PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Walet Franks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Bova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bova comes into a darkened arena with his song building. I came to bring the pain! kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Tony Bova is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Franks
vs
Bova

170 cm
29
142 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

175 cm
34
96 lbs
18 - 28 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Walet Franks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 28 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tony Bova!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franks tries to bum rush Bova with a series of wild strikes but Bova uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bova is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Franks misses with a looping left.
Franks misses with a double jab

and Bova counters by clinching up.
Bova changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Franks fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Franks looks to land a combination but Bova avoids it well.
A combination from Franks does no damage.
Franks throws a nice looking combination but Bova bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Franks swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Bova holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Franks prevents the takedown attempt.
Bova is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Walet Franks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Bova.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Franks breaks the clinch.
Franks misses with a jab, cross combination.
Franks throws a series of punches but Bova avoids them all with ease.
Franks misses with a double jab.
Franks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Franks looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Franks misses with a jab, cross combination.
Franks throws a combination that misses

and Bova counters by clinching up.
Bova has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Franks is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Franks is looking to break free of the clinch but Bova has double underhooks.
Bova is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Franks is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bova wants to take the fight to the mat but Franks manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Bova wants to take the fight to the mat but Franks manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Bova is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Bova goes for a takedown attempt but Franks pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Franks misses with a few strikes there.
Franks throws a sloppy body shot

and Bova counters by clinching up.
Bova drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Franks gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Bova has Franks pressed against the cage, preventing Franks from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bova has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Franks after a bit of a struggle.

Bova turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Bova manages to end up in side control.
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.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Bova sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Franks is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Bova scoring with punches from side control.
Franks avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Bova.
Bova lands a nice forearm strike.
Bova throws a strike aimed at the side of Franks's head but Franks avoids it well.
Franks takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bova tries to advance to mount but can't.
Franks defending against the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franks is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Franks tries to get back to his feet but has found himself mounted instead. Damn, that's gotta suck.
Franks knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bova on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Franks is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Bova lands a heavy elbow.
Bova throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Franks avoids a series of strikes thrown by Bova.
Bova throws some wild stikes that Franks manages to avoid easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Franks is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Bova is landing with some decent strikes but Franks is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Bova throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Bova dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Franks swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Bova counters with a straight right hand.
A punch combination from Franks misses.
Franks misses with a combination

and Bova moves into the clinch.
Franks gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bova.
Franks is trying to break the clinch but Bova has him pressed against the cage.
Bova is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Franks gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bova 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.
Walet Franks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Bova.
Franks prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franks has had enough of the clinch but Bova keeps him there for the moment.
Bova goes for a takedown in the clinch but Franks prevents it.
Franks wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Franks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Walet Franks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Franks falls off balance throwing a combination
and Bova counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Franks throws a combination that misses
letting Bova counter with a right hand.
Walet Franks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Franks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bova slips a jab and a cross from Franks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franks misses with a double jab

and Bova counters by clinching up.
Bova is working for takedown but Franks is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bova is working for takedown but Franks is calmly controlling the position for now.
Bova is looking for a takedown.
Bova can't get the takedown.
Franks is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Bova goes for a takedown in the clinch but Franks prevents it.
Bova wants to take the fight to the mat but Franks manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franks throws an off balance right hand

and Bova counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Franks breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Franks lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Bova has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Bova and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Franks misses with a double jab.
Franks throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Bova counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bova.
Bova is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Franks gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bova tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bova can't get the takedown.
Franks prevents the takedown attempt.
Bova has Franks pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Franks manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Bova is breathing heavily.
Bova tries for a takedown but Franks manages to get underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bova wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bova drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Franks is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Bova tightens his grip and picks Franks up, before dumping him to the ground. Franks manages to land in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bova throwing strikes from guard but Franks blocks nicely.
Franks wants to get back to his feet but Bova is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bova throwing strikes from guard but Franks blocks nicely.
Franks wants to get back to his feet but Bova is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tony Bova will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A swing and a miss from Franks.
Franks throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bova moves into the clinch.
Bova drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A frustrated look appears on Franks's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Franks gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Bova.
Franks gets underhooks to prevent Bova's takedown attempt.
Walet Franks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Bova.
Bova is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Franks gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Franks's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Tony Bova seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Bova wants a takedown.
Franks is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Franks gets underhooks to prevent Bova's takedown attempt.
Franks prevents the takedown attempt.

