PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between ZyXEL PLDT (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ben Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ben Franklin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

PLDT
vs
Franklin

225 cm
22
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
23
170 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, ZyXEL PLDT!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Ben Franklin!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Sergei Dronov and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franklin moves out of range of the body kick from PLDT.
PLDT fails with a takedown attempt.
PLDT really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
PLDT throws a sloppy head kick and Franklin moves out of range easily.
PLDT tries to score a power double leg takedown but Franklin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten PLDT somewhat.
Franklin slaps away a takedown attempt from PLDT, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for ZyXEL PLDT. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
PLDT throws the kick towards the body but Franklin avoids it.
Franklin stuffs the takedown attempt from PLDT. PLDT gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin shoots in for a double leg but PLDT sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
PLDT wants to clinch.
Franklin shoots in looking for a takedown. PLDT tries to sprawl out of it but Franklin keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. PLDT manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
PLDT with a poor takedown

and Franklin counters with a single leg into guard. PLDT didn't expect that.
PLDT will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

PLDT is working an open guard so Franklin takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Franklin looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Franklin not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Franklin 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.

Franklin gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
PLDT is breathing heavily.
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!
PLDT tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Franklin counters with a nice double leg into side control. PLDT won't be happy with that.
PLDT is looking to regain half guard here but Franklin keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
PLDT is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Franklin off and has taken his back!
PLDT is hanging on to Franklin's back as he tries to escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
PLDT looking to hold on to the position here but Franklin rolls and ends up regaining guard.

Franklin has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes PLDT off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
PLDT fails with the takedown

so Franklin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
PLDT wants to stand and escape but Franklin is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Franklin stands up from PLDT's guard - Franklin perhaps looking for a knockout.
PLDT gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

so Franklin counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Franklin tries to stand but PLDT is controlling from the bottom.
PLDT not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
PLDT is looking to stand up but Franklin isn't so interested in that idea.
PLDT looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Franklin dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

PLDT swinging wildly here.
PLDT throws a head kick but Franklin moves out of range.
PLDT plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
PLDT with a poor takedown

and Franklin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in PLDT's guard.
PLDT is looking to sweep but instead, Franklin has passed into half guard.
PLDT wants to get back to full guard but Franklin has mounted him!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
PLDT is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin controlling from mount.
Ben Franklin has got the better of the ground game so far.
PLDT tries to hold on but Franklin pushes him away.

PLDT bucks Franklin off and manages to get back to his feet!
PLDT with a lazy takedown attempt

and Franklin counters with a single leg into guard. PLDT didn't expect that.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
PLDT is trying to keep Franklin in close.
Franklin wants to stand but PLDT is controlling his posture from full guard.
Franklin stopping the sweep attempt from PLDT.
Franklin won't allow PLDT to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

PLDT is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
PLDT throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

PLDT had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Franklin defends it easily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
PLDT lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Franklin at a distance.
ZyXEL PLDT seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's four 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.

Franklin is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in PLDT's half guard.
PLDT manages to get to full guard.
Franklin wanted to stand there but PLDT had control of the position.
Franklin controls from within his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ben Franklin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

PLDT digs a good hook to Franklin's body.
PLDT scores with a one two! Franklin had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Good standup being displayed there by PLDT as he connects with a hook.
PLDT tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Franklin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in PLDT's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
PLDT is trying to keep Franklin in close.
Franklin wants to stand but PLDT is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
PLDT working a defensive guard but Franklin manages to pass into side control anyway.
A control attempt from PLDT but he's now mounted!
Franklin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
PLDT is looking to improve his position but Franklin isn't that keen on the idea.

That's two 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.
PLDT is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Franklin controlling the pace for now.
PLDT tries to hold on but Franklin postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
PLDT tries to hold on but Franklin pushes him away.
Franklin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
PLDT tries to lock up and control but Franklin gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Franklin controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Franklin's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
ZyXEL PLDT has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ben Franklin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
PLDT bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ben Franklin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Franklin 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 Illya Tyunina scores the fight 26:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 26:30
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ben Franklin!