PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Asa Franco (ranked 25059 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alex Storm (ranked 6192 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Franco
vs
Storm

183 cm
24
279 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

176 cm
21
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Asa Franco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Alex Storm!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Franco gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Storm to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Storm wants to get up but he can't break Franco's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Storm throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Storm's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Storm tries to stand but Franco is controlling from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Storm throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Franco works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Storm stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Franco swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Storm looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Franco gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Storm to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Storm throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Franco being controlled here, momentarily.
Franco preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Storm is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Let's hope that Storm has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Franco working a defensive guard here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Storm avoids it really well and circles away.

Storm gets a double leg takedown into Franco's guard.
Storm is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Franco trying to keep a closed guard but Storm is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Franco is proving hard to escape from.
Storm stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Franco swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Franco avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Storm tries to free his leg and advance position but Franco is retaining full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Storm dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Franco feints and then cracks Storm's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Storm down.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Storm. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

Storm tries to sprawl but Franco drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Storm keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Storm misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Alex Storm has got the better of the ground game so far.
Storm holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Storm is refusing to be controlled, as Franco sits in half guard.
Storm has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Franco is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Storm looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Storm is not content to let Franco control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco is thwarting Storm's attempts to control the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Franco looks for a takedown but Storm sprawls well.

Storm drives through with a takedown into Franco's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Storm trying to control but Franco is working from the bottom.
Storm lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franco trying to control the position.
Franco is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Storm is looking to stand up but Franco won't let him.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Storm sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Storm drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Storm working the ground and pound.
Franco is working to avoid the ground and pound but Storm connects with a decent elbow.
Storm slows the pace down.
Storm tries to stand but Franco is controlling his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Storm trying to control the position but Franco is working away.
Franco is being controlled here.
Storm tries to advance to mount but Franco denies him.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Storm is staying tight to Franco's torso, preventing him from escaping.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alex Storm 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! And we move into the final round!

Storm shoots in but Franco avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Franco fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Storm.
Storm has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Storm rushes Franco and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Franco really is a fat lump.
Storm fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Franco tries to circle away but Storm has him pinned against the cage.
Franco is stalling here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Storm is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Franco can't fight it off and eventually Storm manages to take the fight to the floor. Franco looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Storm sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Storm wants to stand but Franco is controlling his posture from full guard.
Storm throws an elbow that misses. Franco uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Storm's guard. Nice move by Franco!

Storm keeping moving, preventing Franco from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Storm trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Franco has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Storm is proving hard to escape from.
Franco trying to control but Storm is working from the bottom.
Storm trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Franco wants to control from the top but Storm keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Franco throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Franco throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Storm's waist but Storm gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Franco off to one side.
Storm dives in for a single leg takedown but Franco sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Asa Franco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Alex Storm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Storm defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Franco.

Storm gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Storm wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Franco, who protects the arm well.
Storm tries to move into full mount but can't pass Franco's legs.
Franco pushes Storm away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Storm gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Storm controls the position from side control.
Storm scoring with punches and elbows.
A lull in the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alex Storm comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Storm 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alex Storm!