PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Arvydas Sabonis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rupert Ritzik (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sabonis kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is James Brown - Superbad. Ritzik has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Rupert Ritzik has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Arvydas Sabonis's chin.

Sabonis
vs
Ritzik

210 cm
36
289 lbs
36 - 20 - 0

186 cm
33
265 lbs
16 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear
Fury Nutrition Inc.

AnonymouS

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 20 - 0, fighting out of London, Arvydas Sabonis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rupert Ritzik!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sabonis scores with a jab to the body.
Sabonis scores with a kick to the body.
Ritzik looks winded!
Ritzik throws a body kick that misses.
Sabonis connects with a body shot.
Sabonis tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sabonis throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sabonis scores with a body shot.
Ritzik takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Sabonis scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Ritzik doesn't seem bothered though.
Sabonis misses with a wild combination.
Sabonis is looking to land body kicks.

Sabonis rushes Ritzik and presses him up against the cage.
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!
Sabonis lands with a left to the head.
Sabonis lands a left hand.

It looks like Rupert Ritzik has been cut.
Sabonis scores with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sabonis fails to pull guard.
Sabonis swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sabonis working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sabonis scores with a nice hook to the head.

Sabonis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sabonis misses with the head strike.
Sabonis struggles to land a body shot inside as Ritzik controls his hands.

Sabonis has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ritzik uses from the top position.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Sabonis is pulling down on Ritzik's head to control his posture.

Sabonis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sabonis is trying to keep Ritzik in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sabonis is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Sabonis has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Ritzik should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Sabonis has tightened it up now! Ritzik should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:41 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Arvydas Sabonis!
After the fight, Arvydas Sabonis was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.