PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Keith Franco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Klick Ash (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Franco comes to the cage accompanied by Clobberin Time. 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.

Franco
vs
Ash

178 cm
18
164 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

150 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Keith Franco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Klick Ash!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Viktor Lagutenko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franco blocks a head kick by Ash.
Franco lands a nice shot to the body.
Franco fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ash manages to avoid it.
Ash scores with a push kick.
Ash shoots in for a double leg but Franco sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A combination from Franco does no damage.
Franco bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

It looks like Klick Ash has been cut.
Ash closes the distance and clinches up with Franco, looking for a takedown. Ash pushes Franco against the cage but Franco circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Franco lands a right hook to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Franco moves into range and connects with a jab.
A lazy left from Franco finds it's target.
Ash needs to keep his hands up - Franco had a free shot at his head there.

Ash is rocked!
Franco pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ash is still on wobbly legs! Can Franco finish him?
Franco is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ash.
Ash seems to have recovered his senses.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ash.
Keith Franco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Klick Ash.
Ash looks gassed!
A slapping body kick lands there for Ash.
Franco misses with a looping left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Ash has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ash is looking to control Franco's arms but Franco gets an underhook and turns him. Now Ash has his back to the cage.
Ash tries to pull guard but Franco holds him up against the cage and eventually Ash drops back down to his feet.
Franco has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ash tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Ash tries for a takedown. No joy.
Franco is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ash jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Franco walks away with a smile on his face. Ash gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Franco slaps away a takedown attempt from Ash, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ash avoids the head kick by Franco.
Ash closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A jab from Franco does it's job there.
Horrible takedown by Ash or perhaps it was just good defense by Franco which made him look bad.

Franco drops Ash with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Ash looks back up at him and smiles so Franco waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.
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!
Franco fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ash looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franco throws a shot from downtown. Ash moves away and avoids it.

Franco closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Franco advances to full mount.
A nice elbow there by Franco.
Franco controlling from mount.

Franco is working close to his opponent, looking to work a submission by the looks of things. Oh, he's managed to get a guillotine from mount as his opponent reached up! That looks tiiiiight! Will he tap? YES, he's tapped! Impressive submission by Franco!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Keith Franco!