PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Franklin (ranked 1397 p4p, 134 weight class) and Reno Rawlings (ranked 2595 p4p, 247 weight class). Franklin comes to the cage accompanied by Tron Cat- Tyler, The Creator. Rawlings has chosen Burned as his entrance music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Franklin
vs
Rawlings

170 cm
29
145 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

178 cm
26
165 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Counter fighter
Very strong

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING
Velocity Fightwear

Urban Fighter
KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, James Franklin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Reno Rawlings!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franklin is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Franklin misses the shot to the body.

Rawlings closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Rawlings is looking to take a break and control but Franklin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rawlings is putting a hurting on Franklin here, landing some big shots from side control.
Rawlings trying to control the position but Franklin is working away.
Rawlings throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Rawlings scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Franklin to see if he's OK.
Rawlings tries to advance to mount but Franklin denies him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rawlings working the ground and pound from side control.
Franklin sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Franklin gets full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rawlings stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Franklin swivels though and keeps the full guard.
My spies in The Priest Hood inform me that Rawlings has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawlings trying to control the position from guard on top but Franklin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Franklin working for a triangle but Rawlings defends it easily.
Franklin is trying to keep Rawlings in close.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rawlings postures up and lands a big shot to Franklin's brow.

Franklin escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rawlings gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rawlings is looking to work some ground and pound but Franklin has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rawlings wants to control from the top but Franklin keeps moving.
Rawlings trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Franklin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rawlings throwing strikes from guard but Franklin blocks nicely.
Rawlings engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Rawlings throws a big elbow that misses.
Rawlings makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rawlings sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Franklin's guard.
Rawlings works his foot free and advances to mount.
Franklin keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rawlings lands with some strikes.
Franklin is trying to escape the mount.
Rawlings avoids the attempt from Franklin to control.
Rawlings raining down hammerfists from mount.
Rawlings scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Franklin is rocked!
Rawlings trying to control but Franklin is having none of it.
Oh Franklin is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Franklin is looking to get to half guard.
Franklin seems to have got his legs back now.
Rawlings fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Rawlings looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Franklin tries to hold on but Rawlings pushes him away.
Rawlings working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rawlings drops a big elbow. That's hurt Franklin! More shots from Rawlings and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Reno Rawlings!
Reno Rawlings took to the mic in his post fight interview and said '(super serious) I will continue to destroy all those that block my path to eternal glory. (brief pause) David your soul now belongs to Reno Rawlings. (laughs...) Master guide me to my next victim. (then disappears)'.