PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Fred Franks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mardo Samora (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Franks
vs
Samora

170 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

170 cm
20
145 lbs
1 - 2 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Fred Franks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 1, fighting out of New York, Mardo Samora!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, David Schapiro and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Samora scores a takedown into full mount!
Franks squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Franks on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Franks tries to get out of the position.
Samora tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Franks is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Samora has taken his back!
Franks controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Franks controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Samora controlling the position well here. Franks rolled but Samora kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franks has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Samora keeps control of the position easily here as Franks tries to buck him off.
Franks is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Samora controlling the position well here. Franks rolled but Samora kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.
Franks holding both Samora 's hands and preventing any damage.

That's two 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.
Good control from Samora.
Franks has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Samora just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franks looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Franks trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Samora is riding his opponent, not letting Franks buck him off.
Franks trying to get back to his feet but Samora is in full control for now.

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.
Samora trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Franks doesn't escape.
Samora's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Franks is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mardo Samora dominated that 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.

Franks doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Samora decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Franks's guard.
Franks wants to get back to his feet but Samora is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Franks is looking to stand back up but Samora counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Franks.
Samora moves into full mount! Franks won't be happy about that!
Franks is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Samora has taken his back!
Samora is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Franks has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samora has good solid back control here.
Franks is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Samora slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Franks looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Samora really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Franks.
Franks is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Samora controls the position.
Franks has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Samora biding his time, looking for the opening.
Franks is trying to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Samora controlling the positon.
Franks is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Samora is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Franks is trying to stand back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mardo Samora showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Franks fails with the takedown

and Samora counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Samora pulls guard successfully.
Mardo Samora has got the better of the ground game so far.
Franks distracts Samora with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Franks is sitting in close to Samora's body. Samora has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Franks is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Franks is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Samora.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:33 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Mardo Samora!