PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Frank French (ranked 2149 p4p, 2441 weight class) and Son Islander (ranked 129 p4p, 151 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Son Islander enters the cage!

French
vs
Islander

170 cm
25
142
2 - 3 - 0

165 cm
25
145
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Determined

Island Boys Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Frank French!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Son Islander!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Bart Greer and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
French throws the left hand but Islander avoids the punch easily.
French fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Islander looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
French throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Islander fails with an attempt to clinch.
French avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Islander tries to clinch there but French circles away.

Islander darts in and clinches French up against the cage.
Islander keeps the fight in the clinch, despite French's efforts to push away.
French wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

French pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Son Islander seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
French defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Islander.

Islander closes the distance and clinches.

French's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Islander is defended easily by French.

Islander has French up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
French prevents a body shot from Islander.
A bit of stalling here from Islander.
Islander is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Frank French has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Son Islander.
Islander softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
We've been informed that Islander has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Islander prevents French from breaking the clinch.
French is trying to break the clinch but Islander has him pressed against the cage.
Islander has French pressed against the cage, preventing French from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
French definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Islander keeps the fight in the clinch, despite French's efforts to push away.
French has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Islander prevents French from breaking the clinch.

French manages to break the clinch.
French looks to land a left hand but Islander moved out of range nicely.
French's jab looks to have found its range, popping Islander under the eye.
Islander fails with an attempt to clinch.

Islander closes the distance and clinches.
Islander has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. French avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
French tries to break free but Islander pushes him back against the cage.
Islander lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt French or not.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
French is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
French working hard to break the clinch.
Islander prevents French from breaking the clinch.
Islander scores with a nice hook to the head.
French is trying to break the clinch but Islander is controlling him.
Islander lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
French prevents the takedown attempt.
French blocks a body shot from Islander.
French is trying to break the clinch but Islander is controlling him.

French escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Islander rushes French and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

French's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Islander tries to clinch but French moves out of range.

French gets tackled into the cage by Islander. Islander maintains the clinch.
French wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Islander misses with a hook from the clinch.

French's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Islander clinches.

French pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Islander walks into a straight right hand from French.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
French keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Islander instigates a clinch.
Islander misses with a hook to the ribs.
Islander pressing his opponent against the cage.

French breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Islander drives through and clinches with French against the cage.
French wants to get back to striking at distance but Islander won't allow it.
Islander is trying to drag French to the mat but French just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
French is trying to break the clinch but Islander has him pressed against the cage.
French looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Islander.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Islander wants to take the fight to the mat but French manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
French has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Islander has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. French avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Islander looking to slow down the pace here.
A head punch on the inside from Islander fails to land.
Islander tried to land a shot to the body but connects with French's elbow.
Islander has a couple of punches blocked by French.
French is trying to break the clinch but Islander is controlling him.
French blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Islander throws a punch but it's blocked by French.
French wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Islander misses with a hook from the clinch.
Islander misses with a body punch.
French is trying to push Islander away but Islander has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
French wants to break the clinch but can't.

French breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Islander tries to close the distance and clinch up but French swats him away and circles back towards the center.
French appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Islander clinches up against the cage.
French wants to break the clinch but can't.

French's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Islander has taken the fight to the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Son Islander will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

French jabs at Islander's body.
French circles away from the clinch attempt
and French cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
French throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice takedown defense from French. No joy for Islander on that attempt.
Islander displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as French throws out the jab.
Islander misses with a takedown attempt
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
letting French counter with a right hand.
Islander tries to grapple but his opponent circles
letting French counter with a right hand.
Islander ducks under a wild hook from French.
French waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Islander.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Islander has closed the distance and engaged French in a clinch.
French wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
French is trying to push Islander away but Islander has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
French tries to break free but Islander pushes him back against the cage.
Islander swings away with an uppercut that misses.
French wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
French is trying to push Islander away but Islander has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
French is trying to break free.
French tries to break the clinch but Islander is controlling the position.
Islander prevents French from breaking the clinch.
French has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A head punch blocked on the inside by French.
French tries to circle away but Islander has him pinned against the cage.
Islander fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Son Islander seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

French's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
French throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
French with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Islander shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says French as he avoids it easily.
Frank French has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Son Islander.
French connects with a nice looking jab.
Islander looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? French is fending him off so far but Islander persists. Nope, French circles away and we're back to standing.
French swings for the body but Islander moves out of range.
Islander tries to close the distance and clinch but French swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Islander looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Islander closes the distance looking to clinch
and French counters with a straight right hand.
A left lands for French.
Frank French is winning the standup battle so far.
French ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Islander moves away.
French circles away from the clinch attempt
and Islander takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
French keeps the fight on the outside.
Islander is trying hard to land a takedown here. French sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
French connects with a looping right hand.
Islander takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Islander fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
French was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
French circles away from the clinch attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

French escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

French gets tackled into the cage by Islander. Islander maintains the clinch.
French blocking some punches.
Islander goes for a takedown in the clinch but French prevents it.
Islander trying to control the position but instead, French has worked for underhooks and has pushed Islander into the cage.
French wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

French escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
French throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Islander sees it coming and avoids it easily.
French ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
French looks to land a left hand but Islander moved out of range nicely.
Islander tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and French counters with a left to the body.
Islander slips a straight right by French.

