PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Julio Fitzgerald (ranked 24591 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cal Ortiz (ranked 6757 p4p, 0 weight class). Julio Fitzgerald has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Fitzgerald
vs
Ortiz

181 cm
24
140 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

170 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Julio Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Cal Ortiz!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Sosuke Kotani and Shigeki Fujiwara.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ortiz lands a nice looking body shot.

Fitzgerald rushes Ortiz and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ortiz wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ortiz is trying to force a seperation but Fitzgerald has the dominant position.
Ortiz is looking to break free of the clinch but Fitzgerald has double underhooks.

Fitzgerald pulls guard effortlessly.

Fitzgerald is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ortiz is aware though and is defending well.
Ortiz wanted to stand there but Fitzgerald had control of the position.
Fitzgerald will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fitzgerald wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald is trying to keep Ortiz in close.
Fitzgerald is controlling Ortiz's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ortiz wanted to stand there but Fitzgerald had control of the position.
Ortiz is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Fitzgerald gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Ortiz trying to control but Fitzgerald is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald trying to control the position here.
Ortiz not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Fitzgerald is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Ortiz working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fitzgerald seems keen to control Ortiz's posture.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Fitzgerald blocks the body kick.
Ortiz fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ortiz lands a jab to the nose.
Ortiz misses with a body kick.

Ortiz tries to keep at a distance but Fitzgerald has taken the fight into the clinch.

Fitzgerald pulls guard successfully.
Ortiz looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Fitzgerald pulls Ortiz in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald has a closed guard, preventing Ortiz from standing up.
Ortiz slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ortiz preventing the sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cal Ortiz will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Ortiz swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ortiz circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ortiz counters with an inside leg kick.
Ortiz looks to land a combination. Fitzgerald sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ortiz has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fitzgerald walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ortiz.
Crunch! Ortiz slams his shin into Fitzgerald's torso.
Ortiz tries to clinch but Fitzgerald moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ortiz swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Fitzgerald.
Ortiz throws a head kick that misses.
Ortiz wants to clinch.
Fitzgerald throwing a counter right hand but Ortiz manages to avoid it.
Cal Ortiz seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ortiz is looking to land body kicks.
Julio Fitzgerald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fitzgerald gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Ortiz throws a body kick that misses.
Ortiz connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cal Ortiz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ortiz scores with a jab to the jaw.
Fitzgerald takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fitzgerald shoots for a takedown but Ortiz saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Fitzgerald closes the distance and pushes Ortiz back into the cage.

Ortiz pulls Fitzgerald into guard.
Fitzgerald controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ortiz's head.
Fitzgerald is looking to work some ground and pound but Ortiz has wrist control.

Ortiz is working an open guard so Fitzgerald takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
A jab from Fitzgerald misses.
Fitzgerald avoids the head kick by Ortiz.
Ortiz keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ortiz tries to land a front kick but Fitzgerald steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fitzgerald changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Ortiz paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ortiz swinging wildly here.
Ortiz is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ortiz cracks Fitzgerald with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ortiz throws a big shot that misses.
Ortiz walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Fitzgerald checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ortiz with a jab.
Ortiz thows a body kick. Fitzgerald tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Fitzgerald darts in and clinches Ortiz up against the cage.

Fitzgerald manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Ortiz must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fitzgerald pulls Ortiz in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ortiz tries to free his leg and advance position but Fitzgerald is retaining full guard.
Julio Fitzgerald overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Fitzgerald is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Ortiz is aware though and is defending well.
Ortiz trying to stand up but can't free himself from Fitzgerald's guard.
Fitzgerald seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Fitzgerald manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cal Ortiz showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Fitzgerald gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Fitzgerald pushes Ortiz off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Fitzgerald takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ortiz tries a head kick but it misses.
Fitzgerald feinted with a counter takedown.
Ortiz tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fitzgerald half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ortiz lands a body shot.

Fitzgerald clinches.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzgerald is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ortiz is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Fitzgerald successfully pulls guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fitzgerald holds on and takes a little breather.
Ortiz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ortiz wants to get back to his feet but Fitzgerald is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Fitzgerald is working Ortiz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fitzgerald is working Ortiz over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fitzgerald chips away with some ground and pound.

Fitzgerald gets to his feet. Ortiz looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fitzgerald is defended easily by Ortiz.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Julio Fitzgerald. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ortiz throws the kick towards the body but Fitzgerald avoids it.
Fitzgerald half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ortiz wants to clinch up but Fitzgerald keeps it at a distance.
Ortiz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A thudding body kick lands there by Ortiz!
Fitzgerald really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ortiz looks for the body kick but Fitzgerald saw that one coming.
Fitzgerald misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Ortiz feints the counter takedown.
Ortiz throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fitzgerald seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

Fitzgerald clinches with his opponent.
Fitzgerald is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ortiz gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Fitzgerald goes for a takedown in the clinch but Ortiz prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fitzgerald has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ortiz uses from the top position.
Fitzgerald looking to control.
Ortiz wants to get up but he can't break Fitzgerald's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Ortiz is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fitzgerald controls Ortiz momentarily but Ortiz frees himself.
Fitzgerald keeping full guard, as Ortiz tries to pass.
Fitzgerald trying to strike off his back.
Cal Ortiz is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Fitzgerald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Fitzgerald steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Ortiz. That one must have hurt.
Nice uppercut lands for Ortiz. That snapped Fitzgerald's head back.
Ortiz's jab looks to have found its range, popping Fitzgerald under the eye.
Ortiz misses with a body shot.
Fitzgerald on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Fitzgerald misses with the combination.
Ortiz was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Ortiz scores with a spinning back kick!
Julio Fitzgerald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ortiz throws a head kick that Fitzgerald semi-blocks.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Cal Ortiz.
I've got Ortiz 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cal Ortiz!