PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Diego Barou (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Escobar Franco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Escobar Franco is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Barou
vs
Franco

200 cm
25
145 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

168 cm
22
150 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Diego Barou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Escobar Franco!
The judges for this bout are Thiago Cunha, Leandro Rodrigues and Matheus Silva.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Barou lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Franco backs up against the cage.

It looks like Escobar Franco has been cut.
Barou misses with a series of wild punches.
Barou avoids a punch combination nicely.
Barou fails to land with a series of punches.
Barou tries to bum rush Franco with a series of wild strikes but Franco uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barou will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barou misses with the combination.
Franco slips a jab and a cross from Barou.
Franco throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Franco stalks Barou and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Barou's face. Barou staggers backwards, shaken.
Diego Barou seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barou showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Franco.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barou throws a nice looking combination but Franco bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Barou swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Franco slips a jab and a cross from Barou.
Franco throws a nice looking combination but Barou bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Barou throws a nice looking combination but Franco bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Barou takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Barou is breathing heavily.
Franco showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Barou.
Franco lands with a nice combination. Barou backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barou avoids a punch combination nicely.
Barou really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Franco scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A punch combination from Barou misses.
Franco lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Franco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barou swinging wildly here.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Franco swinging wildly here.
Franco scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A combination from Franco does no damage.
Barou avoids a punch combination nicely.
Barou throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Franco fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Franco misses with a series of wild punches.
Franco misses with a few strikes there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franco lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Barou circles away quickly and effectively.
Barou throws a series of punches but Franco moves out of range.
Franco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Franco lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Franco is working the combinations to good effect here.
Franco fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Franco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A combination from Barou does no damage.
Franco scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Franco throws a nice looking combination but Barou bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Decent striking displayed by Franco there.
Franco scores with a one two! Barou had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Franco lands a jab-cross combination.
Barou rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Franco moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Franco lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Barou backs up against the cage.
Franco moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Some wild striking there from Barou.
Franco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco scores with a one two! Barou had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Franco throws a right hand that Barou ducks under and follows up with a left that Barou also avoids with ease.
Franco misses with a two punch combination.
Barou slips a jab and a cross from Franco.
Franco misses with a wild combination.
Barou tries to bum rush Franco with a series of wild strikes but Franco uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Franco listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Barou showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Franco.
Franco dodges the punch combination from Barou.
A right-left combo lands from Franco.
Franco throws a nice looking combination but Barou bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Franco throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Franco ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Franco.
Barou misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Franco, as that shot connected.
Franco swinging wildly here.
Franco lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Franco.
Franco looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A combination from Barou does no damage.
Franco stuns Barou with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Franco lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Franco looks to land a combination. Barou sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Franco scores with a three punch combo!
Barou misses with a double jab
and Franco counters with a three punch combo that has Barou backing up. Barou nods at Franco to acknowledge the strikes.
Barou throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Franco.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Franco scores with a hook to the body. Barou takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Franco lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Barou backs up against the cage.
Franco misses with a two punch combination.
Franco misses with a jab, cross combination.
No joy there for Franco, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Escobar Franco dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Escobar Franco's cut.
That's time! Barou's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Barou will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Franco lands with a good body shot.
Diego Barou is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Franco with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Franco throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barou throws a left and a right that both miss
and Franco counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Franco misses with a double jab.
Barou misses with a double jab.
Barou looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Barou misses with a few strikes there.
Escobar Franco seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Franco lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Barou dodges the punch combination from Franco.
Franco is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Barou rather than just go for the knockout.
Barou throws a right and a left that both miss.
Franco throws a series of punches but Barou avoids them all with ease.
Barou's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Franco connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Barou scrambles back to his feet.
Barou throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Franco thuds a left hand into Barou's body.
Franco tries to bum rush Barou with a series of wild strikes but Barou uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Franco lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A combination from Franco does no damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Franco sizes up Barou with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Franco lands the left hand.
Franco misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barou takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Franco throws a right hand that Barou ducks under and follows up with a left that Barou also avoids with ease.
Barou will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Franco scores with a jab to the jaw.
A punch combination from Barou misses.
Barou closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Diego Barou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Franco throws a combination. Barou tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Barou throws a right and a left that both miss.
Franco rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barou moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barou misses with a double jab.
Franco scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Franco lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barou dodges the punch combination from Franco.
Franco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barou swinging wildly here.
Franco throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barou is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Franco.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barou swinging wildly here.
Franco throws a series of strikes that have Barou backpedaling.
Franco scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Barou doesn't seem bothered though.
Franco misses with a series of wild punches.
Barou lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Franco!
Franco lands a nice shot to the body.
Barou lands with a nice combination. Franco backs away looking to recover.
Franco lands with an uppercut that bounces Barou off the cage and back into range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Franco rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barou moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Franco misses with a two punch combination.
Barou looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
No joy there for Franco, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Sloppy strikes from Franco. Those never looked like landing.
Franco will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barou misses with a wild combination.
Franco with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Barou throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Franco.
Franco lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Franco closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Barou will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barou takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Franco does no damage.
Barou misses with a two punch combination.
Franco rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barou moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barou tries to bum rush Franco with a series of wild strikes but Franco uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barou dodges the punch combination from Franco.
A punch combination from Barou misses.
Barou takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Franco connects with a body shot that sends Barou's belly button to the back.
Franco misses with a wild combination.
Barou lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Franco circles away quickly and effectively.
Franco lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Barou misses with a two punch combination.
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!
Franco misses with a few strikes there.
Franco looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Barou moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Escobar Franco showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Escobar Franco's cut.
That's time! Barou's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

