PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Alex Nizami (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tommy Franchise (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nizami comes to the cage accompanied by Bad Company. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Nizami
vs
Franchise

178 cm
18
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Alex Nizami!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tommy Franchise!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jonathan Paton and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Franchise instigates a clinch.

Nizami breaks from the clinch.
Franchise tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice sprawl there from Franchise as Nizami shoots in.
Franchise tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nizami sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Franchise somewhat.

Nizami instigates a clinch.

Nizami escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nizami shoots in looking for a takedown. Franchise tries to sprawl out of it but Nizami keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Franchise manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Franchise throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nizami tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Franchise paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nizami is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nizami stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nizami wants it to stay on the feet.
Franchise shoots in for a takedown but Nizami shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Alex Nizami has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tommy Franchise.
Nizami lands a leg kick that knocks Franchise off balance momentarily.
Nizami shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Franchise as he jumps to the side.
A clash of legs there as Nizami blocks the low kick.
Franchise fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nizami tries a head kick but it misses.
Franchise blocks the body kick.
Nizami changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Franchise tries to avoid it but Nizami manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Franchise to the ground. Franchise escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nizami tries to clinch but Franchise moves away
and Franchise connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Franchise. No joy for Nizami on that attempt.
Nizami is breathing heavily.
Franchise tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nizami swivels and escapes.
Nice shot by Franchise.
Nizami fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nizami tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Franchise swivels and escapes.

Franchise scores with a takedown into Nizami's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Franchise trying to stand up but can't free himself from Nizami's guard.
Franchise's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nizami might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nizami is trying to control the position but Franchise postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Alex Nizami just wasn't active enough.
Franchise looks to land a body kick but Nizami moved away.
Franchise scores with a body shot.

Franchise closes the distance and pushes Nizami back into the cage.
Franchise tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Franchise has Nizami pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nizami manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Franchise pulls guard successfully.

Franchise is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franchise throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Nizami throwing strikes from guard but Franchise blocks nicely.
Nizami stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Franchise swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Nizami decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Franchise, up you get!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Nizami drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Franchise had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nizami defends it easily.

Franchise looking for a guillotine here but Nizami defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tommy Franchise will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nizami gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Franchise is looking to break free of the clinch but Nizami has double underhooks.

Nizami jumps guard.
Nizami wants to stand but Franchise is controlling the position.
Franchise won't allow Nizami to sweep him here.
Nizami looking to control.
Franchise stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nizami swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nizami tries to strike from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Franchise's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Franchise wants to stand and escape but instead Nizami has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Nizami controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Franchise pulls Nizami in close to prevent any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Franchise shoots for a takedown but Nizami saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Franchise rushes Nizami and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Franchise dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Franchise is trying to force a seperation but Nizami has the dominant position.

Nizami breaks from the clinch.
Franchise shoots in looking for a takedown but Nizami manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Franchise's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Franchise shoots in and gets a takedown into Nizami's guard.

Nizami has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Franchise can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
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!

Franchise got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nizami has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Franchise has managed to get both his arms back between Nizami's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nizami is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Franchise rolls with it to try and escape but Nizami cranks on the arm and Franchise is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Alex Nizami!