PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Anderson Silva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rich Franklin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Franklin has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Rich Franklin has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Silva
vs
Franklin

188 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Anderson Silva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rich Franklin!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Luis Engracia and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Franklin circles away from the clinch attempt.

Silva closes the distance and clinches.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Franklin looks gassed!
Silva connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Rich Franklin has been cut.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva lands a knee to the head.

Franklin is rocked!
Silva landing knees to the head.
Franklin is still on wobbly legs! Can Silva finish him?
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Silva lands a big knee from the Thai clinch and Franklin goes down hard! The ref takes a good look at him but he's still defending himself. Silva in side control.

Silva stands up.

Silva has Franklin up against the cage in a clinch.
Franklin seems to have recovered his senses.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franklin's face.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silva with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Silva.
Franklin tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Silva just stands there and leans against the cage.
Franklin looking to slow down the pace here.
A knee to the head by Silva.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.

Silva has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Franklin is trying to keep an underhook but Silva manages to get the takedown into half guard.

Silva stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Franklin tries to clinch but Silva moves out of range.

Silva moves into the clinch successfully.
Franklin wants to break free but Silva has control.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Franklin drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Silva gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Silva manages to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Silva has his feet on Franklin's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

Silva closes the distance and clinches.
Franklin wants to break free but Silva has control.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva misses with a knee strike.
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Franklin wants to break the clinch but can't.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Silva.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Franklin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Franklin looking for a takedown.
Anderson Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rich Franklin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin jumps guard but Silva stands there with Franklin around his waist. Franklin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Silva lands a knee to the head.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Silva landing knees to the head.
Franklin jumps guard but Silva stands there with Franklin around his waist. Franklin gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Franklin tries to pull guard but Silva holds him up against the cage and eventually Franklin drops back down to his feet.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Franklin is trying to maintain a safe position but Silva gets an underhook and turns Franklin into the cage.
Franklin looking for a takedown.
A knee to the head by Silva.
Silva lands a knee to the head.
Silva connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franklin's face.
Silva connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franklin's face.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Franklin is working for takedown but Silva is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Silva misses with a knee strike.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but Franklin blocks with his arms.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Franklin has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Silva avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Silva drags the fight down to the ground.
Franklin prevents Silva from getting back to his feet.
Franklin looking to sit in guard and control but Silva gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Silva won't allow Franklin to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Silva has managed to clinch.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Silva.

Silva pulls guard successfully.
Franklin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Silva is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Silva pushes Franklin off and scrambles back to his feet.
Franklin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Silva circles away.

Silva has managed to clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Silva lands a knee to the head.
Franklin wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Franklin tries to score a body lock takedown but Silva shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Franklin is trying to break free.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Anderson Silva has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva tries to score a body lock takedown but Franklin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Silva connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franklin's face.
Franklin wants to stall.
Franklin is trying to break free.
Silva landing knees to the head.
A knee to the head by Silva.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Silva lands a knee to the head.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Franklin is trying to break the clinch but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Silva with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Silva with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva stops a takedown attempt from Franklin.
Anderson Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rich Franklin.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Silva misses with a knee strike.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Franklin missing with knees to the body.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Silva throws a knee to the head but misses.
Franklin using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Silva has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Franklin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Silva manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Franklin postures up in Silva's guard and throws a big left but Silva blocks it.

Silva uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Silva wants to clinch.
Franklin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silva wants to clinch.

Silva instigates a clinch.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Silva blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Franklin tries for a takedown but Silva manages to get underhooks.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva lands a knee to the head.
Franklin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Silva walks away with a smile on his face. Franklin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Silva takes the fight into the clinch.
A knee to the head by Silva.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franklin's face.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva keeps control of Franklin as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Franklin taking a breather.
Silva with a knee to the head.
Franklin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Silva pulls his leg out and moves away.

Silva pushes Franklin up against the cage in a clinch.
A knee to the head by Silva.
Silva lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Franklin tries to pull guard but Silva won't allow it.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva with a knee to the head.
Franklin fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anderson Silva dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rich Franklin's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Franklin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Silva as he jumps to the side.

Silva fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Franklin, pushing him back against the cage.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva with a knee to the head.

Silva drags the fight down to the ground.

Silva manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Franklin or perhaps it was just good defense by Silva which made him look bad.
Silva clinches but Franklin breaks the clinch

and Franklin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Franklin.

Silva pushes Franklin off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Franklin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Silva circles away.
Anderson Silva has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rich Franklin.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up but Franklin swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Silva tries to clinch but Franklin is having none of it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Franklin shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Silva pinned against the cage. Silva gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Franklin or perhaps it was just good defense by Silva which made him look bad.
Silva wants to clinch.
Franklin swats away the attempt to clinch by Silva.

Silva takes the fight into the clinch.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva lands a knee to the head.
Silva tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two 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.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Franklin has had enough of the clinch but Silva keeps him there for the moment.
A knee to the head by Silva.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Franklin is blocking nicely.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Silva tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Franklin is blocking nicely.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Franklin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Franklin tries to score a body lock takedown but Silva shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Silva throws a knee to the head but misses.
Silva with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Franklin is blocking nicely.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
A knee to the head by Silva.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Franklin is trying to break the clinch but Silva has him pressed against the cage.
Franklin tries to pull guard but Silva won't allow it.
A knee to the head by Silva.
A knee to the head by Silva.
Silva with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva tries a knee to the head but Franklin blocks it.
Franklin fails to pull guard.
Silva lands a knee to the head.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Silva misses with a knee strike.
Silva scores with a knee to the head.
Silva prevents a takedown attempt there.
Silva landing knees to the head.
Silva misses with a knee strike.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva connects with a nasty looking knee right to Franklin's face.
Silva using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Franklin has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Franklin has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Silva is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Silva looking to throw knees to the head but Franklin is blocking nicely.
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Franklin takes a knee right on the jaw!
Silva with a knee to the head.
Silva connects with a knee to the head.
Franklin changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Silva fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Franklin misses with a body shot.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Silva.

Silva decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Silva tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Franklin paws at him with a jab and circles away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Anderson Silva showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Silva has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:26
Judge Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anderson Silva!