PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ezio Franco (ranked 3005 p4p, 321 weight class) and Rafael Galvao (ranked 3719 p4p, 384 weight class). Franco comes into the arena with BASS blaring out of the sound system. Galvao has chosen Kodaline - All I Want as his entrance music. Rafael Galvao has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Franco
vs
Galvao

190 cm
30
190 lbs
6 - 10 - 0

183 cm
32
185 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent elbows
Very quick

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

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 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ezio Franco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rafael Galvao!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franco stuffs the takedown attempt from Galvao. Galvao gets slowly back to his feet.
Franco defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Galvao.
Galvao shoots in and drives through. Franco sprawls well.
Ezio Franco has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rafael Galvao.
Galvao shoots for a double leg takedown but Franco sprawls well. He's pushed Galvao's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Galvao scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Franco tries to buck Galvao off but Galvao is having none of it.
Franco holds on tight, trying to prevent any damage.
Franco manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Galvao seems to be looking for submissions.
Franco misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Franco trying to control here.
Nice strikes from Galvao there.
Franco is trying to stand.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Franco is trying to maintain the position but Galvao is very close to passing his half guard.

Galvao seems to be working for a kimura but Franco defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Galvao seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Franco wants to improve his position but Galvao is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Galvao connects with a nice short shot to Franco's temple.
Franco trying to control but Galvao postures up.

Franco actively working from the bottom here.

Galvao wants to work for an arm triangle but Franco is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Franco pushes Galvao off looking to stand but Galvao dives back in and keeps control.
Franco trying to control from the bottom.
Franco pushes Galvao off looking to stand but Galvao dives back in and keeps control.
Franco is trying to get back to full guard.
Franco on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Franco is refusing to be controlled, as Galvao sits in half guard.
Franco tries to roll over but Galvao keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Galvao maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Franco could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Galvao has cracked it and Franco is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Galvao!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:21 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Rafael Galvao!