PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Hamilton (ranked 1731 p4p, 220 weight class) and Yuran Franco (ranked 3356 p4p, 351 weight class). Hamilton comes to the cage accompanied by Alexander Hamilton. Yuran Franco struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 171.0lbs 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. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Hamilton
vs
Franco

185 cm
23
176 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

185 cm
22
186 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Hamilton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Yuran Franco!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Ben Watson and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamilton swings for the body but Franco moves out of range.

Hamilton closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Hamilton blocks the strikes from Franco.
Franco lands with a few short shots to the body.
Hamilton is keen to just control but Franco is a slippery customer.
Franco trying to control but Hamilton postures up.

Hamilton is trying to work for a kimura but Franco is defending well.
Hamilton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hamilton trying to control the action but Franco is working from the bottom.
Hamilton trying to pass the guard but Franco defending well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamilton seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Franco does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hamilton not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hamilton knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Franco on the ground.
Franco is looking to improve his position.
Well, if Hamilton is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamilton missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hamilton tries to stand and escape but Franco is controlling the position.
Hamilton is trying to control the action in half guard but Franco is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hamilton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Franco has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hamilton keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Franco gets full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hamilton's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Franco throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Franco looking for a sweep. Not yet Franco, not yet.

Franco working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hamilton doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hamilton manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Hamilton working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hamilton trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hamilton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Franco is keeping the position for now.

Franco throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Hamilton got a little sloppy there for a moment and Franco has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hamilton has managed to get both his arms back between Franco's legs - danger averted.
Hamilton wants to stand but Franco is controlling his posture from full guard.
Franco tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Hamilton drops back looking for a leg! Franco is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Franco manages to kick Hamilton off! Hamilton jumps back into Franco's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hamilton wants to pass the guard but Franco is keeping the position.
Franco throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Franco looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Franco is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hamilton is aware though and is defending well.
Hamilton has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hamilton trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Franco looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hamilton is looking to stand up but Franco won't let him.
Franco looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hamilton is one step ahead there.
Franco trying to control the position.
Hamilton slips nicely into half guard.
Hamilton sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Franco defending well though.
Hamilton tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Hamilton is working for a kimura but Franco is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Franco striking from half guard on the bottom.
Franco is trying to control but can't.
Hamilton wants to stand up but Franco is controlling the position.
Franco trying to control from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hamilton trying to control the pace.
Franco taking some punishment here, with Hamilton in his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Hamilton dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hamilton.
Franco unleashes a big counter combination but Hamilton bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hamilton stuffs the takedown attempt from Franco. Franco gets slowly back to his feet.
Hamilton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Franco tries to avoid it but Hamilton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Franco to the ground. Franco escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Franco enables Hamilton to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Franco manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Hamilton tries to free his leg and advance position but Franco is retaining full guard.
Hamilton trying to control the position from guard on top but Franco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Franco not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hamilton tries to free his leg and advance position but Franco is retaining full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamilton wants to control from the top but Franco keeps moving.
Hamilton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hamilton wants to get up but he can't break Franco's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Hamilton is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Franco can do to turn this around?
Hamilton missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco wants to sweep but no luck.
Franco is trying to control the position but Hamilton postures up.
Alexander Hamilton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hamilton wanted to stand there but Franco had control of the position.

Hamilton avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Franco looking for a sweep. Not yet Franco, not yet.
Franco working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hamilton.
Hamilton trying to control the position from guard on top but Franco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hamilton throwing strikes from guard but Franco blocks nicely.
Hamilton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Franco trying to control the position.
Hamilton throwing strikes from guard but Franco blocks nicely.
Hamilton is looking to work some ground and pound but Franco has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton wants to pass the guard but Franco is keeping the position.
Franco throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Hamilton controls from within his opponent's guard.
Hamilton trying to control the position from guard on top but Franco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hamilton pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Franco is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Franco displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hamilton.
Franco feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Hamilton. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Franco shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Franco is in close to Hamilton's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hamilton wants to stand up but Franco is controlling him.
Franco content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco is in close to Hamilton's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Franco working some strikes from top position.
Franco missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hamilton throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Hamilton lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hamilton wants to stand but Franco is controlling his posture from full guard.
Franco throws some shots to the body, keeping his opponent honest.

Franco has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hamilton can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Franco throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hamilton accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hamilton trying to control but Franco is working from the bottom.
Franco trying to keep a closed guard but Hamilton is proving a slippery customer.
Franco thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Franco not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hamilton trying to control the position from guard on top but Franco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Franco is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hamilton is aware though and is defending well.

Franco is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hamilton is aware though and is defending well.
Franco is breathing heavily.
Franco is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Franco being controlled here, momentarily.
Franco is striking but Hamilton is not phased and passes to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Alexander Hamilton will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hamilton misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Franco drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hamilton defends it well.

Franco tries to keep at a distance but Hamilton has taken the fight into the clinch.
I was talking to Hamilton's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Hamilton stops a takedown attempt from Franco.
Franco struggles to land a body shot inside as Hamilton controls his hands.
Franco has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hamilton is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Hamilton is fighting off a takedown attempt but Franco is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Hamilton to the mat. Hamilton regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.

Hamilton manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Franco is fighting off a takedown attempt but Hamilton is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Franco to the mat. Franco regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hamilton tries to stand but Franco is controlling from the bottom.
Hamilton engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hamilton trying to control the position from guard on top but Franco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco looking to control.
Hamilton looking to pass the guard.
Hamilton trying to control the position from guard on top but Franco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hamilton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hamilton trying to stand up but can't free himself from Franco's guard.
Hamilton stopping the sweep attempt from Franco.
Hamilton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hamilton wants to pass the guard but Franco is keeping the position.
Franco is pulling down on Hamilton's head. It's preventing any offense from Hamilton, at least for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Hamilton closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Franco to the mat! Franco manages to get full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Franco looking to control.
Hamilton throwing strikes from guard but Franco blocks nicely.

Franco is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hamilton trying to control the position from guard on top but Franco is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hamilton pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Franco is keeping the position for now.
Hamilton wants to stand but Franco has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Hamilton stopping the sweep attempt from Franco.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton wants to pass the guard but Franco is keeping the position.
Franco wants to sweep but no luck.
Hamilton trying to control but Franco is working from the bottom.
Franco has a closed guard, preventing Hamilton from standing up.
Hamilton slips nicely into half guard.
Hamilton wants to pass the guard but Franco is defending well.
Franco is refusing to be controlled, as Hamilton sits in half guard.
Franco is trying to maintain the position but Hamilton is very close to passing his half guard.
Yuran Franco has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hamilton blocks the strikes from Franco.
Hamilton throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hamilton is looking to take a break and control but Franco is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Hamilton looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Franco throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Hamilton manages to pass to side control.
Franco is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hamilton's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Franco looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Franco takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Franco actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Hamilton showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hamilton, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Hamilton!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Alexander Hamilton waved his t-shirt featuring Helsinki Xtreme Fightwear's logo in front of the cameras.