PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Aaron Messerchmid (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Fitch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Messerchmid
vs
Fitch

185 cm
20
181 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
179 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aaron Messerchmid!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, John Fitch!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Paul Aken and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Messerchmid throws a leg kick

and Fitch counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fitch.
Fitch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Messerchmid is keeping the position for now.
Messerchmid looking for a sweep. Not yet Messerchmid, not yet.
Fitch is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

John Fitch has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Fitch gets the takedown into side control.
The referee asks Fitch politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Fitch prefers to stall for the moment though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Messerchmid is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Messerchmid tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Fitch is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Messerchmid will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by John Fitch.

Fitch scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Messerchmid tries to get to full guard but Fitch has control of the leg.
Well, if Fitch is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fitch's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. John Fitch wasn't active enough on the ground.
Messerchmid moves to clinch but Fitch breaks away

and Fitch counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Messerchmid!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fitch controlling the position easily from mount.
Messerchmid is looking to improve his position but Fitch isn't that keen on the idea.
Messerchmid is working hard here to advance position.
Fitch controlling the pace for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messerchmid can't escape the position.
Fitch takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. John Fitch was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Fitch shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Fitch showed some decent athleticism there.
Messerchmid trying to control but Fitch postures up.
Fitch is controlling the pace.
Messerchmid is looking for a sweep. Fitch is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fitch slows the pace down in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Fitch dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fitch is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Messerchmid's half guard.
Fitch seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Fitch tries to pass to full mount but Messerchmid defends it.
Fitch seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Messerchmid wants to get back to full guard.
Fitch is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

OK we're going to have a standup here. John Fitch hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Messerchmid closes the distance but Fitch moves to the side

and Fitch counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Messerchmid!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch controlling the pace for now.
Messerchmid tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fitch controlling his opponent.
Messerchmid is in all sorts of trouble here.
Fitch tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
John Fitch has got the better of the ground game so far.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Messerchmid is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Messerchmid wants to hold on but Fitch pushes him away.

Fitch gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Fitch closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fitch controlling the action here.

Fitch decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Messerchmid tries to clinch but Fitch moves away

and Fitch counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Messerchmid!
Fitch sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Let's hope that Fitch has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Messerchmid can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitch controlling his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

John Fitch has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Messerchmid scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Fitch 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. This is the final round!

Messerchmid tries to clinch up

and Fitch counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Messerchmid!
Fitch takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Messerchmid is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Fitch controlling his opponent.
Messerchmid wants to hold on but Fitch pushes him away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitch looking to control and managing it successfully.
Messerchmid sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Fitch sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. John Fitch was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Fitch circles away from the clinch attempt

and Fitch counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
John Fitch is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Fitch seems content to control.
Messerchmid wants to control but Fitch is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Fitch trying to control the pace.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Messerchmid tries to roll over but Fitch keeps him under control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Fitch sitting and controlling from the half guard.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. John Fitch wasn't active enough on the ground.
Messerchmid with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Fitch closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Messerchmid quickly recovers to half guard.
Messerchmid makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Messerchmid.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Messerchmid looking for a guillotine here but Fitch defends easily.
Fitch showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Aaron Messerchmid has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fitch must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fitch trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. John Fitch was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Fitch shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Fitch content to control rather than advance.
Messerchmid is looking to improve his position.
Fitch seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

John Fitch has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Messerchmid tries to clinch up

and Fitch decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Messerchmid's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Fitch comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fitch 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Fitch!