PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Derek Pappalardo (ranked 21001 p4p, 734 weight class) and Tiago Franco (ranked 4073 p4p, 450 weight class). Tiago Franco struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 157.1lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pappalardo
vs
Franco

175 cm
32
167 lbs
13 - 14 - 0

180 cm
22
170 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

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 - 14 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Derek Pappalardo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tiago Franco!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Sam Margolis and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Franco moves into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Pappalardo.
Pappalardo blocking some punches.
Franco's coach down at Big Price MMA was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Franco's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Pappalardo throws a punch but it's blocked by Franco.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Pappalardo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Franco lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Franco has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Pappalardo after a bit of a struggle.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Pappalardo.
Franco jumps guard but Pappalardo turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pappalardo.
Franco wants to take the fight to the mat but Pappalardo manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Derek Pappalardo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiago Franco.
Pappalardo lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Franco backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pappalardo.
Franco tries for a takedown. No joy.
Franco misses with a hook from the clinch.
Pappalardo working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Franco breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Franco fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Franco tries for a takedown but Pappalardo circles away easily
letting Pappalardo counter with a right hand.

Franco is rocked!
Franco looks winded!

Pappalardo has Franco up against the cage in a clinch.
Franco is still on wobbly legs! Can Pappalardo finish him?
Pappalardo dips a shoulder and cracks Franco with a mighty uppercut! Franco falls back against the cage and Pappalardo unloads with a barrage of strikes! Franco is completely out with his eyes open, only supported by the cage! Save him ref! Eventually the ref decides to do his job and jumps in - Pappalardo screams abuse at the incompetent official before going over to celebrate with his corner. Brutal stuff!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:08 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Derek Pappalardo!
Derek Pappalardo bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.