PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Bob Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Heaslip (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bob Franklin had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 171.9lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Franklin
vs
Heaslip

180 cm
19
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
22
171 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Bob Franklin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ivan Heaslip!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Franklin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Heaslip, pushing him back against the cage.
Franklin wants a takedown.

Heaslip wants the takedown. Franklin is fighting it off but Heaslip persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Franklin's guard against the cage.
Heaslip is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ivan Heaslip wasn't active enough on the ground.
Franklin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin with a lazy takedown attempt

and Heaslip counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Still in half guard, Heaslip seems content to control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Ivan Heaslip.
Franklin shoots for a takedown but Heaslip saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bob Franklin. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Franklin moves into the clinch successfully.
Heaslip looking for a takedown.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Franklin jumps guard and drags Heaslip to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Franklin is breathing heavily.
Heaslip stands and throws Franklin's legs to the side, diving into side control.
A lull in the action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin is trying to get back to half guard.
Heaslip moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Heaslip tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Ivan Heaslip wasn't active enough on the ground.
Franklin doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Heaslip counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Heaslip sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Franklin defending well though.
Franklin is trying to stand.
Heaslip is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Heaslip works his foot free and advances to mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Heaslip controlling his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Heaslip dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Franklin throws a right and a left that both miss.
Franklin dives in and grabs Heaslip's left leg, looking for a takedown. Heaslip pushes down on Franklin's head and hops out.
Franklin tries for a takedown but Heaslip circles away easily

and Heaslip counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ivan Heaslip has got the better of the ground game so far.
Heaslip is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Heaslip sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Franklin's guard.
Heaslip trying to control the pace.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heaslip is pressing down on Franklin's thigh, looking to free his foot. Franklin is holding on for now.

Ivan Heaslip has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Franklin darts in trying to clinch

and Heaslip counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Franklin!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin wants to get back to his feet.
Franklin is trying to escape the position but Heaslip is controlling the position.
Heaslip works to advance to full mount. Franklin defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
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!
Heaslip controlling his opponent.
Heaslip connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Heaslip controlling the position easily from mount.
Franklin on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Franklin tries to get out of the position.
Heaslip postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Franklin looks a forlorn figure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Heaslip controlling from the full mount.
Heaslip has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Heaslip showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Franklin dives in and scores a takedown into Heaslip's guard.
Heaslip is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Heaslip is looking to advance position but Franklin won't allow it.
Heaslip stalling.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heaslip moves into full mount! Franklin won't be happy about that!
Heaslip controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Heaslip controlling from the full mount.

Ivan Heaslip has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Franklin misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin closes the distance but Heaslip moves to the side

and Heaslip decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Franklin's guard.
Heaslip slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Ivan Heaslip was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Franklin is looking to clinch.
Bob Franklin has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Franklin throws a sloppy head kick and Heaslip moves out of range easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Franklin tries to land a front kick but Heaslip steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ivan Heaslip is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Franklin throws a head kick that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ivan Heaslip comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Heaslip 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 Winston Howard scores the fight for Ivan Heaslip!
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight for Ivan Heaslip!
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight for Ivan Heaslip!

Ivan Heaslip wins by unanimous decision!