PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luis Figueroa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rickard Franzen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Luis Figueroa has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Figueroa
vs
Franzen

185 cm
25
169 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

178 cm
20
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Machine Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Luis Figueroa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rickard Franzen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franzen is looking to slow Figueroa down with leg kicks.

Franzen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Franzen has a closed guard, preventing Figueroa from standing up.
Franzen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Figueroa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Franzen postures up in Figueroa's guard and throws a big left but Figueroa blocks it.
Franzen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Franzen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Franzen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figueroa keeping moving, preventing Franzen from controlling successfully.
Figueroa working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Franzen.
Franzen trying to control the position from guard on top but Figueroa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Franzen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Franzen leaves Figueroa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Figueroa looks for a takedown but Franzen sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Figueroa scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Franzen doesn't seem bothered though.
Figueroa takes one to the side of the head.
Franzen takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Franzen looks to score with a jab to the body but Figueroa is just out of range.
Franzen looks to land a body kick but Figueroa moved away.
Figueroa closes this distance looking for a takedown but Franzen circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luis Figueroa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Figueroa is breathing heavily.
Figueroa gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Some bone on bone action there as Figueroa checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Figueroa lands a head kick. Franzen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Franzen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Figueroa momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Franzen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Franzen.
Figueroa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rickard Franzen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Franzen cracks Figueroa with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the ropes.

Franzen moves into range and clinches up with Figueroa.
Figueroa wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Franzen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Franzen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Franzen lands a nice uppercut.
A short right from Franzen on the inside.
Franzen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Franzen has a couple of punches blocked by Figueroa.
We've been informed that Franzen has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Franzen landing some nice looking knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franzen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Figueroa blocks an uppercut.
Figueroa blocking some punches.
Franzen misses with a knee strike.
Franzen lands a shoulder strike.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Figueroa takes an elbow to the temple.

Figueroa decides to pull guard.
Franzen passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Figueroa is not content to let Franzen control the position.
Figueroa defending against the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickard Franzen dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Franzen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Figueroa sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Franzen somewhat.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Franzen throws a combination that misses
and Figueroa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Figueroa tests Franzen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Figueroa ducks under a wild hook from Franzen.
Figueroa lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Figueroa displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Franzen throws out the jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Figueroa.
Franzen is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Figueroa connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Figueroa throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figueroa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Franzen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Figueroa looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Figueroa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Franzen counters with a nice low kick that buckles Figueroa's knee momentarily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luis Figueroa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Franzen's corner calls for a 1-2. Franzen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Franzen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Franzen throws a solid leg kick but Figueroa takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Franzen.
Nice defenses there by Figueroa.
No joy there for Figueroa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Franzen! But no joy.
Franzen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Figueroa.
A thudding body kick lands there by Figueroa!
A lazy body kick from Franzen
letting Figueroa counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Franzen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Franzen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Figueroa is refusing to be controlled, as Franzen sits in half guard.
Franzen throwing shots but Figueroa is blocking nicely.
Franzen throwing shots but Figueroa is blocking nicely.
Franzen throwing shots but Figueroa is blocking nicely.
Franzen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Franzen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Figueroa drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franzen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Franzen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Figueroa.
Good standup being displayed there by Figueroa as he connects with a hook.
Figueroa tries to bum rush Franzen with a series of wild strikes but Franzen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Figueroa takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Figueroa takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Franzen's corner calls for a 1-2. Franzen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Franzen cracks Figueroa with a good jab.
Figueroa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Franzen but Franzen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Figueroa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Franzen forces Figueroa back against the ropes and clinches.
Figueroa tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Franzen content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Franzen lands a hook that snaps the head of Figueroa backwards.
Franzen keeps control of Figueroa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Franzen throws a head punch that misses.
Franzen misses with a punch to the body.
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!
Franzen wants to get back to striking at distance but Figueroa won't allow it.
Figueroa takes a knee right on the jaw!
Franzen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Figueroas head.
Figueroa lands with a short head shot on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rickard Franzen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Franzen misses with an uppercut.
Franzen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Franzen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Franzen wants it to stay on the feet.
Figueroa doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Franzen counters with an inside leg kick.

Franzen gets a clinch.
Franzen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Franzen manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Franzen keeps the fight on the outside.
Franzen missing with a left hand there. Figueroa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Franzen missing with a left hand there. Figueroa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Franzen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Franzen avoids the head kick by Figueroa.
Figueroa is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Franzen rushes Figueroa and presses him up against the ropes.

Franzen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Figueroa with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Figueroa connects with an inside leg kick.
Franzen throws out a loose jab but Figueroa uses good head movement to avoid it.

Franzen forces Figueroa back against the ropes and clinches.
Figueroa avoids the elbow strike from Franzen, against the ropes.

Figueroa breaks the clinch.
Franzen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Franzen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Figueroa fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luis Figueroa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franzen misses with a body kick.
Figueroa goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Franzen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Franzen misses.
Figueroa tries to counter with a takedown but Franzen is quick to defend against it.
Figueroa cracks a nice hook into Franzen's ribs.
Franzen lands a nice shot that snaps Figueroa's head back.
Franzen throws a body shot but no joy.
Franzen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Figueroa gets a clinch.
Franzen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Franzen tries to circle away but Figueroa has him pinned against the ropes.
Figueroa is trying to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Figueroa breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Figueroa smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Figueroa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Figueroa is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Figueroa throws a head kick that half lands.
Franzen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rickard Franzen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Franzen throws out a loose jab but Figueroa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Figueroa on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Figueroa lets loose with a powerful body kick. Franzen will feel that in the morning.
Figueroa lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Figueroa uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Franzen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Franzen misses.
Franzen cracks Figueroa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Franzen clinches up against the ropes.
Franzen misses with an elbow strike.
Figueroa is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Franzen is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Franzen throws a head punch that misses.
Luis Figueroa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A short uppercut from Franzen.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Rickard Franzen.
Well Franzen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rickard Franzen!
A relieved looking Rickard Franzen thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.