PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Greg Fitzgerald (ranked 1389 p4p, 1858 weight class) and Jake Smith (ranked 191 p4p, 240 weight class). Fitzgerald's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, It's Bedtime by Ninja Sex Party. Jake Smith has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fitzgerald
vs
Smith

225 cm
29
169
7 - 3 - 0

176 cm
22
155
7 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Greg Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jake Smith!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Fitzgerald does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fitzgerald on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
We've been informed that Smith has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
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.
Fitzgerald throws a hook but Smith blocks it.
Smith shoots in and drives through. Fitzgerald sprawls well.
It looked like Fitzgerald wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Smith shoots for a double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls well. He's pushed Smith's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Smith goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A combination from Smith does no damage.
Fitzgerald misses with a few strikes there.
Smith lands a glancing blow to the side of Fitzgerald's head.
Fitzgerald's corner calls for a 1-2. Fitzgerald obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Smith jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith throws a lazy uppercut
and Smith takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fitzgerald misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Smith clinches up with Fitzgerald and pushes him back against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzgerald blocks an uppercut.
Fitzgerald is trying to push Smith away but Smith has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smith.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith lands a right hand.
Smith tries to score a body lock takedown but Fitzgerald shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Greg Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jake Smith.
Smith keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Fitzgerald's efforts to push away.
Smith can't get the takedown.
Smith misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fitzgerald misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Smith softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Smith tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fitzgerald will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Smith up against the cage.

Fitzgerald breaks from the clinch.
Fitzgerald with a jab.
Fitzgerald falls off balance throwing a combination
and Smith counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A big right from Smith misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fitzgerald tries to buck Smith off but Smith is having none of it.
Smith throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Smith throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Smith wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fitzgerald keeps working.
Smith throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Fitzgerald takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Fitzgerald knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Smith on the ground.
Smith throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Fitzgerald is trying to buck Smith off.
Fitzgerald keeps Smith under control for a moment.
Smith has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fitzgerald is looking to reverse the position.
Smith working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Fitzgerald is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Fitzgerald is staying active underneath Smith, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith wants to pass to mount but Fitzgerald is defending the position.
Fitzgerald wants to get back to full guard.
Smith is trying to control. Fitzgerald wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Fitzgerald's temple.
Smith prevents Fitzgerald from standing back up.
Smith scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ground and pound from Smith.
Smith is trying to control the action in half guard but Fitzgerald is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Smith is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Smith uses his free foot to push down on Fitzgerald's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Fitzgerald.
Smith punching from mount but Fitzgerald doing a good job of avoiding damage.

Smith has control of Fitzgerald's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Fitzgerald regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Smith working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Fitzgerald on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Fitzgerald tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Fitzgerald looks a forlorn figure.
Smith thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Smith tries to control but Fitzgerald wriggling away.
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!
Smith breaks from Fitzgerald's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Fitzgerald is bucking up trying to escape but Smith cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Smith scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Fitzgerald?

Fitzgerald is rocked!
Fitzgerald is squirming around, avoiding Smith's attempts to control the action.
Oh Fitzgerald is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Fitzgerald is in all sorts of trouble here.
Smith scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Fitzgerald?

Smith looking for a guillotine from mount but Fitzgerald is having none of it.
Fitzgerald takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Smith raining down hammerfists from mount.
Smith scoring with strikes but Fitzgerald is staying in there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Smith dominated that round.
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.

Smith moves away from the strike by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith shoots for a takedown but Fitzgerald saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Smith shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fitzgerald is trying to defend but Smith finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fitzgerald wants to get back to full guard.
Fitzgerald seems to have got his legs back now.
Fitzgerald taking some punishment here, with Smith in his half guard.
Fitzgerald keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Smith looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Fitzgerald taking some punishment here, with Smith in his half guard.
Fitzgerald is trying to stand up here but Smith is controlling him well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Fitzgerald blocking the ground and pound attempt from Smith.
Smith working the head and body with strikes.
Jake Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.

Smith is working for a submission of some sort.

Smith seems to be looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is looking for a sweep. Smith is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Smith trying to control from half guard but Fitzgerald is working away.
Smith missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fitzgerald is looking to improve his position.
Smith working Fitzgerald over with strikes.
Smith controlling the action here.
Smith is pressing down on Fitzgerald's thigh, looking to free his foot. Fitzgerald is holding on for now.
Smith seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Smith is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Fitzgerald doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Smith.
Smith seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Fitzgerald does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Smith working Fitzgerald over with strikes.
Fitzgerald wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Smith throwing shots but Fitzgerald is blocking nicely.
Smith takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Fitzgerald trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is looking to escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Smith connects with a nice short shot to Fitzgerald's temple.
Fitzgerald is looking to escape.
Smith missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Fitzgerald has managed to free his arm - good work.

Smith looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Smith thows a huge punch but Fitzgerald dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Smith is trying to control. Fitzgerald wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fitzgerald tries to kick Smith off but Smith keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Smith wants to work for an arm triangle but Fitzgerald is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fitzgerald wants to improve his position but Smith is controlling well.
Smith is nestled in close to Fitzgerald, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fitzgerald is looking to escape.
Fitzgerald has hold of Smith's hands but Smith slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Smith is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Smith is trying to work for a kimura but Fitzgerald is defending well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Smith 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!

A looping hook to the body misses from Smith. Fitzgerald does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fitzgerald slips a straight right by Smith.
A little feinted left hand from Fitzgerald on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Fitzgerald just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith fails to land with a series of punches.
Smith throws a combination that misses
and Fitzgerald counters with a nice uppercut.
Fitzgerald misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Smith with the counter takedown but Fitzgerald avoids it easily.
Fitzgerald throws a nice looking combination but Smith bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Fitzgerald rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Smith moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzgerald scores with a one two! Smith had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Smith avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Fitzgerald throws a right and a left that Smith avoids nicely.
Greg Fitzgerald is winning the standup battle so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitzgerald throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith misses with a hook.
Fitzgerald goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Smith is rocked!
Smith throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smith is still on wobbly legs! Can Fitzgerald finish him?
A head kick misses from Fitzgerald.
BAM! Fitzgerald delivers a spinning backfist that drops Smith like a ragdoll! This is all oooooveeeer! He was out before he hit the ground!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:15 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Spinning Backfist). Greg Fitzgerald!
Greg Fitzgerald made sure to give a little speech post fight, saying 'I'm always goin' for the knockout & Lil' Jakey was scared of what I can do on my feet! Everyone here knows I'm the hardest fookin' hitter to ever step into this cage! Fook' these rankings! Fans want to see a belt around The Birmingham Orangutan's waist! It's bedtime for anyone who thinks different.'.
Jake Smith spoke after the fight, saying 'That's twice now. He's simply the better fighter. '.