PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Adamus Kapalka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricardo Ortiz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kapalka
vs
Ortiz

177 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Adamus Kapalka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricardo Ortiz!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Dean Styles and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ortiz drives through and clinches with Kapalka against the cage.
Knees to the body from Ortiz.
Ortiz changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kapalka fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Kapalka looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ortiz is fending him off so far but Kapalka persists. Nope, Ortiz circles away and we're back to standing.
Kapalka takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ortiz shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ortiz wants to clinch.
Kapalka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ortiz fails with the takedown.
Adamus Kapalka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ricardo Ortiz.

Ortiz rushes Kapalka and presses him up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ortiz fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kapalka misses with an elbow strike.
Ortiz digs a right hand underneath Kapalka's ribcage. Kapalka let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Ortiz breaks from the clinch.

Kapalka has managed to clinch.
Ortiz stops a takedown attempt from Kapalka.
Ortiz tries for a takedown but Kapalka manages to get underhooks.
Ortiz is looking to break free of the clinch but Kapalka has double underhooks.
Ortiz goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kapalka prevents it.
Kapalka tries to land knees in the clinch but Ortiz avoids the damage to the body.
Ortiz goes for a takedown attempt but Kapalka pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kapalka fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kapalka tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Ortiz manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Kapalka clinches.
Ortiz wants to get back to striking at distance but Kapalka won't allow it.
Kapalka blocks a body shot from Ortiz.
Ortiz stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kapalka lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Ortiz manages to pull guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Ortiz looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ortiz throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Ortiz is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ortiz looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kapalka wants to control from the top but Ortiz keeps moving.
Ortiz controls Kapalka momentarily but Kapalka frees himself.
Kapalka wants to control from the top but Ortiz keeps moving.
Ortiz not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kapalka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ortiz keeping moving, preventing Kapalka from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Adamus Kapalka.
Kapalka takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kapalka.
Ortiz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kapalka's waist but Kapalka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ortiz off to one side.
Kapalka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ortiz's waist but Ortiz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kapalka off to one side.
Ortiz misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kapalka doesn't manage to clinch there - Ortiz circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kapalka is defended easily by Ortiz.
Kapalka throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kapalka looks for a takedown but Ortiz sprawls well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kapalka lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ortiz misses with a kick to the body
and Kapalka counters with a left and a right that stings Ortiz.
Ortiz tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kapalka counters with a one-two to the body.
Kapalka fails to land with a series of punches.
Kapalka fails with a takedown attempt.
Ortiz fakes the leg kick and cracks Kapalka in the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Ortiz gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kapalka prevents Ortiz from breaking the clinch.
Kapalka trying to stall but Ortiz improves his position.
Kapalka prevents the takedown attempt.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Ortiz manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ortiz had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kapalka defends it easily.
Ortiz is controlling Kapalka's posture.

Ortiz is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ortiz has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Kapalka uses from the top position.
Kapalka throws and elbow that misses. Ortiz uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kapalka's guard. Nice move by Ortiz!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kapalka has control of Ortiz's left arm, preventing Ortiz from doing any damage.
Ortiz forces his way into half guard.
Kapalka trying to control but Ortiz postures up.
Ortiz trying to control from Kapalka's half guard. Kapalka has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ortiz's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Ortiz trying to control but Kapalka is working from the bottom.

Ortiz has gone for a leg lock! Kapalka slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ortiz's guard.

Ortiz working for a triangle but Kapalka defends it easily.
Kapalka showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ortiz looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kapalka is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kapalka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ortiz trying to control the position.

Kapalka decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kapalka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Ortiz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. 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.

Kapalka lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Ortiz misses with a body kick.
Kapalka wants to clinch up but Ortiz keeps it at a distance.
Ortiz throws a right and a left that Kapalka avoids nicely.
Ricardo Ortiz seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ortiz throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kapalka's waist but Kapalka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ortiz off to one side.
Ortiz throws a leg kick but Kapalka checks it.
Ortiz shoots in for a takedown but Kapalka shows good takedown defense.
Kapalka tries for a takedown but Ortiz sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ortiz displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kapalka.
Ortiz wants to clinch
and Ortiz takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ortiz tries to land a front kick but Kapalka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ortiz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kapalka lands with a nice combination. Ortiz backs away looking to recover.
Kapalka shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Adamus Kapalka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ortiz fails to land the takedown.
Ortiz slaps away a takedown attempt from Kapalka, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ortiz is looking to clinch.
Ortiz closes the distance and clinches up with Kapalka, looking for a takedown. Ortiz pushes Kapalka against the cage but Kapalka circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kapalka digs a good body shot into Ortiz's ribs.
Kapalka looks to land a combination but Ortiz avoids it well.
Kapalka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Kapalka darts in and clinches Ortiz up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ortiz blocks the elbow strike.
Kapalka can't find room to land a body shot as Ortiz controls the action.
Kapalka is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ortiz is defending well for now.
Kapalka has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ortiz after a bit of a struggle.
Ortiz gets through Kapalka's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Kapalka keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ortiz's efforts to push away.

Ortiz jumps into guard, dragging Kapalka to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kapalka looking to sit in guard and control but Ortiz gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Ortiz throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ortiz wants to control from the top but Kapalka keeps moving.
Ortiz wanted to stand there but Kapalka had control of the position.

Kapalka is looking for a triangle but Ortiz pushes his legs off easily.

Ortiz stands and steps away. Kapalka gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ortiz has closed the distance and engaged Kapalka in a clinch.
Kapalka looking to throw knees to the head but Ortiz is blocking nicely.
Kapalka has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ortiz tries to work over Kapalka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kapalka prevents Ortiz from breaking the clinch.

Ortiz manages to break the clinch.
Ortiz shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kapalka sprawls well. Kapalka wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ortiz gets slowly back to his feet.

Kapalka closes the distance and clinches.
Adamus Kapalka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ricardo Ortiz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ortiz on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Adamus Kapalka.
Well Ortiz has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricardo Ortiz!