PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Shante Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Masaru Hirai (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.

Franklin
vs
Hirai

183 cm
23
195 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
185 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 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 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Masaru Hirai!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Shimada and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Franklin ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hirai blocks a jab.
Hirai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Franklin bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Hirai throws a head kick but Franklin moves out of range.
Hirai throws a nice head kick!
Hirai on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Franklin tries to bum rush Hirai with a series of wild strikes but Hirai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Franklin throws a jab but it's blocked by Hirai.
Hirai throws a head kick but Franklin moves out of range.
Hirai throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Franklin looks to land a right hand but Hirai moved out of range.
Franklin connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Franklin connects with a right hand. Hirai shakes it off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hirai throws a hook but Franklin avoids it easily.
Franklin takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Shante Franklin has been cut.
Hirai throws a nice head kick!
Hirai tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Franklin closes the distance and pushes Hirai back into the ropes.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Franklin stalling.
Franklin lands a body shot in the clinch.
A hook to the body from Franklin.
Franklin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Franklin is trying to stall.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Hirai can't get the takedown.
Hirai looks gassed!
Hirai wants to get back to striking at distance but Franklin won't allow it.
Franklin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Hirai is trying to force a seperation but Franklin has the dominant position.
Franklin leaning against his opponent.
Hirai takes a shot to the head.
Franklin lands with a right to the head.

Franklin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses.
Franklin scores with a jab. Hirai acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Franklin cracks Hirai with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Hirai looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Franklin finish him?

Hirai is rocked!

Franklin gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Hirai is still on wobbly legs! Can Franklin finish him?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Franklin scores with a shoulder strike.
A left hand lands to the body for Franklin.
Hirai seems to have recovered his senses.
Franklin will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hirai up against the ropes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch but Franklin keeps him there for the moment.
Franklin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hirai looking for a takedown.
A short uppercut from Franklin.
Franklin lands a left hand.
Hirai wants to get back to striking at distance but Franklin won't allow it.
Franklin lands a body shot.
Franklin pushes Hirai back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
Franklin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hirai backwards.
Franklin lands with a left to the head.
Franklin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hirai backwards.
Franklin digs a right hand into Hirai's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hirai's gas tank.
Franklin is leaning against Hirai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Franklin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Franklin.
Franklin working some nice short punches in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Franklin - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Franklin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Franklin lands a shoulder strike.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Franklin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Franklin dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Franklin lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Franklin.
Franklin lands a left hand.
Franklin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Franklin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Franklin pushes Hirai back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hirai being controlled against the ropes.
A short right from Franklin on the inside.
Franklin gets through Hirai's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A right handed body shot lands from Franklin.
Franklin scores with a hook to the body.
Franklin scores with a shoulder strike.
Franklin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Franklin lands a nice uppercut.
Franklin scores with a hook to the body.
A short left from Franklin.
A bit of stalling here from Franklin.
Hirai tries to break the clinch but Franklin is controlling the position.
A short right from Franklin on the inside.
Franklin scores with a shoulder strike.
Franklin avoiding damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franklin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hirai working hard to break the clinch.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Franklin pushes Hirai back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Franklin.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
A left hand lands to the body for Franklin.
Franklin stalls.
Franklin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hirai.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Franklin takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Hirai has Franklin pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Franklin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shante Franklin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masaru Hirai.
Franklin scores with a nice hook to the head.
Franklin lands a hook that snaps the head of Hirai backwards.
Franklin's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Hirai is working for a takedown up against the ropes. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A short right from Franklin.
A shot in the inside from Franklin.
Franklin holding his opponent close, against the ropes.
A right hand to the body from Franklin.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Franklin lands an uppercut.
Franklin lands with a short shot to the head.
Franklin scores with a shoulder strike.
Franklin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Franklin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Franklin has Hirai pressed against the ropes.
Franklin cracks Hirai with a nice body shot.
Franklin is leaning against Hirai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Franklin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Franklin lands a body punch in the clinch.

