PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Thelonious Skunk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Frank (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Skunk
vs
Frank

170 cm
21
144 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

170 cm
19
139 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Enjoys gardening

Pirates Powder

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 4 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Thelonious Skunk!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tony Frank!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Bruno Lombardi and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Frank throws a right hand that misses
and Skunk counters with a head kick.
Skunk blocks a jab.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Frank throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Skunk counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Skunk defending well as Frank loads up on a big left hand.

Skunk drives through and clinches with Frank against the cage.
Frank blocks an uppercut.
Skunk goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Skunk pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Frank throws a jab but it's blocked by Skunk.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skunk shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Frank clinches.
Skunk tries a body shot but Frank blocks it.

Skunk breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Skunk tries to clinch up but Frank circles away and keeps his distance.
Frank throws a lazy right hand but Skunk sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice sprawl there from Frank as Skunk shoots in.
Skunk misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Skunk clinches up with Frank and pushes him back against the cage.
Frank takes an elbow to the temple.
Frank blocks an elbow strike from Skunk.
Skunk can't find room to land a body shot as Frank controls the action.
Frank managing to block the knees to the body from Skunk.
Skunk prevents the takedown attempt.
Skunk is trying to break the clinch but Frank has him pressed against the cage.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Skunk obliges.
Skunk unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A knee to the head by Skunk.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Skunk throws a head punch that misses.
Skunk is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Skunk just misses with a elbow thrown towards Frank's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skunk misses with a body punch.

Frank has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Skunk is trying to keep an underhook but Frank manages to get the takedown into half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Frank connects with a nice short shot to Skunk's temple.
Frank missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Skunk on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Skunk tries to get out of the position.
Nice strikes from Frank there.
Frank working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Skunk trying to control but Frank postures up.
Frank missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Frank prevents Skunk from standing back up.
Skunk is looking to control Frank's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Skunk avoid being mounted?
Skunk knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Frank on the ground.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Frank takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Frank is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Skunk defends it well.
Frank throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Skunk is trying to get back to full guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Frank in particular looking to stall.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Frank thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Skunk's head.
Skunk is staying active underneath Frank, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
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 Thelonious Skunk will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Skunk tries to clinch but Frank moves away
and Frank connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Frank shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Skunk defends it nicely.
Frank throws a left and a right that both miss
and Skunk counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Sloppy strikes from Skunk. Those never looked like landing.
Skunk tries to clinch there but Frank circles away.
Skunk tries to clinch but Frank moves out of range.
Skunk has been working on his balance at Predator Training Center (9 Elite Coaches), so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Frank.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Frank.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frank keeps the fight on the outside.
Frank throws the kick towards the body but Skunk avoids it.

Frank changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Skunk looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Skunk tries to improve position but can't.
Skunk sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Frank prevents Skunk from standing back up.
Skunk keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Frank is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Frank trying to control from half guard but Skunk is working away.
Frank not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Skunk tries to get to full guard but Frank has control of the leg.
Frank throwing shots but Skunk is blocking nicely.
Skunk wants to control but Frank is keeping busy.
Frank lands with a punch from half guard.
Frank seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Tony Frank has got the better of the ground game so far.
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!
Skunk has hold of Frank's hands but Frank slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frank not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Skunk avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Frank.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Frank thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Skunk's head.
Frank is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Skunk is not content to let Frank control the position.
Frank throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Skunk to regain full guard.
Frank with a flurry of punches that miss.
Skunk looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Skunk wants to get back to his feet but Frank is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frank throws a big right hand that misses.
Skunk wants to stand and escape but Frank is having none of it.
Frank working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Frank loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Frank with a flurry of punches that miss.
Skunk wants to sweep here but Frank controlling him for the moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Skunk controls Frank momentarily but Frank frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Frank clinches with his opponent.
Skunk is looking to control Frank's arms but Frank gets an underhook and turns him. Now Skunk has his back to the cage.
Skunk throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Frank blocks it with crossed arms.
Skunk trying to land knees to the body.

Frank has Skunk pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Frank pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Skunk tumbling to the mat - Frank dives into Skunk's guard.
Frank landing some decent shots from guard.

Frank is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Skunk is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Skunk has escaped and now he's on top!

Skunk has gone for a leg lock! Frank slips out almost immediately though and dives into Skunk's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frank keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Skunk's head.
Frank postures up and lands a big shot to Skunk's brow.
Frank trying to control the position from guard on top but Skunk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Skunk trying to control the position.
Skunk preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Frank stands up over Skunk, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Frank is in close to Skunk's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Frank lands a couple of elbows.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frank trying to control the position from guard on top but Skunk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Frank throwing strikes but missing.
Frank connects with a couple of short punches.
Frank throws a strike but Skunk 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!
Frank avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Skunk throwing strikes from guard but Frank blocks nicely.
Skunk stops Frank from standing up.
Skunk looking to sit in guard and control but Frank gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frank works over Skunk with some ground and pound from guard.
Frank throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Skunk wants to stand and escape but Frank is having none of it.
Frank throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Skunk works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Frank scoring with punches to the head and body.
Frank throws a big elbow that misses.
Skunk working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Frank.
Frank throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Skunk works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Frank trying to control the position from guard on top but Skunk is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Frank is working Skunk over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Skunk preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Skunk not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Skunk pulls Frank in close to his closed guard and prevents Frank from doing any damage or advancing position.
Frank is in close to Skunk's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Frank throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Frank lands a couple of digs.
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!
Frank missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Skunk is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Skunk preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Frank working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Frank throws a big elbow that misses.
Frank is working Skunk over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Skunk is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Frank really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Frank closes this distance looking for a takedown but Skunk circles away.
Skunk looks to clinch

and Frank counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Skunk's guard now.
Frank stopping the sweep attempt from Skunk.
Skunk working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Frank.
Frank scoring with some ground and pound.
Frank throwing strikes from guard but Skunk blocks nicely.
Frank looking to sit in guard and control but Skunk gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skunk prevents Frank from getting back to his feet.
Skunk works over Frank with some ground and pound from guard.
Skunk content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Frank is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Skunk is trying to get back to full guard.
Frank landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Skunk wants to control but Frank is keeping busy.
Ground and pound from Frank.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frank perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Frank throwing shots but Skunk is blocking nicely.
Frank thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Skunk's head.
Skunk is not content to let Frank control the position.

Frank is working for a kimura here but Skunk manages to reverse the position and he's now in Frank's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Skunk trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Frank wants to stand and escape but Skunk is having none of it.
Skunk throws a strike but Frank rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Frank is looking to work some ground and pound but Skunk has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frank wants to control from the top but Skunk keeps moving.
Frank is looking to work some ground and pound but Skunk has wrist control.
Frank throws a big right hand that misses.
Skunk is trying to keep Frank in close.
Frank has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Frank throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Skunk works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Frank works over Skunk with some ground and pound from guard.
Skunk is trying to keep Frank in close.
Frank trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Frank throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Frank is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Skunk is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Frank engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Tony Frank is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Frank is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Skunk utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Frank trying to control but Skunk is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Thelonious Skunk has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Skunk wants to sweep but no luck.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Frank comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Frank 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 4 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 37:39
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 37:39
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 37:39

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tony Frank!
Tony Frank is the new featherweight champion!
Tony Frank thanked the fans post fight for their support.