PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Begbie Franco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Aurellius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Franco kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Born Slippy. Aurellius has chosen Ave Maria as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Franco
vs
Aurellius

185 cm
39
190 lbs
35 - 22 - 1

178 cm
34
203 lbs
21 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition
Sun-Tzu

Sun-Tzu

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 35 - 22 - 1, fighting out of London, Begbie Franco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marcus Aurellius!
The judges for this bout are Yves DeLean, Robert Douchet and Alec Ball.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franco throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Aurellius.
Aurellius tries a head kick but it misses.
Franco half committed to a counter leg kick.
Aurellius has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Franco takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A decent looking cross lands there for Aurellius.
Franco looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Aurellius misses with a left hand
and Franco counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Aurellius walks into a stiff left hand from Franco.
Aurellius thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Franco if he has to take too many more of those.
Franco lands the left hand.
Aurellius misses with a hook.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Franco moves forwards but Aurellius connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Franco moves out of range of the body kick from Aurellius.
Franco misses the body punch

and Aurellius counters with a big uppercut that knocks Franco off his feet! Aurellius dives into side control looking to finish!

Franco is rocked!
Franco is working to avoid the ground and pound but Aurellius connects with a decent elbow.
Oh Franco is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Franco seems to have got his legs back now.
Aurellius is trying to stand up here but Franco is controlling him well.
Franco tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Aurellius.
Aurellius keeping control of the position.
Franco works his foot free and advances to mount.
Aurellius tries to hold on but Franco postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Franco is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Aurellius scores with a nice strike.
Jab by Aurellius.
Aurellius throws a hook but Franco avoids it easily.
Franco lands a leg kick that knocks Aurellius off balance momentarily.
Aurellius throws a body kick that misses

and Franco counters with a head kick that drops Aurellius to the mat! Aurellius scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Aurellius is rocked!

It looks like Marcus Aurellius has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Aurellius tries to land a body kick
and Franco makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Aurellius really felt that one!
Franco connects with a leg kick. Aurellius looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Aurellius closes the distance and clinches up with Franco, looking for a takedown. Aurellius pushes Franco against the cage but Franco circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Marcus Aurellius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Franco looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Franco wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Aurellius moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Aurellius sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A big right from Aurellius misses.
Franco appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Franco jabs at Aurellius's body.
Aurellius looks winded!
Aurellius throws the left hand but Franco avoids the punch easily.
Aurellius walks straight into a right hand from Franco - that's dropped him! Franco jumps into mount and starts pounding away - can he finish?! More strikes go undefended and the referee has to dive in to save Aurellius from any more punishment! Aurellius complains about the stoppage but falls over as he tries to stand back up, so it was clearly a good stoppage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Begbie Franco!
Begbie Franco decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.