PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jim Fitzsimmons (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alfredo Leija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fitzsimmons's entrance music is Rule Britannia. A fine choice. Leija is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Original Nuttah. Jim Fitzsimmons is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Fitzsimmons
vs
Leija

188 cm
33
207 lbs
27 - 15 - 1

190 cm
33
215 lbs
21 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

KAISER Nutrition - Q160/$250

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 27 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jim Fitzsimmons!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alfredo Leija !
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Frank Antenori and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Leija misses its intended target.
Fitzsimmons ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Leija throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Leija takes a swing at Fitzsimmons's ribcage but misses.
Leija tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Leija slips a jab and a cross from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons tries to land a body kick
and Leija connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fitzsimmons thows a leg kick but Leija checks it
and Leija counters with a straight right hand.
Fitzsimmons ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Leija moves away.
It seemed like Leija was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Leija ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
We've been informed that Leija has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Leija chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fitzsimmons bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fitzsimmons throws a head kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fitzsimmons has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Die Reeperbahn in the buildup to the fight.
Jim Fitzsimmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Fitzsimmons.
A countering left hand to the body from Leija misses.
Leija throws a lazy right hand but Fitzsimmons sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fitzsimmons throws a body kick that misses.
Leija blocks a head kick by Fitzsimmons.
Leija looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Fitzsimmons throws the kick towards the body but Leija avoids it.
Leija staying out of range there.
Fitzsimmons throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Despite the aggression on Leija 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Leija checks a low kick from Fitzsimmons.
Leija now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Fitzsimmons scores with a hook to the body. Leija takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fitzsimmons throws a shot from downtown. Leija moves away and avoids it.
Leija misses with a wild body shot.
Fitzsimmons throws a right hand that misses
and Leija counters with a series of strikes. Fitzsimmons will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leija tries to move into range but Fitzsimmons moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Leija throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fitzsimmons throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Leija sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fitzsimmons thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Leija uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzsimmons.
Leija doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Fitzsimmons jabs at Leija 's body.
Fitzsimmons tries to clinch up but Leija circles away and keeps his distance.
Leija throws a nice looking combination but Fitzsimmons bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fitzsimmons wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Fitzsimmons throws a leg kick
and Leija counters with a nice uppercut.
Leija blocks a leg kick.
Leija lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Fitzsimmons looks to throw the jab but Leija is out of range.
Fitzsimmons is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Leija manages to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Fitzsimmons tries to clinch but Leija is having none of it.
Leija throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fitzsimmons throws a right hand that misses
and Leija counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Leija throws a body shot but no joy.
Fitzsimmons tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Leija paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Fitzsimmons throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Leija has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Fitzsimmons.
Leija swinging wildly here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leija keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fitzsimmons throws a poor cross that misses
and Leija counters with a three punch combo that has Fitzsimmons backing up. Fitzsimmons nods at Leija to acknowledge the strikes.
A low kick from Fitzsimmons is predictable there
and Fitzsimmons takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzsimmons misses with a low kick.
Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fitzsimmons throws a lazy right hand but Leija sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Leija let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Fitzsimmons goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Fitzsimmons closes the distance and clinches.
Fitzsimmons fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Leija prevents a body shot from Fitzsimmons.
Leija wants to break free but Fitzsimmons has control.
A short right from Fitzsimmons on the inside.
Fitzsimmons tries a body shot but Leija blocks it.
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 Jim Fitzsimmons will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Leija staying out of range there.
A head kick by Leija misses
and Fitzsimmons counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Fitzsimmons connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Fitzsimmons uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Leija has time to react.
Fitzsimmons has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Fitzsimmons throws a leg kick
and Leija makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Fitzsimmons connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Fitzsimmons works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Fitzsimmons has taken the fight to the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body punch.
Leija is pushing Fitzsimmons up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Leija blocks an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Leija 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fitzsimmons thumps Leija with a low kick.
Leija works Fitzsimmons's body with a nice hook.
Fitzsimmons throws a lazy body kick
and Leija counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Leija blocks a jab.
Leija now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Fitzsimmons throws a jab when Leija was well out of range.
Leija swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Fitzsimmons throws a low kick but Leija moves out of range easily.
Fitzsimmons lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Leija circles away quickly and effectively.
Fitzsimmons pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Fitzsimmons avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Leija displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fitzsimmons throws out the jab.
Fitzsimmons keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A low kick from Fitzsimmons misses
and Leija counters with a right hand to the body.
Fitzsimmons throws a leg kick
and Leija counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Leija keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitzsimmons works Leija 's body with a nice hook.
Leija throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fitzsimmons gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Fitzsimmons fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Leija manages to avoid it.
Leija appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Leija just misses with a punch to the body.
Fitzsimmons was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A low kick from Fitzsimmons misses
letting Leija counter with a right hand.
Leija throws a head kick that misses
and Fitzsimmons counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leija blocks the body kick.
Fitzsimmons misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Leija counters with a stiff right hand.
Fitzsimmons misses with a wild body shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Leija blocks the leg kick.
Fitzsimmons bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Leija 's head.
Fitzsimmons lands a really nice looking cross but Leija seems unphased.
A big right from Fitzsimmons misses.
Leija staying out of range there.
Leija lands a right hook to the body.
Fitzsimmons avoids the body shot from Leija .

