PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Utica Franks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryte Lye (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Utica Franks has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Franks
vs
Lye

150 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

150 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Utica Franks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ryte Lye!
The judges for this bout are Ryoma Takatsuka, Chris Saunders and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lye misses with a double jab

so Franks counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Lye has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Franks has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Lye takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Franks jumps guard but Lye stands there with Franks around his waist. Franks gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Franks tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Lye just stands there and leans against the cage.

Lye manages to pull guard.
Franks sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Lye's guard.

Franks looking for a submission but Lye manages to get full guard, putting an end to that submission attempt.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Franks accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franks being controlled here momentarily.
Lye keeping moving, preventing Franks from controlling successfully.

Lye has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Franks can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Franks won't allow Lye to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Lye is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lye keeping moving, preventing Franks from controlling successfully.
Franks trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Lye looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Franks wants to control from the top but Lye keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Franks accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lye is pulling down on Franks's head. It's preventing any offense from Franks, at least for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Lye scoring well with a low kick there.
Franks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
As Franks backs off Lye throws a huge counter combo but Franks manages to avoid it all.
Franks throws the kick towards the body but Lye avoids it.
Franks misses with a two punch combination.

Franks looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Franks prevents Lye from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franks not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lye desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Lye makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Lye.
Franks distracts Lye with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lye keeping full guard, as Franks tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Utica Franks will probably get the nod.
That's time! Franks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lye shoots for a double leg takedown but Franks sprawls well. He's pushed Lye's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Lye gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Franks to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Franks trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lye's guard.
Franks trying to control the position from guard on top but Lye is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lye thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lye tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Lye looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Utica Franks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franks trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Franks wants to control from the top but Lye keeps moving.
Lye is adopting a defensive guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Lye moves into the clinch.

Franks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Lye shoots in for a takedown but Franks shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lye throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Franks's waist but Franks gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Lye off to one side.
Utica Franks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryte Lye.
Lye thuds his shin into the meat of Franks's side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Franks moves into the clinch.

Lye breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Franks shoots in for a takedown but Lye shows good takedown defense.
Lye looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Lye tries to clinch up.
Lye shoots in but Franks avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Franks tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Lye manages to circle out of the way.

Lye gets caught flat footed, as Franks shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lye is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Franks looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lye keeping moving, preventing Franks from controlling successfully.
Franks wants to get up but he can't break Lye's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Franks stopping the sweep attempt from Lye.
Franks looking to sit in guard and control but Lye gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Lye trying to control but Franks is working from the bottom.

Franks is looking for a triangle but Lye pushes his legs off easily.

That's four 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.
Lye wants to control from the top but Franks keeps moving.
Lye with a nice head shot there.
Franks is looking to stand up but Lye isn't so interested in that idea.
Franks is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Franks working for a triangle but Lye defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Utica Franks dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A head kick by Franks misses
and Lye counters with a left and a right that stings Franks.
Lye throws a right and a left that Franks avoids nicely.
Franks cracks Lye with a good jab.
We've been told by Franks's head coaches at Noble Intentions that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

Franks tries to sprawl but Lye drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Franks wants to control but Lye is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Lye throwing shots but Franks is blocking nicely.
Franks wants to stand back up but Lye manages to pass into side control.
Franks is not content to let Lye control the position.
Franks is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franks manages to work his way to half guard, despite Lye's best efforts.
Franks tries to roll over but Lye keeps him under control.
Franks on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Lye seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Lye is keen to just control but Franks is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Franks won't allow Lye to pass to mount.
Franks wants to control but Lye is keeping busy.
Lye passes into side control, despite Franks's attempt to control the position.
You can see the frustration on Franks's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Franks wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Franks is trying to control Lye's posture but Lye avoids it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franks shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Lye as he jumps to the side.
Franks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Lye.
Utica Franks is winning the standup battle so far.

Lye darts in and clinches Franks up against the cage.
A body shot lands from Lye.
Franks letting Lye take a breather here.
Lye managing to block the knees to the body from Franks.

Franks breaks from the clinch.
Lye dives in for a single leg takedown but Franks sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Franks has Lye pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Franks pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Lye tumbling to the mat - Franks dives into Lye's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franks wants to get up but he can't break Lye's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Franks throws a big right hand that misses.
Lye wants to sweep here but Franks controlling him for the moment.
Lye is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Franks throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lye works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryte Lye comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Franks has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ryoma Takatsuka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28

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