PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Plebian Franco (ranked 5146 p4p, 4016 weight class) and Evan Saunders (ranked 542 p4p, 467 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Franco
vs
Saunders

205 cm
25
255
1 - 0 - 1

210 cm
25
265
1 - 2 - 0

Basic striking
Granite chin

Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 1, fighting out of The Island, Plebian Franco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Evan Saunders!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Sandra Marshall and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franco defending well as Saunders loads up on a big left hand.
Franco throws a head kick that misses.
Saunders throws a counter combo.
Franco scores with a jab to the body.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A head kick from Franco lands but Saunders takes it in his stride.

Franco gets a clinch.
Franco prevents a body shot from Saunders.
Saunders throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Saunders tries to work over Franco's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Franco blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Saunders can't find room to land a body shot as Franco controls the action.

Saunders's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Saunders throws an overhand right that lands on Franco's shoulder, as Franco tries to avoid the shot.
Franco throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Franco.
Saunders misses with a jab to the body

and Franco moves into the clinch.
Knees to the body from Saunders.
Franco is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Franco blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saunders working aggressively here.
Saunders lands a body punch.
Saunders is trying to maintain a safe position but Franco gets an underhook and turns Saunders into the ropes.
Saunders prevents a body shot from Franco.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Saunders tries a body shot but Franco blocks it.
Franco is looking to control Saunders's arms but Saunders gets an underhook and turns him. Now Franco has his back to the ropes.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Saunders throws an elbow but misses.
Franco misses with a hook from the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Saunders.
Franco with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Saunders prevents a body shot from Franco.
Saunders tries a body shot but Franco blocks it.
Franco is trying to maintain a safe position but Saunders gets an underhook and turns Franco into the ropes.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Saunders.
Franco avoiding damage as Saunders throws knees to the body.
Franco trying to land knees to the body.
Franco blocks a body shot from Saunders.
Franco misses with a knee strike.
Franco looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Knees to the body from Franco.
A head punch on the inside from Franco fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right hand to the body from Franco.
Franco misses with a body punch.
Saunders with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Saunders looking to slow down the pace here.
Franco swings wildly with an uppercut but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Franco misses with a punch to the body.
Saunders on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Franco tries a knee to the head but Saunders blocks it.
Saunders misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Franco.
Nice elbow from Saunders.

It looks like Plebian Franco has been cut.
Franco doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saunders misses with a body punch.
Franco throws an elbow but it misses.
Saunders is trying to maintain a safe position but Franco gets an underhook and turns Saunders into the ropes.
Franco looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Franco tries to throw a body punch but Saunders avoids it by throwing Franco back against the ropes.
Franco is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saunders is defending well for now.
Franco blocks a body shot from Saunders.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Evan Saunders has been cut.
Franco is trying to maintain a safe position but Saunders gets an underhook and turns Franco into the ropes.
Saunders tries to throw a body punch but Franco avoids it by throwing Saunders back against the ropes.
Saunders tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Franco's elbow.
Saunders digs a right hand into Franco's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Franco's gas tank.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Saunders throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Franco blocks it with crossed arms.
Franco blocks an uppercut.
Saunders lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Franco.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Franco blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Franco looking to throw knees to the head but Saunders is blocking nicely.
Franco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saunders avoids it.
Saunders misses with a punch on the inside.
Franco gets through Saunders's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Saunders misses with a punch to the body.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Franco avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franco managing to block the knees to the body from Saunders.
A head punch on the inside from Franco fails to land.
Saunders taking a breather.
Franco blocks an uppercut.
Saunders avoiding damage as Franco throws knees to the body.
Franco trying to land knees to the body.
Saunders fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Franco.
We've been informed that Saunders has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Franco landing knees to the body.
Saunders can't find room to land a body shot as Franco controls the action.
Saunders lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Saunders.
A head punch on the inside from Saunders fails to land.
Saunders lands with a light punch inside.
Franco taking a breather.
Franco misses with a knee to the head.
Saunders misses with the head strike.
Saunders misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Evan Saunders will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Franco's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Franco digs a good hook to Saunders's body.
Some wild striking there from Saunders.

Saunders forces Franco back against the ropes and clinches.
Franco goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Saunders.
Saunders missing with knees to the body.
Franco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saunders avoids it.
Franco misses with a hook to the ribs.
Saunders tries to throw a body punch but Franco avoids it by throwing Saunders back against the ropes.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Evan Saunders seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders takes a knee right on the jaw!
Franco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saunders avoids it.
Saunders on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Saunders throws an elbow that misses.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Franco throws an elbow but misses.
Franco prevents a body shot from Saunders.
Saunders avoiding damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Franco doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Franco swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Franco blocking some punches.
Franco has a couple of punches blocked by Saunders.
Franco lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Saunders or not.
Franco connects with a knee to the head.
Franco blocks an uppercut.
Saunders is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Franco lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Saunders misses with a body punch.
Saunders doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Saunders tries to work over Franco's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Franco missing with knees to the body.
Saunders misses with some punches.
Franco lands with a left to the head.
Franco blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Saunders misses with a body punch.
Franco tries to land knees in the clinch but Saunders avoids the damage to the body.
Franco with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Saunders lands an elbow just above Franco 's eye.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Franco.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Franco blocking some punches.
Franco doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Franco throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Saunders blocks it with crossed arms.
Saunders throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Franco blocks it with crossed arms.
Franco tries to work over Saunders's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Franco throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Saunders blocks it with crossed arms.
Saunders tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Franco avoids it.
Saunders trying to land knees to the body.
Franco tries to land knees in the clinch but Saunders avoids the damage to the body.
Franco's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Franco looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco pushes off an throws an elbow but Saunders leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Franco blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Franco throws an elbow but misses.
Saunders lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Franco backwards.

