PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kutya Samauri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aaron Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Franklin has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Aaron Franklin has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Kutya Samauri's chin.

Samauri
vs
Franklin

180 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

CROWN

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kutya Samauri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Aaron Franklin!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Samauri shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Franklin pinned against the cage. Franklin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nice shot by Samauri.

It looks like Aaron Franklin has been cut.

Samauri forces Franklin back against the cage and clinches.

Franklin wants the takedown. Samauri is fighting it off but Franklin persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Samauri's guard against the cage.

Samauri has his foot on Franklin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Franklin works his way back into a safe position though.
Samauri keeping moving, preventing Franklin from controlling successfully.
Franklin looks gassed!
Franklin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Samauri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Franklin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Franklin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Franklin wants to control from the top but Samauri keeps moving.

Samauri working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Franklin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Franklin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Franklin throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Samauri works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Samauri is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Samauri looking for a guillotine here but Franklin defends easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Samauri avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samauri preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Samauri is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Samauri has his foot on Franklin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Franklin works his way back into a safe position though.
Samauri preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Samauri looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Samauri has his foot on Franklin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Franklin works his way back into a safe position though.

Samauri is looking for a triangle but Franklin pushes his legs off easily.
Franklin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Samauri swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Samauri is looking for a triangle but Franklin pushes his legs off easily.
Franklin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Samauri is looking for a triangle but Franklin pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin is pushing down on Samauri's leg trying to pass to half guard. Samauri is fighting to maintain full guard but Franklin has managed to sneak the leg through.
Samauri trying to control from the bottom.
Franklin wants to control but Samauri is keeping him busy.

Samauri looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Franklin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Franklin not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Franklin is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Samauri looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Samauri looking for submissions off his back.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Franklin stuffs the takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Franklin shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Franklin was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Franklin connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Franklin wants to finish this one by submission but Samauri is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Franklin.
Samauri is trying to escape the mount.

Franklin goes for an armbar but Samauri turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Samauri.

Samauri drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Samauri jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Samauri wants to control from the top but Franklin keeps moving.
Franklin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Samauri is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Samauri trying to control but Franklin is working from the bottom.

Samauri drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Samauri jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Samauri thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Franklin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Samauri lands a nice hook to Franklin's body. Franklin takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Samauri shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Franklin as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kutya Samauri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Franklin stuffs the takedown.
Jab by Samauri.
Samauri tries to clinch there but Franklin circles away.
Franklin tries for a takedown but Samauri sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kutya Samauri dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aaron Franklin's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Samauri scores with a shot to the body.
Franklin tries to bum rush Samauri with a series of wild strikes but Samauri uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Samauri fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Franklin looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Samauri fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Samauri is looking to clinch.

Samauri has closed the distance and engaged Franklin in a clinch.
Samauri tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Franklin just stands there and leans against the cage.
Samauri has had enough of the clinch but Franklin keeps him there for the moment.
Samauri has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Franklin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Samauri wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Franklin has him pressed against the cage.
Samauri wants to break free but Franklin has control.

Samauri drags the fight down to the ground.

Samauri has his foot on Franklin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Franklin works his way back into a safe position though.
Franklin postures up in Samauri's guard and throws a big left but Samauri blocks it.
Franklin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Franklin throws and elbow that misses. Samauri uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Franklin's guard. Nice move by Samauri!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Franklin thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Kutya Samauri overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Samauri drops back looking for a leg! Franklin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Franklin manages to kick Samauri off! Samauri jumps back into Franklin's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samauri drops back looking for a leg! Franklin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Franklin manages to kick Samauri off! Samauri jumps back into Franklin's guard.

Samauri thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Samauri drops back looking for a leg! Franklin is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Franklin manages to kick Samauri off! Samauri jumps back into Franklin's guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Samauri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Samauri throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Franklin's waist but Franklin gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Samauri off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kutya Samauri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Samauri lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Samauri has managed to clinch.
Franklin prevents Samauri from breaking the clinch.
Samauri is trying to break the clinch but Franklin has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Samauri breaks from the clinch.
Samauri shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Franklin as he jumps to the side.
Franklin throws a nice looking combination but Samauri bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Samauri rushes Franklin and presses him up against the cage.
Samauri is looking to break free of the clinch but Franklin has double underhooks.
Samauri is trying to break free.
Samauri wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Samauri has had enough of the clinch but Franklin keeps him there for the moment.
Franklin prevents Samauri from breaking the clinch.
Samauri tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Franklin just stands there and leans against the cage.
Franklin drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Samauri pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Franklin takes a jab right on the kisser.
Franklin tries to clinch but Samauri is having none of it.
Samauri tries to clinch but Franklin moves out of range.
Franklin keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Samauri fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Samauri fails with an attempt to clinch.

Samauri gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Franklin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Samauri fails with a takedown attempt.

Franklin takes the fight into the clinch.
Franklin fails to pull guard.

Samauri breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Samauri tries to clinch up.
Samauri lands a with a good body shot.
Samauri is looking to wear down Franklin with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Samauri connects with a body shot.
Franklin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Samauri shoots in but Franklin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Samauri shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Franklin as he jumps to the side.
Samauri takes a swing at Franklin's ribcage but misses.
Samauri throws a right hand that Franklin ducks under and follows up with a left that Franklin also avoids with ease.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Samauri shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Samauri was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Franklin is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Samauri looking for a guillotine from mount but Franklin is having none of it.

Samauri wants to finish this one by submission but Franklin is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Samauri.

Samauri jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Franklin manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Samauri wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Franklin, who protects the arm well.

Samauri tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kutya Samauri dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Aaron Franklin's cut.
That's time! Samauri's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Franklin misses with the combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Samauri!
Left hook, right uppercut from Samauri.
Samauri comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Franklin on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Franklin takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Samauri throws out a powerful jab.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Good exchange - Samauri coming out on top.
Samauri looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Franklin is fending him off so far but Samauri persists. Nope, Franklin circles away and we're back to standing.
Samauri lands a jab-cross combination.
Samauri shoots in looking for a takedown. Franklin tries to sprawl out of it but Samauri keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Franklin manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Samauri scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Samauri tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Franklin paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Samauri misses with a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Franklin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Samauri keeping moving, preventing Franklin from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Samauri has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Franklin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Samauri looking for a guillotine here but Franklin defends easily.
Franklin lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Samauri had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Franklin is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Samauri Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Franklin's back instead.

Samauri is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Franklin defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Samauri looking for the choke from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin trying to control the action but Samauri just sinks the hooks in.
Samauri has the hooks in. Franklin is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

Samauri looking for the choke but no joy.
Franklin is trying to get back to his feet but Samauri has full control of the position and if anything, Franklin has just worked his way into a worse spot.
You can see the frustration on Franklin's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Franklin defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Samauri's arms.

Franklin fending off the submission attempt from Samauri.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Franklin preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Samauri.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Franklin is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Kutya Samauri is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Samauri has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Franklin is in real trouble here. Samauri gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Franklin is tapping out! Samauri wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kutya Samauri!