A decent looking cross lands there for Franco.
A left lands for Franco.
Franco dodges the punch combination from Barou.
Franco throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Barou.
Franco tries to bum rush Barou with a series of wild strikes but Barou uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barou will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barou avoids a punch combination nicely.
Barou throws a right hand that Franco ducks under and follows up with a left that Franco also avoids with ease.
Franco lands a jab-cross combination.
Franco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barou slips a jab and a cross from Franco.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Danga de danga de dang - Franco scores with a four punch combination!
Franco will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Barou throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch combination from Barou misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barou misses with a combination
and Franco makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Franco tries to bum rush Barou with a series of wild strikes but Barou uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Barou dodges the punch combination from Franco.
Franco swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Barou looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Barou fails to land with a series of punches.
Franco throws a series of strikes that have Barou backpedaling.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Barou might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Franco will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Franco fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Barou looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Barou throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Barou throws a right hand that Franco ducks under and follows up with a left that Franco also avoids with ease.
Franco lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A nice combination there by Franco.
Barou swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franco scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Franco misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Barou will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Franco lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Barou circles away quickly and effectively.
Barou takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Barou throws a nice looking combination but Franco bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Franco fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Franco lands a nice shot to the body.
Franco throws a series of punches but Barou avoids them all with ease.
Franco throws a right hand that Barou ducks under and follows up with a left that Barou also avoids with ease.
Barou fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Franco lands a lovely overhand right.
Franco stalks Barou and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Barou's face. Barou staggers backwards, shaken.
Franco misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barou lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Barou misses with a double jab.
Franco lands a lovely overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barou misses with a combination
and Franco counters with a stiff right hand.
Franco scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Franco tries to bum rush Barou with a series of wild strikes but Barou uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Franco tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Barou was well out of range. Poor timing from Franco.
Barou fails to land with a series of punches.
Franco will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Franco connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Barou momentarily.
Barou on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Franco lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Franco slips a jab and a cross from Barou.
Franco scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Escobar Franco is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Barou throws a nice looking combination but Franco bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
A punch combination from Franco misses.
Franco dodges the punch combination from Barou.
Franco comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barou is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Franco.
Barou misses with a two punch combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Franco!
Franco rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barou moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barou throws a right and a left that both miss.
Barou avoids a punch combination nicely.
Franco lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Barou lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Barou throws a series of punches but Franco moves out of range.
Barou takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Franco lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Franco.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A combination from Barou does no damage.
Barou fails to land with a series of punches.
Barou takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Franco lands with a good body shot.
Franco throws a nice looking combination but Barou bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Escobar Franco comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Franco has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Thiago Cunha scores the fight for Escobar Franco!
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight for Escobar Franco!
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight for Escobar Franco!

Escobar Franco wins by unanimous decision!