PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mamadou Sakho (ranked 5478 p4p, 667 weight class) and Ezio Franco (ranked 23634 p4p, 879 weight class). Franco has chosen BASS as his entrance music. Mamadou Sakho has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sakho
vs
Franco

190 cm
19
215 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

190 cm
26
205 lbs
2 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great elbows
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mamadou Sakho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ezio Franco!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Jonathan Paton and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franco shoots in looking for a takedown. Sakho tries to sprawl out of it but Franco keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Sakho manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Franco blocks a head kick by Sakho.
And Franco tries to counter it with a takedown but Sakho pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sakho shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Franco with the counter takedown but Sakho avoids it easily.
Sakho looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A solid body kick from Sakho.

Sakho scores with a takedown into Franco's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Franco working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sakho.
Franco is trying to control the position but Sakho postures up.
Franco wants to sweep here but Sakho controlling him for the moment.
Sakho knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Franco on the ground.
Sakho postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco trying to strike off his back.
Franco lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Franco wants to control from the top but Sakho keeps moving.
Sakho utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Franco has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Franco throws a strike but Sakho rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Sakho stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Franco swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sakho is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Franco striking off his back but it's not causing Sakho any problems.
Franco doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Sakho stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Franco swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Franco utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Franco tries to strike from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakho loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Sakho preventing the sweep.
Franco looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Sakho tries to free his leg and advance position but Franco is retaining full guard.
Sakho postures up.
Franco is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Franco manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sakho manages to get himself to full guard.

Franco trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Franco stands up over Sakho, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Sakho working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Franco.
Franco prevents Sakho from getting back to his feet.
Franco loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Franco postures up in Sakho's guard and throws a big left but Sakho blocks it.
Franco is looking to work some ground and pound but Sakho has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco throws a big right hand that misses.
Sakho is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Franco postures up in Sakho's guard and throws a big left but Sakho blocks it.
Franco lands a couple of elbows.
Sakho is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sakho utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Franco trying to control the position from guard on top but Sakho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sakho working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Franco.
Franco works over Sakho with some ground and pound from guard.
Franco throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sakho works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Franco throws an elbow that misses. Sakho uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Franco's guard. Nice move by Sakho!

Franco keeping moving, preventing Sakho from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franco throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Franco striking from his own guard.
Franco throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Sakho has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Franco trying to keep a closed guard but Sakho is proving a slippery customer.
Franco trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Franco is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Franco is pulling down on Sakho's head. It's preventing any offense from Sakho, at least for the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Franco throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mamadou Sakho will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sakho scores with a decent looking hook.
Franco displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sakho throws out the jab.
Mamadou Sakho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Sakho.
Franco is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Franco takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sakho tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And Franco tries to counter it with a takedown but Sakho pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Sakho misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Franco drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Sakho defends it well.
Sakho throws a leg kick but Franco moved away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakho doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Franco counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Sakho has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Franco is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sakho throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco tries to pull guard but Sakho won't allow it.
Sakho tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Franco avoids it.
Franco tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sakho prevents the takedown attempt.
Mamadou Sakho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ezio Franco.
Franco's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Franco pulls Sakho into guard.
Franco trying to strike off his back.
Sakho is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Franco can do to turn this around?
Franco will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Franco trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Franco throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Franco throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Franco is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Franco striking off his back but it's not causing Sakho any problems.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Franco trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Sakho working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Franco tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sakho sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Franco somewhat.
As Franco tries to get set, Sakho tries to push him back and clinch up but Franco manages to avoid the attempt.
Sakho pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Franco unleashes a big counter combination but Sakho bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Sakho throws a low kick but Franco avoids it.
Sakho moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Sakho throws a nice inside leg kick.
Sakho misses with a takedown attempt - Franco sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Franco is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franco shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Sakho pinned against the cage. Sakho gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Sakho gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Franco has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sakho avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Franco tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sakho just stands there and leans against the cage.
Franco avoiding damage as Sakho throws knees to the body.
Sakho is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Franco tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sakho trying to land knees to the body.
Sakho makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Franco has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Sakho after a bit of a struggle.
Sakho with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sakho lands an elbow that stopped Franco in his tracks for a moment.
Sakho doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sakho misses with a punch on the inside.
Franco tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Sakho with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Franco wants to get back to striking at distance but Sakho won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mamadou Sakho dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sakho misses with a series of wild punches.
Sakho throws a series of punches but Franco avoids them all with ease.
Franco is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Franco keeps the fight on the outside.

Sakho gets a clinch.
Sakho cracks Franco with a nice body shot.
Franco wants a takedown but no success here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sakho lands a knee to the body.
Sakho pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Franco.
Sakho tries to work over Franco's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franco is working for takedown but Sakho is calmly controlling the position for now.
Franco tries to pull guard but Sakho forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Mamadou Sakho has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ezio Franco.
Franco goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sakho prevents it.
Franco takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Sakho lands an elbow inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Sakho.
Sakho lands an elbow that stopped Franco in his tracks for a moment.
Sakho misses with an elbow over the top.
Sakho creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Franco's defenses.
Franco jumps guard but Sakho stands there with Franco around his waist. Franco gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
I was talking to Sakho's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Franco letting Sakho take a breather here.
Ezio Franco has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mamadou Sakho is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Franco is the more experienced fighter here and he's going to need to draw on some of that experience if he's going to pull this one out the bag.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sakho swings wildly with an uppercut but Franco uses good head movement to avoid it.
Franco tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sakho managing to block the knees to the body from Franco.

Franco pulls guard effortlessly.
Franco throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Sakho wants to control from the top but Franco keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sakho controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Sakho wants to control from the top but Franco keeps moving.

Franco is looking for a triangle but Sakho pushes his legs off easily.
Franco throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Sakho sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Franco trying to strike off his back.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Franco striking off his back but it's not causing Sakho any problems.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Sakho with a nice cross.
Franco slips a jab and a cross from Sakho.
Franco feints the counter takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Franco will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mamadou Sakho is winning the standup battle so far.
Sakho is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sakho tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Franco manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Sakho drives through and clinches with Franco against the cage.
Franco tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Sakho just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short body shot lands from Franco as the two fighters clinch.
Franco takes an elbow to the forehead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Franco fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Franco can't find room to land a body shot as Sakho controls the action.
Sakho managing to block the knees to the body from Franco.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mamadou Sakho showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Sakho, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight for Mamadou Sakho!
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight for Mamadou Sakho!
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight for Mamadou Sakho!

Mamadou Sakho wins by unanimous decision!
After winning the bout, Mamadou Sakho thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.