Franks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Franks looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Franks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Franks throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

so Bova counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Franks is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bova is controlling him.
Franks wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Bova manages to pass to side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bova throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
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.
Franks avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bova.
Bova thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Franks's head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Franks looks like he's trying to stand up.
Bova throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Franks to regain full guard.
Franks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tony Bova has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bova throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Franks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Franks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bova won't allow Franks to get back to his feet.
Franks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
Bova throws a big right hand that misses.
Bova throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bova trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bova in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bova throws a big right hand that misses.
Bova throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franks wants to stand but Bova is controlling the position.
Bova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bova throwing strikes from guard but Franks blocks nicely.
Franks has momentary wrist control but Bova slips an elbow through the middle.
Bova throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bova postures up in Franks's guard and throws a big left but Franks blocks it.
Bova with a nice head shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bova throwing strikes from guard but Franks blocks nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Bova really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Franks falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bova counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Bova.
Bova tries to score a body lock takedown but Franks shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bova tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bova changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Franks fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Walet Franks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tony Bova.
Bova tries to move into range but Franks moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Bova slips a jab and a cross from Franks.
Franks falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bova moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bova goes for a takedown attempt but Franks pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Franks cracks Bova with an open hand slap.
Franks swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Bova counters with a shoot takedown. Franks fights it but they end up in guard.
Bova throwing strikes but missing.
Franks is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Franks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bova throws a big elbow that misses.
Bova is looking to work some ground and pound but Franks has wrist control.
Franks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
Franks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bova throws a strike but Franks rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Bova working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Franks has passed into half guard!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bova is looking for a sweep. Franks is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Franks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bova keeps working.
Franks sitting and controlling from the half guard.

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.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Walet Franks has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Franks misses with a combination
and Bova counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Franks throws a left and a right that both miss

and Bova counters by clinching up.
Bova wants to take the fight to the mat but Franks manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Bova changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Franks fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Franks falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bova counters with a single leg into guard. Franks didn't expect that.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bova loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Franks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Bova dominated that fourth 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. This is the final round!

Franks falls off balance throwing a combination

and Bova counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Franks's guard now.
Bova has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bova is in close to Franks's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bova makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bova missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Bova throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bova throws a big right hand that misses.
Bova throws a big right hand that misses.
Bova throws a big elbow that misses.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Bova is working Franks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Franks is looking to stand up but Bova isn't so interested in that idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bova throws a big elbow that misses.
Bova postures up in Franks's guard and throws a big left but Franks blocks it.
Bova is looking to work some ground and pound but Franks has wrist control.
Bova throwing strikes but missing.
Bova pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Franks is keeping the position for now.
Bova landing some decent shots from guard.
Franks is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Bova is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bova trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Bova throwing strikes from guard but Franks blocks nicely.
Franks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Franks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Franks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
Bova missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Franks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bova working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Franks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bova trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Franks wants to get back to his feet but Bova is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
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.
Franks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
Walet Franks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bova throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Franks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Franks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bova makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bova missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Franks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Bova is looking to work some ground and pound but Franks has wrist control.
Bova landing with the ground and pound.
Franks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Franks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bova.
Bova content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bova lands a couple of digs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tony Bova is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bova working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Bova comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Bova 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Tony Bova!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Tony Bova!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Tony Bova!

Tony Bova wins by unanimous decision!
Tony Bova very nearly forgot to thank Russian Top Magazin amongst all the excitement of his win but just as the interview came to a close, he screamed their name. Hopefully he'll get a few nice freebies in the mail as a thank you.