PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tiki Nakosl (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eddie Fitzpatrick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Nakosl
vs
Fitzpatrick

187 cm
23
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tiki Nakosl!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Eddie Fitzpatrick!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Dirk Anderson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzpatrick throws a head kick but Nakosl moves out of range.
Fitzpatrick fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nakosl closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fitzpatrick circles away.
Nakosl shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fitzpatrick but Fitzpatrick pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nakosl goes for a double leg but Fitzpatrick avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Fitzpatrick continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tiki Nakosl. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fitzpatrick shoots in for a takedown but Nakosl shows good takedown defense.
Fitzpatrick tries for a takedown but Nakosl circles away easily
and Nakosl counters with a big head kick but Fitzpatrick shrugs it off.
Nakosl keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakosl misses with a few strikes there.
Fitzpatrick avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fitzpatrick raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Fitzpatrick avoids the head kick by Nakosl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick goes for a double leg but Nakosl avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nakosl continues to drive forward.
Nakosl swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nakosl with a lazy takedown attempt
and Fitzpatrick counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fitzpatrick shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nakosl sprawls well. Nakosl wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fitzpatrick gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Fitzpatrick. No joy for Nakosl on that attempt.
Fitzpatrick displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nakosl.
Fitzpatrick misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Nakosl has managed to clinch.
Nakosl tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fitzpatrick's elbow.
Nakosl is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fitzpatrick pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Fitzpatrick is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nakosl pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nakosl pulls his leg out and moves away.

Fitzpatrick tries to keep at a distance but Nakosl has taken the fight into the clinch.

Nakosl escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nakosl tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fitzpatrick sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nakosl somewhat.
Fitzpatrick shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nakosl pinned against the cage. Nakosl gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nakosl avoids it really well and circles away.
Nakosl tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fitzpatrick sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nakosl somewhat.
Fitzpatrick is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Nakosl shoots in but Fitzpatrick avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Fitzpatrick throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nakosl's waist but Nakosl gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fitzpatrick off to one side.
Fitzpatrick throws a leg kick but Nakosl sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Fitzpatrick closes the distance and clinches up with Nakosl, looking for a takedown. Fitzpatrick pushes Nakosl against the cage but Nakosl circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fitzpatrick doesn't manage to clinch there - Nakosl circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Nakosl defends well and Fitzpatrick ends up having to push Nakosl into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
A clash of legs there as Fitzpatrick blocks the low kick.

Fitzpatrick closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Nakosl jumps guard.
Nakosl seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Fitzpatrick looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Fitzpatrick throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nakosl works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiki Nakosl dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nakosl fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck for Fitzpatrick with that takedown attempt.
Nakosl tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fitzpatrick swivels and escapes.
Nakosl shoots in for a double leg but Fitzpatrick sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tiki Nakosl. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fitzpatrick will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fitzpatrick throws a wild body kick that Nakosl sees coming a mile off.
Fitzpatrick shoots in but Nakosl avoids the takedown attempt easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakosl shoots in for a takedown but Fitzpatrick shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nakosl moves out of range of the body kick.
Fitzpatrick fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nakosl sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fitzpatrick somewhat.

Fitzpatrick clinches up with Nakosl and pushes him back against the cage.
Nakosl tries to score a body lock takedown but Fitzpatrick shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nakosl throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nakosl tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Fitzpatrick smiles and moves away.
Fitzpatrick pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nakosl is out of range and Fitzpatrick settles back down.
Nakosl dodges the punch combination from Fitzpatrick.
Nakosl is looking to counter the offense by Fitzpatrick and move into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nakosl shoots in but no luck this time.

Fitzpatrick forces Nakosl back against the cage and clinches.
Fitzpatrick can't get the takedown.
Nakosl tries to pull guard but Fitzpatrick won't allow it.

Nakosl jumps into guard, dragging Fitzpatrick to the mat.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fitzpatrick wants to control from the top but Nakosl keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nakosl is trying to control the position but Fitzpatrick postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nakosl not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Fitzpatrick stands and steps away. Nakosl gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

Fitzpatrick moves into the clinch.
Nakosl is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Nakosl is trying to pull guard but Fitzpatrick turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Fitzpatrick is trying to break the clinch but Nakosl is controlling him.
Fitzpatrick drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nakosl pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tiki Nakosl is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nakosl misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nakosl takes the fight into the clinch.
Nakosl jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fitzpatrick walks away with a smile on his face. Nakosl gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Fitzpatrick fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fitzpatrick misses with a takedown
and Nakosl counters with a solid body kick.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fitzpatrick stuffs the takedown.
Nakosl shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eddie Fitzpatrick showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nakosl will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nakosl takes one to the side of the head.
Fitzpatrick throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Fitzpatrick shoots in for a takedown but Nakosl shows good takedown defense.
Nakosl went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fitzpatrick is defended easily by Nakosl.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fitzpatrick gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nakosl has him pressed against the cage.
Fitzpatrick fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Tiki Nakosl has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eddie Fitzpatrick.
Nakosl is looking to take this one to the mat.
Fitzpatrick tries to pull guard but Nakosl holds him up against the cage and eventually Fitzpatrick drops back down to his feet.
Nakosl changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fitzpatrick fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Sloppy strikes from Nakosl. Those never looked like landing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nakosl defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fitzpatrick.
Nakosl shoots in for a takedown but Fitzpatrick shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Nakosl moves into the clinch.
Fitzpatrick has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nakosl after a bit of a struggle.
Fitzpatrick missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fitzpatrick breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nakosl throws a wild body kick that Fitzpatrick sees coming a mile off.
Fitzpatrick gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nakosl counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Fitzpatrick thinking.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nakosl.
Fitzpatrick is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Nakosl leaves Fitzpatrick with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nakosl looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Fitzpatrick fails with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nakosl.
Fitzpatrick displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nakosl.

Fitzpatrick looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fitzpatrick has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fitzpatrick is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nakosl keeping moving, preventing Fitzpatrick from controlling successfully.
Fitzpatrick is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nakosl keeping full guard, as Fitzpatrick tries to pass.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Eddie Fitzpatrick.
I think Fitzpatrick has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eddie Fitzpatrick!