PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thaddeus Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom Franks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thaddeus Fitzgerald has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Fitzgerald
vs
Franks

176 cm
25
144 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

165 cm
26
133 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thaddeus Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tom Franks!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Sandra Marshall and Daniel Franklin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzgerald missing with a left hand there. Franks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A combination from Fitzgerald does no damage.
Fitzgerald connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Tom Franks has been cut.
Fitzgerald uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Franks.
Fitzgerald lands a body shot.
Fitzgerald takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fitzgerald scores with a kick to the body.
Fitzgerald digs a good body shot into Franks's ribs.
Franks fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fitzgerald moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitzgerald scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Franks misses with a right hand
and Franks takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fitzgerald looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Franks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Fitzgerald slips a straight right by Franks.

Fitzgerald drives through and clinches with Franks against the cage.
Fitzgerald taking a breather.
Fitzgerald working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Franks blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is pressed up against the cage. Franks has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Fitzgerald down to the mat. Fitzgerald avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Fitzgerald moves into range and clinches up with Franks.
Fitzgerald lands a hook that snaps the head of Franks backwards.
Fitzgerald lands a left hand that snaps the head of Franks backwards.
Fitzgerald tries to land a knee to the head but Franks blocks with his arms.
Franks being controlled against the cage.
Fitzgerald lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fitzgerald throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fitzgerald taking a breather.
Fitzgerald tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Fitzgerald scores with a knee to the head.
Fitzgerald tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Franks avoids it.
Fitzgerald lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fitzgerald with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fitzgerald is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Franks is defending well for now.
Fitzgerald cracks Franks with a nice body shot.
Franks looking for a takedown.
Fitzgerald lands a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fitzgerald controlling the action here for a moment.
Fitzgerald misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fitzgerald goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fitzgerald throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Franks blocks it with crossed arms.
Fitzgerald scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fitzgerald scores with a nice hook to the head.
A knee to the head by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald tries to throw a body punch but Franks avoids it by throwing Fitzgerald back against the cage.
We've been informed that Franks has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Franks blocks an uppercut.
Franks wants a takedown but no success here.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tom Franks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Fitzgerald on the inside.
A right hand to the body from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald avoiding damage.
Fitzgerald lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Franks's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Fitzgerald fails to land.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Franks blocking some punches.
Nice body punch from Fitzgerald - that landed with a thud.
Fitzgerald missing with knees to the body.
Fitzgerald swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thaddeus Fitzgerald dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tom Franks's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Jab by Franks.
Fitzgerald tries to clinch up but Franks circles away and keeps his distance.
Franks misses with the combination.
Franks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fitzgerald appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Franks darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fitzgerald throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Franks catches Fitzgerald with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Fitzgerald misses the shot to the body.
Franks lands a jab to the head.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fitzgerald uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Franks.
Franks throws out a loose jab but Fitzgerald uses good head movement to avoid it.
Franks looks to score with a jab to the body but Fitzgerald is just out of range.
Fitzgerald was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Franks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fitzgerald was well out of range. Poor timing from Franks.
Franks throws out a loose jab but Fitzgerald uses good head movement to avoid it.
Franks throws a hook to the side of Fitzgerald's head but Fitzgerald sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
As Franks backs away, Fitzgerald returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitzgerald connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Franks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Franks scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Franks tries to bum rush Fitzgerald with a series of wild strikes but Fitzgerald uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald throws a jab when Franks was well out of range.
Fitzgerald misses with a straight left.
Fitzgerald connects with the punch.
Fitzgerald avoids the body shot from Franks.
Franks misses with the combination.
Fitzgerald lands with an overhand left.
Fitzgerald lands with a shot to the body.
Franks cracks Fitzgerald with an open hand slap.
Fitzgerald will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A good leg kick by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Franks is able to avoid easily.
A shot to the liver by Franks. Beautiful body shot.
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!
Franks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzgerald throws a body punch but Franks moves out of range.
Danga de danga de dang - Fitzgerald scores with a four punch combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Franks.
Franks shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Fitzgerald eats them both and turns towards Franks to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Franks misses the jab.
Franks misses the shot to the body.
Fitzgerald throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fitzgerald throws a head kick but Franks moves out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Franks slips a jab and a cross from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald misses with a two punch combination.
Franks connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fitzgerald drops his hands momentarily and Franks takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Franks works Fitzgerald's body with a nice hook.
Fitzgerald looks to land a combination. Franks sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Franks throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fitzgerald wants to clinch.
Franks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fitzgerald moves away.
Franks lands an overhand right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fitzgerald scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Franks listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Franks connects with a right hand. Fitzgerald shakes it off.
Franks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fitzgerald throws a nice looking combination but Franks bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tom Franks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Franks misses with a body shot.
Franks tries to bum rush Fitzgerald with a series of wild strikes but Fitzgerald uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Franks bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Fitzgerald's head backwards.
Franks lands a body shot.
Fitzgerald bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Danga de danga de dang - Fitzgerald scores with a four punch combination!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Franks dodges the punch combination from Fitzgerald.
Nice shot lands for Franks.
Franks connects with a right hand. Fitzgerald shakes it off.
Fitzgerald moves away from the strike by Franks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald throws an overhand right that lands on Franks's shoulder, as Franks tries to avoid the shot.
Franks throws a big shot that misses.
Fitzgerald is looking to counter punch.
Good exchange - Fitzgerald coming out on top.

Fitzgerald instigates a clinch.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fitzgerald trying to land knees to the body.
Fitzgerald manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Fitzgerald tries to land knees in the clinch but Franks avoids the damage to the body.
Fitzgerald tries a body shot but Franks blocks it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitzgerald lands a nice uppercut.
Fitzgerald dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Fitzgerald tries to work over Franks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Franks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tom Franks's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

A telegraphed right hand from Franks misses the target.
Franks ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fitzgerald pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Franks scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fitzgerald thows a leg kick but Franks checks it
and Franks counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Fitzgerald is rocked!
Sloppy strikes from Franks. Those never looked like landing.
Franks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Franks with a nice cross.
Oh Fitzgerald is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Franks's corner calls for a 1-2. Franks obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Franks cracks Fitzgerald with a nasty uppercut that draws ooohs from the crowd and sends Fitzgerald tumbling backwards onto the mat. He tries to recover but Franks pounces and lands a hail of unanswered strikes that forces the referee to step in to end the fight! Fitzgerald is not happy but he gave the referee no choice!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:32 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tom Franks!
Tom Franks bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.