PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Himan Sym (ranked 3657 p4p, 3709 weight class) and Rudy Franklin (ranked 391 p4p, 394 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.

Sym
vs
Franklin

180 cm
25
179
1 - 2 - 0

183 cm
25
170
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Himan Sym!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rudy Franklin!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sym fails with a takedown attempt.
Franklin looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sym gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Franklin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sym is looking to score with low kicks.
Sym misses with a takedown attempt - Franklin sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Himan Sym. 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.
Sym gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Franklin counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sym is breathing heavily.
Sym throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Franklin throws the left hand but Sym avoids the punch easily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Sym is defended easily by Franklin.
Good standup being displayed there by Franklin as he connects with a hook.
Sym fails with an attempt to clinch.
Franklin lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sym throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sym looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Himan Sym seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sym tries for a takedown but Franklin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sym keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Franklin.
Sym seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Rudy Franklin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Franklin throws a shot to the body.
Franklin throws a looping overhand right but Sym ducks down to avoid it.
Sym lands with an uppercut that bounces Franklin off the cage and back into range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Franklin lands a big right hand that sends Sym crashing to the mat! Franklin stays standing though and waves Sym back to his feet!

Sym is rocked!

It looks like Himan Sym has been cut.
Sym tries to clinch up but Franklin circles away and keeps his distance.
Franklin jabs Sym to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin fakes a right and follows up with a big left that drops Sym to one knee - oooooh, he's wobbly! Sym looks to clinch but Franklin throws him off and pummels him into the canvas! Sym taps out under the strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:11 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Rudy Franklin!