PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Begbie Franco (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Linkin Portier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Franco might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Born Slippy. Linkin Portier has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Begbie Franco's chin.

Franco
vs
Portier

185 cm
38
190 lbs
35 - 19 - 1

185 cm
35
186 lbs
29 - 16 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Sun-Tzu
Mohito Fightwear

Perkele!
Sun-Tzu

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 19 - 1, fighting out of London, Begbie Franco!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 16 - 2, fighting out of New York, Linkin Portier!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, William Gold and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franco throws a head kick that half lands.
Portier misses with a low kick.
Portier scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Franco throws a poor cross that misses
and Portier counters with a nice body shot.
Portier connects with a crisp jab.
Franco takes one to the side of the head.
Good shot there by Franco.
Franco's jab looks to have found its range, popping Portier under the eye.
Linkin Portier seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Portier misses with a body punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

Portier fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Franco, pushing him back against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Portier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Portier has Franco pressed against the cage, preventing Franco from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Franco blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Portier struggles to land a body shot inside as Franco controls his hands.
Portier working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Portier softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Portier scores with a shoulder strike.
Portier throws a head punch that misses.
Portier has a couple of punches blocked by Franco.
Franco tries to throw a body punch but Portier avoids it by throwing Franco back against the cage.
Nice body punch from Portier.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Portier - that landed with a thud.
Franco is breathing heavily.
Franco blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short uppercut from Portier.
A nice right hand lands inside from Portier.
Portier throws a head punch that misses.
Portier misses with the head strike.
Portier working aggressively here.
Portier throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Francos head.
Portier tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Franco's elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Franco.
Portier misses with a hook to the ribs.
A right handed body shot lands from Portier.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Franco.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Portier.
Portier working aggressively here.
Franco is trying to stall.
Franco blocks a punch to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Portier creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Franco doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franco blocks an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Franco cracks Portier with a nice body shot.
Portier lands a hook that snaps the head of Franco backwards.
Portier pushes Franco back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Franco misses with a body punch.
Portier fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Franco fails to land.
Portier lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Franco.
Franco looking to stall.
Franco tries a body shot but Portier blocks it.
Franco misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Franco lands with a right to the head.
Portier lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
A body shot lands from Portier.
Franco struggles to land a body shot inside as Portier controls his hands.
Portier misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Portier lands with a right to the head.
Portier lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco lands a right hand.
Portier lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Franco lands with a left to the head.
Franco tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Portier lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Franco blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Franco prevents a body shot from Portier.
Franco lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Portier backwards.
Franco lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Franco is trying to break the clinch but Portier is controlling him.
Franco lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Franco struggles to land a body shot inside as Portier controls his hands.
Franco scores with a shoulder strike.
Franco blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Still in the clinch, Franco scores with a nice short uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Portier.
Franco lands a left hand.
Portier blocks an uppercut.
Portier swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Portier throws a punch but it's blocked by Franco.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franco trying to control the position but instead, Portier has worked for underhooks and has pushed Franco into the cage.
Portier misses with the head strike.
Portier goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Franco blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Franco blocks an uppercut.
Portier tries a body shot but Franco blocks it.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Franco.
Franco doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Portier throws a punch but it's blocked by Franco.
A body shot lands from Portier.
A nice right hand lands inside from Portier.
Franco misses with a body punch.
A shot in the inside from Franco.
Portier tries a body shot but Franco blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Franco escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Franco swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Portier swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Portier throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Franco sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Franco misses with a hook. Portier ducked under it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Linkin Portier dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Franco checks the leg kick.
Portier ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Portier throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Franco on the side of the head.
Portier throws a body punch but Franco moves out of range.
Portier with a nice cross.
Franco tries to clinch but Portier is having none of it.
Portier misses with a double jab.
Franco misses with a jab, cross combination.
Franco checks a leg kick.
Portier ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Portier throws out a counter right but Franco avoids it with no problem.
Franco throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Linkin Portier seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Portier has managed to clinch.
Portier misses with a hook to the ribs.
Portier swings wildly with an uppercut but Franco uses good head movement to avoid it.
Portier has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Franco's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Portier looks to land a left hand but Franco moved out of range nicely.
Linkin Portier is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Portier throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Portier throws a leg kick but Franco sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Portier throws the left hand but Franco avoids the punch easily.
