PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Khalid Hayes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jim Fitzsimmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hayes kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Flight of Icarus. Fitzsimmons has chosen Scotland The Brave as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hayes
vs
Fitzsimmons

180 cm
35
215 lbs
35 - 15 - 1

188 cm
27
211 lbs
16 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

CBK Fury Nutrition Inc.

Conviction

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 35 - 15 - 1, fighting out of New York, Khalid Hayes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jim Fitzsimmons!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzsimmons misses with a right hand

and Hayes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Fitzsimmons's guard.
Hayes postures up in Fitzsimmons's guard and throws a big left but Fitzsimmons blocks it.
Fitzsimmons preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hayes makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hayes throws a strike but Fitzsimmons rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Fitzsimmons slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Fitzsimmons decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hayes, up you get!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzsimmons getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot.
Fitzsimmons throws a body shot but no joy.
Fitzsimmons throws a solid leg kick but Hayes takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fitzsimmons.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Fitzsimmons fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hayes manages to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hayes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Hayes slips a straight right by Fitzsimmons.
Hayes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
A big left from Fitzsimmons misses.
Fitzsimmons throws a low kick, looking for Hayes's leg but Hayes calmly moves out of range.
Fitzsimmons throws a body kick that misses.
Hayes tries to counter with a takedown but Fitzsimmons is quick to defend against it.
Fitzsimmons throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hayes feinted with a counter takedown.
Fitzsimmons tries to land a front kick but Hayes steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Fitzsimmons misses the target.
Hayes half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Jim Fitzsimmons is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A clash of legs there as Hayes blocks the low kick.
Good exchange - Fitzsimmons coming out on top.
Hayes walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Fitzsimmons throws a body shot but no joy.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hayes.
Hayes half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Fitzsimmons.
Jim Fitzsimmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fitzsimmons takes a swing at Hayes's ribcage but misses.
Hayes tries to counter with a takedown but Fitzsimmons is quick to defend against it.
Fitzsimmons misses with an uppercut

and Hayes counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Fitzsimmons!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayes creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Fitzsimmons sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Hayes tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Hayes fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitzsimmons struggling a bit here.
Hayes working the strikes but Fitzsimmons uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Fitzsimmons moves into full guard.
Hayes throws an elbow that misses. Fitzsimmons uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hayes's guard. Nice move by Fitzsimmons!

Fitzsimmons pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hayes is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from 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.
Fitzsimmons is looking to stand up but Hayes won't let him.
Fitzsimmons slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Fitzsimmons dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hayes blocks a jab.
Hayes feinted with a counter takedown.
Fitzsimmons throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hayes tries to counter with a takedown but Fitzsimmons is quick to defend against it.
Fitzsimmons throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Hayes counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fitzsimmons has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hayes not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fitzsimmons has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Hayes throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hayes throwing shots but Fitzsimmons is blocking nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fitzsimmons is trying to get back to full guard.
Hayes missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hayes with the ground and pound but Fitzsimmons uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Fitzsimmons looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hayes with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fitzsimmons keeping full guard, as Hayes tries to pass.
Hayes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayes loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hayes throws a big right hand that misses.
Fitzsimmons controls Hayes momentarily but Hayes frees himself.
Hayes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hayes throws a strike but Fitzsimmons rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Fitzsimmons advances position into side control!

Fitzsimmons decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hayes to his feet.
Fitzsimmons throws a solid leg kick but Hayes takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fitzsimmons.
Hayes half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayes slips a straight right by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons with a hook.
Hayes takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Hayes feinted with a counter takedown.
Fitzsimmons misses with a low kick.
Hayes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Fitzsimmons throws a lazy body kick

and Hayes counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hayes.

Fitzsimmons uses the cage to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hayes takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Fitzsimmons looks to score with a jab to the body but Hayes is just out of range.
Fitzsimmons fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hayes manages to avoid it.
Hayes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Fitzsimmons misses.
Fitzsimmons throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice cross by Fitzsimmons.
Hayes avoids the head kick by Fitzsimmons.
Hayes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Fitzsimmons punishes Hayes's body with a nice straight punch.
No joy there for Fitzsimmons, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hayes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Nice shot lands for Fitzsimmons.
Hayes avoids the body shot from Fitzsimmons.
Hayes attempts a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons avoids it well and moves away.
Fitzsimmons misses with a leg kick

and Hayes counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Hayes throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayes throws a big right hand that misses.
Hayes trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hayes is looking to work some ground and pound but Fitzsimmons has wrist control.
Hayes throwing strikes but missing.
Hayes has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Hayes in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fitzsimmons is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hayes is controlling him.
Fitzsimmons working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hayes.
Hayes missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hayes is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fitzsimmons is pulling down on Hayes's head to control his posture.
Fitzsimmons utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jim Fitzsimmons showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hayes tries to counter with a takedown but Fitzsimmons is quick to defend against it.
Fitzsimmons scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Fitzsimmons pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hayes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Hayes slips a jab and a cross from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fitzsimmons looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Hayes attempts a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons avoids it well and moves away.
Fitzsimmons looks to score with a jab to the body but Hayes is just out of range.
Hayes half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzsimmons throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hayes drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons sprawls and moves away.
Hayes avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Hayes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Fitzsimmons throws a nice looking combination but Hayes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hayes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayes slips a straight right by Fitzsimmons.
Hayes avoids the body shot from Fitzsimmons.
Hayes drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons sprawls and moves away.
Hayes avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Fitzsimmons throws a jab when Hayes was well out of range.
Nice defenses there by Hayes.
Hayes slips under a jab.
Hayes attempts a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons avoids it well and moves away.
Fitzsimmons throws a body punch but Hayes moves out of range.
Fitzsimmons swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Hayes decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Fitzsimmons's guard.

Fitzsimmons kicks Hayes off and gets to his feet.
Khalid Hayes is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fitzsimmons misses with a straight left.
Hayes changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hayes paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hayes attempts a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons avoids it well and moves away.
Jim Fitzsimmons seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fitzsimmons misses with a wild body shot.
Hayes tries to counter with a takedown but Fitzsimmons is quick to defend against it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fitzsimmons finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Hayes drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons sprawls and moves away.
Fitzsimmons tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hayes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hayes appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Fitzsimmons throws a right hand that misses

and Hayes counters with a shoot takedown. Fitzsimmons fights it but they end up in guard.
Hayes throws an elbow that misses. Fitzsimmons uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hayes's guard. Nice move by Fitzsimmons!

Hayes wants to get back to his feet but Fitzsimmons passes into half guard.
Fitzsimmons tries to pass to full mount but Hayes defends it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons content to control rather than advance.
Fitzsimmons is just content to waste time from the top position. Hayes takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Fitzsimmons wanted to stand there but Hayes had control of the position.
Fitzsimmons must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hayes wants to stand but Fitzsimmons is controlling the position.
Jim Fitzsimmons is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hayes being controlled here, momentarily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fitzsimmons pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hayes is keeping the position for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Fitzsimmons comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fitzsimmons winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jim Fitzsimmons!
Jim Fitzsimmons looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'A jolly good scrap, old chum! I say, will you join me for a spot of gin and tonic?'.