Rua vs. Franklin

[The Sandmen]

ManMMA SuperFight Championship

Shogun Rua looks like he has been waiting for this fight forever.
Rich Franklin looks very relaxed.
This is the first time they meet inside the cage
And there you go! I would put my money on Rich Franklin today.
The referee of the bout is Mario Yamasaki.

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Round 1
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The bell announces the first round!


Franklin fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Shogun sprawls and remains on his feet.
Franklin clumsily fails here and it's time for Shogun Rua to fight back!
Shogun tries to grapple
Franklin moves aside keeping the fight a strinking range


The clock says 0:20 in the 1 round
Franklin shows no signs of slowing down. He's in great shape.
Franklin launches a hook to the body
Shogun Rua moves aside looking for a counter...
Poorly executed technique. Shogun Rua looks to counter!
Shogun launches a hook to the body
Bang! Franklin stops that one with his ribs!


Solid kick to the leg from Rich Franklin
that visibly pains Shogun.


Lightning fast low kick from Franklin!
Shogun blocks that kick with his leg.


0:51 Round 1 and Franklin is still in good shape. He sure has trained hard for this fight.
Rich Franklin launches a couples of jabs and then a big hook!
Shogun blocks the jabs but the last punch hits hard on Shogun Rua's cheek! Shogun stumbles and the falls to the mat!
Shogun's Left cheek is bruised after the punishement he's received!


Franklin is standing while Shogun is on the ground on his back
Shogun Rua doesn't want to continue the fight in this position and tries to get back on his feet
He moves fast and now he is standing
Back to the beginning! Shogun Rua is standing now.


Shogun throws a one-two combo then fakes a move to fire a big right hand on the chin!
The strikes hit home!
Franklin's Chin is beginning to swell


Rich Franklin tries to take the fight to the ground with a one leg takedown...
Shogun Rua jumps backwards and frees his leg.
Franklin clumsily fails here and it's time for Shogun Rua to fight back!
Franklin moves to shoot
but Shogun Rua delivers a knee that wrecks him!


Shogun decides to launch some tentative punches
Franklin launches a couple of jabs that are answered by Shogun with a stiff cross! Solid exchange!
There is a small laceration on Rich Franklin's Forehead


Shogun Rua tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Great move by Shogun Rua who pushes his opponent forward with a double underhooks.


The fighters are clinching.
Shogun Rua's corner is turning out to be his worst enemy! Franklin is throwing a flurry of punches!
Shogun ducks under and circles out of the corner.


The clock says 2:10 in the 1 round
Shogun fakes a punch and shoots a takedown!
Franklin sprawls and remains on his feet.
Poorly executed technique. Rich Franklin looks to counter!
Rich Franklin tries to take the action to his favourite field as he tries to grapple
Shogun Rua swings and Franklin has to retreat


Shogun Rua launches a low kick
that almost wrenches Franklin's knee!


You can hear the excitement from the crowd. Shogun Rua can end the fight with his ground and pound.
Shogun Rua throws a looping right hand...
That lands on Franklin's chin! That stops Franklin in his tracks!


Shogun decides to launch some tentative punches
Rich Franklin takes the best of a brief punching exchange.


The clock says 2:45 in the 1 round
The two exchange wildly
Franklin is connecting with a few punches


Brilliant combination from Shogun Rua
that forces Franklin to try and defend better.


Shogun is swinging for the fences!
A hit that almost breaks Franklin's jaw!


Shogun decides to launch some tentative punches
Shogun Rua takes the best of a brief punching exchange.


The clock says 3:15 in the 1 round
Shogun pushes Rich Franklin and moves away from him. He seems to be recovering his breath.


Rich Franklin launches a low kick
that gets blocked quickly.


Shogun fires low kicks
punishing Franklin's legs repeatedly.


Shogun cornermen are yelling for his man to escape from the ground as Franklin can finish a fight on the ground with some good pounding if you give him the chance.
Franklin moves forward looking for some action
Rich Franklin shows some wrestling skills as he put his opponent in a double overhook!


The clock says 4:00 in the 1 round
Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Franklin pushes off of Shogun Rua and starts launching a flurry of hooks and body shots!
Shogun stumbles backwards but Rich Franklin chases him and continues the rain of blows!


Both fighters are tied in a clinch.
Sick uppercut from the clinch by Shogun Rua!
That one almost breaks Franklin's chin! He is knocked down!
Franklin's Chin is beginning to swell


Shogun is standing while Franklin is on the ground on his back
Shogun launches a kick to Franklin's thigh
Loud pop!


The clock says 4:35 in the 1 round
Shogun is standing while Franklin is on the ground on his back
Shogun Rua creates space and allows Rich Franklin to stand up.
Rich Franklin is on his feet again.


Franklin is holding Shogun Rua's right leg... He's trying to take him down.
Shogun Rua shows great balance while pushing away Rich Franklin
Poorly executed technique. Shogun Rua looks to counter!
Shogun Rua launches a rapid series of punches
taking Franklin from one end of the cage to the other. That's awesome!
Franklin is out! Franklin is out! Shogun Rua has ended this fight in highlight reel fashion!
Franklin has a small cut in his Chin

Winner is Shogun Rua by KO (Punches) at 4:56 Round 1

Statistics: Shogun Rua
Punches 22/29 (76%)
Kicks 6/6 (100%)
Clinch strikes 1/1 (100%)
Takedowns 0/1 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 7 s

Statistics: Rich Franklin
Punches 7/11 (64%)
Kicks 1/3 (33%)
Clinch strikes 4/11 (36%)
Takedowns 0/3 (0%)
GnP strikes 0/0 (0%)
Submissions 0/0 (0%)
Clinch Attempts 0/0 (0%)
Time on the ground 24 s

Rua was ALL OVER that. Nothing else to add. Just pure Ruaaaaa. I could have said Pure Shogun, which would have made double sense, but I opted to not do that and be illogical instead.