PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Ray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Fitzsimmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jim Fitzsimmons is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Ray
vs
Fitzsimmons

186 cm
29
222 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
211 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ricky Ray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jim Fitzsimmons!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ray displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fitzsimmons throws out the jab.
Fitzsimmons finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Fitzsimmons throws a leg kick which misses Ray's front leg but catches the back leg as Ray tries to avoid it.
Ray throws a sloppy body shot
and Fitzsimmons counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ray misses with a hook to the body
letting Fitzsimmons counter with a right hand.
Ray looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Fitzsimmons connects with a nice looking jab.
A left lands for Ray.
Ray shoots in looking for a takedown. Fitzsimmons tries to sprawl out of it but Ray keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fitzsimmons manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fitzsimmons feints a counter leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzsimmons throws a leg kick which misses Ray's front leg but catches the back leg as Ray tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ray lunges at Fitzsimmons with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Fitzsimmons's hand.

It looks like Jim Fitzsimmons has been cut.
Fitzsimmons listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ray tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fitzsimmons swivels and escapes.
A combination from Ray does no damage.
Fitzsimmons let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Fitzsimmons steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Ray.
Fitzsimmons looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Fitzsimmons tries to work over Ray's front leg with a kick but Ray checks it.
Ray throws a jab when Fitzsimmons was well out of range.
Fitzsimmons is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ray.
Fitzsimmons with a jab.
Ray lands with a right hand.
Jim Fitzsimmons is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Good exchange - Ray coming out on top.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Fitzsimmons.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitzsimmons walks into a left hand.
Fitzsimmons defending well as Ray loads up on a big left hand.
Fitzsimmons misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ray misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Ray uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons throws a quick inside leg kick.
Ray takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Fitzsimmons misses with a kick to the body.
Ray lands a nice hook to Fitzsimmons's body. Fitzsimmons takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fitzsimmons moves away from the strike by Ray.
Ricky Ray seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slow jab from Ray misses its intended target.
Fitzsimmons misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Fitzsimmons tenderised Ray's leg. Ray is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fitzsimmons takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fitzsimmons misses with a wild combination.
Ray checks the leg kick nicely there.
Fitzsimmons takes a swing at Ray's ribcage but misses.
Ray throws a poor cross that misses
and Fitzsimmons counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Ray to counter with a crisp jab.
Fitzsimmons looks to land a right hand but Ray moved out of range.
Ray moves out of range of the strikes.
Fitzsimmons looks to throw the jab but Ray is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons cracks the inside of Ray's front leg.
Ray misses with an uppercut
and Fitzsimmons counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fitzsimmons misses with a kick to the body.
Ray checks a leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Fitzsimmons. Beautiful body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ray fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Fitzsimmons on the side of the head.
Good leg kick by Fitzsimmons there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Fitzsimmons cracks Ray with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sloppy strikes from Ray. Those never looked like landing.
Ray doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Fitzsimmons counters with a nice leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ricky Ray. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ray misses with a left hand
and Fitzsimmons counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Fitzsimmons dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jim Fitzsimmons's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fitzsimmons darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Fitzsimmons misses with a wild body shot.
Ray ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ray shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ray misses with a lunging right hand
and Fitzsimmons counters with a left to the body.
Fitzsimmons misses with an attempted mid kick.
Fitzsimmons jabs Ray to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Fitzsimmons thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ray is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ray closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Fitzsimmons did well to prevent Ray getting side control.
Fitzsimmons keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Fitzsimmons felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Ray trying to pass the guard but Fitzsimmons defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons has his hands clasped together around Ray's back. He's all about the action.
Ray thows a huge punch but Fitzsimmons dodges it nicely.
Ray is just content to waste time from the top position. Fitzsimmons takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ray postures up in Fitzsimmons's guard and throws a big left but Fitzsimmons blocks it.
Fitzsimmons keeping moving, preventing Ray from controlling successfully.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ray looking to sit in guard and control but Fitzsimmons gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Ray controls Fitzsimmons momentarily but Fitzsimmons frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ray wants to stand up but Fitzsimmons is controlling him.
Fitzsimmons being controlled here momentarily.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Fitzsimmons slips a straight right by Ray.
Ray misses with a looping left.
Ray throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Fitzsimmons stuffs the takedown.
Ray throws a body shot but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ray throws an overhand right that lands on Fitzsimmons's shoulder, as Fitzsimmons tries to avoid the shot.
Jim Fitzsimmons seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fitzsimmons dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzsimmons has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Ray shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ray thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fitzsimmons controlling the position well.
Fitzsimmons is looking for a sweep. Ray is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ray missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
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 Ricky Ray will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jim Fitzsimmons's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ray misses with a straight right.
Fitzsimmons only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ray lands a nice looking body shot.
Fitzsimmons misses with a two punch combination.
Fitzsimmons looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Jab, jab by Ray - just one landing.
Fitzsimmons connects with a single shot there.
A swing and a miss from Ray.
Fitzsimmons misses with a few strikes there.
Ray swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzsimmons throws a leg kick but Ray checks it.
Fitzsimmons misses with a low kick.
Ray throwing a counter right hand but Fitzsimmons manages to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons slips a jab from Ray.
Fitzsimmons thows a body kick. Ray tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons pushes Ray away with a front kick.
Fitzsimmons punishes Ray's body with a nice straight punch.
Fitzsimmons slips under a jab from Ray.
Ray on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ray misses with an uppercut
and Fitzsimmons makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Fitzsimmons slips a straight right by Ray.
Fitzsimmons lands a jab to the head.
A jab from Fitzsimmons misses.
Fitzsimmons throws out a leg kick but Ray moves out of range and Fitzsimmons only half commits.
Ray was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A slow jab from Fitzsimmons misses its intended target.
Fitzsimmons swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons ducks under a wild hook from Ray.
Fitzsimmons lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Ray swings widly with a right hand
and Fitzsimmons counters with a nice body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fitzsimmons drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Fitzsimmons.
Ray misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Fitzsimmons was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ray or perhaps it was just good defense by Fitzsimmons, which made it look bad.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fitzsimmons! But no joy.
Fitzsimmons connects with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons misses the body punch
and Ray counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fitzsimmons looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Fitzsimmons does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Fitzsimmons scores with a nice right hand.
Fitzsimmons takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Fitzsimmons buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Fitzsimmons with a hook.
Fitzsimmons looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Fitzsimmons connects with the punch.
Fitzsimmons lands a really nice looking cross but Ray seems unphased.
Fitzsimmons looks to score with a jab to the body but Ray is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ray throws a series of punches but Fitzsimmons moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fitzsimmons throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ray stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Fitzsimmons.
Ray on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Fitzsimmons. Fitzsimmons obviously looking to wear him down.
Fitzsimmons throws a front kick aimed at Ray's knee but Ray avoids it well.
A quick step to the side and Ray tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ray slips under a jab.
Fitzsimmons walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ray checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
It looked like Ray was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fitzsimmons.
Ray doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Fitzsimmons counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Ray throws an off balance right hand
and Fitzsimmons makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Fitzsimmons throws an off balance right hand
and Ray counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Fitzsimmons really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jim Fitzsimmons's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fitzsimmons swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Ray to counter with a crisp jab.
Ray moves out of range of the leg kick from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons misses with a low kick.
Ray shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fitzsimmons as he jumps to the side.
Ray misses with a wild body shot.
Ray shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Fitzsimmons counters with a straight right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ray falls off balance throwing a combination
and Fitzsimmons makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ray swings away with a body shot that misses
and Fitzsimmons connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ray throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fitzsimmons sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fitzsimmons fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Ray gets a takedown into half guard.
Fitzsimmons is trying to control but can't.
Fitzsimmons is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Ray is staying active.
Ray perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ray is looking to pass Fitzsimmons's guard but actually Fitzsimmons recovers to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ray throwing strikes from guard but Fitzsimmons blocks nicely.
Ray preventing the sweep.
Ray throws a strike but Fitzsimmons rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ricky Ray overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ray has control of Fitzsimmons's left arm, preventing Fitzsimmons from doing any damage.
Ray wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons trying to control but Ray is working from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Fitzsimmons with a nice cross.
Ray is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ray scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fitzsimmons doesn't seem bothered though.
Fitzsimmons lands a glancing blow to the side of Ray's head.
Ray dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzsimmons connects with a solid leg kick.
Ray with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Fitzsimmons to score with a decent uppercut.
Ray misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ray under the eye.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ray uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fitzsimmons.
A nice inside leg kick there by Fitzsimmons. That's going to slow Ray down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fitzsimmons ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Fitzsimmons dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jim Fitzsimmons's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. And we move into the final round!

