PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Muhammad Zaffran (ranked 8239 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alejandro Franchesci (ranked 25086 p4p, 0 weight class). Zaffran comes to the cage accompanied by Alesso - Years. This should be fireworks!

Zaffran
vs
Franchesci

181 cm
22
174 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
167 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Muhammad Zaffran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Alejandro Franchesci!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Daniel Bishop and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zaffran swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Franchesci fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Zaffran, pushing him back against the cage.
Franchesci tries a body shot but Zaffran blocks it.
Franchesci works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Franchesci managing to block the knees to the body from Zaffran.
Zaffran creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Franchesci has Zaffran pushed against the cage.
Franchesci just leaning against Zaffran, taking a breather.
Franchesci throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Zaffran blocks it with crossed arms.
Franchesci is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bit of stalling here from Franchesci.
Zaffran definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Zaffran wants to get back to striking at distance but Franchesci won't allow it.
Zaffran misses with an elbow strike.
Franchesci blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Franchesci is trying to drag Zaffran to the mat but Zaffran just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franchesci prevents a body shot from Zaffran.
Zaffran tries to break the clinch but Franchesci is controlling the position.
Zaffran wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Franchesci misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Zaffran.

Zaffran's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Franchesci fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Zaffran lands with a hook. Franchesci tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Franchesci closes the distance and pushes Zaffran back into the cage.
Zaffran drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Franchesci gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Franchesci manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franchesci tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Zaffran manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Franchesci tries to clinch up.
Zaffran feinted with a counter takedown.
Zaffran circles away from the clinch attempt.
Franchesci shoots in but no luck this time.
Zaffran attempts a counter takedown but Franchesci avoids it well and moves away.
Muhammad Zaffran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alejandro Franchesci.
Zaffran keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Franchesci changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Zaffran tries to avoid it but Franchesci manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Zaffran to the ground. Zaffran escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Franchesci just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromZaffran.
Franchesci avoids the head kick by Zaffran.
Franchesci shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zaffran as he avoids it easily.
Zaffran drops down looking for a counter takedown but Franchesci sprawls and moves away.
Franchesci looks winded!
Zaffran misses with a head kick.
Zaffran misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaffran tries to clinch there but Franchesci circles away.
Franchesci tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Zaffran counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Zaffran throws a head kick that misses
and Franchesci counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Franchesci fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A head kick misses from Zaffran.
No joy there for Zaffran, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Zaffran thuds his right hand into Franchesci's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Alejandro Franchesci seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaffran lands with a straight right. Franchesci didn't see that one coming.
Zaffran fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Franchesci throws a sloppy head kick and Zaffran moves out of range easily.
Zaffran looks to land a right hand but Franchesci moved out of range.
Zaffran misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Zaffran throws a sloppy head kick and Franchesci moves out of range easily.
Franchesci looks for a takedown but Zaffran sprawls well.
As Franchesci looks to move away, Zaffran throws a big counter combo but Franchesci just gets out of the way.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Franchesci takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muhammad Zaffran dominated that round.
That's time! Zaffran's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Franchesci shoots for a takedown but Zaffran saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Franchesci keeps the fight on the outside.
Franchesci throws a one two combo.
Zaffran scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Zaffran gets caught flat footed, as Franchesci shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Zaffran kicks Franchesci off and gets to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaffran lands with a slapping head kick.
Franchesci is looking to clinch but Zaffran is avoiding it.
Zaffran closes the distance and clinches up with Franchesci, looking for a takedown. Zaffran pushes Franchesci against the cage but Franchesci circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Franchesci bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Franchesci is breathing heavily.
Franchesci shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zaffran as he jumps to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Zaffran.
Zaffran lands a nice looking body shot.
Franchesci shoots in looking for a takedown but Zaffran manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Franchesci's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Muhammad Zaffran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alejandro Franchesci.

Zaffran closes the distance and clinches.
Franchesci managing to block the knees to the body from Zaffran.
Franchesci blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zaffran is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Franchesci can do to turn this around?

Zaffran breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Zaffran just misses with a punch to the body.
Franchesci tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franchesci takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Franchesci tries to keep at a distance but Zaffran has taken the fight into the clinch.
Zaffran stops a takedown attempt from Franchesci.
Franchesci gets underhooks to prevent Zaffran's takedown attempt.

Zaffran breaks the clinch.
Danga de danga de dang - Zaffran scores with a four punch combination!
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!
Zaffran swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Zaffran scores with a three punch combo!
Franchesci misses with a series of wild punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaffran throws a head kick that misses.

Zaffran closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Franchesci to the mat! Franchesci manages to get full guard.
Zaffran scoring with some ground and pound.
Zaffran works over Franchesci with some ground and pound from guard.
Zaffran working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Franchesci looking for a guillotine here but Zaffran defends easily.
Zaffran has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Zaffran working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Zaffran 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.
Zaffran content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Franchesci really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zaffran. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Franchesci has momentary wrist control but Zaffran slips an elbow through the middle.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zaffran's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Franchesci has momentary wrist control but Zaffran slips an elbow through the middle.
Zaffran works over Franchesci with some ground and pound from guard.
Zaffran lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Zaffran postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Muhammad Zaffran dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Zaffran feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Zaffran's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Zaffran trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zaffran postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zaffran landing some decent shots from guard.
Zaffran postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Zaffran trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zaffran lands a couple of elbows.
Zaffran cracks Franchesci with a solid left hand.

Franchesci has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Zaffran can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Zaffran stopping the sweep attempt from Franchesci.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Franchesci takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaffran is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Muhammad Zaffran overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zaffran postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Zaffran content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Franchesci is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Zaffran is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Zaffran works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Zaffran working the head and body with strikes.
Zaffran working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Zaffran connects with a nice short shot to Franchesci's temple.
Franchesci taking some punishment here, with Zaffran in his half guard.
Zaffran drops an elbow to the side of Franchesci's head.
Zaffran scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ground and pound from Zaffran.
Zaffran lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Zaffran lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Zaffran is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Franchesci taking some punishment here, with Zaffran in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franchesci has hold of Zaffran's hands but Zaffran slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Zaffran working over Franchesci with some ground and pound. Franchesci looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Zaffran seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Franchesci has hold of Zaffran's hands but Zaffran slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Zaffran takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Zaffran winds up and cracks Franchesci with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Zaffran working over Franchesci with some ground and pound. Franchesci looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Franchesci is trying to stand back up but Zaffran is controlling him
Zaffran is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Franchesci is trying to control but can't.
Zaffran working the head and body with strikes.
Zaffran drops an elbow to the side of Franchesci's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zaffran scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Zaffran trying to control from half guard but Franchesci is working away.
Franchesci on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Nice strikes from Zaffran there.
Franchesci is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Zaffran scores with a couple of nice shots.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Zaffran lands a nice short elbow.
Zaffran looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Franchesci with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaffran is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Muhammad Zaffran is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zaffran trying to control the pace.
Alejandro Franchesci has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Zaffran is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Muhammad Zaffran showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Zaffran 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:26
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 30:26
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Muhammad Zaffran!
Muhammad Zaffran seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.