PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Fransisco (ranked 2607 p4p, 4364 weight class) and Marc Tong Panong (ranked 359 p4p, 517 weight class). Tong Panong is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Tetris Song. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Fransisco
vs
Tong Panong

188 cm
26
193
4 - 1 - 0

183 cm
19
192
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

The Natural Order

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gabriel Fransisco !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Marc Tong Panong!
The judges for this bout are Dillan Fox, Yves DeLean and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Tong Panong shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Fransisco is looking to escape.

Tong Panong is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Fransisco doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tong Panong.
Fransisco is looking to escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fransisco keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tong Panong takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Fransisco wants to get back to his feet but Tong Panong is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tong Panong working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Tong Panong drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Tong Panong jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Tong Panong closes the distance and clinches.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Tong Panong has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Tong Panong prevents Fransisco from breaking the clinch.

Tong Panong lands a takedown into guard.
Tong Panong wants to control from the top but Fransisco keeps moving.
Tong Panong prevents Fransisco from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fransisco trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Tong Panong looking to sit in guard and control but Fransisco gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Tong Panong looking for a sweep. Not yet Tong Panong, not yet.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Tong Panong can do anything to dispel that myth.
Tong Panong is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fransisco is trying to stand back up but Tong Panong is controlling him
Tong Panong is trying to control. Fransisco wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Tong Panong throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

Tong Panong is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Fransisco doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tong Panong.
Tong Panong not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong not doing much here.
Fransisco tries to kick Tong Panong off but Tong Panong keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Tong Panong throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Fransisco to regain full guard.
Tong Panong really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fransisco . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Tong Panong missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fransisco working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tong Panong.
Tong Panong throws a big right hand that misses.
Tong Panong trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Fransisco pushes Tong Panong off and gets back to his feet.
A head kick by Fransisco misses
and Tong Panong counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Tong Panong has managed to clinch.

Tong Panong successfully pulls guard.
Fransisco preventing the sweep.
Tong Panong seems keen to control Fransisco 's posture.
Fransisco preventing the sweep.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fransisco wants to stand but Tong Panong is controlling his posture from full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Marc Tong Panong dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fransisco lands with a nice combination. Tong Panong backs away looking to recover.
Fransisco is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Fransisco swings away with a body shot that misses

and Tong Panong counters with a nice double leg into side control. Fransisco won't be happy with that.
Tong Panong throws a strike aimed at the side of Fransisco 's head but Fransisco avoids it well.
Fransisco is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Tong Panong stands up and we're back to a striking position.
A head kick misses from Fransisco .
Fransisco delivers a nice body kick.
Fransisco throws the kick towards the body but Tong Panong avoids it.
Fransisco attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
And Tong Panong tries to counter it with a takedown but Fransisco pushes his down on his head and steps out.
A decent looking cross lands there for Fransisco .
Gabriel Fransisco is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fransisco rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tong Panong moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Tong Panong takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Tong Panong 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.

Fransisco has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Tong Panong has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Tong Panong connects with a nasty looking knee right to Fransisco 's face.
Nice body punch from Tong Panong.

Tong Panong gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Fransisco regains guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tong Panong in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tong Panong stops Fransisco from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tong Panong stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fransisco swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Tong Panong is pushing down on Fransisco 's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fransisco is fighting to maintain full guard but Tong Panong has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fransisco manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Fransisco stuffs the takedown.
Tong Panong moves out of range as Fransisco throws a body kick.

Tong Panong closes the distance and pushes Fransisco back into the cage.

Tong Panong has picked Fransisco up - he's going for a ride! Tong Panong dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Fransisco manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Tong Panong keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Tong Panong obliges.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Tong Panong tightens his grip and picks Fransisco up, before dumping him to the ground. Fransisco manages to land in guard.
Tong Panong postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tong Panong throwing strikes from guard but Fransisco blocks nicely.
Tong Panong keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fransisco 's head.
Tong Panong must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fransisco wants to stand but Tong Panong is controlling the position.
Tong Panong wants to control from the top but Fransisco keeps moving.
Fransisco wants to get back to his feet but Tong Panong is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tong Panong wants to control from the top but Fransisco keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fransisco takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Sloppy strikes from Fransisco . Those never looked like landing.

That's four 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.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fransisco enables Tong Panong to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fransisco manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tong Panong trying to control but Fransisco is working from the bottom.
Tong Panong throws a big right hand that misses.
Fransisco wants to get back to his feet but Tong Panong is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Tong Panong working some strikes from top position.
Tong Panong pushes down on Fransisco 's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Tong Panong trying to control the action but Fransisco is working from the bottom.
Tong Panong throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Fransisco dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Tong Panong drives through and clinches with Fransisco against the cage.
Tong Panong lands a good knee to the midsection. Fransisco won't want to take too many of those.
A short left from Tong Panong.
Nice elbow from Tong Panong.
Fransisco can't break the clinch.
Fransisco takes a knee to the side of the body.
Tong Panong lands a nice uppercut.
Fransisco wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tong Panong scores with a hook to the body.
Fransisco wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Tong Panong has him pressed against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Tong Panong.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tong Panong utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Tong Panong has hold of one of Fransisco 's legs. Fransisco is fighting the takedown attempt but Tong Panong gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
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!
Tong Panong won't allow Fransisco to get back to his feet.
Marc Tong Panong has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tong Panong lands a couple of elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tong Panong wants to pass the guard but Fransisco is keeping the position.
Tong Panong throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tong Panong trying to control but Fransisco is working from the bottom.
Fransisco preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tong Panong advances position into side control!
Tong Panong throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Fransisco tries to escape but Tong Panong is in control.
Tong Panong controlling the position.
Marc Tong Panong is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Let's hope that Tong Panong 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.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Tong Panong tries to move to mount but Fransisco blocks the move with his legs.
Fransisco seems a little lost for a moment, as Tong Panong dominates the positioning.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.

Tong Panong has closed the distance and engaged Fransisco in a clinch.
A knee to the head by Tong Panong.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tong Panong manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Tong Panong is looking to sweep but instead, Fransisco has passed into half guard.
Tong Panong wants to improve his position but Fransisco is controlling well.
Fransisco wants to stand up but Tong Panong has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Tong Panong is controlling Fransisco 's trapped leg to prevent Fransisco from advancing to side control.
Tong Panong is continuing to stall.
Fransisco wants to stand up but Tong Panong is controlling the position.
Tong Panong wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tong Panong has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fransisco is working away from the top position though.
Tong Panong is concentrating on defense, preventing Fransisco from advancing position.
Tong Panong trying to control here.

Fransisco stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Fransisco misses with a series of wild punches.
Fransisco throws a sloppy head kick and Tong Panong moves out of range easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fransisco motions for Tong Panong to come forward. Fransisco throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Tong Panong closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gabriel Fransisco has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tong Panong lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Marc Tong Panong comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tong Panong has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Dillan Fox scores the fight for Marc Tong Panong!
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight for Marc Tong Panong!
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight for Marc Tong Panong!

Marc Tong Panong wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Marc Tong Panong thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.