PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rocco Fugazza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Flare (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fugazza comes to the cage accompanied by Murder Incorporated. 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.

Fugazza
vs
Flare

185 cm
19
200 lbs
4 - 1 - 1

180 cm
19
206 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Final Strike Clothing

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 - 1, fighting out of London, Rocco Fugazza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, John Flare!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Sam Margolis and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flare lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Fugazza backs up against the cage.

It looks like Rocco Fugazza has been cut.
Fugazza tries to close the distance and clinch up but Flare swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Flare circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fugazza wants to clinch up but Flare keeps it at a distance.
Fugazza avoids the head kick by Flare.
Fugazza tries to clinch but Flare moves out of range.
Flare tries a head kick but it misses.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fugazza fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fugazza doesn't manage to clinch there - Flare circles away.
Fugazza tries to clinch but Flare is having none of it.
Fugazza tries to clinch but Flare is having none of it.
Flare tries to score with a low kick but Fugazza moves his leg out of the way.
Flare throws a right and a left that Fugazza avoids nicely.

Flare closes the distance and pushes Fugazza back into the cage.
Flare changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fugazza fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Flare lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fugazza circles away quickly and effectively.
A slapping leg kick lands for Flare.
Fugazza tries to clinch up

and Flare counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Flare.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Flare works over Fugazza with some ground and pound from guard.
Flare loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Flare is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Fugazza is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Fugazza has escaped and now he's on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fugazza drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Flare manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Fugazza has Flare in his guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Flare accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Flare lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Fugazza tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fugazza wants to stand but Flare is controlling the position.
Flare works over Fugazza with some ground and pound from guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flare stops Fugazza from standing up.
Flare scoring with some ground and pound.
Fugazza avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fugazza manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Flare manages to get himself to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Flare tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Fugazza has gone for a leg lock! Flare slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fugazza's guard.
Flare has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fugazza is breathing heavily.
Flare scoring with punches to the head and body.
Fugazza wants to stand and escape but Flare is having none of it.
Flare should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Flare scoring with some ground and pound.
Flare is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fugazza is looking to stand up but Flare isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flare lands a couple of elbows.

Flare thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Flare scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Flare with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Flare lands a couple of elbows.
Flare works over Fugazza with some ground and pound from guard.
Flare postures up in Fugazza's guard and throws a big left but Fugazza blocks it.
Fugazza tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Flare is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Fugazza is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Fugazza has escaped and now he's on top!

Fugazza gets to his feet - Flare follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fugazza tries to clinch up

and Flare counters by clinching up.
Fugazza throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fugazza looking to slow down the pace here.

Flare has Fugazza pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Flare pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Fugazza tumbling to the mat - Flare dives into Fugazza's guard.
Flare postures up in Fugazza's guard and throws a big left but Fugazza blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Flare postures up and lands a big shot to Fugazza's brow.
Fugazza is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Flare dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rocco Fugazza's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fugazza tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Flare counters with a three punch combo that has Fugazza backing up. Fugazza nods at Flare to acknowledge the strikes.

Flare shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Flare showed some decent athleticism there.

Flare is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Fugazza is just riding it out for now. Flare eventually gives up the hold.

Flare is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Fugazza pushes Flare off looking to stand but Flare dives back in and keeps control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fugazza kicks off Flare and gets to his feet.
Fugazza tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Flare counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fugazza avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Flare.
Flare stops Fugazza from getting back to his feet.
Flare slips a nice elbow through Fugazza's hands, connecting with Fugazza's forehead.
John Flare has got the better of the ground game so far.
Flare throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fugazza works his way to full guard. Good work.
Fugazza wants to sweep here but Flare controlling him for the moment.
Fugazza wants to stand up but Flare is controlling him.
Flare sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Fugazza's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fugazza is looking to get back to is feet but Flare passes into side control.

Flare is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Fugazza has escaped the position, nice work there.
Fugazza tries to control but Flare manages to take his back.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fugazza is trying to break free.
Fugazza trying to get back to his feet but Flare is in full control for now.

Flare is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Fugazza is defending well though. Flare let's go of the attempt for now.
Fugazza wants to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Flare is working for the choke. He's slipped one arm under the chin. Fugazza has to defend the other arm for all he's worth... but Flare has managed to get that arm free too and he's tightening the choke! Fugazza taps out and looks absolutely disgusted with himself. Flare doesn't care though - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:27 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). John Flare!