PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shante Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bob Lee Swagger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Franklin
vs
Lee Swagger

183 cm
22
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

181 cm
20
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Shante Franklin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Bob Lee Swagger!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franklin throws an overhand right that lands on Lee Swagger's shoulder, as Lee Swagger tries to avoid the shot.
Lee Swagger circles away from the clinch attempt.
Franklin thows a body shot but no joy.
Lee Swagger throws a series of punches but Franklin avoids them all with ease.
Lee Swagger catches Franklin with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Jab, jab by Lee Swagger - just one landing.
A lazy left from Lee Swagger finds it's target.
Lee Swagger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Franklin.
Lee Swagger misses with a straight right.
Bob Lee Swagger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lee Swagger avoids the body shot from Franklin.
Lee Swagger lunges at Franklin with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Franklin's hand.
No joy there for Lee Swagger, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lee Swagger thows a body shot but no joy.
Lee Swagger thows a left - swing and a miss!
Franklin slips a straight right by Lee Swagger.
Lee Swagger lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Good exchange - Lee Swagger coming out on top.
Lee Swagger moves out of range as Franklin strikes.
Lee Swagger jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Franklin looks to score with a jab to the body but Lee Swagger is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lee Swagger tries to close the distance and clinch up but Franklin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lee Swagger circles away from the clinch attempt.
Franklin circles away from the clinch attempt

and Franklin counters by clinching up.
Franklin lands a shoulder strike.
Lee Swagger is trying to break the clinch but Franklin is controlling him.
Franklin keeps control of Lee Swagger as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Franklin lands a body shot.
Lee Swagger is trying to break free.
Franklin lands with a right to the head.
Lee Swagger tries to circle away but Franklin has him pinned against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Franklin takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Lee Swagger is trying to force a seperation but Franklin has the dominant position.
Lee Swagger tries to circle away but Franklin has him pinned against the cage.

Lee Swagger breaks from the clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Franklin misses the target.
Franklin takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lee Swagger misses with a straight right.
Lee Swagger might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Lee Swagger uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Franklin.
Lee Swagger moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin slips under a jab.
Franklin waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lee Swagger.
Lee Swagger tries to clinch there but Franklin circles away.
Franklin jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jab from Lee Swagger.
The fighters circling - Lee Swagger throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Franklin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lee Swagger.
Franklin throws out a powerful jab.
Lee Swagger lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Lee Swagger.
Lee Swagger scores with a nice strike.
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!
Lee Swagger lands the left hand.
Franklin throws a body punch but Lee Swagger moves out of range.
Lee Swagger throws an overhand right that lands on Franklin's shoulder, as Franklin tries to avoid the shot.
Lee Swagger keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Lee Swagger clinches with his opponent.
Lee Swagger is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Lee Swagger's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Lee Swagger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee Swagger is trying to break the clinch but Franklin has him pressed against the cage.
Franklin has Lee Swagger pressed against the cage, preventing Lee Swagger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Franklin prevents Lee Swagger from breaking the clinch.
Franklin digs a right hand underneath Lee Swagger's ribcage. Lee Swagger let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Franklin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Franklin has Lee Swagger pressed against the cage, preventing Lee Swagger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Franklin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Lee Swagger.
Lee Swagger looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lee Swagger working hard to break the clinch.
Lee Swagger wants to break the clinch but can't.
Franklin pushes Lee Swagger back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lee Swagger wants to get back to striking at distance but Franklin won't allow it.
Franklin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Lee Swagger wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lee Swagger wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Franklin.
Franklin works on Lee Swagger's body with a couple of short punches.
Lee Swagger looks gassed!
Lee Swagger is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Franklin is keeping busy.
Franklin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Franklin has Lee Swagger pressed against the cage, preventing Lee Swagger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lee Swagger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Franklin has him pressed against the cage.
Franklin scores with a shot to the side of Lee Swagger's head.
Franklin leaning against his opponent.
Lee Swagger misses with the head strike.
Lee Swagger looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Lee Swagger being controlled against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franklin keeps control of Lee Swagger as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Lee Swagger is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Lee Swagger wants to break free but Franklin has control.
A short right from Franklin.
Lee Swagger wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lee Swagger tries to break the clinch but Franklin is controlling the position.
Franklin stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Franklin prevents Lee Swagger from breaking the clinch.
Franklin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lee Swagger's efforts to push away.
Franklin pushes Lee Swagger back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Franklin manages to break the clinch.
Lee Swagger takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Franklin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lee Swagger.

Franklin takes the fight into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Franklin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A hook to the body from Franklin.
Lee Swagger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Franklin lands with a short shot to the head.
Franklin blocking some punches.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Franklin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shante Franklin dominated that round.
That's time! Franklin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Lee Swagger tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Franklin counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lee Swagger throws a body punch but Franklin moves out of range.
Lee Swagger lands a jab to the nose.
Lee Swagger misses with a looping left.
Lee Swagger ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Franklin moves away.
A slow jab from Franklin misses its intended target.
Franklin scores with a sloppy right hand. Lee Swagger should have avoided that one.
Franklin blocks a jab.
Some wild striking there from Lee Swagger.
Franklin takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Franklin blocks a jab.
Lee Swagger thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lee Swagger ducks under a wild hook from Franklin.
Franklin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lee Swagger was well out of range. Poor timing from Franklin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin moves out of range as Lee Swagger strikes.
Lee Swagger misses with the combination.
Lee Swagger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Franklin.
Lee Swagger tries to clinch but Franklin moves away
and Franklin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lee Swagger throws a big shot that misses.
Franklin misses with a hook.
Lee Swagger tries to clinch up

