PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Ed Frettish (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thaddeus Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Thaddeus Fitzgerald enters the cage!

Frettish
vs
Fitzgerald

172 cm
25
142 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

176 cm
24
144 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Ed Frettish!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thaddeus Fitzgerald!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzgerald digs a good body shot into Frettish's ribs.
Fitzgerald ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Frettish moves away.
Fitzgerald works over Frettish's head and body with a nice combination.
We've been informed that Fitzgerald has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Fitzgerald tries to bum rush Frettish with a series of wild strikes but Frettish uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fitzgerald misses with an uppercut.
Fitzgerald throws a right and a left that Frettish avoids nicely.
Fitzgerald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Frettish was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzgerald.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Frettish lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Fitzgerald has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Fitzgerald and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A nice side step and Fitzgerald releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Frettish lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fitzgerald's sensitive parts.
Frettish misses with a kick to the body.
Frettish tries to land a front kick but Fitzgerald steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fitzgerald unleashes a big counter combination but Frettish bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Fitzgerald thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fitzgerald swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitzgerald throws a series of punches but Frettish moves out of range.
Fitzgerald throws a hook to the side of Frettish's head but Frettish sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fitzgerald tests Frettish's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice body kick there by Frettish.
Fitzgerald fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fitzgerald swings widly with a right hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Frettish throws a sloppy head kick and Fitzgerald moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Frettish misses with a body kick.
Frettish moves in looking to clinch but Fitzgerald pushes him off.
Fitzgerald goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Frettish tries a head kick but it misses.
Frettish misses with a kick to the body.
Fitzgerald ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Frettish moves away.
Frettish finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Fitzgerald misses the jab.
Fitzgerald misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Frettish tries to land a front kick but Fitzgerald steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fitzgerald loads up on a big right hand but Frettish slips the punch.
A slapping body kick lands there for Frettish.
Fitzgerald looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Frettish avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Frettish.
Fitzgerald throws a head kick that misses.
Fitzgerald throws a nice looking combination but Frettish bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fitzgerald uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Frettish has time to react.
Fitzgerald throws a body punch but Frettish moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald moves out of range as Frettish throws a body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fitzgerald moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Frettish throws a sloppy head kick and Fitzgerald moves out of range easily.
Fitzgerald throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fitzgerald on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Frettish ducks under a wild hook from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald throws a big shot that misses.
Fitzgerald throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Frettish sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Frettish looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Frettish looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nice defenses there by Frettish.
Frettish is looking to counter with a body kick.
Frettish throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Fitzgerald walks forward, straight into a front kick from Frettish.
Frettish defending well as Fitzgerald loads up on a big left hand.
Frettish is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald swats away the attempt to clinch by Frettish.
Frettish avoids the body shot from Fitzgerald.
Frettish ducks under a wild hook from Fitzgerald.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Frettish - that will leave a mark!
No joy there for Fitzgerald, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
A big left from Frettish misses.
Fitzgerald on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Frettish throws the kick towards the body but Fitzgerald avoids it.
Frettish tries a head kick but it misses.
Frettish lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fitzgerald has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Frettish.
Frettish lands with a thumping leg kick.
Fitzgerald will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Frettish defending well as Fitzgerald loads up on a big left hand.
Fitzgerald moves out of range of the body kick.
Frettish on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Frettish.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot.
Fitzgerald lands a jab to Frettish's midsection.
Frettish throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Frettish misses with a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald swings for the body but Frettish moves out of range.
Frettish throws a half hearted mid kick.
Frettish misses with a body kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Frettish.
Frettish lands a nice looking body kick.
Frettish takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Frettish throws a body kick that misses.
Frettish misses with a kick to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Frettish.
Frettish tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fitzgerald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Frettish slips under a jab from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitzgerald will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fitzgerald lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Frettish takes one to the side of the head.
Frettish tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fitzgerald swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A little jabbing left from Fitzgerald on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thaddeus Fitzgerald dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Frettish manages to avoid it.
Frettish quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Frettish checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Frettish looks to land a body kick but Fitzgerald moved away.
Fitzgerald will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Frettish misses with a kick to the body.
Frettish throws a head kick that misses.
Frettish misses with a body kick.
Fitzgerald throws a counter combo.
Fitzgerald misses with a double jab.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Frettish looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Frettish uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzgerald.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Frettish might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Frettish throws a leg kick but Fitzgerald moved away.
Fitzgerald takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Frettish throws a half hearted mid kick.
Fitzgerald tries to counter by closing the distance.

