PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Henrique Fransisco (ranked 4024 p4p, 3956 weight class) and Mikael Strickland (ranked 0 p4p, 387 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Fransisco
vs
Strickland

175 cm
18
150
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
155
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Henrique Fransisco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mikael Strickland!
The judges for this bout are Mauricio Rocha, Emerson Jorge and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Fransisco with that takedown attempt.
Fransisco tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Strickland defends well and Fransisco ends up having to push Strickland into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Fransisco tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Strickland just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henrique Fransisco. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Strickland stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Fransisco wants to take the fight to the mat but Strickland manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Strickland breaks the clinch.
Fransisco tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Strickland defends well and Fransisco ends up having to push Strickland into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Fransisco is working for takedown but Strickland is calmly controlling the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fransisco is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Strickland to keep the fight standing.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Strickland is trying to trip Fransisco. He has hold of a leg but Fransisco is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Strickland persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Fransisco kicks Strickland off and gets to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Strickland drives through with a takedown into Fransisco's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Strickland decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Fransisco, up you get!

Strickland shoots in and bounces Fransisco off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Strickland throwing strikes but missing.
Strickland wants to stand but Fransisco has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Fransisco is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fransisco bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Strickland's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fransisco showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Fransisco forces his way into half guard.
Strickland is refusing to be controlled, as Fransisco sits in half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Strickland is trying to control but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Strickland flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Fransisco looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Strickland pushes Fransisco off looking to stand but Fransisco dives back in and keeps control.
Fransisco trying to control the pace.
Fransisco is looking to advance position but Strickland won't allow it.
Fransisco works his way into full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Strickland tries to control Fransisco's body but Fransisco pushes him off. Strickland squirms to his side and now Fransisco has his back!
Strickland looking very determined here, making life difficult for Fransisco.
The referee is taking a good look at Strickland as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Fransisco!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Fransisco has his arm under Strickland's chin here. Game over son! Fransisco squeezes tightly and Strickland is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Henrique Fransisco!