Franklin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Franklin moves into range and clinches up with Hirai.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Franklin.
Franklin throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Franklin lands with a light punch inside.
Franklin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hirais head.
Franklin is working Hirai over against the ropes.
Franklin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Franklin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A short left from Franklin.
Franklin lands with a light punch inside.
The fighters are pressed against the ropes, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hirai drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Franklin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hirai backwards.
Franklin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Hirai or not.
Hirai looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A right hand to the body from Franklin.
Franklin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Franklin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Franklin lands with a right to the head.
Franklin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Franklin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Franklin pushes Hirai back against the ropes and unloads with a body punch.
A short right from Franklin on the inside.
Franklin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A nice right hand lands inside from Franklin.
Franklin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Franklin digs a right hand into Hirai's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hirai's gas tank.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Franklin lands a right hand.
Franklin just leaning against Hirai, taking a breather.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Franklin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hirai being controlled against the ropes.
A short uppercut from Franklin.
Hirai can't break the clinch.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hirai letting Franklin take a breather here.
Hirai is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Franklin stalling against the ropes.
Franklin lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Franklin stalls.
Franklin lands a shoulder strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Franklin content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Shante Franklin.
Franklin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hirai on the side of the head.
Franklin throws a series of punches but Hirai moves out of range.

Franklin closes the distance and pushes Hirai back into the ropes.
A frustrated look appears on Hirai's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Franklin.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
Hirai is trying to force a seperation but Franklin has the dominant position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Hirai tries for a takedown but Franklin manages to get underhooks.
Hirai drops down looking for an ankle pick but Franklin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Hirai takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hirai takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Franklin scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Franklin scores with a crisp jab that stopped Hirai in his tracks.
Hirai misses with a head kick.
Hirai on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Franklin tries to bum rush Hirai with a series of wild strikes but Hirai uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Franklin lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Hirai at a distance.
Franklin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Franklin lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Franklin scores with a shot to the body.
Hirai takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Hirai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Franklin scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Franklin lands a jab to Hirai's midsection.
Hirai gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Franklin.
Franklin with a nice cross.
Hirai throws a sloppy head kick and Franklin moves out of range easily.
Franklin scores with a jab to the jaw.

Franklin moves into the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Franklin.
Hirai letting Franklin take a breather here.
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A short right from Franklin on the inside.
Franklin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Hirai manages to break the clinch.
Hirai doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shante Franklin dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shante Franklin's cut.
That's time! Franklin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A right-left combo lands from Franklin.
Franklin scores with a shot to the body.
Hirai misses with a head kick.

Franklin has Hirai up against the ropes in a clinch.
Franklin is leaning against Hirai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hirai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Franklin has him pressed against the ropes.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hirai takes a shot to the head.
Franklin scores with a shoulder strike.
A hook to the body from Franklin.
Franklin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Good body shot from Franklin.
Franklin lands with a left to the head.
Franklin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Franklin is struggling to control the position.
Franklin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice body punch from Franklin.
Franklin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Hirai takes a shot to the head.
A frustrated look appears on Hirai's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Franklin pushes Hirai back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A right hook to the body lands for Franklin.
Stalling in the clinch from Franklin.
Shante Franklin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Franklin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Franklin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hirai checks the leg kick.
Franklin throws the left hand but Hirai avoids the punch easily.
Nice straight punches there by Franklin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Franklin.
Franklin misses with a wild body shot.
Hirai thumps Franklin with a low kick.
Franklin lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Hirai backs up against the ropes.
Hirai throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A decent looking cross lands there for Franklin.
Hirai tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Good exchange - Franklin coming out on top.
Hirai tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirai misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shante Franklin is winning the standup battle so far.
Franklin scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hirai doesn't seem bothered though.
Franklin throws out a powerful jab.
Hirai moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Good standup being displayed there by Franklin as he connects with a hook.

Franklin moves into the clinch.
Hirai is trying to force a seperation but Franklin has the dominant position.

Franklin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hirai misses with a double jab
and Franklin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Franklin looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Franklin connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

Franklin darts in and clinches Hirai up against the ropes.
Hirai is trying to force a seperation but Franklin has the dominant position.
Hirai goes for a takedown in the clinch but Franklin prevents it.
Franklin pushes Hirai back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Franklin.
Franklin presses Hirai against the ropes and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hirai is trying to break the clinch but Franklin has him pressed against the ropes.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Franklin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Franklin is leaning against Hirai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Franklin just leaning against Hirai, taking a breather.

