PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Isaac Clarksdale (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darwin France (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). France has chosen You Suck as his entrance music. Isaac Clarksdale could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Darwin France's chin.

Clarksdale
vs
France

168 cm
25
151 lbs
10 - 5 - 1

185 cm
25
153 lbs
17 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

TWGC Champion
Brawler
Good gas tank

Demon Clothing Company and Laundry

Project Mayhem
//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Isaac Clarksdale!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Darwin France!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Tiny Johnson and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Clarksdale connects with a right hand. France shakes it off.
France drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
France throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Clarksdale's waist but Clarksdale gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing France off to one side.
France lands with a shot to the body.

France shoots in and bounces Clarksdale off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
France tries to free his leg and advance position but Clarksdale is retaining full guard.
France is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

France drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Clarksdale dives on top into guard.
France looking to hit a scissor sweep but Clarksdale is one step ahead there.
Clarksdale has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Clarksdale got a little sloppy there for a moment and France has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Clarksdale has managed to get both his arms back between France's legs - danger averted.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
France looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

France looking for a guillotine here but Clarksdale defends easily.

Clarksdale avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Clarksdale not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Clarksdale trying to control the position from guard on top but France is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

France looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Clarksdale passes into half guard.
France is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
France makes his way to full guard. A much better position for France.
Clarksdale wants to stand but France is controlling his posture from full guard.
France not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
France keeping moving, preventing Clarksdale from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

France is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Clarksdale defends well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Clarksdale stands up from France's guard - Clarksdale perhaps looking for a knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
France fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nice defenses there by Clarksdale.
Darwin France seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A punch combination from Clarksdale misses.
Clarksdale throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
France misses with a jab to the body
and Clarksdale counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Clarksdale keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Isaac Clarksdale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darwin France.
France needs to keep his hands up - Clarksdale had a free shot at his head there.
France throws a lazy right hand but Clarksdale sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
France throws an overhand right that lands on Clarksdale's shoulder, as Clarksdale tries to avoid the shot.
France wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
France moves out of range of the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - France throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A combination from Clarksdale does no damage.
Horrible takedown by France or perhaps it was just good defense by Clarksdale which made him look bad.
France shoots in for a double leg but Clarksdale sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
France takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Clarksdale throws a series of punches but France moves out of range.
No joy there for Clarksdale, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Clarksdale stuffs the takedown attempt from France. France gets slowly back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
France shoots in but Clarksdale avoids the takedown attempt easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
France throws a series of punches but Clarksdale avoids them all with ease.
Clarksdale with a nice cross.
Clarksdale avoids the body shot from France.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darwin France dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Clarksdale gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows France to score an easy takedown into full guard.

France drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and France jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Darwin France has got the better of the ground game so far.
France stopping the sweep attempt from Clarksdale.
France looking to pass the guard.

France drops back, looking for a kneebar! Clarksdale looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Clarksdale looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Clarksdale!

That's one minute gone in the round.
France tries to get back to half guard but can't.
France manages to get back to half guard.
Clarksdale scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

France looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Clarksdale is trying to control. France wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Clarksdale content to control rather than advance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

France looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Clarksdale wants to stand but France has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

France looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Clarksdale controlling the action here.

France looking for submissions off his back.
Clarksdale prevents France from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
France moves into full guard.
Clarksdale is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
France keeping full guard, as Clarksdale tries to pass.

France is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Clarksdale defends well.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
France is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Clarksdale avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

France looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
France trying to control the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Clarksdale showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Clarksdale passes France's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darwin France showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action!

A left lands for Clarksdale.
France showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Clarksdale.
Clarksdale bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of France's head.
Clarksdale swings and misses with a hook to the body.
France swings and misses with a hook to the body.
France is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Clarksdale rather than just go for the knockout.
France looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Clarksdale looks to land a left hand but France moved out of range nicely.
France swings and misses with a hook to the body.

France shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
France wants to control from the top but Clarksdale keeps moving.

France thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
France trying to control the position from guard on top but Clarksdale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Clarksdale wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
France is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Clarksdale looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nice sprawl there from Clarksdale as France shoots in.
Clarksdale fails to land with a series of punches.
France fails with the takedown.
Isaac Clarksdale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darwin France.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Clarksdale.
France tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Clarksdale was well out of range. Poor timing from France.
Isaac Clarksdale is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
France throws a jab when Clarksdale was well out of range.
France shoots for a takedown but Clarksdale saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
France takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
France throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Clarksdale sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Clarksdale fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Clarksdale stuffs the takedown.
Clarksdale scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Some wild striking there from France.
Clarksdale lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
That kick from Clarksdale tenderised France's leg. France is trying to keep his angry face on.

France manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Clarksdale on his heels. He'll look to pass Clarksdale's guard now, I'm sure.
France preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Clarksdale wriggles free and stands up.
Clarksdale slips a jab and a cross from France.
France tries to bum rush Clarksdale with a series of wild strikes but Clarksdale uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Clarksdale tries to bum rush France with a series of wild strikes but France uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
France gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and France takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Clarksdale misses with a few strikes there.
France on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Clarksdale lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
France fails with the takedown.
Clarksdale steps to the side to avoid the strikes from France.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Clarksdale's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Clarksdale duly obliges.
Clarksdale moves out of range as France strikes.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Clarksdale. France shrugs it off though.
Clarksdale listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Isaac Clarksdale is winning the standup battle so far.
France avoids a punch combination nicely.
France misses with a straight left.
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!
France shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Clarksdale eats them both and turns towards France to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Clarksdale closes the distance and lands a one-two.
France throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Clarksdale.
Clarksdale throws a shot to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
France avoids a punch combination nicely.
Isaac Clarksdale is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
France shoots for a takedown but Clarksdale saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Isaac Clarksdale did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Clarksdale throws a good cross that connects.
Clarksdale stalks France and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into France's face. France staggers backwards, shaken.

France is rocked!
Clarksdale will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
France is still on wobbly legs! Can Clarksdale finish him?
France scores with a crisp jab that stopped Clarksdale in his tracks.
France seems to have recovered his senses.
France scores with a jab to the head.
Clarksdale misses with a jab, cross combination.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Clarksdale.
France slips under a jab.
France takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Clarksdale on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Clarksdale uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from France.
France doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Clarksdale counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clarksdale throws a series of punches but France avoids them all with ease.
Clarksdale lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Clarksdale slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
France misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Clarksdale.
France lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Clarksdale circles away quickly and effectively.
France is trying hard to land a takedown here. Clarksdale sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
France is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from France.
Isaac Clarksdale has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darwin France.
France closes the distance and clinches up with Clarksdale, looking for a takedown. France pushes Clarksdale against the cage but Clarksdale circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
France is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Clarksdale throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent France stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
France on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Clarksdale uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from France.
France misses with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
France shoots in but no luck this time.
Clarksdale avoids the body shot from France.
Sloppy strikes from Clarksdale. Those never looked like landing.
Clarksdale avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Clarksdale swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
France throws out a loose jab but Clarksdale uses good head movement to avoid it.
Clarksdale lands with a nice combination. France backs away looking to recover.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Donk. Clarksdale catches France right on the button with a cross.
France on the wrong end of a nice hook.
A looping hook to the body misses from Clarksdale. France does a little dance to reset his feet.
Clarksdale ducks down and throws a hook to the body but France moves away.
France shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Clarksdale as he jumps to the side.
A left and a right from Clarksdale both land. Nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
France has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
France has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Clarksdale connects with a body shot.
Horrible takedown by France or perhaps it was just good defense by Clarksdale which made him look bad.
Clarksdale throws a series of punches but France avoids them all with ease.
Clarksdale digs a good body shot into France's ribs.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from France is defended easily by Clarksdale.
Clarksdale misses with a wild combination.
Horrible takedown by France or perhaps it was just good defense by Clarksdale which made him look bad.
France throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
France ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Clarksdale moves away.
France uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Clarksdale.
France looks to throw the jab but Clarksdale is out of range.
France swings and misses with a hook to the body.
France tries for a takedown but Clarksdale circles away easily
and Clarksdale counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
France throws a big shot that misses.
France takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
France closes the distance and clinches up with Clarksdale, looking for a takedown. France pushes Clarksdale against the cage but Clarksdale circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
France tries for a takedown but Clarksdale sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
France fails with the takedown
letting Clarksdale counter with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Isaac Clarksdale had his way with Darwin France in 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. And we move into the final round!

France doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
No joy there for Clarksdale, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
France shoots in looking for a takedown. Clarksdale tries to sprawl out of it but France keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Clarksdale manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Clarksdale lunges at France with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by France's hand.
France tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Clarksdale was well out of range. Poor timing from France.

Clarksdale tries to sprawl but France drives through with a takedown into half guard.

France is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
France wants to pass to mount but Clarksdale is defending the position.
France is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

France seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clarksdale is controlling France's trapped leg to prevent France from advancing to side control.
Clarksdale trying to control but France postures up.

France seems to be looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

France looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
France wants to pass the guard but Clarksdale is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
France trying to control the action but Clarksdale is working from the bottom.

Clarksdale is defending against the submission attempts here by France.
France is looking to take a break and control but Clarksdale is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

France is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Clarksdale sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

France trying to work for an americana but Clarksdale has managed to regain full guard.
France trying to control the position from guard on top but Clarksdale is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
France stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Clarksdale swivels though and keeps the full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Clarksdale is on top in guard.
Clarksdale is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

France had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Clarksdale defends it easily.

France looking for subs off his back but Clarksdale has passed one foot through into half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Clarksdale in particular looking to stall.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
France has his hands clasped together around Clarksdale's back. He's all about the action.

France actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Darwin France comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think France 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 47:48
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Darwin France!
Darwin France is the new featherweight champion!
A very excited looking Darwin France rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.