PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Frank Castle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Swanson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Swanson is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Buju Banton-Not an Easy Road. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Castle
vs
Swanson

185 cm
21
200 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

190 cm
26
195 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Very strong

Good wrestler
Brawler
Powerful

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 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of New York, Frank Castle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Joe Swanson!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Bruno Lombardi and Chad Campbell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Castle. No joy for Swanson on that attempt.
Swanson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Castle checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Swanson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castle works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Swanson wants to get back to full guard.
Swanson tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

Castle is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Swanson defends it well.
Castle is looking to take a break and control but Swanson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Castle thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Swanson's head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Castle blocks the strikes from Swanson.
Swanson lands one or two decent shots to the body here. Although from his own half guard, he's not going to be causing too much damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Castle is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Swanson sees it coming and defends easily.
Swanson misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Swanson is trying to get back to full guard.
Castle sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Swanson defending well though.
Swanson flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Swanson is trying to get back to full guard.
Castle thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Swanson looks for the body kick but Castle saw that one coming.
Swanson misses with a series of wild punches.
Castle swings for the body but Swanson moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Swanson is looking to score with low kicks.
Swanson with a poor takedown
and Castle counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Swanson misses with a shot to the body
and Castle counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Swanson lands with a straight right. Castle didn't see that one coming.
Swanson takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nice cross by Castle.
Swanson misses with a combination
and Castle counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Swanson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Swanson looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Castle looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Swanson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Castle is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Castle has an active guard here but Swanson has managed to pass into half guard.

Castle actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Swanson scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Castle taking some punishment here, with Swanson in his half guard.
Swanson trying to control the action but Castle is working from the bottom.
Swanson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Castle actively working from the bottom here.
Swanson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Castle avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Swanson.
Swanson thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Castle's head.
Castle is looking to improve his position.
Castle is refusing to be controlled, as Swanson sits in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Swanson slips a nice elbow through Castle's hands, connecting with Castle's forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Castle dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Swanson throws a lazy body kick
and Castle counters with a nice uppercut.
Swanson shoots in for a double leg but Castle sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Swanson doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Castle slips a jab from Swanson.
Swanson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Castle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Swanson fails with the takedown
and Castle counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Swanson thinking.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Castle uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Swanson.
Swanson is breathing heavily.
Swanson looks to throw the jab but Castle is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swanson throws a big shot that misses.
Castle shoots in for a takedown but Swanson shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Swanson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Castle counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Swanson misses with a looping right.
Swanson tries for a takedown but Castle circles away easily
and Castle counters with a stiff right hand.
Frank Castle has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Swanson.
Swanson throws a left and a right that both miss
and Castle makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Castle tries to close the distance and clinch up but Swanson swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Swanson swings away with a body shot that misses

and Castle counters with a shoot takedown. Swanson fights it but they end up in guard.
Castle slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castle takes advantage of some sloppy striking from Swanson to pass into mount.

Castle is working to isolate an arm here. It's a telegraphed submission attempt but he's gone for it anyway - and he's got it! Castle extends the arm and Swanson is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Frank Castle!