PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Benjy Button (ranked 3496 p4p, 1734 weight class) and Juan David Franco (ranked 413 p4p, 227 weight class). Franco comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Bullet For My Valentine- Tears Don't Fall kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Button
vs
Franco

184 cm
23
189
5 - 5 - 0

188 cm
25
202
14 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

UNDEFEATED

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Benjy Button!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Juan David Franco!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, David Schapiro and Steve Montenegro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Button throws a sloppy head kick and Franco moves out of range easily.
Button works over Franco's head and body with a nice combination.
Franco misses with a wild body shot.
Button bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Button takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Button tries to close the distance and clinch but Franco swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Button blocks a head kick by Franco.
Button blocks a head kick by Franco.
Button listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Button dives in and grabs Franco's left leg, looking for a takedown. Franco pushes down on Button's head and hops out.
Button looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Button is looking to clinch but Franco is avoiding it.

Button drives through and clinches with Franco against the cage.
Franco is looking to break free of the clinch but Button has double underhooks.

Franco escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Button fails with the takedown
and Franco counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Button is lucky that one didn't land flush.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Button avoids the head kick by Franco.

Button clinches with his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Franco manages to break the clinch.
Button throws a right hand that Franco ducks under and follows up with a left that Franco also avoids with ease.
Franco avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Franco looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Franco cracks Button with a right hand to the side of the head.
Franco misses with a body shot
and Button counters with a series of strikes. Franco will be more careful next time no doubt.
Button lands with a straight right. Franco didn't see that one coming.

Franco is rocked!
Franco avoids a punch combination nicely.
Button is looking to clinch but Franco is avoiding it.
A head kick misses from Franco.
Button shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
The fighters circling - Franco throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Franco keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benjy Button. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Franco misses with an uppercut. Button saw that one coming.
Left hook, right uppercut from Button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Button displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Franco throws out the jab.
Franco looks to throw the jab but Button is out of range.
Button shoots for a takedown but Franco saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Franco throws a half hearted mid kick.
Franco avoids the head kick by Button.
Franco throws the left hand but Button avoids the punch easily.
Franco defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Button.
Franco goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Button swinging wildly here.
A head kick misses from Button.
Button misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Franco tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Button shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Franco as he jumps to the side.
Franco shapes to counter with a head kick.
Franco throws a sloppy head kick and Button moves out of range easily.
Button seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Button ducks under a wild hook from Franco.
Franco misses the jab.
Franco lands the left hand.

It looks like Benjy Button has been cut.
A punch combination from Button misses.
Button bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Juan David Franco is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Button swinging wildly here.
Franco looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Button misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Franco misses the body punch
and Franco takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Button shoots in but Franco avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Button tries to clinch but Franco moves out of range.
Button avoids the head kick by Franco.
Button changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Franco tries to avoid it but Button manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Franco to the ground. Franco escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
It seemed like Franco was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Button has a takedown stuffed.
Franco lands with a nice body kick.
Button is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franco lands a glancing blow to the side of Button's head.
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!
Button fails to land the takedown.
Franco swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Franco throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Button blocks a head kick by Franco.
Franco steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Button. That one must have hurt.
Button displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Franco throws out the jab.
Franco throws a lazy right hand but Button sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Button avoids the head kick by Franco.
Good standup being displayed there by Franco as he connects with a hook.
Button takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Franco throws a front kick that sends Button stumbling back into the cage.
Franco changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Button takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Franco throws a wild body kick that Button sees coming a mile off.
Button is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juan David Franco dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Benjy Button's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Button is defended easily by Franco.
Button rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Franco moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Button tries to close the distance and clinch up but Franco swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Franco wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Button moves in looking to clinch but Franco pushes him off.
Button tries to clinch up
enabling Franco to counter with a crisp jab.
Juan David Franco seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Button lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Button fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Benjy Button is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Franco jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Franco takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Franco throws a shot from downtown. Button moves away and avoids it.
Franco lands a head kick!
Franco misses with a straight right.
Button appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Franco misses with a hook.
Franco avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Franco lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Franco has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Button shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Franco defends it nicely.
A punch combination from Button misses.
Franco misses with a hook.
An attempted straight right counter from Button misses the target.
Button shoots in for a takedown but Franco shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benjy Button. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Franco missing with a left hand there. Button was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Good work by Franco as he checks the leg kick.
Franco misses with a left hand
and Button counters with a stiff right hand.
Button throws a series of punches but Franco moves out of range.
Franco lands a jab to the nose.
Franco throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franco connects with a solid leg kick.
Button lands a nice shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Button tries for a takedown but Franco sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Button scores with a head kick.
Button will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Franco.
Button misses with a few strikes there.
A telegraphed right hand from Franco misses the target.
Franco throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Button.
Button is trying hard to land a takedown here. Franco sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Franco! But no joy.
Franco misses with a left hand

