PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Wallace Franco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thracian Spartacus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Franco
vs
Spartacus

170 cm
18
177 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Wallace Franco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Thracian Spartacus!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Richard Clark and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Spartacus both land. Nice combination.

Spartacus gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Spartacus is trying to force a seperation but Franco has the dominant position.
Spartacus is looking to break free of the clinch but Franco has double underhooks.
A frustrated look appears on Spartacus's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Franco misses with a knee to the head.
Franco tries a knee to the head but Spartacus blocks it.
Spartacus goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Franco jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Spartacus walks away with a smile on his face. Franco gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Spartacus moves into the clinch successfully.
Spartacus blocks an elbow strike from Franco.

Franco manages to pull guard.
Franco is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Franco is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Franco is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Spartacus is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Franco throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Franco wants to get back to his feet but Spartacus is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Spartacus is looking to work some ground and pound but Franco has wrist control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Spartacus in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Franco could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Spartacus clinches.
Franco has Spartacus pressed against the cage, preventing Spartacus from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Franco prevents Spartacus from breaking the clinch.
Franco has Spartacus pressed against the cage, preventing Spartacus from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Spartacus is trying to break the clinch but Franco has him pressed against the cage.
Spartacus lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Franco is trying to pull guard but Spartacus has him pressed against the cage.
Spartacus wants to break free but Franco has control.
Franco tries to pull guard but Spartacus holds him up against the cage and eventually Franco drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wallace Franco. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Spartacus lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Franco or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spartacus wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Franco is trying to pull guard but Spartacus turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Spartacus wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Spartacus taking a breather.

Franco successfully pulls guard.
Franco throws a couple of heel strikes.
Franco wants to stand and escape but Spartacus is having none of it.
Franco throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Franco is trying to keep Spartacus in close.
Spartacus must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Spartacus postures up in Franco's guard and throws a big left but Franco blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Franco is on top in guard.

Spartacus pulls Franco in to control the position.
Franco trying to control the position from guard on top but Spartacus is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spartacus pulls Franco in to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spartacus is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Spartacus looks winded!
Franco wants to control from the top but Spartacus keeps moving.
Franco has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Franco gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Spartacus has taken the fight to the clinch.

Franco ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Franco no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Spartacus accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Spartacus postures up in Franco's guard and throws a big left but Franco blocks it.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Spartacus accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Spartacus stops Franco from standing up.
Franco trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Franco scores with a short punch from the bottom.
Spartacus postures up in Franco's guard and throws a big left but Franco blocks it.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Franco looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thracian Spartacus is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Spartacus shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Franco eats them both and turns towards Spartacus to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Spartacus connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thracian Spartacus dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Spartacus throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Franco.
As Spartacus looks to move away, Franco throws a big counter combo but Spartacus just gets out of the way.
Spartacus scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Franco doesn't seem bothered though.
Spartacus misses with a few strikes there.
A nice combination there by Spartacus.
Spartacus changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Spartacus has managed to clinch.
Franco is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Spartacus gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Franco tries to land a knee to the head but Spartacus blocks with his arms.
Franco jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Spartacus walks away with a smile on his face. Franco gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Spartacus forces Franco back against the cage and clinches.
Still in the clinch, Spartacus scores with a nice short uppercut.
Spartacus pushes Franco back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Spartacus is breathing heavily.
Franco lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Spartacus backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Franco has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Spartacus clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Franco trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Spartacus has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Franco looking to break Spartacus's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Spartacus remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Franco will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
A lull in the action here.
Spartacus wants to get back to his feet.

Spartacus preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Franco.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Spartacus is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Franco gets his way!

Franco has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Spartacus has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Franco tries to keep control of the position but Spartacus is staying busy.

Spartacus defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Franco's arms.
Will Franco go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Franco is persistently looking for the submission but Spartacus is defending it well.

Franco working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Spartacus fending off the submission attempt from Franco.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Spartacus wants to escape the position.
Franco controlling from the back.
Franco tries to keep control of the position but Spartacus is staying busy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Spartacus wants to get back to his feet.

Franco patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Wallace Franco will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Spartacus misses with a series of wild punches.
Spartacus throws a right and a left that both miss.
As Spartacus tries to get set, Franco tries to push him back and clinch up but Spartacus manages to avoid the attempt.
Sloppy strikes from Spartacus. Those never looked like landing.
Spartacus moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Spartacus scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Spartacus scores with a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Spartacus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Franco wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Spartacus fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Franco, pushing him back against the cage.
Spartacus takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Spartacus wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Franco has him pressed against the cage.
Franco jumps guard but Spartacus turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco misses with an elbow over the top.
Spartacus wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Franco has him pressed against the cage.

Franco drags the fight down to the ground.
Franco throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Franco is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Franco stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Spartacus to get to his feet.
Spartacus avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Spartacus swings for the body but Franco moves out of range.
Thracian Spartacus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Franco dives in for a single leg takedown but Spartacus sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Franco looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wallace Franco. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spartacus slaps away a takedown attempt from Franco, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Spartacus lands a jab-cross combination.
Franco moves in looking to clinch but Spartacus pushes him off.
Spartacus throws a counter combo.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spartacus. Franco does a little dance to reset his feet.

Spartacus gets a clinch.
Franco is trying to pull guard but Spartacus has him pressed against the cage.
Franco on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Franco has a couple of punches blocked by Spartacus.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spartacus gets underhooks to prevent Franco's takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Spartacus smiles and moves away.
Spartacus is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Franco rather than just go for the knockout.
Spartacus throws a combination. Franco tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Good exchange - Spartacus coming out on top.
Spartacus stuffs the takedown attempt from Franco. Franco gets slowly back to his feet.

Spartacus clinches.
Franco misses with a punch on the inside.
Spartacus dodges an elbow strike from Franco.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spartacus can't break the clinch.
Franco jumps guard but Spartacus turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Franco escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Franco takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Spartacus fails in his attempt to clinch.
It looked like Franco was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Franco misses with the combination.

Spartacus has closed the distance and engaged Franco in a clinch.

Franco jumps guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Franco throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thracian Spartacus comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Spartacus 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thracian Spartacus!
A very excited looking Thracian Spartacus made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.