PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Franca (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joao Paulo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Franca
vs
Paulo

170 cm
19
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anderson Franca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joao Paulo!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Felipe Paraventi and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franca shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Paulo but Paulo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Franca misses with a head kick.
Franca lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Joao Paulo has been cut.
A right-left combo lands from Paulo.
Franca could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
A punch combination from Paulo misses.
Franca will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Franca shoots in looking for a takedown. Paulo tries to sprawl out of it but Franca keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Paulo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anderson Franca. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paulo tries to bum rush Franca with a series of wild strikes but Franca uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Paulo throws a left that rocks Franca and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Paulo dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Franca regain composure!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Paulo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Franca manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Paulo wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Franca wants to control but Paulo is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Paulo stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Franca tries to clinch but Paulo moves out of range.
Franca shoots for a double leg takedown but Paulo sprawls well. He's pushed Franca's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Paulo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Franca swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice body kick there by Franca.
Franca has a takedown stuffed.
Franca is breathing heavily.
Paulo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Franca pinned against the cage. Franca gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franca slips a jab and a cross from Paulo.
Paulo tries to bum rush Franca with a series of wild strikes but Franca uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Franca throws a head kick that half lands.
Paulo lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Paulo misses with a series of wild punches.
Franca shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Paulo counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Franca looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Paulo is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Franca dives into side control.
Paulo is trying to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulo is not content to let Franca control the position.
Paulo is looking for a sweep.

Franca decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Paulo dodges the punch combination from Franca.
Paulo throws a series of punches but Franca moves out of range.
Paulo misses with a looping left.
Franca connects with a nice looking jab.
Paulo throws a hook but Franca blocks it.

Franca moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Franca with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Franca is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Franca seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Paulo is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.

Paulo works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.

Paulo postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Franca is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Paulo, into his guard.
Paulo wants to stand but Franca is controlling the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Paulo has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Franca can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joao Paulo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joao Paulo's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Franca tries to bum rush Paulo with a series of wild strikes but Paulo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Paulo avoids the head kick by Franca.
Anderson Franca is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Paulo lands a jab-cross combination.

Paulo moves into the clinch.
Franca working aggressively here.
Franca is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Paulo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Paulo throws an elbow but misses.
Paulo tries to break the clinch but Franca is controlling the position.
Paulo is trying to drag Franca to the mat but Franca just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Franca has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Paulo is trying to keep an underhook but Franca manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Franca decides to return to a standing position.

Paulo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Franca trying to hold on to Paulo's head to control him but Paulo postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paulo tries to stand and escape but Franca actually recovers to full guard.
Franca looking to control.
Franca is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Paulo gets to his feet - Franca follows without any prompting.
Franca with a poor takedown

and Paulo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Paulo breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franca fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anderson Franca. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Paulo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Paulo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Franca swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Paulo preventing the sweep.

Franca is working an open guard so Paulo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Paulo with a poor takedown

and Franca counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Paulo!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paulo is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Franca has taken his back!

Franca looking for the choke from the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulo looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Paulo avoids the strikes from Franca.

Paulo is trying escape back to his feet. He turns into his opponent's guard and eventually finds his way back to his feet.
Paulo keeps the fight on the outside.

Paulo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Paulo seems to be looking for submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Paulo stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Franca to get to his feet.
Joao Paulo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Franca feints and as Paulo raises his hands in defense, Franca changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Franca lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Franca drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Franca jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Franca stops Paulo from standing up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Franca trying to control the position from guard on top but Paulo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Franca drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Franca jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Joao Paulo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Joao Paulo's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Paulo with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Paulo closes the distance and pushes Franca back into the cage.
Franca is looking to control Paulo's arms but Paulo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Franca has his back to the cage.

Paulo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nice body punch from Paulo.
Paulo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Franca closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Paulo to the mat! Paulo manages to get full guard.
Paulo keeping moving, preventing Franca from controlling successfully.

Paulo is working an open guard so Franca takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Franca lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Paulo bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Franca's head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Franca fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Franca tries to clinch there but Paulo circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Paulo!
Paulo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Paulo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Paulo, as that shot connected.
Paulo falls off balance throwing a combination
and Franca counters with a big head kick but Paulo shrugs it off.
Paulo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A left and a right from Paulo both land. Nice combination.
Franca doesn't manage to clinch there - Paulo circles away.
A left lands for Franca.
Franca ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paulo moves away.
Franca misses with an attempted mid kick.
Paulo swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Franca counters with a series of strikes. Paulo will be more careful next time no doubt.
Franca moves in looking to clinch but Paulo pushes him off.

That's two 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.
Paulo throws a sloppy body shot

and Franca counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Paulo's guard now.

Paulo has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Franca off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Paulo shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Paulo was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Franca is wriggling around trying to escape.

Paulo is standing up, even though he is in mount.
A combination from Paulo does no damage.
Franca tries to clinch up.
Franca takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Franca keeps the fight on the outside.
Paulo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Franca circles away quickly and effectively.

Paulo drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulo looking to sit in guard and control but Franca gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Paulo is looking to stand up but Franca isn't so interested in that idea.
Franca advances position into side control!
Paulo is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Franca has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Franca wants to lay and pray for a moment but Paulo keeps working.
Joao Paulo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Franca in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Paulo is being controlled here.

Franca stands up.
Franca moves in looking to clinch but Paulo pushes him off.
Paulo shoots and misses

and Franca counters with a nice double leg into side control. Paulo won't be happy with that.
Paulo is pushing Franca's head away, looking to escape. Franca manages to hold on to the position though.

Paulo throws Franca to one side and escapes!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paulo swinging wilding here.
Franca misses with a head kick.
Anderson Franca has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Franca gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anderson Franca showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Paulo has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Emerson Jorge scores the fight 28:29
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joao Paulo!