PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Francisco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Suge Knight (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Francisco
vs
Knight

225 cm
25
280 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

200 cm
25
278 lbs
9 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Gabriel Francisco !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Suge Knight!
The judges for this bout are Felipe Paraventi, Seu Braga and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Francisco lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Knight at a distance.
Suge Knight seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Francisco scores with a nice head shot.

It looks like Suge Knight has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knight with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Knight ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Francisco moves away.

Francisco drops Knight with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Knight looks back up at him and smiles so Francisco waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Knight is rocked!
A slow jab from Knight misses its intended target.

Francisco shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Knight is trying to defend but Francisco finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Knight is still in real trouble! Can Francisco finish him?

Knight looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Knight looks gassed!

Francisco is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Knight doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Francisco .
Knight seems to have recovered his senses.

Francisco seems to be looking for submissions.
Francisco really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Francisco passes the guard and advances to mount!

Francisco with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Francisco jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Knight manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Francisco working the ground and pound from side control.

Francisco tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Francisco has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Francisco wants to lay and pray for a moment but Knight keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Francisco is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Knight is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Knight gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!

Francisco goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Knight turns into him and now he's in Francisco 's guard.
Francisco will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Francisco keeping moving, preventing Knight from controlling successfully.

Francisco is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Knight defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Francisco escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Knight gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Francisco throws his legs up looking for a submission but Knight uses it to pass to side control.
Knight is looking to take a break and control but Francisco is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Francisco 's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Francisco is looking to reverse the position.

That's four 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.
Knight wants to control for a moment but Francisco uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Francisco has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Francisco thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Francisco can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Knight is looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Francisco takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.

Francisco is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Francisco dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Suge Knight's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Knight misses with an uppercut. Francisco saw that one coming.
A telegraphed right hand from Francisco misses the target.
Knight tries to clinch up but Francisco circles away and keeps his distance.
Francisco swats away the attempt to clinch by Knight.
Francisco changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Knight gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Francisco is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Francisco trying to control the position from guard on top but Knight is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Francisco passes Knight's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Francisco is working for a submission of some sort.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Francisco wants to lay and pray for a moment but Knight keeps working.
Francisco is pressing down on Knight's thigh, looking to free his foot. Knight is holding on for now.
Francisco trying to control from half guard but Knight is working away.

Francisco is working for a submission of some sort.
Knight is trying to maintain the position but Francisco is very close to passing his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Francisco seems to be working for a kimura but Knight defends the submission attempt.
Francisco wants to lay and pray for a moment but Knight keeps working.
Francisco passes to full mount!

Knight defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Francisco .
Francisco looking to ground and pound but Knight is blocking nicely.
Knight really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Francisco . If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Francisco jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Knight is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Knight and Francisco has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Knight stops Francisco from passing to mount.
Knight is not content to let Francisco control the position.
Knight prevents Francisco from improving position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Francisco thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Francisco is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Knight knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Knight tries to bench press Francisco off him but Francisco keeps the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Francisco slips a jab and a cross from Knight.

Francisco shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Francisco trying to mount his opponent but Knight defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Francisco dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Suge Knight's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Knight ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Francisco moves away.
Francisco throws a jab but it's blocked by Knight.
Knight tries to clinch up but Francisco circles away and keeps his distance.
Francisco ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Knight clinches.
Francisco tries to pull guard but Knight won't allow it.
Francisco avoiding damage as Knight throws knees to the body.

Francisco jumps guard and drags Knight to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Francisco looking to control.
Knight wants to control from the top but Francisco keeps moving.

Francisco throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Francisco working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Knight doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Knight manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Francisco is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Francisco has a closed guard, preventing Knight from standing up.

Francisco escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Knight gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Francisco working for a triangle but Knight defends it easily.
Gabriel Francisco overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Knight stands and throws Francisco 's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Francisco is trying to get back to half guard.

Knight is trying to get an arm triangle but Francisco is defending well.
Francisco sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Francisco is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Knight can do to turn this around?
Francisco slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Francisco has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Knight can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Francisco has a closed guard, preventing Knight from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Francisco is looking for a triangle but Knight pushes his legs off easily.

Francisco has an active guard here but Knight has managed to pass into half guard.
Francisco is looking to control Knight's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Francisco avoid being mounted?
Francisco is not content to let Knight control the position.

Francisco looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Francisco trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Knight prevents Francisco from improving his position.
Suge Knight has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Knight avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Knight on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Gabriel Francisco is winning the standup battle so far.
Knight tries to clinch but Francisco moves out of range.
Nice body punch from Francisco .
Knight is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Francisco slips a jab from Knight.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gabriel Francisco showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Francisco , 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 Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 30:27
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gabriel Francisco !