PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Haywood Jablomi (ranked 6467 p4p, 6304 weight class) and Chad Franco (ranked 485 p4p, 478 weight class). Haywood Jablomi had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Jablomi
vs
Franco

171 cm
25
155
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
145
1 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Haywood Jablomi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Chad Franco!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Josh West and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Jablomi forces Franco back against the cage and clinches.

Franco breaks the clinch.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Franco.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Jablomi is defended easily by Franco.

Franco rushes Jablomi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Franco looking to slow down the pace here.
Jablomi wants a takedown.
Franco will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Jablomi up against the cage.
Jablomi has Franco pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Franco manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Haywood Jablomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Franco taking a breather.
Franco is trying to break the clinch but Jablomi has him pressed against the cage.
Franco gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jablomi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch on the inside from Franco fails to land.
Jablomi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Franco prevents the takedown attempt.
Franco throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jablomi blocks it with crossed arms.
Franco tries to work over Jablomi's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Franco breaks the clinch.

Franco pushes Jablomi up against the cage in a clinch.
Jablomi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Franco.
Jablomi changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Franco fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Jablomi drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Franco looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Franco looking for a guillotine here but Jablomi defends easily.

Franco is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Jablomi defends well.
Jablomi being controlled here momentarily.
Franco wants to stand but Jablomi is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco is trying to control the position but Jablomi postures up.

Franco looking for a guillotine here but Jablomi defends easily.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.

Franco throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Franco throws a nice head kick!

Jablomi gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Jablomi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Franco's efforts to push away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jablomi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Franco using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Jablomi goes for a takedown in the clinch but Franco prevents it.
Jablomi is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jablomi has Franco pressed against the cage, preventing Franco from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Jablomi gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Franco has hold of Jablomi's hands but Jablomi slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Franco has one foot on Jablomi's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jablomi shoots in for a double leg but Franco sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Jablomi is breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Franco fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Franco goes for a double leg but Jablomi avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Jablomi continues to drive forward.
Jablomi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Franco pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Franco drives through and clinches with Jablomi against the cage.
Franco swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Franco tries to throw a body punch but Jablomi avoids it by throwing Franco back against the cage.
Jablomi wants a takedown but no success here.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

Franco pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Franco slaps away a takedown attempt from Jablomi, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Franco scores with a leg kick.
We've been told by Jablomi's head coaches at Clone's gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jablomi misses with a wild body shot.

Jablomi gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Franco manages to work his way to half guard, despite Jablomi's best efforts.
Franco tries to kick Jablomi off but Jablomi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Jablomi seems content to control.
Franco works his way to full guard. Good work.
Jablomi tries to free his leg and advance position but Franco is retaining full guard.
Jablomi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Franco looking for a sweep. Not yet Franco, not yet.

Franco has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Jablomi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Franco is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two 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.
Jablomi postures up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Franco stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Franco wants it to stay on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Haywood Jablomi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jablomi doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Franco counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Franco tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Jablomi defends well and Franco ends up having to push Jablomi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Jablomi avoids the head kick by Franco.
Franco tries to score a power double leg takedown but Jablomi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Franco somewhat.
Franco has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Franco throws a sloppy head kick and Jablomi moves out of range easily.
Jablomi wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jablomi shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Jablomi was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Franco trying to remain calm as Jablomi controls from the top position.
Franco throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Franco is trying to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Franco is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Jablomi is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Franco will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Franco gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Chad Franco seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Jablomi scores with a takedown into Franco's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Franco trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Chad Franco will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. 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.

Jablomi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Franco looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Franco trying to remain calm as Jablomi controls from the top position.
Franco wants to get back to his feet but Jablomi drags him back down.
Franco can't do much from the bottom here.
Franco is being controlled here.
Franco is trying to buck Jablomi off.
Franco manages to work his way to half guard, despite Jablomi's best efforts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jablomi is nestled in close to Franco, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Jablomi trying to control the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Franco takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jablomi is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Jablomi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Franco is keeping the position for now.

Franco working for a triangle but Jablomi defends it easily.

Franco looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Chad Franco is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Jablomi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Franco is trying hard to land a takedown here. Jablomi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Jablomi closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Franco to the mat! Franco manages to get full guard.
Franco is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jablomi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Jablomi preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco controls Jablomi momentarily but Jablomi frees himself.
Jablomi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Franco wants to stand but Jablomi is controlling the position.
Jablomi throwing strikes but missing.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Jablomi with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Franco trying to keep a closed guard but Jablomi is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Haywood Jablomi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Franco circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jablomi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Franco uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Jablomi.
Jablomi goes for a double leg but Franco avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Franco continues to drive forward.
Franco looks for a takedown but Jablomi sprawls well.
Franco connects with a high kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Franco gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Jablomi to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Franco is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Jablomi dives into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chad Franco comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Franco 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Chad Franco!
After winning the bout, Chad Franco thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.