Saunders's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Saunders plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Saunders clinches with his opponent.
Franco is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Saunders is defending well for now.
Saunders misses with a punch on the inside.
Franco comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Franco lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Saunders or not.
Franco trying to stall but Saunders improves his position.
Franco missing with knees to the body.
Saunders throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Franco prevents a body shot from Saunders.
Franco working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A shot in the inside from Franco.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders avoiding damage as Franco throws knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Franco prevents a body shot from Saunders.
Saunders misses with a knee to the head.
Franco misses with a hook from the clinch.
Franco lands a nice elbow.
Franco goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Franco trying to control the position but instead, Saunders has worked for underhooks and has pushed Franco into the ropes.
Franco tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Saunders is trying to break free.
Saunders on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Saunders trying to stall but Franco improves his position.
Saunders tries to throw a body punch but Franco avoids it by throwing Saunders back against the ropes.
Saunders is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the ropes.
Saunders throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Franco lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Plebian Franco dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Franco misses with a body kick.
Saunders throws a push kick but Franco slaps the foot to one side.
Saunders just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromFranco.
Franco misses with a body kick.
Franco doesn't manage to clinch there - Saunders circles away.
Franco tries to clinch but Saunders is having none of it.
Nice body kick from Saunders.
Franco tries to clinch up.
Saunders throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Saunders swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Franco checks a leg kick.
Franco looks for the body kick but Saunders saw that one coming.
Saunders throws a sloppy head kick and Franco moves out of range easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders throws a sloppy head kick and Franco moves out of range easily.
Saunders pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Franco scores with a leg kick.
Saunders fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Franco has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

Saunders rushes Franco and presses him up against the ropes.
Franco throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Franco tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Franco keeps control of Saunders as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nice body punch from Franco - that landed with a thud.
Saunders takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Saunders swings wildly with an uppercut but Franco uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saunders missing with knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Franco.
Saunders fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Saunders using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Franco has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Franco lands a damaging elbow.
Franco connects with a nasty looking knee right to Saunders's face.
Franco lands a right hand.
Saunders takes a knee right on the jaw!

Saunders is rocked!

That has opened up Evan Saunders's cut even more.
Knees in the clinch landing for Franco.
Saunders is still on wobbly legs! Can Franco finish him?
Franco lands a nice knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Franco lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Saunders backwards.
Evan Saunders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Franco creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nice elbow from Franco.
Franco lands a body punch.
Plebian Franco is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Franco lands a knee to the body.
A body shot lands from Franco.
Franco lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Franco lands a knee to the head.
Saunders avoids the elbow strike from Franco, against the ropes.
Saunders working aggressively here.
Franco keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Saunders's efforts to push away.
Franco landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Saunders takes a knee to the side of the body.
Saunders seems to have recovered his senses.
Franco is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Saunders can do to turn this around?
Saunders tries a body shot but Franco blocks it.
Saunders's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Franco lands an elbow inside that Saunders shrugs off.
Nice body punch from Franco - that landed with a thud.
A knee to the head by Franco.
Franco tries a knee to the head but Saunders blocks it.
Franco scores with a shot to the side of Saunders's head.
Saunders takes a shot to the head.
Franco lands with a right to the head.
Franco landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Franco taking a breather.
Saunders misses with a body punch.
Franco lands a body punch.
Saunders takes a knee right on the jaw!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Franco has Saunders pushed against the ropes.
Saunders takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Franco as the two fighters clinch.

Franco has his opponent in a tight Thai clinch and unloads with a massive knee that drops Saunders to the canvas! Can Saunders beat the count? 3,4,5,6 and he's up... is he? Yes, he's up! The referee is taking a long look at him and he's going to allow it to continue!

The cut above Evan Saunders's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Franco pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Franco connects with a body shot.
Saunders misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Saunders avoids the head kick by Franco.

Saunders closes the distance and clinches.
Franco landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Franco stalling the fight.
Franco tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Saunders avoids it.
Franco lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Franco lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the ropes.
Franco lands a right hand.
Franco lands a right hand.
Franco is working Saunders over against the ropes.
Franco with an attempt at a knee that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Plebian Franco showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Franco has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight for Plebian Franco!
Judge Sandra Marshall scores the fight for Plebian Franco!
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight for Plebian Franco!

Plebian Franco wins by unanimous decision!
A relieved looking Plebian Franco thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.