Frettish has taken the fight to the clinch.
Frettish comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Frettish creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Fitzgerald misses with a punch to the body.
Frettish avoiding damage as Fitzgerald throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Fitzgerald.
Frettish tries to stall but Fitzgerald uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
With the fighters up against the cage, Frettish throws an elbow but misses.
Frettish throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Fitzgerald tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fitzgerald has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Frettish.
Frettish throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Frettish avoiding damage as Fitzgerald throws knees to the body.
Fitzgerald dodges an elbow strike from Frettish.
Fitzgerald tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Fitzgerald pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Frettish keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Frettish ducks under a wild hook from Fitzgerald.
A head kick misses from Fitzgerald.
Frettish gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Fitzgerald counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Frettish checks a leg kick nicely.
Frettish scores with a head kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Frettish misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frettish throws a leg kick but Fitzgerald moved away.
Fitzgerald swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Frettish.
Fitzgerald swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Frettish throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Fitzgerald throws a shot from downtown. Frettish moves away and avoids it.
Frettish ducks under a wild hook from Fitzgerald.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitzgerald fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Good leg kick by Frettish there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Frettish throws a body kick that misses.
It seemed like Fitzgerald was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Frettish.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Frettish.
Fitzgerald throws a right and a left that both miss.
Frettish misses with an attempted mid kick.
Frettish lands a nice looking body kick.
Frettish takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fitzgerald walks forward, straight into a front kick from Frettish.
Frettish is looking to land body kicks.
Fitzgerald thuds his right hand into Frettish's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Fitzgerald has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Frettish has closed the distance and engaged Fitzgerald in a clinch.
Fitzgerald is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Fitzgerald breaks from the clinch.
Frettish staying out of range there.
Fitzgerald blocks a head kick by Frettish.
Fitzgerald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Frettish was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzgerald.
Frettish tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fitzgerald manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Frettish bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Fitzgerald throws a body punch but Frettish moves out of range.
Frettish is looking to land body kicks.
Fitzgerald throws a looping overhand right but Frettish ducks down to avoid it.
Fitzgerald throws a shot from downtown. Frettish moves away and avoids it.
Frettish looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Fitzgerald moves out of range of the body kick from Frettish.
Frettish throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Fitzgerald swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzgerald throws a right hand that misses
and Frettish makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Fitzgerald throws a lazy right hand but Frettish sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fitzgerald throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Frettish.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fitzgerald throws a series of punches but Frettish moves out of range.
A swing and a miss from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Frettish throws out the jab.
Frettish scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Fitzgerald moves out of range as Frettish throws a body kick.
Frettish takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Frettish misses with a body kick.
Frettish throws a nice outside leg kick.
Frettish lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Fitzgerald has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Frettish.
Frettish looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Fitzgerald sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Frettish connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ed Frettish will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Fitzgerald throws a body shot but no joy.
Frettish goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Frettish misses with a body shot
letting Fitzgerald counter with a right hand.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Fitzgerald crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Frettish - the referee stops the clock and Fitzgerald gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Frettish. Fitzgerald manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Frettish uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzgerald.
A jab from Fitzgerald misses.
Frettish pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Frettish misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Frettish ducks right into an uppercut from Fitzgerald.
Frettish throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Fitzgerald throws a half hearted mid kick.
A slow jab from Fitzgerald misses its intended target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Frettish uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fitzgerald.
Frettish looks to throw a body kick
and Frettish takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A nice combination there by Fitzgerald.

Frettish is rocked!
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!
Frettish is looking to clinch.
Oh Frettish is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fitzgerald looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Frettish seems to have got his legs back now.
Frettish connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Frettish looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Frettish misses the shot to the body.
Fitzgerald misses the shot to the body.
Frettish throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Frettish.
Frettish misses with an attempted mid kick.
Fitzgerald misses with a hook. Frettish ducked under it nicely.
Fitzgerald with a nice cross.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot

and Frettish counters by clinching up.
Frettish creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Fitzgerald manages to break the clinch.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Frettish.
And Frettish counters with a quick kick to the body but Fitzgerald blocks it.
Fitzgerald's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A big right from Fitzgerald misses.
Frettish throws a half hearted mid kick.
A little jabbing left from Fitzgerald on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Fitzgerald walks forward, straight into a front kick from Frettish.
Frettish lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Frettish moves out of range of the strikes.
Fitzgerald rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Frettish moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Frettish is looking to counter with a body kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Frettish misses with a kick to the body.
Fitzgerald throws a jab when Frettish was well out of range.
Frettish uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzgerald.
Frettish misses with a body shot.
Frettish looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fitzgerald wants to counter with a clinch but Frettish pushes him away.
Fitzgerald missing with a left hand there. Frettish was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fitzgerald throws out a loose jab but Frettish uses good head movement to avoid it.
Frettish is looking to counter with a body kick.
Fitzgerald misses with an uppercut.
Nice uppercut there from Fitzgerald.
Frettish throws the kick towards the body but Fitzgerald avoids it.
Frettish lands a nice looking body kick.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild combination.
Frettish throws a quick counter kick to the body but Fitzgerald avoids it.
Fitzgerald takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Frettish misses with a body kick.
Frettish fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Frettish is looking to chop away at Fitzgerald's legs.
Fitzgerald avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fitzgerald misses with a low kick.
Fitzgerald lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Frettish circles away quickly and effectively.
Fitzgerald ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Frettish moves away.
Frettish scores with a kick to the body.
Fitzgerald is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Frettish.
Frettish fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Frettish misses with a body kick.
Frettish shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Frettish connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Fitzgerald dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzgerald misses with an attempted mid kick.
Frettish misses with a body kick.
Frettish pivots, looking for a leg kick but Fitzgerald is out of range and Frettish settles back down.
Fitzgerald looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Fitzgerald cracks the inside of Frettish's front leg.
Frettish lands a head kick. Fitzgerald smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzgerald misses with a left hand
and Frettish counters with a nice leg kick.
Fitzgerald scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Fitzgerald throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Frettish thumps Fitzgerald with a low kick.
Fitzgerald swings for the body but Frettish moves out of range.
Frettish tries to counter by clinching up but Fitzgerald breaks away and moves out of range.
Frettish tries to clinch there but Fitzgerald circles away.
Fitzgerald is looking for the big counter here.
Frettish throws a push kick but Fitzgerald slaps the foot to one side.
Frettish fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fitzgerald connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fitzgerald misses with a straight left.
Frettish quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Frettish ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Frettish.
A good leg kick by Frettish.
Fitzgerald misses with an uppercut. Frettish saw that one coming.
A nice leg kick lands there from Frettish.
Frettish tries to land a front kick but Fitzgerald steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thaddeus Fitzgerald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fitzgerald has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:30
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thaddeus Fitzgerald!
An out of breath Thaddeus Fitzgerald thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.