PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Franky Bouthillette (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Beam (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Franky Bouthillette has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Bouthillette
vs
Beam

180 cm
26
185 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

185 cm
25
185 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Franky Bouthillette!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Jim Beam!
The judges for this bout are Elvis Blanc, Yves DeLean and Robert Douchet.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Beam stuffs the takedown attempt from Bouthillette. Bouthillette gets slowly back to his feet.
Beam shoots in but Bouthillette avoids the takedown attempt easily.
No joy there for Bouthillette, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Bouthillette shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
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.
Bouthillette trying to control the position from guard on top but Beam is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bouthillette throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bouthillette throwing strikes but missing.
Bouthillette throws a big right hand that misses.
Bouthillette with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bouthillette postures up.
Beam seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Beam wants to stand up but Bouthillette is controlling him.
Bouthillette working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beam working a defensive guard here.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jim Beam was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Bouthillette shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Beam is trying to stand.
Bouthillette trying to control from Beam's half guard. Beam has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Bouthillette throws a big elbow that misses.
Bouthillette trying to control but Beam is working from the bottom.
Bouthillette controls from within his opponent's guard.
Beam avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bouthillette throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bouthillette with a flurry of punches that miss.
Beam looking to control.
Beam wants to sweep but no luck.
Bouthillette looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Bouthillette throws a big elbow that misses.
Bouthillette is looking to work some ground and pound but Beam has wrist control.
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!
Beam has control of Bouthillette's left arm, preventing Bouthillette from doing any damage.
Bouthillette stops Beam from standing up.
Bouthillette postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bouthillette passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bouthillette cracks Beam with a big right hand but Beam just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
The strikes coming from Bouthillette are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Beam takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Bouthillette sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Beam is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Bouthillette scoring with punches and elbows.
Beam manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bouthillette is looking to control Beam's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bouthillette avoid being mounted?
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!
Bouthillette wants to get back to full guard.
Beam winds up and cracks Bouthillette with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bouthillette regains full guard. Nicely done.
Beam is in close to Bouthillette's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Beam postures up in Bouthillette's guard and throws a big left but Bouthillette blocks it.
Bouthillette preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Beam trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Beam throwing strikes but missing.
Beam missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Beam looks winded!
Beam throwing strikes but missing.
Bouthillette striking off his back but it's not causing Beam any problems.
Bouthillette knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Beam on the ground.
Bouthillette looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bouthillette is working hard here to advance position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bouthillette scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Bouthillette trying to control from half guard but Beam is working away.
Beam has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
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. Bouthillette connects with a nice short shot to Beam's temple.
Bouthillette is pressing down on Beam's thigh, looking to free his foot. Beam is holding on for now.
Bouthillette throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Beam blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bouthillette.
Beam slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Bouthillette has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Beam scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Franky Bouthillette is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bouthillette shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bouthillette fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bouthillette throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Jim Beam has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bouthillette moves in looking to clinch but Beam pushes him off.

Bouthillette bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Bouthillette tries to score with some ground and pound. Beam controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Beam is working to avoid the ground and pound but Bouthillette connects with a decent elbow.
Beam dodges the ground and pound from Bouthillette.
Beam is pushing Bouthillette's head away, looking to escape. Bouthillette manages to hold on to the position though.
The strikes coming from Bouthillette are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Beam is pushing Bouthillette's head away, looking to escape. Bouthillette manages to hold on to the position though.
Bouthillette throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Bouthillette trying to control the action but Beam is working from the bottom.
Bouthillette fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bouthillette tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Bouthillette throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bouthillette trying to control the position but Beam is working away.
Beam is trying to control Bouthillette's posture but Bouthillette avoids it.
Bouthillette misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Beam is trying to get back to half guard.
Sloppy strikes there by Bouthillette.
An elbow from Bouthillette crashes against the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bouthillette throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Bouthillette tries to score with some ground and pound. Beam controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Beam wants to control but Bouthillette postures up.
Franky Bouthillette overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bouthillette throws an elbow but Beam slips to the side and avoids it well.
Beam taking a bit of punishment here - Bouthillette scoring with strikes.
Bouthillette working away.
Bouthillette is trying to ground and pound but Beam uses the momentary lack of control by Bouthillette to regain half guard.
Bouthillette throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bouthillette not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bouthillette throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bouthillette is taking a breather. Beam 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.
Beam keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bouthillette not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bouthillette wants to lay and pray for a moment but Beam keeps working.
Beam on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
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!
Bouthillette content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Bouthillette tries to pass to full mount but Beam defends it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Beam makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franky Bouthillette dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Jim Beam's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Beam misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bouthillette.

Beam changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bouthillette looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Beam cracks Bouthillette with a big right hand but Bouthillette just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Bouthillette can't do much from the bottom here.
Bouthillette tries to buck Beam off but Beam is having none of it.
Beam in side control, throwing shots but Bouthillette defends.
Beam working the ground and pound.
Beam working the ground and pound.
The strikes coming from Beam are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
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!
Bouthillette is trying to get back to half guard.
Bouthillette taking punishment in the form of punches.
Beam takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Bouthillette's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bouthillette on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Bouthillette manages to work his way to half guard, despite Beam's best efforts.
Bouthillette is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Beam scores with a couple of nice shots.
Beam lands with a punch from half guard.
Beam lands strikes from half guard.
Beam missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bouthillette tries to get to full guard but Beam has control of the leg.
Beam working over Bouthillette with some ground and pound. Bouthillette looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Franky Bouthillette is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Beam throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Bouthillette is trying to control but can't.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Beam not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Beam throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Beam scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Beam prevents Bouthillette from improving his position.
Bouthillette trying to control from the bottom.
Beam is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Bouthillette trying to control from the bottom.
Beam stops Bouthillette from getting back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beam takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Beam is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Bouthillette on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Bouthillette tries to get out of the position.
Bouthillette can't escape the position.
Bouthillette in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Beam scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Bouthillette?
Beam putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
BOOM! Beam connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Beam trying to control but Bouthillette is having none of it.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Beam cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Beam is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Bouthillette can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bouthillette gets back to half guard.
Beam is nestled in close to Bouthillette, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Beam thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Bouthillette wants to control but Beam is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Beam is looking to take a break and control but Bouthillette is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bouthillette tries to get to full guard but Beam has control of the leg.
Beam drops an elbow to the side of Bouthillette's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Bouthillette is trying to control but can't.
Bouthillette manages to get to full guard.
Jim Beam has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bouthillette is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Beam comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bouthillette 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 Elvis Blanc scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 29:28
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franky Bouthillette!
An out of breath Franky Bouthillette thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.