PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jim Fitzsimmons (ranked 142 p4p, 24 weight class) and Max Handle (ranked 2293 p4p, 294 weight class). Handle is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Right On. Jim Fitzsimmons has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Fitzsimmons
vs
Handle

188 cm
36
203 lbs
32 - 16 - 1

170 cm
36
190 lbs
21 - 23 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Conviction

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 32 - 16 - 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 - 23 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Max Handle!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, Elvis Blanc and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzsimmons throws a shot to the body.
Fitzsimmons just misses with a punch to the body.
Handle takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Handle swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Fitzsimmons has taken the fight to the clinch.
Handle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Fitzsimmons fails to land.

Handle breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Handle tries to clinch up but Fitzsimmons circles away and keeps his distance.
An attempted straight right counter from Fitzsimmons misses the target.
We've been told by Fitzsimmons's head coaches at Death Valley Training Facility that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Handle throws a right and a left that Fitzsimmons avoids nicely.
Handle looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Handle has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Fitzsimmons slips under a jab.

Fitzsimmons moves into range and clinches up with Handle.
Handle misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fitzsimmons.
Handle blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fitzsimmons on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Handle breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Handle throws the left hand but Fitzsimmons avoids the punch easily.

Handle rushes Fitzsimmons and presses him up against the cage.

Handle breaks from the clinch.
Handle throws a good cross that connects.
Handle moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Handle.

It looks like Jim Fitzsimmons has been cut.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzsimmons. Handle does a little dance to reset his feet.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Handle! But no joy.
Fitzsimmons thuds his right hand into Handle's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fitzsimmons paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
A jab from Handle misses.
Fitzsimmons misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Handle takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice cross by Handle.
Handle missing with a left hand there. Fitzsimmons was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fitzsimmons bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Handle's head.
Handle tries to clinch but Fitzsimmons moves out of range.
A cross from Fitzsimmons lands.
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!
Fitzsimmons slips under a jab.
Handle shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Handle is rocked!
Fitzsimmons misses with a head kick.
The fighters circling - Fitzsimmons throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Max Handle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Handle doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Handle takes one to the chin there.
Fitzsimmons uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Handle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fitzsimmons cracks Handle with a big right hand that sends him to the floor! Handle looks wobbly but he's sprung back up to his feet straight away… can Fitzsimmons finish him?
Handle is still on wobbly legs! Can Fitzsimmons finish him?
Handle throws a lazy head kick
and Fitzsimmons rattles Handle with a well-timed uppercut counter. - Handle tries to back away and recover but his hands are down low and he gets tagged again, sending him stumbling down to the canvas. Fitzsimmons dives in after him and quickly finishes the job with a trio of brutal punches, leaving Handle stiff and motionless on the mat!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:10 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Jim Fitzsimmons!
Post fight, Jim Fitzsimmons stared into the camera and said 'A jolly good scrap, old chum! I say, will you join me for a spot of gin and tonic?'.