PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Santo Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Red Top (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Red Top will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Fitzgerald
vs
Top

151 cm
23
215 lbs
1 - 6 - 1

190 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

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 1 - 6 - 1, fighting out of New York, Santo Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Red Top!
The judges for this bout are John Kavanagh, Alyssa Summers and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Top darts in looking for a takedown but Fitzgerald gets double underhooks and turns Top into the cage.
Top shoots and misses
and Fitzgerald counters with a right hand to the body.
Fitzgerald could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Fitzgerald defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Top.
Santo Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Red Top.
A looping hook to the body misses from Top. Fitzgerald does a little dance to reset his feet.
Top misses with a head kick.
Fitzgerald throws a quick counter kick to the body but Top avoids it.

Top rushes Fitzgerald and presses him up against the cage.
Fitzgerald drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fitzgerald has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Top is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald can't get the takedown.
Top lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Top wants a takedown.
Top has had enough of the clinch but Fitzgerald keeps him there for the moment.
Top drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Fitzgerald keeps control of Top as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Top changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fitzgerald fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Top misses with a takedown attempt
and Fitzgerald counters with a nice body shot.
Top dives in for a single leg takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Top just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromFitzgerald.
Fitzgerald tries to clinch but Top moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Top is defended easily by Fitzgerald.
Top looks winded!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fitzgerald tries for a takedown. No joy.
Top is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Fitzgerald is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Top gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Top is trying to force a seperation but Fitzgerald has the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Top misses with a knee strike.
The referee calls for Fitzgerald to work.
Fitzgerald prevents Top from breaking the clinch.
Top just leaning against Fitzgerald, taking a breather.
Fitzgerald tries to score a body lock takedown but Top shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Fitzgerald pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Top closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fitzgerald circles away.
Fitzgerald throws a quick counter head kick but Top was just out of range.
Top misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Top gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald pressing his opponent against the cage.

Top gets control of Fitzgerald's arms and successfully pulls guard. Top will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Top is looking for a triangle but Fitzgerald pushes his legs off easily.
Top is looking to stand up but Fitzgerald isn't so interested in that idea.
Fitzgerald might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Fitzgerald gets to his feet. Top looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Top shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Fitzgerald counters with a big head kick but Top shrugs it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Santo Fitzgerald will probably get the nod.
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 shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Fitzgerald showed some decent athleticism there.

Top has one foot on Fitzgerald's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Top gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Top wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Top tries to score a body lock takedown but Fitzgerald shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Top tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fitzgerald smiles and moves away.
Nice takedown defense from Fitzgerald. No joy for Top on that attempt.
Santo Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Red Top.

Fitzgerald gets tackled into the cage by Top. Top maintains the clinch.
Top tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Top drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Top is breathing heavily.

Fitzgerald jumps guard.
Fitzgerald trying to strike off his back.
Fitzgerald throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Fitzgerald escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Top gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Fitzgerald uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Top shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fitzgerald as he jumps to the side.
Top is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And Fitzgerald counters with a quick kick to the body but Top blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fitzgerald shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Top has his feet on Fitzgerald's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitzgerald tries to score a power double leg takedown but Top sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fitzgerald somewhat.
Top shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fitzgerald pinned against the cage. Fitzgerald gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Top stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Top wants it to stay on the feet.

Fitzgerald closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Fitzgerald keeps control of Top as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Top is trying to drag Fitzgerald to the mat but Fitzgerald just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Top is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Top has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fitzgerald avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fitzgerald has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Top avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Top goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Fitzgerald has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Top avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Top tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fitzgerald just stands there and leans against the cage.
Top wants to take the fight to the mat but Fitzgerald manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Top trying to control the position but instead, Fitzgerald has worked for underhooks and has pushed Top into the cage.
Fitzgerald taking a breather.
Top trying to land knees to the body.
Top is working Fitzgerald over against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Red Top will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Top drives through and clinches with Fitzgerald against the cage.
Top is trying to force a seperation but Fitzgerald has the dominant position.
Top tries to pull guard but Fitzgerald won't allow it.
Fitzgerald taking a breather.
Top looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Top is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Fitzgerald to keep the fight standing.
Top blocks a body shot from Fitzgerald.
Top wants to get back to striking at distance but Fitzgerald won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald goes for a takedown attempt but Top pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Top shoots for a takedown but Fitzgerald saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Santo Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Red Top.
Fitzgerald avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fitzgerald clinches up against the cage.
Red Top seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Fitzgerald fails to pull guard.
Top wants to take the fight to the mat but Fitzgerald manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Top tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fitzgerald smiles and moves away.
Top takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fitzgerald circles away from the clinch attempt.

Top forces Fitzgerald back against the cage and clinches.
Top jumps guard but Fitzgerald turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
A frustrated look appears on Top's face as he tries to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Top's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fitzgerald leaning his opponent against the cage.
Fitzgerald holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald jumps guard but Top stands there with Fitzgerald around his waist. Fitzgerald gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Fitzgerald stalling.
Fitzgerald has Top pressed against the cage, preventing Top from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Top throws an elbow that misses.
Top is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Top is pushing Fitzgerald up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Top tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fitzgerald just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fitzgerald dodges an elbow strike from Top.

Top breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Top doesn't manage to clinch there - Fitzgerald circles away.
A quick step to the side and Fitzgerald tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Top.

Fitzgerald rushes Top and presses him up against the cage.
Fitzgerald holding his opponent close, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Top changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fitzgerald fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Top shoots in for a takedown but Fitzgerald shows good takedown defense.
Fitzgerald fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Top displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fitzgerald.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Top fails with an attempt to clinch.
Top misses with a takedown attempt
and Fitzgerald makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Top wants to clinch
and Fitzgerald cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Santo Fitzgerald showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Fitzgerald has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 John Kavanagh scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:28
Judge Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santo Fitzgerald!