PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fred Alexander (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Forrest Franklinberger (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.

Alexander
vs
Franklinberger

192 cm
20
205 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

169 cm
19
212 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fred Alexander!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Forrest Franklinberger!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Mauricio Rocha and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alexander closes the distance and clinches.
Franklinberger is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alexander is defending well for now.
Alexander looking for a takedown.

Alexander has Franklinberger pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Alexander pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Franklinberger tumbling to the mat - Alexander dives into Franklinberger's guard.
Alexander controls from within his opponent's guard.
Alexander won't allow Franklinberger to sweep him here.

Franklinberger looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Franklinberger throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Alexander trying to control the position from guard on top but Franklinberger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Alexander is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

We're going to have a standup here because Fred Alexander wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Alexander shoots in for a takedown but Franklinberger shows good takedown defense.

Franklinberger takes the fight into the clinch.
Alexander has Franklinberger pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Franklinberger manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fred Alexander. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander takes a knee to the side of the body.
Alexander wants to break free but Franklinberger has control.
Franklinberger misses with a punch to the body.
Franklinberger throws an elbow but it misses.
Alexander prevents a body shot from Franklinberger.
Alexander can't get the takedown.
Franklinberger wants to take the fight to the mat but Alexander manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklinberger is looking to break free of the clinch but Alexander has double underhooks.
Alexander prevents the takedown attempt.
Alexander gets underhooks to prevent Franklinberger's takedown attempt.
Alexander can't get the takedown.
Franklinberger utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

Franklinberger successfully pulls guard.
Alexander controlling from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Franklinberger working for a triangle but Alexander defends it easily.
Franklinberger 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.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alexander wants to pass the guard but Franklinberger is keeping the position.
Franklinberger is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Forrest Franklinberger will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Some wild striking there from Franklinberger.
Alexander misses with a takedown attempt
and Franklinberger counters with a body kick.
Franklinberger scores with a three punch combo!

Alexander drives through and clinches with Franklinberger against the cage.
Franklinberger is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Alexander has Franklinberger pressed against the cage, preventing Franklinberger from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Alexander wants a takedown.
Franklinberger lands a body shot.
Franklinberger tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklinberger is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Alexander is defending well for now.

Franklinberger breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Franklinberger keeps the fight on the outside.
Franklinberger tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Alexander swivels and escapes.

Franklinberger fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Alexander, pushing him back against the cage.
Alexander prevents a takedown attempt there.
Alexander is trying to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alexander prevents a body shot from Franklinberger.
Franklinberger tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Franklinberger stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Alexander wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fred Alexander. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Franklinberger misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Alexander.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklinberger displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Alexander.
Franklinberger shoots in and drives through. Alexander sprawls well.
Franklinberger swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Franklinberger looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Alexander is fending him off so far but Franklinberger persists. Nope, Alexander circles away and we're back to standing.
Alexander tries for a takedown but Franklinberger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Franklinberger defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Alexander.

Franklinberger gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Alexander has had enough of the clinch but Franklinberger keeps him there for the moment.
Franklinberger is trying to pull guard but Alexander has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franklinberger is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Alexander breaks from the clinch.
Alexander darts in trying to clinch

and Franklinberger counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Franklinberger wants to control from the top but Alexander keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Alexander looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Franklinberger passes into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Forrest Franklinberger showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Alexander is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Franklinberger lands with a straight right. Alexander didn't see that one coming.
Franklinberger punishes Alexander's body with a nice straight punch.

Alexander feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Alexander content to stall in guard here.
Alexander passes into half guard.
Franklinberger keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alexander is trying to control. Franklinberger wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Franklinberger is trying to maintain the position but Alexander is very close to passing his half guard.
Franklinberger is refusing to be controlled, as Alexander sits in half guard.
Fred Alexander overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Franklinberger wants to improve his position but Alexander is controlling well.
Alexander is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Franklinberger!
Alexander controlling from the full mount.
Franklinberger is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Forrest Franklinberger is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Alexander 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.

Alexander with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Alexander looking to control but Franklinberger is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Alexander controlling the pace for now.
Alexander lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Franklinberger hang on?
Franklinberger working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alexander looking to control and managing it successfully.
Franklinberger wants to hold on but Alexander pushes him away.
Alexander takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Alexander looking to control but Franklinberger is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Alexander controlling from the full mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Fred Alexander wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Danga de danga de dang - Franklinberger scores with a four punch combination!
Franklinberger shoots in but no luck this time.
Franklinberger throws a leg kick but Alexander sees it coming and moves out of range.
Fred Alexander has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Alexander closes this distance looking for a takedown but Franklinberger circles away.
Alexander tries to clinch but Franklinberger moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Alexander shoots in looking for a takedown but Franklinberger manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Alexander's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Alexander.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fred Alexander. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Franklinberger is looking to clinch but Alexander is avoiding it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fred Alexander showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Franklinberger has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 28:29
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Forrest Franklinberger!