and Button counters by clinching up.

Button pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big left from Franco misses.
Button tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Franco manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco keeps the fight on the outside.
Franco pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Franco tries to land a front kick but Button steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Franco throws a head kick that misses.
Franco displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Button.
Franco swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
That kick from Franco tenderised Button's leg. Button is trying to keep his angry face on.
Button moves out of range as Franco throws a body kick.
Button works over Franco's head and body with a nice combination.
Franco throws a leg kick which misses Button's front leg but catches the back leg as Button tries to avoid it.
Button scores with a head kick.
Button takes a kick to the side of the head.
Franco throws a big shot that misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Button displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Franco throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franco throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Franco scores with a head kick. Button tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
A leg kick checked by Button.
Button feints a jab promting Franco to slip. Button then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Franco slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Franco throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Button changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Franco tries to avoid it but Button manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Franco to the ground. Franco escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Franco buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Franco.
Button tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Franco swivels and escapes.
Button tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Franco swivels and escapes.
Button is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Button looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Button backing away here, and Franco unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Franco lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Button throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Franco.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Franco! But no joy.
Button is looking to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juan David Franco showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Benjy Button's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nice takedown defense from Franco. No joy for Button on that attempt.
Franco pivots, looking for a leg kick but Button is out of range and Franco settles back down.
Button drops down looking for a counter takedown but Franco sprawls and moves away.
Franco scores with a hook to the body. Button takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Button misses with a jab, cross combination.
Franco moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Button takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Button lands with a nice combination. Franco backs away looking to recover.
Franco swats away the attempt to clinch by Button.
Button waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Franco.
Franco is looking to land body kicks.
Button throws a big counter combination but Franco scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Franco throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Button fails with the takedown.
Franco throws the kick towards the body but Button avoids it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Button looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Button lands a head kick!
Button with a lazy takedown attempt
and Franco cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Benjy Button. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Franco throws a head kick but Button moves out of range.
Franco swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Franco tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Franco throws a body kick that misses.
Franco pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
It looked like Button wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Button throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Button tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Button is looking to clinch.
Button takes one to the chin there.
Button is looking to clinch.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franco lands with a thumping leg kick.
Button misses with a double jab
and Franco counters with a left to the body.
Franco scores with a head kick.

Benjy Button's cut is getting worse.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Button uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Franco.
Franco waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Button.
Franco misses with a head kick.
Button misses with a shot to the body
and Franco cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Button shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Franco defends it nicely.
Juan David Franco is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Button throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Franco!
Button shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Franco counters with a flying knee. Nice.
A right-left combo lands from Button.
Franco swats away the attempt to clinch by Button.
Button shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Franco pinned against the cage. Franco gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Franco dips to his left and cracks Button with an uppercut!
Button lands with a hook. Franco tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Franco throws a sloppy head kick and Button moves out of range easily.
Button misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Franco makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Button misses.
Button avoids the head kick by Franco.
Franco misses with a head kick.
Button shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Franco pinned against the cage. Franco gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Franco! But no joy.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Button is looking to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Franco misses the target.

Button takes the fight into the clinch.
Franco tries to break the clinch but Button is controlling the position.
Button has a couple of punches blocked by Franco.
Benjy Button has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Button can't find room to land a body shot as Franco controls the action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juan David Franco comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Franco winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juan David Franco!
A relieved looking Juan David 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.