PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between North Shore (ranked 3984 p4p, 6113 weight class) and Boyd Fitzgerald (ranked 422 p4p, 571 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Shore
vs
Fitzgerald

196 cm
25
250
1 - 0 - 0

192 cm
25
220
0 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, North Shore!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Boyd Fitzgerald!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Winston Alpacca and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shore takes the fight into the clinch.
Fitzgerald is trying to break the clinch but Shore has him pressed against the cage.
Shore jumps guard but Fitzgerald turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Shore manages to break the clinch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Fitzgerald.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Shore.

Shore fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fitzgerald, pushing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Shore's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A solid body kick from Fitzgerald.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

Shore closes the distance and clinches.

Shore breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shore looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fitzgerald is fending him off so far but Shore persists. Nope, Fitzgerald circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for North Shore. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shore shoots in for a double leg but Fitzgerald sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fitzgerald lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fitzgerald.
North Shore seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shore looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fitzgerald is fending him off so far but Shore persists. Nope, Fitzgerald circles away and we're back to standing.
Fitzgerald avoids a punch combination nicely.
Crunch! Fitzgerald slams his shin into Shore's torso.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Fitzgerald!

Shore moves into the clinch successfully.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Shore as Fitzgerald tries to tie him up.
Shore misses with a hook to the ribs.
Shore can't get the takedown.
Fitzgerald managing to block the knees to the body from Shore.
Shore misses with a punch on the inside.
Shore is trying to pull guard but Fitzgerald turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Fitzgerald is trying to break the clinch but Shore is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shore lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald is trying to stall.

Shore breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've been informed that Fitzgerald has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Shore dives in for a single leg takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Shore looking for a takedown.
Shore stalls.
Fitzgerald is struggling to control the position.

Shore jumps guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Shore working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fitzgerald doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fitzgerald manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fitzgerald seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Shore on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Shore tries to get out of the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Shore has his foot on Fitzgerald's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fitzgerald works his way back into a safe position though.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Boyd Fitzgerald will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Thud! ouch! good body kick from Fitzgerald - that will leave a mark!
Shore fails with a takedown attempt.
Fitzgerald checks a leg kick nicely.
Shore throws a lazy head kick
and Fitzgerald counters with a nice kick to the body.
Shore tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shore somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shore tries to clinch up but Fitzgerald circles away and keeps his distance.
Fitzgerald avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shore misses with a head kick.
Fitzgerald is trying to counter with his kicks.
Fitzgerald throws a nice outside leg kick.
No luck for Shore with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for North Shore. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shore shoots for a double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls well. He's pushed Shore's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Shore throws a head kick but Fitzgerald moves out of range.
Shore misses with a takedown attempt
and Fitzgerald counters with a leg kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fitzgerald throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Fitzgerald fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Shore has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Fitzgerald has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fitzgerald scores with a spinning back kick!
Shore with a poor takedown
and Fitzgerald counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shore throws a head kick that misses
and Fitzgerald counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Shore is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Shore tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fitzgerald is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
We've been told by Shore's head coaches at Cozad The Island that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Fitzgerald scores with a push kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fitzgerald lands a high kick!
Shore keeps the fight on the outside.
A solid leg kick lands there for Fitzgerald.
Shore shoots for a takedown but Fitzgerald saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fitzgerald scores with a spinning back kick!
Shore is looking to clinch but Fitzgerald is avoiding it.
Fitzgerald stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fitzgerald wants it to stay on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shore tries to clinch but Fitzgerald is having none of it.
Fitzgerald lands a nice looking body kick.

Shore rushes Fitzgerald and presses him up against the cage.
Fitzgerald wants to break free but Shore has control.
Fitzgerald prevents a takedown attempt there.
Fitzgerald prevents the takedown attempt.
Shore blocks a body shot from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Fitzgerald misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shore fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The referee is keeping an eye on Shore - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Shore prevents a body shot from Fitzgerald.
Shore wants a takedown.
Shore throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fitzgerald blocks an elbow strike.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shore is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Fitzgerald to keep the fight standing.
Stalling in the clinch from Shore.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Boyd Fitzgerald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Shore throws a head kick that misses
and Fitzgerald counters with a head kick. That will keep Shore thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Fitzgerald scores with a nice body kick.
Shore throws a leg kick that misses.

Shore clinches.
Fitzgerald is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Shore tries to pull guard but Fitzgerald forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shore changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fitzgerald fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Fitzgerald lands a head kick. Shore smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Boyd Fitzgerald seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shore shoots in looking for a takedown. Fitzgerald tries to sprawl out of it but Shore keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fitzgerald manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for North Shore. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shore tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shore somewhat.
Fitzgerald swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Shore fails with a takedown attempt.
Boyd Fitzgerald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fitzgerald lands a leg kick that knocks Shore off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Shore takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Shore lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Shore.

It looks like Boyd Fitzgerald has been cut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shore looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Crunch! Fitzgerald slams his shin into Shore's torso.
Shore is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fitzgerald sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shore tries to clinch there but Fitzgerald circles away.
Fitzgerald circles away from the clinch attempt
and Fitzgerald counters with a left and a right that stings Shore.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shore throws a lazy head kick
and Fitzgerald counters with a low kick, right behind Shore 's knee.
Shore is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Shore shoots in but Fitzgerald avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A head kick by Shore misses
and Fitzgerald counters with a leg kick.
Shore has a takedown stuffed.
Fitzgerald is looking for the big counter here.
Fitzgerald moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald lands a high kick!
Fitzgerald lands with a nice body kick.
Shore tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shore somewhat.
Fitzgerald throws a head kick that half lands.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shore shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Fitzgerald counters with a one-two to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Boyd Fitzgerald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fitzgerald winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Winston Alpacca scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Boyd Fitzgerald!