PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pierre St Georges (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafal Frankenberg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). St Georges comes to the cage accompanied by Canadian National Anthem. Frankenberg comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Polish Anthem kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Rafal Frankenberg struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.4lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Rafal Frankenberg enters the cage!

St Georges
vs
Frankenberg

178 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

163 cm
22
178 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Pierre St Georges!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rafal Frankenberg!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Steve Smith and William Peck.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
St Georges tries to close the distance and clinch up but Frankenberg swats him away and circles back towards the center.
St Georges tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
St Georges rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Frankenberg moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
St Georges throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Frankenberg.
Pierre St Georges seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
St Georges throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Frankenberg.
Frankenberg has a takedown stuffed.
St Georges looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Frankenberg avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
St Georges tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
St Georges is breathing heavily.
St Georges tries to clinch but Frankenberg is having none of it.
Frankenberg should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
St Georges swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
St Georges misses with a takedown attempt

so Frankenberg counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Frankenberg is pushing down on St Georges's leg trying to pass to half guard. St Georges is fighting to maintain full guard but Frankenberg has managed to sneak the leg through.
Frankenberg slows the pace down in half guard.
Frankenberg is keen to just control but St Georges is a slippery customer.
St Georges has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Frankenberg is working away from the top position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. St Georges manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
St Georges will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Frankenberg has eaten all the pies!
Frankenberg not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

St Georges working for a triangle but Frankenberg defends it easily.
Frankenberg controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

St Georges has his foot on Frankenberg's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Frankenberg works his way back into a safe position though.
St Georges bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Frankenberg's guard.

St Georges drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and St Georges jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Frankenberg managing to control the position.
St Georges stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Frankenberg swivels though and keeps the full guard.
St Georges will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frankenberg avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
St Georges passes Frankenberg's left leg - he's now in half guard.
St Georges perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

St Georges is looking for a kimura but Frankenberg is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for St Georges to get the leverage.

St Georges is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Frankenberg is just riding it out for now. St Georges eventually gives up the hold.
St Georges is looking to advance position but Frankenberg won't allow it.
Frankenberg keeping hold of St Georges's head, controlling as best he can.
St Georges wants to free his trapped foot but Frankenberg is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frankenberg is controlling St Georges's trapped leg to prevent St Georges from advancing to side control.
Frankenberg trying to control from the bottom.
Frankenberg is looking to improve his position.

Frankenberg actively working from the bottom here.
Frankenberg keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Frankenberg is trying to maintain the position but St Georges is very close to passing his half guard.
Frankenberg preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Despite being in the dominant position, Rafal Frankenberg just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
St Georges misses with a combination

and Frankenberg counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Frankenberg.

Frankenberg has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics St Georges uses from the top position.
St Georges thows a big elbow that misses.
St Georges works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Frankenberg works his way to full guard. Good work.
St Georges throwing strikes from guard but Frankenberg blocks nicely.
Frankenberg is trying to keep St Georges in close.
St Georges would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Frankenberg avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells St Georges's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Frankenberg wants to sweep but no luck.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafal Frankenberg dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A jab from St Georges misses.
St Georges swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Frankenberg moves into the clinch successfully.
St Georges tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Frankenberg smiles and moves away.
Frankenberg moves in looking to clinch but St Georges pushes him off.
St Georges swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Frankenberg counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Frankenberg.
Frankenberg controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Let's hope that Frankenberg has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Frankenberg must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
St Georges tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Frankenberg controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frankenberg trying to control the position from guard on top but St Georges is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
St Georges manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
A nice elbow there by St Georges.
St Georges fails to advance to Frankenberg's back.
St Georges lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Frankenberg hang on?

St Georges is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Frankenberg has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Frankenberg!
Rafal Frankenberg has got the better of the ground game so far.

St Georges is looking for a triangle but Frankenberg pushes his legs off easily.
Frankenberg content to stall in guard here.
Frankenberg trying to control but St Georges is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
St Georges wants to sweep here but Frankenberg controlling him for the moment.

St Georges escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Frankenberg gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Frankenberg is pushing down on St Georges's leg trying to pass to half guard. St Georges is fighting to maintain full guard but Frankenberg has managed to sneak the leg through.
St Georges is pressing down on Frankenberg's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

St Georges working for a triangle but Frankenberg defends it easily.

St Georges is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Frankenberg sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Georges looking to hit a scissor sweep but Frankenberg is one step ahead there.
St Georges lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Frankenberg!
St Georges scores with a couple of good head shots there.
St Georges wants to control the action but instead Frankenberg gets a body lock and reverses into St Georges's guard! Nice work!
Frankenberg seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Frankenberg trying to control the position from guard on top but St Georges is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
St Georges looking for a sweep. Not yet St Georges, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Frankenberg decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
St Georges keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
St Georges throws a head kick that half lands.
A low kick from St Georges is predictable there

and Frankenberg counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
St Georges tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Frankenberg stands up.

Frankenberg shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Frankenberg was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
St Georges tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Frankenberg takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafal Frankenberg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! St Georges's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

St Georges tries to clinch
and Frankenberg counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Frankenberg shoots in looking for a takedown. St Georges tries to sprawl out of it but Frankenberg keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. St Georges manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
St Georges moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Frankenberg wants to clinch up but St Georges keeps it at a distance.
Frankenberg shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
St Georges throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Frankenberg tries to close the distance and clinch but St Georges swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
St Georges throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Frankenberg counters with a takedown into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Frankenberg is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down St Georges's shoulder. That is not cool.
You can see the frustration on St Georges's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Frankenberg is looking to take a break and control but St Georges is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
St Georges tries to buck Frankenberg off but Frankenberg is having none of it.
St Georges stops Frankenberg from passing to mount.
St Georges is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
St Georges striking from the bottom but nothing landed.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Frankenberg shoots for a double leg takedown but St Georges sprawls well. He's pushed Frankenberg's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pierre St Georges has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafal Frankenberg.
St Georges throws a body kick that misses.

Frankenberg scores with a takedown into St Georges's guard.

St Georges is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
St Georges is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Frankenberg wanted to stand there but St Georges had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frankenberg tries to free his leg and advance position but St Georges is retaining full guard.
Frankenberg pushing down on St Georges's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Frankenberg seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
St Georges wants to improve his position but Frankenberg is controlling well.
Frankenberg uses his free foot to push down on St Georges's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for St Georges.
Frankenberg content just to control the position here.
Frankenberg avoids the attempt from St Georges to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
St Georges is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
St Georges is working hard here to advance position.
Frankenberg looking to control and managing it successfully.
St Georges is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Frankenberg trying to control but St Georges is having none of it.

Frankenberg looking to secure an arm triangle but St Georges defends it well.
St Georges tries to hold on but Frankenberg postures up.
Frankenberg working the ground and pound effectively.
Frankenberg tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Pierre St Georges has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafal Frankenberg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Frankenberg winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Peck scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafal Frankenberg!