Franco misses with a kick to the body.
Portier blocks a jab.
Franco avoids the body shot from Portier.
A slow jab from Franco misses its intended target.
Franco lands with a good body shot.
Portier rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Franco moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Franco just misses with a punch to the body.
Portier blocks a jab.
Portier tries a quick counter leg kick but Franco is wise to it.
Portier cracks the inside of Franco's front leg.
Franco is looking to clinch.
Portier misses with a low kick.
Portier is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Franco.
Portier connects with a crisp jab.
Portier throws out a powerful jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Portier misses with a combination
and Franco counters with a nice uppercut.
A telegraphed right hand from Portier misses the target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Franco throws a body shot but no joy.
Portier throws a series of punches but Franco moves out of range.
Portier tries to close the distance and clinch up but Franco swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Portier buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Portier swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Franco.
Portier connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Portier lands a jab to the nose.
Franco avoids the body shot from Portier.
Portier throws a right and a left that both miss.
Portier throws a shot to the body.
Portier will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Portier missing with a left hand there. Franco was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Portier stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco slips a straight right by Portier.
Franco fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Franco.
Portier throws a series of punches but Franco moves out of range.
Portier looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Franco was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Portier ducks under a wild hook from Franco.
Portier is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Franco looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Portier lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Portier shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Franco eats them both and turns towards Portier to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Franco.
Franco throws a shot from downtown. Portier moves away and avoids it.
Portier was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A telegraphed right hand from Portier misses the target.
Franco tries to land a leg kick but Portier saw it coming and moves away.
Portier scores with a head kick. Franco tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Franco is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice inside leg kick there by Franco. That's going to slow Portier down.
An inside leg kick lands from Franco.
A head kick misses from Franco.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Portier throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Franco.
Portier tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Franco was well out of range. Poor timing from Portier.
Franco looks to score with a jab to the body but Portier is just out of range.
Portier scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Franco throws out a leg kick but Portier moves out of range and Franco only half commits.
Portier lands an overhand right.
Oh Franco is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Franco throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Franco seems to have got his legs back now.
Franco takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Portier misses with a looping left.
Portier tries to land a leg kick but Franco saw it coming and moves away.
Franco throws a wild body kick that Portier sees coming a mile off.
Franco misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Franco rushes Portier and presses him up against the cage.
Portier keeps control of Franco as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Linkin Portier seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Franco lands a right hand.
Franco misses with a body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Linkin Portier showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Portier keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Franco.
Portier misses with an uppercut.
Portier throws a shot from downtown. Franco moves away and avoids it.
Portier throws the left hand but Franco avoids the punch easily.
Franco ducks under a wild hook from Portier.
Portier scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Franco misses with a body kick.
Portier lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Portier.
Portier scores with a jab.
Franco connects with a good right hand that stumbles Portier. Portier circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Portier looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It looked like Franco was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Portier.
Portier misses with a hook.
The crowd cheers as Franco lands an impressive looking overhand right. Portier doesn't seem phased though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Franco avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Portier fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Franco is out of range.
Portier looks to land a combination but Franco avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A swing and a miss from Portier.
Franco misses with a double jab.
Portier misses with a jab, cross combination.
Portier scores with a punch to the head.
Portier pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Franco back to the cage. Portier follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Franco slips a straight right by Portier.
Franco fires out a quick counter leg kick but Portier just manages to avoid it.
Franco on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Portier gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Franco missing with a left hand there. Portier was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Franco with a nice cross.
Franco misses with an uppercut.
Portier lands with a right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Franco showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Portier.
Portier misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Portier.
Franco throws a lazy right hand but Portier sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A left lands for Portier.
Franco moves away from the strike by Portier.
Franco connects with a solid leg kick.
Franco closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Franco tries a low kick but Portier avoids it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Portier.
A telegraphed right hand from Portier misses the target.
Portier feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Francos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Portier takes a swing at Franco's ribcage but misses.
Franco lands with a hook. Portier tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Portier scores with a sloppy right hand. Franco should have avoided that one.
The crowd cheers as Portier lands an impressive looking overhand right. Franco doesn't seem phased though.
Franco tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Portier counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Portier circles and sees the opportunity to plant his feet and throw a really nice straight left hand that drops Franco to the canvas! Franco doesn't know where he is but he's trying to survive - Portier keeps piling on the pressure and forces the referee to step in! This one is aaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:14 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Linkin Portier!
An out of breath Linkin Portier thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.