PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Cormac McCarthy (ranked 2501 p4p, 283 weight class) and Tiago Franco (ranked 3406 p4p, 385 weight class). Tiago Franco struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.3lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Cormac McCarthy has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McCarthy
vs
Franco

175 cm
23
160 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
170 lbs
3 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cormac McCarthy!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tiago Franco!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Valeri Chadov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franco takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Franco closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Franco goes for a takedown attempt but McCarthy pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Franco looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
McCarthy appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Franco punishes McCarthy's body with a nice straight punch.
Both fighters circling a little - McCarthy finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
McCarthy dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Franco. That did some damage!
McCarthy has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Franco fails to land with a series of punches.
McCarthy swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Franco walks into a stiff left hand from McCarthy.
Franco throws a nice looking combination but McCarthy bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
McCarthy was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Franco tries to clinch but McCarthy moves out of range.
Franco closes the distance but McCarthy moves to the side
and McCarthy counters with a stiff right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Franco tries to clinch up.
Franco shoots in looking for a takedown. McCarthy tries to sprawl out of it but Franco keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. McCarthy manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco closes the distance but McCarthy moves to the side
and McCarthy counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Franco shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and McCarthy counters with a one-two to the body.

Franco is rocked!
Cormac McCarthy has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Franco.
McCarthy scores with a leg kick.
Franco fails with the takedown
and McCarthy counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Franco looks winded!
McCarthy takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Franco swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McCarthy counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Franco is still on wobbly legs! Can McCarthy finish him?
Franco takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
McCarthy fakes the body blow, causing Franco to drop his hands! Left hook to the temple! Franco goes stiff, and falls face first into the mat. Goodnight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Cormac McCarthy!
Cormac McCarthy thanked the fans post fight for their support.