PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Vegard Korsgaard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulo Franco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Korsgaard
vs
Franco

185 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
25
142 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite 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 Rio de Janeiro, Vegard Korsgaard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Paulo Franco!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Matheus Silva and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franco fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Franco looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

Korsgaard rushes Franco and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

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

Korsgaard scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Korsgaard throws a strike aimed at the side of Franco's head but Franco avoids it well.

Korsgaard decides to stand back up. Korsgaard steps back and let's Franco get back to his feet.
Korsgaard slaps away a takedown attempt from Franco, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Franco has his takedown stuffed

and Korsgaard holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Vegard Korsgaard has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paulo Franco.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Korsgaard scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Franco tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Korsgaard smiles and moves away.

Korsgaard closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Franco's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Korsgaard controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Korsgaard wants to control from the top but Franco keeps moving.
Franco trying to strike off his back.
Korsgaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Franco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Franco wants to stand and escape but Korsgaard is having none of it.
Korsgaard really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Vegard Korsgaard just wasn't active enough.

Korsgaard shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Franco avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Korsgaard.
Korsgaard is trying to control the action in half guard but Franco is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Franco makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Franco.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Korsgaard stands and steps away. Franco gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Korsgaard wants to clinch.
Korsgaard is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Korsgaard connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Korsgaard lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Franco tries for a takedown but Korsgaard sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Korsgaard changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Franco looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Korsgaard has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Franco looks winded!

Korsgaard scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Franco won't allow Korsgaard to pass to mount.
Korsgaard controlling the action here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Franco makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Franco.

Franco escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Korsgaard gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Korsgaard got a little sloppy there for a moment and Franco has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Korsgaard has managed to get both his arms back between Franco's legs - danger averted.
Korsgaard trying to control but Franco is working from the bottom.

Franco isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Korsgaard stacks Franco on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Korsgaard!
Franco is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Korsgaard off and has taken his back!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Franco is persistently looking for the submission but Korsgaard is defending it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vegard Korsgaard dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Franco fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Franco changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Korsgaard tries to avoid it but Franco manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Korsgaard to the ground. Korsgaard escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Korsgaard shoots in and bounces Franco off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Korsgaard stands and steps away. Franco gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
A slapping body kick lands there for Korsgaard.

Korsgaard moves into the clinch successfully.

Korsgaard has clasped his hands together around Franco's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco gets back to half guard.
Franco wants to improve his position but Korsgaard is controlling well.
Franco is breathing heavily.
Korsgaard tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Franco.

Franco has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Korsgaard. Oh but Franco has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Korsgaard goes limp - he's gone! Franco jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Paulo Franco!