PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Franklyn Walker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Lara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Franklyn Walker had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Walker
vs
Lara

193 cm
18
140 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Franklyn Walker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tom Lara!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Valeri Chadov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown attempt by Lara or perhaps it was just good defense by Walker, which made it look bad.

Lara rushes Walker and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Walker - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Walker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Walker gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Lara.
Walker is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Walker is trying to force a seperation but Lara has the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lara is trying to pull guard but Walker has him pressed against the cage.
Franklyn Walker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Lara.
Walker has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Lara throws an elbow but it misses.
Walker tries to pull guard but Lara holds him up against the cage and eventually Walker drops back down to his feet.
Walker drops down looking for an ankle pick but Lara pulls his leg out and moves away.
Walker blocks a head kick by Lara.
Lara has his takedown stuffed

and Walker counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Walker.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lara is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Walker is keeping busy.
Walker effectively controlling the action here.
A left hand lands to the body for Walker.
Lara tries to pull guard but Walker forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Lara is trying to drag Walker to the mat but Walker just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Lara breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lara misses with a takedown attempt

and Walker counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Walker.
Lara drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Walker gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Walker has Lara pressed against the cage.
Lara displaying some good clinch control by pressing Walker up against the cage.
Lara can't get the takedown.
Walker tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lara smiles and moves away.

Lara tries to keep at a distance but Walker has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lara tries for a takedown. No joy.
Lara wants to take the fight to the mat but Walker manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Come on Walker - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Lara is pressed up against the cage. Walker has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Lara down to the mat. Lara avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Lara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Lara clinches with his opponent.
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 Franklyn Walker will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Lara looks to land a combination but Walker avoids it well.
Lara doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Walker counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Lara being controlled against the cage.
Lara has Walker pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Walker manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Lara tries to score a body lock takedown but Walker shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Franklyn Walker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Lara.
Walker trying to control the position but instead, Lara has worked for underhooks and has pushed Walker into the cage.
Lara tries to break the clinch but Walker is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Lara wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Walker misses with the head strike.
Walker is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Walker looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Lara jumps guard but Walker turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Lara goes for a takedown in the clinch but Walker prevents it.
Walker wants to stall.
Walker stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lara has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Walker avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Lara has Walker pressed against the cage.
Walker pushes off an throws an elbow but Lara leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Lara wants to stall.
Lara tries to pull guard but Walker holds him up against the cage and eventually Lara drops back down to his feet.
Walker is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Lara is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lara has had enough of the clinch but Walker keeps him there for the moment.
Franklyn Walker has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Lara is working for takedown but Walker is calmly controlling the position for now.
Lara is breathing heavily.
Lara fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Walker turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Walker manages to end up in side control.
Lara tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Walker easily slips into full mount!
Walker controlling from the full mount.
Walker trying to control but Lara is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lara tries to hold on but Walker pushes him away.
Walker controlling the position easily from mount.
Lara tries to lock up and control but Walker gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Franklyn Walker dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Lara fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Walker to the ground. Lara is now in Walker's guard.

Walker is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Lara is aware though and is defending well.

Walker throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Lara won't allow Walker to sweep him here.

Walker working for a triangle but Lara defends it easily.
Walker trying to keep a closed guard but Lara is proving a slippery customer.
Lara stopping the sweep attempt from Walker.
Walker is working hard here to advance position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Walker working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lara doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lara manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lara trying to control the position from guard on top but Walker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Walker throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Walker keeping moving, preventing Lara from controlling successfully.

Walker working for a triangle but Lara defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lara sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Lara preventing the sweep.
Lara must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lara trying to control the position from guard on top but Walker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lara passes Walker's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Walker tries to roll over but Lara keeps him under control.
Lara seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Lara trying to control from half guard but Walker is working away.

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

Lara rushes Walker and presses him up against the cage.
Walker has Lara pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Lara manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Walker prevents Lara from breaking the clinch.
Walker stops a takedown attempt from Lara.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Walker.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walker keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Lara's efforts to push away.
Walker misses with an elbow over the top.
Lara being controlled against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Lara.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lara is trying to maintain a safe position but Walker gets an underhook and turns Lara into the cage.
Nice elbow from Walker.
Tom Lara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Franklyn Walker is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lara prevents the takedown attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tom Lara.
I think Walker has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Franklyn Walker!