PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Darken Rahl (ranked 2736 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kirk Fitzpatrick (ranked 5029 p4p, 0 weight class). Kirk Fitzpatrick will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Rahl
vs
Fitzpatrick

168 cm
25
150 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

178 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Darken Rahl!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kirk Fitzpatrick!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fitzpatrick closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fitzpatrick lands in his opponent's guard.
Rahl seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Fitzpatrick must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rahl looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fitzpatrick is one step ahead there.
Rahl keeping moving, preventing Fitzpatrick from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rahl is controlling Fitzpatrick's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahl is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Fitzpatrick throwing strikes but missing.
Rahl bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fitzpatrick's guard.

Fitzpatrick looking to control.
Rahl trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Fitzpatrick has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rahl can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rahl's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rahl lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fitzpatrick can do anything to dispel that myth.
Rahl scoring with some ground and pound.
Rahl scoring with some ground and pound.
Rahl with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rahl missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rahl makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fitzpatrick avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rahl connects with a couple of short punches.
Fitzpatrick has momentary wrist control but Rahl slips an elbow through the middle.
Rahl working some strikes from top position.
Rahl with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rahl is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rahl controlling from the top position.
Rahl distracts Fitzpatrick with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahl lands a couple of digs.
Rahl chips away with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rahl's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rahl lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rahl tries to free his leg and advance position but Fitzpatrick is retaining full guard.
Fitzpatrick preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rahl is working Fitzpatrick over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fitzpatrick looks winded!
Rahl controls from within his opponent's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rahl accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fitzpatrick looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rahl is one step ahead there.
Rahl makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahl passes Fitzpatrick's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Rahl lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rahl working Fitzpatrick over with strikes.
Rahl is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rahl is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rahl lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rahl keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Rahl landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rahl has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rahl winds up and cracks Fitzpatrick with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Fitzpatrick is rocked!
Rahl is nestled in close to Fitzpatrick, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Darken Rahl dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rahl feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Fitzpatrick is still in real trouble! Can Rahl finish him?
Rahl is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rahl scoring with some ground and pound.
Rahl not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rahl postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fitzpatrick wants to stand and escape but Rahl is having none of it.
Rahl scoring with some ground and pound.
Rahl is working Fitzpatrick over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rahl lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rahl slips nicely into half guard.
Rahl lands a big elbow from half guard. That looks like it's hurt Fitzpatrick quite badly. Fitzpatrick pulls Rahl in close trying to recover. Rahl postures up and lands two really hard shots that put Fitzpatrick on queer street! The ref takes a look and decides to call an end to the fight! Possibly an early stoppage but Fitzpatrick doesn't seem to be complaining too much.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:58 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Darken Rahl!