PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mick Maurizio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chris Fennessy (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Maurizio comes to the cage accompanied by March of the Pigs (Valerna Remix). Fennessy comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Drowning Pool - Bodies kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Maurizio
vs
Fennessy

172 cm
21
210 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

184 cm
19
205 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Knockout power

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mick Maurizio!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Chris Fennessy!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Alexandre Firmino and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Maurizio scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Fennessy is trying to get back to full guard.
Fennessy is pressing down on Maurizio's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Fennessy is wriggling around but Maurizio manages to pass to half guard.
Maurizio thows a huge punch but Fennessy dodges it nicely.
Maurizio looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Fennessy looking for submissions off his back.
Fennessy is trying to stand up here but Maurizio is controlling him well.
Fennessy avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Maurizio.
Maurizio thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fennessy moves into full guard.
Maurizio lands a couple of elbows.
Fennessy looking for a sweep. Not yet Fennessy, not yet.
Fennessy is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Maurizio trying to control the position from guard on top but Fennessy is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Maurizio stands up over Fennessy, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Maurizio stopping the sweep attempt from Fennessy.
Maurizio with a nice head shot there.
Maurizio might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Fennessy wants to sweep but no luck.
Fennessy is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Maurizio throws a big right hand that misses.
Maurizio throws a big right hand that misses.
Maurizio postures up and lands a big shot to Fennessy's brow.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fennessy working for a triangle but Maurizio defends it easily.

Fennessy is looking for a triangle but Maurizio pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio advances position into side control!
Maurizio works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Fennessy is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Fennessy stops Maurizio from passing to mount.
Fennessy is pushing Maurizio's head away, looking to escape. Maurizio manages to hold on to the position though.
Maurizio works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Maurizio trying to control the position but Fennessy is working away.
Fennessy wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio trying to control the action but Fennessy is working from the bottom.
Maurizio is chipping away with strikes.
Fennessy manages to get back to half guard.
Fennessy trying to control from the bottom.
Maurizio works his way into side control.
Fennessy can't do much from the bottom here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Maurizio trying to control the action but Fennessy is working from the bottom.
Maurizio tries to move into full mount but can't pass Fennessy's legs.
Fennessy manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio wants to control but Fennessy is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Fennessy is looking for a kimura here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fennessy works his way into full mount!
Maurizio keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
A nice elbow there by Fennessy.
Maurizio wants to hold on but Fennessy pushes him away.

Fennessy is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Maurizio is surviving well by controlling Fennessy's body position as best he can.

Fennessy has hold of Maurizio's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Maurizio manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Maurizio dominated that round.
That's time! Maurizio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Maurizio throws a sloppy head kick and Fennessy moves out of range easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Maurizio.
Maurizio shoots in but no luck this time.
Fennessy avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Maurizio takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Maurizio tries a head kick but it misses.
Mick Maurizio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maurizio shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fennessy as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mick Maurizio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fennessy misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fennessy scores with a punch to the head.
Fennessy misses with a two punch combination.
Fennessy throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Maurizio moves in looking to clinch but Fennessy pushes him off.
Maurizio tries to clinch but Fennessy moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Maurizio with that takedown attempt.
Maurizio throws a head kick but Fennessy moves out of range.
Fennessy swats away the attempt to clinch by Maurizio.
Maurizio misses with a head kick.
Fennessy shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Maurizio as he avoids it easily.
Fennessy shoots in for a double leg but Maurizio sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Nice takedown defense from Maurizio. No joy for Fennessy on that attempt.
Mick Maurizio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fennessy is breathing heavily.

Maurizio gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Maurizio tries to score a body lock takedown but Fennessy shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Maurizio tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fennessy just stands there and leans against the cage.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Maurizio.
Fennessy lands a right hand.
Maurizio trying to stall but Fennessy improves his position.
Maurizio tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fennessy wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Maurizio has him pressed against the cage.
Fennessy is trying to break free.

Maurizio is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Fennessy can't fight it off and eventually Maurizio manages to take the fight to the floor. Fennessy looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fennessy is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fennessy stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Maurizio swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fennessy with a flurry of punches that miss.

Fennessy is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Maurizio lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Fennessy!
Fennessy is looking to improve his position but Maurizio isn't that keen on the idea.
Maurizio scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fennessy squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Maurizio has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Fennessy's face.
Fennessy tries to hold on but Maurizio pushes him away.
Fennessy is working to get back to half guard.
Maurizio looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Maurizio postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Fennessy looks a forlorn figure.
Mick Maurizio overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fennessy is looking to get to half guard.
Maurizio landing punches.
Fennessy is working to get back to half guard.
Fennessy is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Fennessy is looking to escape.
Fennessy is working to get back to half guard.
Maurizio breaks from Fennessy's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Maurizio putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Maurizio scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Fennessy is trying desperately to improve position.
Fennessy throwing hammer fists to the chest of Maurizio. What's that going to do exactly?
Fennessy is looking to improve his position but Maurizio isn't that keen on the idea.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mick Maurizio dominated that second round.
That's time! Maurizio's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Maurizio tries to close the distance and clinch but Fennessy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maurizio throws a head kick that misses.
Maurizio tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fennessy swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maurizio tries to close the distance and clinch but Fennessy swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maurizio with a poor takedown
and Fennessy counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Maurizio wants to clinch

and Fennessy counters with a takedown into side control.
Maurizio tries to strike from the bottom but misses.

Fennessy tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Maurizio gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Fennessy is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fennessy is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Maurizio defends it well.
Fennessy thows a huge punch but Maurizio dodges it nicely.
Maurizio trying to control here.
Maurizio tries to roll over but Fennessy keeps him under control.
Fennessy has decided to stand back up but his arm is trapped. Whilst he's worrying about his arm, Maurizio works to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Fennessy stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Maurizio tries to clinch there but Fennessy circles away.
Maurizio throws a head kick but Fennessy moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Maurizio tries to clinch up but Fennessy circles away and keeps his distance.
Fennessy throws a right and a left that both miss.
Maurizio changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fennessy tries to avoid it but Maurizio manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fennessy to the ground. Fennessy escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Good standup being displayed there by Fennessy as he connects with a hook.
Fennessy throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fennessy misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Maurizio tries for a takedown but Fennessy sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mick Maurizio. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fennessy stalks Maurizio and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Maurizio's face. Maurizio staggers backwards, shaken.

Maurizio darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Fennessy landing small, sideways elbows.
Fennessy tries to get to full guard but Maurizio has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maurizio trying to control from Fennessy's half guard. Fennessy has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Fennessy looking for a sweep. Not yet Fennessy, not yet.
Fennessy is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Fennessy tries to stand but can't do so whilst Maurizio controls his leg.

Maurizio is defending against the submission attempts here by Fennessy.

Maurizio looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Fennessy has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Chris Fennessy has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mick Maurizio is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fennessy lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Maurizio hang on?
Fennessy unloading with bombs!
Poor strikes thrown by Fennessy there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Maurizio tries to hold on but Fennessy pushes him away.
Maurizio tries to control Fennessy's body but Fennessy pushes him off. Maurizio squirms to his side and now Fennessy has his back!
Maurizio covering up well under a series of strikes from Fennessy.
Maurizio trying to control the hands but Fennessy breaks the grip.

Fennessy looking for the RNC.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fennessy looking to soften up his opponent with punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Chris Fennessy comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Maurizio has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 29:28
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 29:28
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mick Maurizio!