PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Deacon Fries (ranked 4309 p4p, 4807 weight class) and Todd Ianuzzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Fries
vs
Ianuzzi

165 cm
21
143
1 - 0 - 0

170 cm
21
142
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Experienced

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Deacon Fries!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Todd Ianuzzi!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Aleksandr Martynov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fries stuffs the takedown.
Ianuzzi misses the shot to the body.
Ianuzzi shoots in but Fries avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Fries slips a straight right by Ianuzzi.
Fries half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Ianuzzi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Fries throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Ianuzzi's waist but Ianuzzi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fries off to one side.
Ianuzzi fails with the takedown

and Fries counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Deacon Fries has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Todd Ianuzzi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ianuzzi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fries is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ianuzzi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fries fails with the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ianuzzi tries to clinch there but Fries circles away.
Fries shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ianuzzi pinned against the cage. Ianuzzi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Fries throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Ianuzzi was covering up waiting for the punch and Fries finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Fries preventing the sweep.
Fries passes into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fries wants to free his trapped foot but Ianuzzi is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ianuzzi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ianuzzi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fries looking to pass the guard.

Ianuzzi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fries defends well.
Ianuzzi utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Ianuzzi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fries is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Fries loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Ianuzzi looking for subs off his back but Fries has passed one foot through into half guard.
Fries is nestled in close to Ianuzzi, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ianuzzi wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
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. Fries connects with a nice short shot to Ianuzzi's temple.
Fries wants to control but Ianuzzi is keeping him busy.
Fries working Ianuzzi over with strikes.
Fries thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fries looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ianuzzi gets back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fries passes easily into side control. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Deacon Fries dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ianuzzi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fries sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ianuzzi somewhat.
Fries is looking to counter punch.

Fries shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Ianuzzi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fries missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Fries avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ianuzzi has an active guard here but Fries has managed to pass into half guard.
Nice strikes from Fries there.
Ianuzzi gets back to full guard.

Ianuzzi looking for a guillotine here but Fries defends easily.
Fries looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fries pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ianuzzi is keeping the position for now.

Fries got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ianuzzi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fries has managed to get both his arms back between Ianuzzi's legs - danger averted.
Fries postures up and lands a big shot to Ianuzzi's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fries is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fries is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ianuzzi can do to turn this around?
Fries stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ianuzzi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Fries postures up and lands a big shot to Ianuzzi's brow.
Fries trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fries lands a couple of digs.

Ianuzzi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ianuzzi is breathing heavily.
Fries works a leg free and moves into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ianuzzi wants to improve his position but Fries is controlling well.
Fries trying to mount his opponent but Ianuzzi defends it.
Fries takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Fries is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Ianuzzi sees it coming and defends easily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ianuzzi is staying active underneath Fries, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Deacon Fries dominated that second round.
That's time! Fries's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Ianuzzi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
A low kick from Ianuzzi is predictable there

and Fries counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fries frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Fries lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Ianuzzi hang on?
Ianuzzi in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Ianuzzi manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Fries scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
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. Fries connects with a nice short shot to Ianuzzi's temple.
Ianuzzi won't allow Fries to pass to mount.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fries slips a nice elbow through Ianuzzi's hands, connecting with Ianuzzi's forehead.
Well, if Fries is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Ianuzzi gets back to full guard.

Ianuzzi looking for a guillotine here but Fries defends easily.
Ianuzzi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fries wants to control from the top but Ianuzzi keeps moving.
Fries has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Ianuzzi has an active guard here but Fries has managed to pass into half guard.
Ianuzzi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ground and pound from Fries.

Ianuzzi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Fries working Ianuzzi over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ianuzzi slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Ianuzzi keeping moving, preventing Fries from controlling successfully.
Deacon Fries overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Ianuzzi has his foot on Fries's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fries works his way back into a safe position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Fries advances to half guard.
Ianuzzi is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fries scores with a couple of nice shots.
Ianuzzi is trying to control but Fries manages to pass to mount!
Ianuzzi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Fries wants to control the pace but Ianuzzi is squirming around nicely.
Ianuzzi taking shots to the head.
Todd Ianuzzi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Deacon Fries is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Fries jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Ianuzzi manages to avoid the submission attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Deacon Fries showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Fries, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight for Deacon Fries!
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight for Deacon Fries!
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight for Deacon Fries!

Deacon Fries wins by unanimous decision!