PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jorge Darce (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Franks (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.

Darce
vs
Franks

190 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

172 cm
29
130 lbs
4 - 12 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jorge Darce!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 12 - 0, fighting out of London, Daniel Franks!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Glass and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Darce fails to land the takedown.
Franks looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Darce connects with an inside leg kick.
Franks tries to clinch but Darce moves away
letting Darce counter with a right hand.

Darce moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Franks fails to land.
Franks misses with a punch on the inside.
Darce wants to take the fight to the mat but Franks manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Darce jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Franks walks away with a smile on his face. Darce gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorge Darce. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Darce shoots for a takedown but Franks saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Franks has closed the distance and engaged Darce in a clinch.

Darce breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Franks doesn't manage to clinch there - Darce circles away.
Franks tries to clinch but Darce moves away
and Darce counters with a head kick.
Darce shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Darce keeps the fight on the outside.
Darce shoots for a takedown but Franks saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Darce really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Darce has managed to clinch.
Darce is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Darce changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Franks fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Franks is looking to clinch but Darce is avoiding it.
Franks looks to clinch
and Darce counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Franks tries to keep at a distance but Darce has taken the fight into the clinch.
Darce blocks an uppercut.
A short right from Franks on the inside.
Franks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Darce goes for a takedown in the clinch but Franks prevents it.
Darce blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Franks working aggressively here.

Darce jumps guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Darce uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Franks tries to clinch but Darce is having none of it.
Darce shoots in for a takedown but Franks shows good takedown defense.
Nice takedown defense from Franks. No joy for Darce on that attempt.
Darce circles away from the clinch attempt.
Franks keeps the fight on the outside.

Franks gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Franks working aggressively here.
Darce looking to stall.
Franks working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Franks softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short right from Franks.
Darce wants to take the fight to the mat but Franks manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franks misses with some punches.
Darce gets through Franks's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Franks misses with a hook from the clinch.
Franks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Franks misses with some punches.
Darce displaying some good clinch control by pressing Franks up against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Darce.

Darce's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Darce shoots in looking for a takedown but Franks manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Darce's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Franks tries to clinch but Darce moves out of range.
Darce fails with an attempt to clinch.
Franks tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Darce paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Franks looks to clinch
and Darce cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darce has a takedown stuffed.
Franks stuffs the takedown.
Darce circles away from the clinch attempt.

Darce closes the distance and pushes Franks back into the cage.
Darce fails to pull guard.
Franks lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Darce drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Franks has a couple of punches blocked by Darce.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Franks throws a punch but it's blocked by Darce.
Darce goes for a takedown in the clinch but Franks prevents it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Darce jumps into guard, dragging Franks to the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jorge Darce will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Franks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Franks darts in trying to clinch
and Darce counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Darce circles away from the clinch attempt
and Darce counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Darce shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Franks tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Darce counters with a good low kick that Franks was not able to check.
A nice leg kick lands there from Darce.
Franks wants to clinch but Darce slips to the side
and Darce counters with a nice low kick that buckles Franks's knee momentarily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Darce.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Darce tries to score a power double leg takedown but Franks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Darce somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorge Darce. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franks tries to close the distance and clinch up but Darce swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Darce lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Franks moves in looking to clinch but Darce pushes him off.
Jorge Darce is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Darce rushes Franks and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Darce jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Franks walks away with a smile on his face. Darce gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Franks wants to clinch
and Darce counters with a right hand to the body.

Franks rushes Darce and presses him up against the cage.
Darce blocking some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Franks.
Darce stalling the fight.
Franks has a couple of punches blocked by Darce.
Darce has Franks pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Franks manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franks lands a right hand.

Darce's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Franks wants to clinch up but Darce keeps it at a distance.
Franks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Darce.
No luck for Darce with that takedown attempt.
Darce lands with an uppercut that bounces Franks off the cage and back into range.
Darce lands a high kick!
Franks darts in trying to clinch
and Darce makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Franks really felt that one!
Daniel Franks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Darce closes the distance and clinches.
Franks swings wildly with an uppercut but Darce uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Darce breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Darce has Franks up against the cage in a clinch.
Darce is trying to drag Franks to the mat but Franks just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Franks.
Darce tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Franks smiles and moves away.
Darce circles away from the clinch attempt
and Darce counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Franks moves in looking to clinch but Darce pushes him off.

Darce rushes Franks and presses him up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Darce breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Darce has a takedown stuffed.
Franks tries to clinch but Darce moves out of range.
Franks wants to clinch
and Darce counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Darce circles away from the clinch attempt
letting Darce counter with a right hand.
Darce tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jorge Darce is winning the standup battle so far.
Darce has a takedown stuffed.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Franks tries to close the distance and clinch but Darce swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Darce shoots in for a takedown but Franks shows good takedown defense.
Darce looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Franks is fending him off so far but Darce persists. Nope, Franks circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jorge Darce will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Darce circles away from the clinch attempt
and Darce connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Darce changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Franks tries to avoid it but Darce manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Franks to the ground. Franks escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Darce has Franks up against the cage in a clinch.
Darce wants to get back to striking at distance but Franks won't allow it.
Franks tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Darce blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Daniel Franks seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Darce.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Franks.
Franks stops a takedown attempt from Darce.
Darce drops down looking for an ankle pick but Franks pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jorge Darce. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Franks clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Darce has clasped his hands together around Franks's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Darce is looking to take a break and control but Franks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Franks sneaks back into half guard.
Darce will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Darce is looking to take a break and control but Franks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Darce blocks the strikes from Franks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franks tries to get to full guard but Darce has control of the leg.
Darce content to control rather than advance.

We're going to have a standup here because Jorge Darce wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Darce takes the fight into the clinch.
Darce gets through Franks's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Darce is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Franks pulls him back up using the underhooks.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Franks.
Darce is struggling to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Franks.
Franks has a couple of punches blocked by Darce.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Darce jumps guard and drags Franks to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Franks lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Darce controlling the position.
Darce trying to keep a closed guard but Franks is proving a slippery customer.

Darce looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Franks with a flurry of punches that miss.
Darce throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Franks throws a big elbow that misses.
Darce wants to sweep but no luck.
Franks works over Darce with some ground and pound from guard.
Darce looking for a sweep. Not yet Darce, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Darce controlling Franks's posture.

Darce is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Franks is aware though and is defending well.
Darce is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Franks throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Darce thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Franks's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Franks is not content to let Darce control the position.
Darce is taking a breather. Franks says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Darce looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorge Darce showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Darce has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jorge Darce!