PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Francis Fitzpatrick (ranked 428 p4p, 706 weight class) and Artturi Reinikainen (ranked 55 p4p, 88 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fitzpatrick
vs
Reinikainen

180 cm
35
165
33 - 21 - 2

188 cm
26
162
10 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing

Urban Fighter
FF Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 33 - 21 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Francis Fitzpatrick!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Artturi Reinikainen!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Shigeki Fujiwara and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzpatrick misses with a hook.
Fitzpatrick needs to keep his hands up - Reinikainen had a free shot at his head there.
Reinikainen cracks Fitzpatrick with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Reinikainen ducks under a wild hook from Fitzpatrick.
A little jabbing left from Reinikainen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Fitzpatrick stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Reinikainen.
Fitzpatrick misses with a straight right.
Reinikainen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Fitzpatrick throws a hook to the side of Reinikainen's head but Reinikainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Reinikainen staying out of range there.
Fitzpatrick ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Reinikainen throws a head kick that misses
and Fitzpatrick counters with a nice uppercut.
Reinikainen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Reinikainen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitzpatrick misses with a body shot
and Reinikainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Fitzpatrick takes a kick to the side of the head.

It looks like Francis Fitzpatrick has been cut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick misses with a wild body shot.
Reinikainen misses with a straight left.
Fitzpatrick throws a poor cross that misses

and Reinikainen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Reinikainen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Reinikainen keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Reinikainen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fitzpatrick's head.
Fitzpatrick is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitzpatrick is working hard here to advance position.
Reinikainen is just content to waste time from the top position. Fitzpatrick takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Reinikainen pushes down on Fitzpatrick's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reinikainen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Fitzpatrick doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Reinikainen.
Reinikainen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fitzpatrick's head.
Reinikainen wants to free his trapped foot but Fitzpatrick is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Reinikainen trying to advance position but Fitzpatrick counters by regaining guard.
Fitzpatrick manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Reinikainen manages to get himself to full guard.

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Reinikainen is on top in guard.

Reinikainen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Reinikainen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Reinikainen wants to control from the top but Fitzpatrick keeps moving.
Reinikainen landing some decent shots from guard.
Reinikainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Fitzpatrick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reinikainen cracks Fitzpatrick with a solid left hand.
Fitzpatrick looking to control.
Reinikainen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fitzpatrick preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Reinikainen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Reinikainen preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick looking to control.
Fitzpatrick wants to sweep here but Reinikainen controlling him for the moment.
Reinikainen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Reinikainen throwing strikes but missing.
Reinikainen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fitzpatrick working a defensive guard here.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Fitzpatrick preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Fitzpatrick bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Reinikainen's guard.

Fitzpatrick preventing the sweep.

Fitzpatrick stands up from Reinikainen's guard - Fitzpatrick perhaps looking for a knockout.
Fitzpatrick lands a nice shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Artturi Reinikainen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Francis Fitzpatrick's cut.
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.

That kick from Reinikainen tenderised Fitzpatrick's leg. Fitzpatrick is trying to keep his angry face on.

Fitzpatrick moves into the clinch.
Fitzpatrick doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Reinikainen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fitzpatrick avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fitzpatrick throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fitzpatrick throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Reinikainens head.
Reinikainen lands a right hand.
Reinikainen scores with a shoulder strike.
Fitzpatrick lands a right hand.
Fitzpatrick tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Reinikainen's elbow.

Reinikainen pulls Fitzpatrick into guard.

Reinikainen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Reinikainen controls Fitzpatrick momentarily but Fitzpatrick frees himself.
Reinikainen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fitzpatrick avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fitzpatrick makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Reinikainen has an active guard here but Fitzpatrick has managed to pass into half guard.
Reinikainen is not content to let Fitzpatrick control the position.
Fitzpatrick is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Reinikainen trying to control but Fitzpatrick postures up.
Fitzpatrick takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Reinikainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fitzpatrick seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Reinikainen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinikainen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fitzpatrick drops an elbow to the side of Reinikainen's head.
Reinikainen tries to get to full guard but Fitzpatrick has control of the leg.

Reinikainen actively working from the bottom here.
Fitzpatrick is trying to control. Reinikainen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Reinikainen trying to control from the bottom.

