PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between David McDonald (ranked 5072 p4p, 529 weight class) and John Franco (ranked 5485 p4p, 562 weight class). David McDonald has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McDonald
vs
Franco

186 cm
29
200 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

182 cm
30
180 lbs
11 - 5 - 1

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, David McDonald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, John Franco!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Seu Braga and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

McDonald shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Franco tries to get to full guard but McDonald has control of the leg.
Franco is not content to let McDonald control the position.
Franco is looking for a sweep. McDonald is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Franco can do anything to dispel that myth.
McDonald is trying to control. Franco wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Franco really doesn't want to stay on the ground with McDonald. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Franco is trying to stand back up but McDonald is controlling him
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Franco makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Franco.
McDonald trying to control the position from guard on top but Franco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Franco not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDonald won't allow Franco to sweep him here.
Franco is wriggling around but McDonald manages to pass to half guard.
Franco is refusing to be controlled, as McDonald sits in half guard.
We've been hearing good reports from McDonald's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Still in half guard, McDonald seems content to control.

Franco has one foot on McDonald's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Franco throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. McDonald was covering up waiting for the punch and Franco finishes the takedown easily into guard.

McDonald throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Franco trying to control but McDonald is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franco throwing strikes from guard but McDonald blocks nicely.
Franco wants to pass the guard but McDonald is keeping the position.
McDonald preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Franco connects with a couple of short punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

McDonald is looking for a triangle but Franco pushes his legs off easily.
Franco postures up in McDonald's guard and throws a big left but McDonald blocks it.
Franco is in close to McDonald's body, working some short punches and elbows.
McDonald lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

McDonald won't allow Franco to get back to his feet.

Franco working for submissions but it's allowed McDonald to get to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDonald scoring with strikes to the body and head.
McDonald scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Franco looking for submissions off his back.

Franco is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and McDonald has latched onto it... Big trouble! McDonald pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it Franco is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from McDonald!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). David McDonald!