Islander closes the distance and clinches.
Islander working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
French wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
French is looking to break free of the clinch but Islander has double underhooks.
French is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Islander can do to turn this around?
Islander wants to take the fight to the mat but French manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
French is looking to break free of the clinch but Islander has double underhooks.

French breaks the clinch.
Islander tries to clinch but French moves out of range.
Islander displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as French throws out the jab.
French misses the shot to the body.
Islander looks to clinch
and French counters with a three punch combo that has Islander backing up. Islander nods at French to acknowledge the strikes.
Son Islander is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
This has been an exciting period of action!
French avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
French ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Islander moves away.
Islander throws out a counter right but French avoids it with no problem.
French misses with a straight left.
Islander swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
French keeps the fight on the outside.
An attempted straight right counter from French misses the target.
Islander tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
French swats away the attempt to clinch by Islander.
French throws out a loose jab but Islander uses good head movement to avoid it.
Islander fails with an attempt to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frank French dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Islander moves into the clinch.
French looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Islander is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Islander scores with a shoulder strike.
Islander keeps control of French as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Islander can't find room to land a body shot as French controls the action.
Islander misses with a shot to the kidneys.
French gets underhooks to prevent Islander's takedown attempt.
French wants to break free but Islander has control.
Islander misses with a punch to the body.
Islander misses with some punches.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Islander displaying some good clinch control by pressing French up against the cage.
French is looking to break free of the clinch but Islander has double underhooks.
French is trying to break the clinch but Islander is controlling him.
French can't break the clinch.
Islander working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
French prevents the takedown attempt.
French wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Islander keeps control of French as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

French escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
French ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Islander uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from French.
Islander is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
French swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Islander moves away from the strike by French.
Islander fails with an attempt to clinch.
French connects with the punch.
Islander fails with an attempt to clinch.
Islander closes the distance and clinches up with French, looking for a takedown. Islander pushes French against the cage but French circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Frank French has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Son Islander.

Islander moves into the clinch successfully.
French looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Islander misses with a punch to the body.
French is trying to push Islander away but Islander has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
French is trying to break the clinch but Islander is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
French prevents a body shot from Islander.
Islander has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. French avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
French can't break the clinch.
Islander keeps control of French as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
French wants to get back to striking at distance but Islander won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on French's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nice body punch from Islander.
Islander keeps the fight in the clinch, despite French's efforts to push away.
French tries to break free but Islander pushes him back against the cage.
French is trying to break free.
French has had enough of the clinch but Islander keeps him there for the moment.

French's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Islander wants to clinch up but French keeps it at a distance.
French throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Islander instigates a clinch.
Islander trying to stall but French improves his position.
French is trying to push Islander away but Islander has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

French breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
French throws a body punch but Islander moves out of range.
Islander shoots in looking for a takedown. French tries to sprawl out of it but Islander keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. French manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Islander shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as French sprawls well. French wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Islander gets slowly back to his feet.
An attempted straight right counter from French misses the target.
French missing with a left hand there. Islander was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A shot to the liver by French. Beautiful body shot.
The fight stays on the outside here - Islander looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Islander moves to clinch but French breaks away
letting French counter with a right hand.
Islander is trying desperately to land a takedown but French is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Islander.
French looks to score with a jab to the body but Islander is just out of range.
French avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Islander clinches with his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
French wants to break free but Islander has control.
Islander misses with a punch on the inside.
French tries to circle away but Islander has him pinned against the cage.
Islander wants to take the fight to the mat but French manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
French wants to break free but Islander has control.
Islander working aggressively here.
French can't break the clinch.
Islander lands with a short shot to the head.
French has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

French pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
French ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Islander fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Islander clinches.
French is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Islander tries to score a body lock takedown but French shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Islander takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Islander misses with a hook from the clinch.
Islander avoiding damage.
Islander can't find room to land a body shot as French controls the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank French showed his dominance in that final round.
I think French has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank French!
Frank French decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.