Reinikainen actively working from the bottom here.
Fitzpatrick wants to take a breather but Reinikainen is having none of it.
Fitzpatrick wants to pass to mount but Reinikainen is defending the position.
Reinikainen wants to improve his position but Fitzpatrick is controlling well.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Reinikainen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fitzpatrick wants to pass the guard but Reinikainen is keeping the position.
Fitzpatrick is stalling in the full guard.
Reinikainen looking for a sweep. Not yet Reinikainen, not yet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Reinikainen is on top in guard.

Fitzpatrick looking for a sweep. Not yet Fitzpatrick, not yet.
Reinikainen postures up and lands a big shot to Fitzpatrick's brow.
Reinikainen cracks Fitzpatrick with a solid left hand.
Reinikainen looking to sit in guard and control but Fitzpatrick gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Fitzpatrick decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Reinikainen, up you get!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Reinikainen has time to react.
Reinikainen scoring well with a low kick there.
Good leg kick by Reinikainen.

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

Fitzpatrick has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Reinikainen has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reinikainen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fitzpatrick prevents a body shot from Reinikainen.
Fitzpatrick struggles to land a body shot inside as Reinikainen controls his hands.
Reinikainen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Reinikainen tries to work over Fitzpatrick's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Reinikainen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A hook to the body from Fitzpatrick.

Reinikainen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reinikainen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fitzpatrick.
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 Francis Fitzpatrick will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Francis Fitzpatrick's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Both fighters circling a little - Reinikainen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Fitzpatrick throws a hook to the side of Reinikainen's head but Reinikainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fitzpatrick slips a jab from Reinikainen.
Fitzpatrick misses with a hook to the body
and Reinikainen counters with a head kick. That will keep Fitzpatrick thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Reinikainen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Reinikainen dodges the punch combination from Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fitzpatrick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reinikainen thuds a left hand into Fitzpatrick's body.
Fitzpatrick misses with an uppercut. Reinikainen saw that one coming.
Fitzpatrick misses with a lunging right hand
and Reinikainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Reinikainen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Fitzpatrick blocks a head kick by Reinikainen.
Reinikainen misses with a kick to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Reinikainen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nice body punch from Reinikainen.
Fitzpatrick throws a hook but Reinikainen blocks it.

Fitzpatrick darts in and clinches Reinikainen up against the cage.
Fitzpatrick lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Reinikainen blocks an uppercut.

Reinikainen manages to break the clinch.
Fitzpatrick scores with a nice head shot.
Fitzpatrick tries to clinch up
and Fitzpatrick takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinikainen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fitzpatrick.
Reinikainen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Fitzpatrick tries to clinch but Reinikainen moves away
and Reinikainen counters with a low kick, right behind Fitzpatrick 's knee.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Reinikainen slips under a jab.
Reinikainen scores with a jab.
Reinikainen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Artturi Reinikainen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fitzpatrick lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fitzpatrick.

Reinikainen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Fitzpatrick manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Fitzpatrick lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Reinikainen manages to break the clinch.
Fitzpatrick with a jab.

Fitzpatrick forces Reinikainen back against the cage and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reinikainen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reinikainen slips a straight right by Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Fitzpatrick scores with a crisp jab that stopped Reinikainen in his tracks.
Reinikainen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Reinikainen throws a hook but Fitzpatrick avoids it easily.
Reinikainen ducks under a wild hook from Fitzpatrick.
Reinikainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Fitzpatrick is just out of range.
Fitzpatrick swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Reinikainen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Reinikainen lands a head kick. Fitzpatrick smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Fitzpatrick looks to clinch
enabling Reinikainen to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reinikainen scores with a nice right hand.

Fitzpatrick is rocked!
Fitzpatrick misses with a lunging right hand
and Reinikainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Oh Fitzpatrick is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fitzpatrick closes the distance but Reinikainen moves to the side
and Reinikainen counters with a series of strikes that practically lifts Fitzpatrick off his feet! He tumbles backwards, his head bouncing off the mat - Reinikainen follows up with more strikes before the ref can step in but Fitzpatrick was out before he hit the floor.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:16 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Artturi Reinikainen!
Artturi Reinikainen decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.