PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ariel Franco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damon Pierce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Franco comes to the cage accompanied by 50Cent - Ready for War. The key to victory for Ariel Franco has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Franco
vs
Pierce

185 cm
21
199 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

190 cm
23
200 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ariel Franco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Damon Pierce!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, Hugh Johnson and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Franco misses.

Pierce shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Pierce showed some decent athleticism there.
Pierce is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Franco!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pierce trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Franco is desperately trying to improve his position but Pierce has a good base and remains in mount.
Pierce trying to control but Franco is having none of it.

Pierce is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Franco to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Franco shrugs it off.
Pierce is dominating on the ground here - he's now on his opponent's back, looking to sink in the hooks. Franco is in real trouble.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pierce is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Franco defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Pierce patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Pierce is not going to allow Franco to sit and survive in this position.

Pierce looking for the choke but no joy.

Pierce is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
I really don't envy Franco right now.

Franco preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Pierce.

Franco fending off the submission attempt from Pierce.
Pierce controlling well, preventing Franco from escaping the position.
Franco knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Pierce on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pierce not allowing Franco to control his hands.
Franco manages to reverse the position and now he's in Pierce's guard. Nice work there by Franco.

Pierce is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Pierce lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Franco!
Pierce wants to take Franco's back but he can't do it this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pierce trying to control but he's not successful this time.

Pierce is working for a guillotine from mount but Franco frees his head quite easily.
Pierce fails to advance to Franco's back.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pierce jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Franco manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Pierce is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Franco looks calm but he's in trouble here. Pierce gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Franco is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Pierce lets go of the hold and Franco can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Damon Pierce!