and Franklin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A body shot lands from Franklin.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Franklin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Lee Swagger tries a body shot but Franklin blocks it.
Lee Swagger is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Franklin blocking some punches.
Franklin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Lee Swagger is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Franklin stalling.
A hook to the body from Franklin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin prevents Lee Swagger from breaking the clinch.
Franklin prevents a body shot from Lee Swagger.
Franklin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lee Swagger's efforts to push away.
Franklin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Franklin digs a right hand into Lee Swagger's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Lee Swagger's gas tank.
A frustrated look appears on Lee Swagger's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Franklin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Lee Swagger.
Lee Swagger is breathing heavily.
A short uppercut from Franklin.
The referee is keeping an eye on Franklin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Lee Swagger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Stalling in the clinch from Franklin.
Lee Swagger tries to circle away but Franklin has him pinned against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Franklin.
Franklin prevents Lee Swagger from breaking the clinch.
Franklin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Lee Swagger takes a shot to the head.
Lee Swagger is trying to break the clinch but Franklin has him pressed against the cage.
Lee Swagger swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Franklin lands with a short shot to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Franklin.
Franklin slowing the pace effectively.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Franklin - that landed with a thud.
Franklin displaying some good clinch control by pressing Lee Swagger up against the cage.
Lee Swagger working hard to break the clinch.
Lee Swagger is looking to break free of the clinch but Franklin has double underhooks.
Lee Swagger is trying to break free.
Shante Franklin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Lee Swagger misses with a short punch on the inside.
Lee Swagger tries to break the clinch but Franklin is controlling the position.
Lee Swagger working hard to break the clinch.
Franklin scores with a shoulder strike.
Franklin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Lee Swagger backwards.
Lee Swagger wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Franklin stalling the fight.
A hook to the body from Franklin.
A left hand lands to the body for Franklin.
Franklin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Lee Swagger working hard to break the clinch.
Franklin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Lee Swagger backwards.
Franklin pressing his opponent against the cage.
Franklin lands a nice uppercut.
Franklin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franklin pushes Lee Swagger back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Lee Swagger fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Franklin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Franklin wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Franklin.

Franklin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Lee Swagger checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Franklin misses with a low kick.
Franklin scores with a jab.
Lee Swagger displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Franklin throws out the jab.
Lee Swagger tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Lee Swagger connects with a right hand. Franklin shakes it off.
Lee Swagger ducks under a wild hook from Franklin.
Franklin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lee Swagger wants to clinch

and Franklin moves into the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lee Swagger has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Franklin stalls.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shante Franklin dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Franklin walks into a stiff left hand from Lee Swagger.
Franklin ducks under a wild hook from Lee Swagger.
Lee Swagger throws a series of punches but Franklin moves out of range.
Lee Swagger moves out of range as Franklin strikes.
Franklin connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
A big right from Lee Swagger misses.
Franklin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Lee Swagger manages to avoid it.
Lee Swagger moves in looking to clinch but Franklin pushes him off.
Lee Swagger swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Franklin counters by moving into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lee Swagger blocks an uppercut.
Franklin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Lee Swagger wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Franklin has him pressed against the cage.
Lee Swagger wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lee Swagger is trying to break the clinch but Franklin is controlling him.
Franklin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Lee Swagger is trying to break the clinch but Franklin is controlling him.
Nice body punch from Franklin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin prevents Lee Swagger from breaking the clinch.

Franklin manages to break the clinch.
Franklin throws a lazy right hand but Lee Swagger sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lee Swagger missing with a left hand there. Franklin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Franklin throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Lee Swagger sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Franklin ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lee Swagger moves away.
Franklin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lee Swagger swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lee Swagger tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Franklin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Lee Swagger slips under a jab.
Lee Swagger tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Lee Swagger takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Shante Franklin is winning the standup battle so far.
Franklin swats away the attempt to clinch by Lee Swagger.
Lee Swagger thuds his right hand into Franklin's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Lee Swagger misses with a hook. Franklin ducked under it nicely.
Lee Swagger lands a jab.
Lee Swagger throws the left hand but Franklin avoids the punch easily.
Lee Swagger misses with a series of wild punches.
Lee Swagger keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Franklin takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Lee Swagger lands the left hand.
Lee Swagger darts in trying to clinch
and Franklin counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Lee Swagger uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Franklin has time to react.
Lee Swagger smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Franklin looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lee Swagger thows a body shot but no joy.
Franklin slips a straight right by Lee Swagger.
Lee Swagger moves out of range as Franklin strikes.
A big left from Franklin misses.
Lee Swagger looks to clinch
and Franklin counters with a stiff right hand.
Franklin swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lee Swagger dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Lee Swagger looks to throw the jab but Franklin is out of range.
Franklin gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Franklin lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Lee Swagger lands with an overhand left.
Lee Swagger lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Franklin tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lee Swagger paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Franklin slips a straight right by Lee Swagger.
Franklin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lee Swagger swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A shot to the body from Franklin misses
and Lee Swagger counters with a stiff right hand.
Bob Lee Swagger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lee Swagger misses with a two punch combination.
Lee Swagger throws a right hand that Franklin ducks under and follows up with a left that Franklin also avoids with ease.
Lee Swagger wants to clinch but Franklin slips to the side
and Franklin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Lee Swagger thinking.
Lee Swagger takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A looping hook to the body misses from Franklin. Lee Swagger does a little dance to reset his feet.
Franklin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Franklin misses with a wild combination.
Shante Franklin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Franklin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A big left from Franklin misses.
Franklin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Franklin ducks under a wild hook from Lee Swagger.
Franklin slips under a jab.
Lee Swagger pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Lee Swagger throws the left hand but Franklin avoids the punch easily.
Franklin keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Lee Swagger.

And that's the end of the fight!
Shante Franklin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Franklin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 30:27

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