PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Toni Ricester (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jerry Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ricester kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is War Vince DiCola. Toni Ricester has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Ricester
vs
Fitzgerald

190 cm
21
182 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

166 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Toni Ricester!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jerry Fitzgerald!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ricester fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fitzgerald 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.
Fitzgerald defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ricester.
Ricester throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fitzgerald's waist but Fitzgerald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ricester off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Toni Ricester. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fitzgerald stuffs the takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ricester.
Ricester shoots in and drives through. Fitzgerald sprawls well.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot.
Ricester looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ricester is breathing heavily.
Ricester closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fitzgerald circles away.
Fitzgerald circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ricester tries to clinch there but Fitzgerald circles away.
Ricester fails to land the takedown.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricester tries to clinch but Fitzgerald is having none of it.
Fitzgerald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ricester shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fitzgerald defends it nicely.
Fitzgerald throws a body punch but Ricester moves out of range.
Fitzgerald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fitzgerald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Fitzgerald. No joy for Ricester on that attempt.
Ricester throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fitzgerald's waist but Fitzgerald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ricester off to one side.
Ricester fails to land the takedown.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricester manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ricester keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ricester shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ricester.
Ricester keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fitzgerald takes a swing at Ricester's ribcage but misses.
Fitzgerald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fitzgerald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fitzgerald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ricester throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fitzgerald's waist but Fitzgerald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ricester off to one side.
Fitzgerald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fitzgerald stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fitzgerald wants it to stay on the feet.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.
Fitzgerald displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ricester.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricester manages to avoid it.
Fitzgerald takes a swing at Ricester's ribcage but misses.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Fitzgerald has eaten all the pies!
Fitzgerald displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ricester.
Jerry Fitzgerald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fitzgerald throws a body punch but Ricester moves out of range.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.
Fitzgerald stuffs the takedown attempt from Ricester. Ricester gets slowly back to his feet.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricester manages to avoid it.
Fitzgerald takes a swing at Ricester's ribcage but misses.
Ricester shoots for a double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls well. He's pushed Ricester's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fitzgerald takes a swing at Ricester's ribcage but misses.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.
Fitzgerald thows a body shot but no joy.
Ricester keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fitzgerald thows a body shot but no joy.
Ricester shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fitzgerald pinned against the cage. Fitzgerald gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricester manages to avoid it.
Fitzgerald looks to score with a jab to the body but Ricester is just out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ricester fails to land the takedown.
Toni Ricester seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzgerald. Ricester does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ricester looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jerry Fitzgerald dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fitzgerald swings for the body but Ricester moves out of range.
Ricester shoots for a takedown but Fitzgerald saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ricester dives in and grabs Fitzgerald's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fitzgerald pushes down on Ricester's head and hops out.
Fitzgerald takes a swing at Ricester's ribcage but misses.
Ricester takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ricester shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fitzgerald pinned against the cage. Fitzgerald gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Toni Ricester. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ricester avoids the body shot from Fitzgerald.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricester manages to avoid it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ricester shoots in looking for a takedown. Fitzgerald tries to sprawl out of it but Ricester 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.
Fitzgerald looks to score with a jab to the body but Ricester is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ricester shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fitzgerald pinned against the cage. Fitzgerald gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ricester shoots in but Fitzgerald avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Fitzgerald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ricester was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald throws a body punch but Ricester moves out of range.
Ricester fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fitzgerald avoids it really well and circles away.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricester manages to avoid it.
Ricester throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fitzgerald's waist but Fitzgerald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ricester off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fitzgerald misses the shot to the body.
Fitzgerald thows a body shot but no joy.
Fitzgerald displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ricester.
Fitzgerald looks to score with a jab to the body but Ricester is just out of range.
Fitzgerald just misses with a punch to the body.
Ricester avoids the body shot from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fitzgerald avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fitzgerald displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ricester.
Ricester closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fitzgerald circles away.
Fitzgerald misses the shot to the body.
Toni Ricester is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ricester.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ricester looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fitzgerald stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fitzgerald wants it to stay on the feet.
Fitzgerald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ricester was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ricester manages to avoid it.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ricester.
Fitzgerald displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ricester.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzgerald. Ricester does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ricester shoots in for a double leg but Fitzgerald sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzgerald. Ricester does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Fitzgerald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ricester was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald stuffs the takedown attempt from Ricester. Ricester gets slowly back to his feet.
Fitzgerald misses the shot to the body.
Ricester shoots for a double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls well. He's pushed Ricester's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzgerald. Ricester does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fitzgerald stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fitzgerald wants it to stay on the feet.
Fitzgerald looks to score with a jab to the body but Ricester is just out of range.
Fitzgerald stuffs the takedown attempt from Ricester. Ricester gets slowly back to his feet.
Fitzgerald throws a body punch but Ricester moves out of range.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ricester keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ricester fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jerry Fitzgerald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzgerald. Ricester does a little dance to reset his feet.

Ricester drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fitzgerald wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Fitzgerald sneaks back into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fitzgerald is defending against the submission attempts here by Ricester.

Ricester wants to work for an arm triangle but Fitzgerald is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Ricester blocks the strikes from Fitzgerald.
Ricester will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fitzgerald wants to control but Ricester is keeping busy.
Fitzgerald desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald missing with punches from the bottom.
Fitzgerald tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Fitzgerald is trying to stand up here but Ricester is controlling him well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ricester wants to clinch up but Fitzgerald keeps it at a distance.
Ricester misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fitzgerald avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fitzgerald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ricester tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fitzgerald paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ricester tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fitzgerald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fitzgerald swings for the body but Ricester moves out of range.
Fitzgerald displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Ricester.
Ricester tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fitzgerald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ricester fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Toni Ricester. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fitzgerald misses the shot to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ricester.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ricester tries to clinch but Fitzgerald is having none of it.
Ricester fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fitzgerald avoids it really well and circles away.
Fitzgerald just misses with a punch to the body.
Ricester closes the distance and clinches up with Fitzgerald, looking for a takedown. Ricester pushes Fitzgerald against the cage but Fitzgerald circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ricester shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ricester throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fitzgerald's waist but Fitzgerald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ricester off to one side.
Fitzgerald looks to score with a jab to the body but Ricester is just out of range.
Ricester shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Ricester uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Ricester rather than just go for the knockout.
Fitzgerald stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fitzgerald wants it to stay on the feet.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.
Fitzgerald looks to score with a jab to the body but Ricester is just out of range.
Fitzgerald thows a body shot but no joy.
Ricester tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fitzgerald paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fitzgerald just misses with a punch to the body.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fitzgerald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ricester was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzgerald.
Ricester looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fitzgerald is fending him off so far but Ricester persists. Nope, Fitzgerald circles away and we're back to standing.
Toni Ricester has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fitzgerald ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Ricester moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jerry Fitzgerald.
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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

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