PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Forrest Franklinberger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vlad Stolbov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stolbov has chosen Guano Apes - Open your eyes as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Franklinberger
vs
Stolbov

169 cm
18
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
21
205 lbs
1 - 6 - 2

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Forrest Franklinberger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Vlad Stolbov!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Emerson Jorge and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Franklinberger scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Franklinberger trying to control the position but Stolbov is working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Franklinberger stands up.
Stolbov shoots in for a double leg but Franklinberger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Franklinberger shoots in for a double leg but Stolbov sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Franklinberger has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Franklinberger there as he acknowledges the shot.
Franklinberger shoots in for a takedown but Stolbov shows good takedown defense.
A punch combination from Franklinberger misses.
Franklinberger works Stolbov's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklinberger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Forrest Franklinberger. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Stolbov drives through with a takedown into guard.

Franklinberger has his foot on Stolbov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Stolbov works his way back into a safe position though.
Franklinberger is breathing heavily.

Stolbov thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Stolbov postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Franklinberger is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Stolbov, into his guard.
Franklinberger stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Stolbov swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Stolbov can do anything to dispel that myth.
Stolbov wants to stand and escape but Franklinberger is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklinberger trying to control but Stolbov is working from the bottom.
Franklinberger trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Franklinberger wants to control from the top but Stolbov keeps moving.
Stolbov looking for a sweep. Not yet Stolbov, not yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Franklinberger lands with a kick to the temple. Stolbov shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stolbov looks for a takedown but Franklinberger sprawls well.
Franklinberger displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Stolbov.
The fight stays on the outside here - Franklinberger looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Franklinberger darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Franklinberger is trying to control the action in half guard but Stolbov is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franklinberger tries to pass to full mount but Stolbov defends it.
Franklinberger is looking to take a break and control but Stolbov is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Forrest Franklinberger.
Franklinberger fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Stolbov shoots in looking for a takedown but Franklinberger manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stolbov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Franklinberger tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Stolbov paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Vlad Stolbov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stolbov shoots in but Franklinberger avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Franklinberger throws a series of punches but Stolbov moves out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Franklinberger misses with a body shot.
Franklinberger fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stolbov avoids it really well and circles away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Franklinberger moves into range and clinches up with Stolbov.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest Franklinberger dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stolbov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stolbov fails to land the takedown.
Franklinberger is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stolbov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stolbov shoots in for a takedown but Franklinberger shows good takedown defense.
Stolbov fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Forrest Franklinberger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vlad Stolbov.
Stolbov shoots in looking for a takedown but Franklinberger manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Stolbov's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Stolbov takes a kick to the side of the head.
Stolbov shoots in for a double leg but Franklinberger sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Franklinberger tries for a takedown but Stolbov sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Stolbov is breathing heavily.
Franklinberger shoots in but Stolbov avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Franklinberger fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stolbov avoids it really well and circles away.
Franklinberger moves in looking to clinch but Stolbov pushes him off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklinberger throws a right and a left that Stolbov avoids nicely.
Stolbov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Franklinberger circles away.

Franklinberger is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Stolbov's half guard.
Stolbov really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Franklinberger. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Franklinberger works his way into full mount!
Franklinberger putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklinberger can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Stolbov is looking to escape.

Franklinberger is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Stolbov has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Stolbov!
Franklinberger is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Stolbov cracks Franklinberger with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklinberger bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Stolbov's guard.
Franklinberger is in close to Stolbov's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Franklinberger is looking to work some ground and pound but Stolbov has wrist control.
Franklinberger advances to half guard.
Stolbov keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Stolbov tries to get to full guard but Franklinberger has control of the leg.
Franklinberger wants to control but Stolbov is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stolbov is trying to get back to full guard.
Franklinberger really is a fat lump.

Franklinberger decides to return to a standing position.
Stolbov shoots for a takedown but Franklinberger saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Franklinberger fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stolbov avoids it really well and circles away.
Franklinberger lands a nice looking kick to the body. Stolbov takes a step back to recover.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest Franklinberger dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Franklinberger is trying hard to land a takedown here. Stolbov sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stolbov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Franklinberger is fending him off so far but Stolbov persists. Nope, Franklinberger circles away and we're back to standing.
Franklinberger throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Stolbov counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Franklinberger tries to clinch but Stolbov moves out of range.
Stolbov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Franklinberger fails with the takedown.
Stolbov misses with a takedown attempt - Franklinberger sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Franklinberger tries to score a power double leg takedown but Stolbov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Franklinberger somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Forrest Franklinberger. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stolbov defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Franklinberger.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stolbov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Franklinberger pinned against the cage. Franklinberger gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Franklinberger swings for the body but Stolbov moves out of range.
Stolbov misses with a takedown attempt - Franklinberger sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Stolbov keeps the fight on the outside.
Franklinberger fails in his attempt to clinch.
Good exchange - Franklinberger coming out on top.
Franklinberger throws a head kick but Stolbov moves out of range.
Franklinberger changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Stolbov tries to avoid it but Franklinberger manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Stolbov to the ground. Stolbov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Franklinberger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Stolbov shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Franklinberger sprawls well. Franklinberger wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Stolbov gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stolbov avoids the body shot from Franklinberger.
Stolbov shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Franklinberger as he jumps to the side.
Stolbov shoots for a double leg takedown but Franklinberger sprawls well. He's pushed Stolbov's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Franklinberger fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Stolbov avoids it really well and circles away.
Stolbov fails with a takedown attempt.
Franklinberger shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Stolbov as he avoids it easily.

Franklinberger tries to keep at a distance but Stolbov has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Stolbov on the inside.

Franklinberger escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Franklinberger shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Stolbov sprawls well. Stolbov wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Franklinberger gets slowly back to his feet.
Franklinberger tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Stolbov swivels and escapes.
Stolbov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Franklinberger swivels and escapes.
Franklinberger just misses with a punch to the body.
Stolbov fails with a takedown attempt.

Franklinberger shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stolbov controlling the position for now.
Franklinberger is trying to control. Stolbov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Vlad Stolbov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Forrest Franklinberger overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Stolbov trying to control but Franklinberger postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Franklinberger wants to clinch up but Stolbov keeps it at a distance.
Forrest Franklinberger is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stolbov throws a big shot that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Forrest Franklinberger showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Franklinberger, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Forrest Franklinberger!