PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jared Franks (ranked 5110 p4p, 505 weight class) and James Lancaster (ranked 3604 p4p, 384 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Lancaster's choice of entrance music: Ambitionz As A Ridah by Tupac. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Franks
vs
Lancaster

175 cm
26
158 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

178 cm
26
160 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Fanatic Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jared Franks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Lancaster!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Joseph Jones and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lancaster throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Franks drops down looking for a counter takedown but Lancaster sprawls and moves away.
Lancaster throws a jab but it's blocked by Franks.
Franks shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Lancaster but Lancaster pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Lancaster lands a slapping body shot.
Lancaster looks to score with a jab to the body but Franks is just out of range.
Lancaster lands a nice looking body shot.
Lancaster cracks Franks with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Franks gets a takedown into half guard.
Lancaster wants to improve his position but Franks is controlling well.
Franks thows a huge punch but Lancaster dodges it nicely.

Lancaster actively working from the bottom here.

Lancaster looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franks passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Lancaster!
Franks wants to control the pace but Lancaster is squirming around nicely.
Lancaster slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Lancaster is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Franks tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lancaster knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Lancaster wants to get back to full guard.

Lancaster looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Lancaster is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Franks pulls his head out easily.
Franks tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lancaster knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Franks thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Lancaster looking for a kimura from the bottom but Franks passes into side control!
Lancaster sneaks back into half guard.
Franks throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Lancaster is trying to get back to full guard.

Lancaster is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Franks pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lancaster is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Franks pulls his head out easily.
Franks trying to control the action but Lancaster is working from the bottom.
Lancaster trying to control but Franks postures up.
Lancaster is looking for a sweep. Franks is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We've been informed that Lancaster has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lancaster trying to control from the bottom.

Franks looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Lancaster looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

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.

Franks is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lancaster doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Franks.
Lancaster is looking for a sweep. Franks is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Lancaster will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A jab from Lancaster finds it's way through Franks's defenses.
Lancaster lands a jab to Franks's midsection.
Franks looks for a takedown but Lancaster sprawls well.
Lancaster tries to bum rush Franks with a series of wild strikes but Franks uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Franks goes for a double leg but Lancaster avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Lancaster continues to drive forward.
Franks on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Lancaster lands a head shot.
Jared Franks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Franks has his takedown stuffed
and Lancaster counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jared Franks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Franks needs to keep his hands up - Lancaster had a free shot at his head there.
Lancaster thuds a left hand into Franks's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Franks has his takedown stuffed
and Lancaster counters with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lancaster lands with a nice body punch.
Franks takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lancaster will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Lancaster changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Lancaster does it's job there.
Lancaster throws a solid leg kick but Franks takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Lancaster.
Lancaster jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Lancaster connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Lancaster lands with a right hand.
Lancaster has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lancaster fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Franks on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Some bone on bone action there as Franks checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Lancaster lands a jab to Franks's midsection.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lancaster lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Franks has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Lancaster finds it's way round the side to connect with Franks's head.
Lancaster is looking to chop away at Franks's legs.
Franks takes a jab right on the kisser.

Franks is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Lancaster. Beautiful body shot.
Lancaster lands with a good body shot.
Franks takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lancaster throws a solid leg kick but Franks takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Lancaster.
Franks tries to counter with a takedown but Lancaster is quick to defend against it.
Lancaster scores with a hook to the body. Franks takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Franks doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Franks looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Lancaster connects with a body shot.
Lancaster lands a jab to the nose.
James Lancaster is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lancaster lands a nice hook to Franks's body. Franks takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Nice combo by Lancaster! Oh, that's hurt him - Franks falls to the canvas and Lancaster follows him into side control.
Oh Franks is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lancaster trying to control the action but Franks is working from the bottom.
Franks seems to have got his legs back now.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lancaster wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Franks, who protects the arm well.
Lancaster throws a strike aimed at the side of Franks's head but Franks avoids it well.

Lancaster is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Franks knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Lancaster fails to land a wild elbow strike.

Lancaster tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Lancaster has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lancaster misses with the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Lancaster working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Lancaster is looking to take a break and control but Franks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Lancaster swings around for an armbar but Franks sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Lancaster's guard.

Lancaster looking for a guillotine here but Franks defends easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Lancaster working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Franks has passed into half guard!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Lancaster showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Lancaster throws out a leg kick but Franks moves out of range and Lancaster only half commits.
Lancaster connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Franks momentarily.
Franks checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Lancaster throws a body shot but no joy.
Franks feinted with a counter takedown.
Lancaster misses with a low kick.
Franks gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Lancaster misses with a jab, cross combination.

Franks drives through with a takedown into Lancaster's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Lancaster working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Franks has passed into half guard!
Franks throwing shots but Lancaster is blocking nicely.
Franks is looking to advance position but Lancaster won't allow it.
Lancaster trying to hold on to Franks's head to control him but Franks postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lancaster keeps working.
Franks with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lancaster is trying to control but can't.

Lancaster actively working from the bottom here.
Lancaster is refusing to be controlled, as Franks sits in half guard.
Lancaster is trying to control but can't.

Lancaster with the active half guard here but Franks passes nicely into side control.
Franks trying to control the action but Lancaster is working from the bottom.

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.
Franks working the ground and pound.
Lancaster tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Lancaster is looking for a sweep.
Lancaster can't do much from the bottom here.
Lancaster trying to control but Franks flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Lancaster trying to control the action but Franks just sinks the hooks in.

Lancaster fending off the submission attempt from Franks.

Franks tightening his grip on Lancaster, looking for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lancaster turns into Franks and is now in his guard.
Franks keeping moving, preventing Lancaster from controlling successfully.
Lancaster tries to free his leg and advance position but Franks is retaining full guard.

Lancaster drops back looking for a leg! Franks is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Franks manages to kick Lancaster off! Lancaster jumps back into Franks's guard.
Lancaster postures up in Franks's guard and throws a big left but Franks blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franks keeping moving, preventing Lancaster from controlling successfully.
Jared Franks overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Franks can't keep his opponent in guard - Lancaster advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Lancaster wants to control but Franks is keeping him busy.
Lancaster is pressing down on Franks's thigh, looking to free his foot. Franks is holding on for now.
James Lancaster is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lancaster stalling.
Lancaster is pressing down on Franks's thigh, looking to free his foot. Franks is holding on for now.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Lancaster throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to James Lancaster.
I've got Lancaster 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 Lou da Vinci scores the fight 26:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 28:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... James Lancaster!
James Lancaster was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.