Franklin manages to break the clinch.
Hirai walks into a left hand.
Hirai tries a head kick but it misses.
Franklin cracks Hirai with an open hand slap.
Franklin lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

Franklin moves into the clinch.
Franklin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hirai backwards.
Franklin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hirai goes for a takedown in the clinch but Franklin prevents it.
Franklin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Franklin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hirai backwards.
Hirai has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Nice body punch from Franklin.
Franklin stalling the fight.
Hirai is working for takedown but Franklin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Shante Franklin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Masaru Hirai.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franklin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hirai backwards.
Franklin scores with a shoulder strike.
Franklin is leaning against Hirai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Franklin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Franklin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hirai misses with a body shot.
Franklin throws out a powerful jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Hirai checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Franklin wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Masaru Hirai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Franklin fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Hirai on the side of the head.
Franklin connects with a crisp jab.
Hirai scores with a head kick.
Decent striking displayed by Franklin there.
Franklin getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Franklin tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hirai was well out of range. Poor timing from Franklin.
Hirai walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's five minutes gone in the round.

Franklin clinches up against the ropes.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Hirai has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Franklin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hirai can do to turn this around?
Franklin lands with a right to the head.
Franklin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Franklin pushes Hirai back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Franklin lands with a light punch inside.
Franklin is trying to maintain a safe position but Hirai gets an underhook and turns Franklin into the ropes.
Franklin scores with a shoulder strike.

Franklin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Franklin smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Franklin misses the jab.
Hirai moves out of range of the strikes.
Hirai lands a nice leg kick that just misses Franklin's sensitive parts.
Franklin throws a good cross that connects.
Hirai throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Franklin lands with a hook. Hirai tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Franklin throws a shot to the body.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Hirai darts in trying to clinch

and Franklin counters by moving into the clinch.
Franklin pushes Hirai back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Franklin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the ropes.
Franklin throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Franklin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Franklin lands a nice shot to the body.
Franklin lands a left hand.
A nice right hand lands inside from Franklin.
Franklin is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Hirai wants a takedown.
Franklin lands with a right to the head.
Franklin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Franklin's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Franklin misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Franklin blocks a head kick by Hirai.

Franklin gets a clinch.
Franklin scores with a shot to the side of Hirai's head.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Franklin lands a right hand.
Hirai can't get the takedown.
Franklin prevents Hirai from breaking the clinch.
Franklin lands a shoulder strike.
Franklin lands a shoulder strike.
Franklin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hirai wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Franklin has him pressed against the ropes.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Franklin.
A hook to the body from Franklin.
Franklin slows down the pace here.
Franklin digs a right hand into Hirai's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hirai's gas tank.
Franklin lands with a left to the head.
A bit of stalling here from Franklin.
Hirai is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.
A frustrated look appears on Hirai's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Franklin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Franklin is working Hirai over against the ropes.
Franklin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Franklin lands a nice shot to the body.
Franklin lands a nice uppercut.
Franklin is leaning against Hirai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hirai can't break the clinch.
Franklin lands a left hand.
Hirai can't break the clinch.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Franklin.
Franklin dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the ropes.
Franklin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hirai is looking to break free of the clinch but Franklin has double underhooks.
Franklin stalls.

Franklin breaks the clinch.
Hirai misses with a double jab

and Franklin counters by moving into the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Franklin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hirai working hard to break the clinch.
Franklin is leaning against Hirai and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Franklin pushes Hirai back against the ropes and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Franklin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hirai on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Franklin tests Hirai's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hirai misses with a head kick.
Franklin connects with a right hand. Hirai shakes it off.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Franklin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the ropes.
Hirai is looking to break free of the clinch but Franklin has double underhooks.
A right hand to the body from Franklin.
Franklin is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

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

Franklin has taken the fight to the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Franklin.
Shante Franklin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Franklin lands a hook that snaps the head of Hirai backwards.
Hirai wants to break free but Franklin has control.
Franklin effectively controlling the action here.
Hirai is trying to break free.
Franklin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Franklin lands a body punch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hirai working hard to break the clinch.
Franklin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Franklin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hirai wants to break the clinch but can't.
Masaru Hirai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hirai wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Hirai looking to throw knees to the head but Franklin is blocking nicely.

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 2 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Shante Franklin!
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Shante Franklin!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Shante Franklin!

Shante Franklin wins by unanimous decision!