wants to control but Worner is keeping busy.
Worner tries to escape the position.

Albert looking for the choke but no joy.
Worner is trying to get back to his feet but Albert has full control of the position and if anything, Worner has just worked his way into a worse spot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Albert 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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Horrible takedown by Albert or perhaps it was just good defense by Worner which made him look bad.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Albert enables Worner to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Albert manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Worner knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Albert on the ground.
Albert is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Albert had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Worner defends it easily.
Worner wants to control from the top but Albert keeps moving.
Franklin Worner overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Albert takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worner postures up in Albert's guard and throws a big left but Albert blocks it.
Worner tries to free his leg and advance position but Albert is retaining full guard.
Worner is working hard here to advance position.
Worner slips nicely into half guard.
Albert wants to get back to full guard.
Albert wants to control but Worner is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Worner looking for a submission but Albert manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Worner postures up.
Albert looking to control but Worner passes into half guard.
Worner tries to stand but can't do so whilst Albert controls his leg.
Albert is trying to maintain the position but Worner is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Albert manages to get to full guard.
Worner tries to free his leg and advance position but Albert is retaining full guard.
Worner is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Worner trying to control the position from guard on top but Albert is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Albert controlling Worner's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Worner closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Worner lands in his opponent's guard.
Worner trying to control but Albert is working from the bottom.

Worner drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Albert manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Worner has Albert in his guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Worner lands a good elbow from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Franklin Worner showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Worner has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28
Judge George Francis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franklin Worner!