PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rich Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marco Scarpelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Scarpelli has chosen Use your fist and not your mouth as his entrance music. Rich Franklin could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Marco Scarpelli's chin.

Franklin
vs
Scarpelli

196 cm
21
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

183 cm
20
184 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rich Franklin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Marco Scarpelli!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franklin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Scarpelli on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Franklin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Scarpelli is trying hard to land a takedown here. Franklin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Franklin tries to clinch but Scarpelli moves out of range.
Franklin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Franklin throws a right hand that Scarpelli ducks under and follows up with a left that Scarpelli also avoids with ease.
Good leg kick by Franklin there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Scarpelli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Franklin looks to land a combination but Scarpelli avoids it well.
Franklin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Scarpelli moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Franklin swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Franklin lands a nice looking body kick.
Franklin looks to land a combination but Scarpelli avoids it well.
Scarpelli takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Franklin throws a series of punches but Scarpelli moves out of range.
Nice sprawl there from Franklin as Scarpelli shoots in.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Scarpelli takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Franklin lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Scarpelli backs up against the cage.
Franklin really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Franklin misses with the combination.
A left lands for Franklin.
A punch combination from Franklin misses.
Franklin scores with a jab to the head.
Franklin tries to clinch up.
Scarpelli avoids a punch combination nicely.
Franklin thuds his right hand into Scarpelli's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Franklin is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Franklin fails to land with a series of punches.
Franklin getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Franklin lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Franklin closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Scarpelli is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin misses with a two punch combination.
Scarpelli is still on wobbly legs! Can Franklin finish him?
Franklin tries to bum rush Scarpelli with a series of wild strikes but Scarpelli uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Franklin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Franklin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Scarpelli seems to have recovered his senses.

Scarpelli feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Scarpelli accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Scarpelli trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Franklin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Franklin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Scarpelli prevents Franklin from getting back to his feet.
Franklin being controlled here, momentarily.
Scarpelli trying to control but Franklin is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scarpelli throwing strikes but missing.
Scarpelli wanted to stand there but Franklin had control of the position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Scarpelli avoids the body shot from Franklin.
Scarpelli walks into a stiff left hand from Franklin.
Scarpelli walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Scarpelli shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Franklin but Franklin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rich Franklin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Scarpelli.
Franklin misses with a series of wild punches.

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.
Franklin misses with the combination.
Scarpelli misses with a head kick.
Franklin misses with the combination.
Franklin is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Scarpelli takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Scarpelli showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Franklin.
Franklin throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Franklin closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Franklin fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Franklin lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Franklin is working the combinations to good effect here.
Franklin uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rich Franklin dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Franklin misses with a series of wild punches.
Franklin throws a series of punches but Scarpelli avoids them all with ease.
Franklin swinging wildly here.
Scarpelli shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Franklin as he avoids it easily.
Franklin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Scarpelli.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Franklin.
Scarpelli is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Nice takedown defense from Franklin. No joy for Scarpelli on that attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Franklin throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Franklin lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Scarpelli backs up against the cage.
Franklin throws a combination. Scarpelli tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Rich Franklin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Franklin misses with a double jab.
Scarpelli shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Franklin but Franklin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rich Franklin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Scarpelli.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin swinging wildly here.
Scarpelli slips a jab and a cross from Franklin.
Franklin tries to clinch but Scarpelli moves out of range.
Scarpelli gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rich Franklin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Scarpelli takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A combination from Franklin does no damage.
Franklin throws a series of punches but Scarpelli avoids them all with ease.

Scarpelli tries to keep at a distance but Franklin has taken the fight into the clinch.

Franklin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Franklin tries to clinch there but Scarpelli circles away.
Franklin shoots and misses

and Scarpelli counters with a shoot takedown. Franklin fights it but they end up in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Scarpelli gets to his feet. Franklin looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Scarpelli showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Franklin.
Franklin throws a front kick that sends Scarpelli stumbling back into the cage.
Franklin throws a combination that misses

and Scarpelli counters with a single leg into guard. Franklin didn't expect that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Scarpelli with a nice head shot there.
Scarpelli sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Franklin controlling the position.
Scarpelli with a flurry of punches that miss.
Franklin knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Scarpelli on the ground.
Scarpelli wants to control from the top but Franklin keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Scarpelli has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Scarpelli throws a big right hand that misses.
Scarpelli throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Franklin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Scarpelli trying to control the position from guard on top but Franklin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Scarpelli is breathing heavily.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Franklin.
Scarpelli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Franklin misses with an attempted mid kick.
Franklin lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Franklin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Franklin swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Scarpelli counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Scarpelli wants to lay and pray for a moment but Franklin keeps working.
Franklin tries to kick Scarpelli off but Scarpelli keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Franklin wants to get back to full guard.
Scarpelli missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Franklin is staying active underneath Scarpelli, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Franklin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Scarpelli is working away from the top position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Franklin is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Scarpelli scores with a couple of nice shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marco Scarpelli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Scarpelli takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Franklin throws a wild body kick that Scarpelli sees coming a mile off.
Scarpelli gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Scarpelli takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Jab, jab by Franklin - just one landing.
Franklin connects with a nice looking jab.
Nice sprawl there from Franklin as Scarpelli shoots in.
No luck for Scarpelli with that takedown attempt.
Rich Franklin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marco Scarpelli.
Franklin throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Franklin fails to land with a series of punches.
Scarpelli takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Franklin throws a right and a left that Scarpelli avoids nicely.
Franklin misses with a few strikes there.
Scarpelli has his takedown stuffed
and Franklin counters with a left and a right that stings Scarpelli.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Franklin duly obliges.
Rich Franklin is winning the standup battle so far.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Franklin.
Franklin wants to clinch.
Franklin scores with a kick to the midsection.
Franklin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Franklin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Scarpelli.
Franklin throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Franklin - that will leave a mark!

Scarpelli drives through with a takedown into guard.
Scarpelli prevents Franklin from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin pulls Scarpelli in to control the position.
Franklin wants to stand but Scarpelli is controlling the position.
Scarpelli trying to control but Franklin is working from the bottom.

Franklin has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Scarpelli off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Franklin misses with a few strikes there.
Franklin scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Franklin is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Franklin scores with a one two! Scarpelli had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Franklin moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Scarpelli.
Scarpelli closes this distance looking for a takedown but Franklin circles away.
Franklin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Scarpelli has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Franklin tries to bum rush Scarpelli with a series of wild strikes but Scarpelli uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Franklin connects with a good right hand that stumbles Scarpelli. Scarpelli circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Franklin misses with a wild combination.
Franklin misses with a jab, cross combination.
Scarpelli is trying hard to land a takedown here. Franklin sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Scarpelli blocks a head kick by Franklin.
Franklin lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Franklin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franklin misses with a two punch combination.
Some wild striking there from Franklin.
Scarpelli has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Franklin.
Scarpelli moves out of range as Franklin throws a body kick.
Franklin throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Scarpelli counters with a shoot takedown. Franklin fights it but they end up in guard.
Scarpelli working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Scarpelli is looking to stand up but Franklin won't let him.
Franklin keeping moving, preventing Scarpelli from controlling successfully.
Franklin has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rich Franklin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Franklin 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rich Franklin!