Fitzsimmons has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leija is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

Fitzsimmons escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Jim Fitzsimmons is winning the standup battle so far.
Leija avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Despite the aggression on Leija 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Fitzsimmons looks to land a right hand but Leija moved out of range.
Leija with a nice cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circling - Leija throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Leija throws a hook but Fitzsimmons avoids it easily.
Leija lands with a straight right. Fitzsimmons didn't see that one coming.
Fitzsimmons misses with a looping left.
Nice shot lands for Leija .
Leija throws a head kick but Fitzsimmons moves out of range.
Fitzsimmons misses with a shot to the body
and Leija connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
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 Jim Fitzsimmons will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Fitzsimmons fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Leija .
Leija has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Leija there as he acknowledges the shot.
Fitzsimmons catches Leija with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Fitzsimmons feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Leija s jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Fitzsimmons tries to clinch there but Leija circles away.

Fitzsimmons drops Leija with a hook right on the temple. He thinks about going to the ground but Leija looks back up at him and smiles so Fitzsimmons waves him back to his feet - he obviously thinks he can knock him out after that shot landed.

Leija is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fitzsimmons tried to score with a low kick but Leija checks it.
Leija is still on wobbly legs! Can Fitzsimmons finish him?
Fitzsimmons throws a low kick but Leija moves out of range easily.
Leija throws a big counter head kick but Fitzsimmons avoids it with no problem.
A jab from Leija misses.
Fitzsimmons wants to clinch.
Fitzsimmons throws an off balance right hand
and Leija counters with a stiff right hand.
Leija seems to have recovered his senses.
Fitzsimmons rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Leija counters with a stiff right hand.
Fitzsimmons takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leija connects with a crisp jab.
A punch combination from Fitzsimmons misses.
Fitzsimmons slips a jab from Leija .
Fitzsimmons is looking to counter punch.
A telegraphed right hand from Leija misses the target.
Fitzsimmons scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
A right-left combo lands from Leija .
Fitzsimmons turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Leija on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Fitzsimmons loads up on a big right hand but Leija slips the punch.
Fitzsimmons will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Leija ! But no joy.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot
and Leija counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A countering left hand to the body from Leija misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Leija swinging wildly here.
Fitzsimmons swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Fitzsimmons misses with an uppercut
and Leija counters with a nice body shot.
A jab from Fitzsimmons does it's job there.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Leija .
Despite the aggression on Leija 's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Fitzsimmons moves in looking to clinch but Leija pushes him off.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Leija ! But no joy.
A thudding body kick lands there by Fitzsimmons!
Leija throws a series of punches but Fitzsimmons moves out of range.
Fitzsimmons throws a lazy uppercut
and Fitzsimmons takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheers as Fitzsimmons lands an impressive looking overhand right. Leija doesn't seem phased though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy left from Leija finds it's target.
Fitzsimmons scores with a hook.
Fitzsimmons with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Leija counter with a right hand.
Leija uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzsimmons.
A countering left hand to the body from Leija misses.
Leija misses with a two punch combination.
Fitzsimmons moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
A left lands for Fitzsimmons.
Leija closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.

Fitzsimmons lands a big head kick that sends Leija tumbling to the mat! Fitzsimmons takes a step backwards and waves Leija back to his feet - he wants the finish!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitzsimmons avoids the head kick by Leija .

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Leija .
Leija lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
A swing and a miss from Leija .
Nice straight punches there by Fitzsimmons. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Fitzsimmons.
Jim Fitzsimmons is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fitzsimmons ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Leija moves away.
A countering left hand to the body from Leija misses.
Fitzsimmons chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fitzsimmons throws a poor cross that misses
and Leija counters with a straight right hand.
Fitzsimmons missing with a left hand there. Leija was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fitzsimmons throws a lazy body kick
and Leija counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitzsimmons's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Fitzsimmons duly obliges.
Alfredo Leija has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leija tries a head kick but it misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jim Fitzsimmons showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Fitzsimmons has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Jim Fitzsimmons!
Post fight, Jim Fitzsimmons took to the microphone: 'A jolly good scrap, old chum! I say, will you join me for a spot of gin and tonic?'.