PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Harrison (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Franklin
vs
Harrison

187 cm
22
197 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

176 cm
19
185 lbs
4 - 8 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Anderson Franklin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, James Harrison!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Dillan Fox and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franklin misses with a head kick.
Harrison throws a head kick that Franklin semi-blocks.
Franklin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Franklin is looking to clinch.

Franklin feints and as Harrison raises his hands in defense, Franklin changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Franklin trying to control but Harrison is working from the bottom.
Harrison avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Harrison has his foot on Franklin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Franklin works his way back into a safe position though.
Franklin preventing the sweep.
Franklin will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Franklin tries to free his leg and advance position but Harrison is retaining full guard.

Franklin stands up and waves to Harrison to follow him.
Harrison shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harrison throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Franklin takes the fight into the clinch.
Harrison tries for a takedown. No joy.
Franklin gets underhooks to prevent Harrison's takedown attempt.
Anderson Franklin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Harrison.
Harrison looks gassed!

Franklin is trying to trip Harrison. He has hold of a leg but Harrison is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Franklin persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Franklin showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Franklin seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Harrison for as long as he can get away with.
Harrison looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Franklin stands up from Harrison's guard - Franklin perhaps looking for a knockout.

Franklin drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Franklin wants to control but Harrison is keeping him busy.

Franklin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Harrison is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Harrison!

Franklin wants to finish this one by submission but Harrison is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Franklin.
Franklin controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franklin's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Harrison keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Franklin has hold of Harrison's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Harrison manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Franklin dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Franklin fails with the takedown

and Harrison counters with a single leg into guard. Franklin didn't expect that.

Harrison drops back, looking for a kneebar! Franklin looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Franklin looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Franklin!
Franklin wants to control but Harrison is keeping him busy.

Franklin stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Franklin is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Franklin closes the distance and clinches.

Franklin successfully pulls guard.
Franklin wants to sweep but no luck.
Harrison wants to pass the guard but Franklin is keeping the position.
Franklin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Franklin wants to take a breather but Harrison is having none of it.

Franklin escapes and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franklin swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Harrison is looking to clinch but Franklin is avoiding it.
Harrison shoots in for a takedown but Franklin shows good takedown defense.
Anderson Franklin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Franklin forces Harrison back against the cage and clinches.
Franklin lands a body punch in the clinch.

Franklin breaks from the clinch.
Harrison keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Anderson Franklin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Franklin is looking to clinch but Harrison is avoiding it.

Franklin closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Franklin goes for a takedown in the clinch but Harrison prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Anderson Franklin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Franklin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Harrison gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Franklin breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Harrison.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Harrison wants to control but Franklin is keeping him busy.
Franklin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Harrison off and has taken his back!

Franklin is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Harrison knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Harrison for a finish.
Franklin doesn't have the hooks in and Harrison manages to turn into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franklin keeping full guard, as Harrison tries to pass.
Anderson Franklin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Harrisonis looking to pass into half guard but Franklin pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Franklin is in guard.
Franklin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
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 Anderson Franklin will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Harrison gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Franklin counters with a takedown into side control.
Franklin is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Franklin trying to control the position but Harrison is working away.

Franklin stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Franklin lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Franklin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Franklin tries to clinch

and Harrison counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Harrison won't allow Franklin to get back to his feet.
Harrison pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Franklin is keeping the position for now.
Franklin is trying to control the position but Harrison postures up.

Franklin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Harrison must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Franklin manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harrison keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Franklin is landing with some decent strikes but Harrison is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Franklin pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harrison is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Franklin lands a big shot there that rocks Harrison but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Franklin tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Harrison is trying desperately to improve position.
Harrison is squirming around, avoiding Franklin's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Harrison is trying desperately to improve position.

Franklin looking for a guillotine from mount but Harrison is having none of it.
Franklin controlling his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anderson Franklin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Franklin, 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anderson Franklin!