Fitzsimmons fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Ray has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jab from Fitzsimmons.
Ray looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Ray throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fitzsimmons tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ray was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzsimmons.
Ray throwing a counter right hand but Fitzsimmons manages to avoid it.
Ray on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ray slips a jab from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Ray.
A nice inside leg kick there by Fitzsimmons. That's going to slow Ray down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ray drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fitzsimmons avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fitzsimmons looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ray is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ray controls from within his opponent's guard.
Fitzsimmons wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Fitzsimmons keeping moving, preventing Ray from controlling successfully.
Ray loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ricky Ray has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Ray throwing strikes but missing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fitzsimmons throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ray blocks a jab.
Ray is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ray tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fitzsimmons was well out of range. Poor timing from Ray.
Fitzsimmons feints a counter leg kick.
Fitzsimmons thuds a left hand into Ray's body.
Fitzsimmons lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Fitzsimmons misses with an attempted mid kick.
Fitzsimmons moves away from the strike by Ray.
Fitzsimmons only half commits to the counter leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Fitzsimmons. Those never looked like landing.
Fitzsimmons avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fitzsimmons throws out a counter right but Ray avoids it with no problem.
Fitzsimmons misses with a hook.
Ray checks a leg kick.
A counter left hand to the body from Ray misses its target.
Ray misses with an uppercut
and Fitzsimmons connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Ray moves out of range of the body kick from Fitzsimmons.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Fitzsimmons.
Ray misses with an uppercut. Fitzsimmons saw that one coming.
Ray shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fitzsimmons as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Fitzsimmons lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ray's sensitive parts.
Jim Fitzsimmons is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ray chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Fitzsimmons can pounce on him.
Ray throws a body shot but no joy.
Fitzsimmons scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ray misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fitzsimmons.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fitzsimmons connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ray momentarily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ray misses with a straight left.
Fitzsimmons keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Fitzsimmons comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fitzsimmons 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Jim Fitzsimmons!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Jim Fitzsimmons!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Jim Fitzsimmons!

Jim Fitzsimmons wins by unanimous decision!
Jim Fitzsimmons looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'Better luck next time, old chum!'.