PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tomomisan Tsuruta (ranked 1078 p4p, 1735 weight class) and Sol Fitzsimmons (ranked 149 p4p, 233 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Tsuruta
vs
Fitzsimmons

192 cm
36
209
24 - 16 - 1

187 cm
33
215
20 - 16 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Voodoo Nutrition
Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 16 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tomomisan Tsuruta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sol Fitzsimmons!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Darius Henderson and Chris Dean.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsuruta fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fitzsimmons manages to avoid it.
Tsuruta moves out of range as Fitzsimmons strikes.
Fitzsimmons takes a swing at Tsuruta's ribcage but misses.
A counter left hand to the body from Tsuruta misses its target.
Fitzsimmons throws the left hand but Tsuruta avoids the punch easily.
A low kick from Fitzsimmons misses
and Tsuruta counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzsimmons. Tsuruta does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tsuruta drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons sprawls and moves away.
Fitzsimmons's coach down at Punch Out Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Fitzsimmons's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Fitzsimmons misses with a wild body shot.
Tsuruta half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Tsuruta keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fitzsimmons.
It looked like Tsuruta was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fitzsimmons.
A solid leg kick lands there for Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tsuruta.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tsuruta. Fitzsimmons does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tsuruta just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsuruta ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fitzsimmons misses with a wild body shot.
Tsuruta drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons sprawls and moves away.

Tsuruta throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Fitzsimmons was covering up waiting for the punch and Tsuruta finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Fitzsimmons uses the cage to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons throws a leg kick which misses Tsuruta's front leg but catches the back leg as Tsuruta tries to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tsuruta sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tsuruta throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fitzsimmons connects with a body shot.
Tsuruta gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tsuruta moves away.
Tsuruta is looking to wear down Fitzsimmons with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Tsuruta takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Fitzsimmons swings for the body but Tsuruta moves out of range.
Fitzsimmons looks to score with a jab to the body but Tsuruta is just out of range.
Tsuruta tries to counter with a takedown but Fitzsimmons is quick to defend against it.
Sol Fitzsimmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fitzsimmons enables Tsuruta to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fitzsimmons manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitzsimmons seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Tsuruta cracks Fitzsimmons with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons has control of Tsuruta's left arm, preventing Tsuruta from doing any damage.
Tsuruta working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tsuruta looking to sit in guard and control but Fitzsimmons gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Tsuruta utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tsuruta 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.
Fitzsimmons throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tsuruta utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fitzsimmons stopping the sweep attempt from Tsuruta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons trying to control the position from guard on top but Tsuruta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tsuruta can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Fitzsimmons controls the pace.
Tsuruta preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tsuruta wants to sweep but no luck.
Tsuruta bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fitzsimmons's guard.

A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tsuruta accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Tsuruta accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitzsimmons looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tsuruta is one step ahead there.
Tsuruta scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tsuruta trying to control but Fitzsimmons is working from the bottom.
Fitzsimmons is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Nice strikes from Fitzsimmons there.
Tsuruta is controlling Fitzsimmons's trapped leg to prevent Fitzsimmons from advancing to side control.
Fitzsimmons thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tsuruta moves into full guard.
Fitzsimmons pushes down on Tsuruta's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Fitzsimmons scoring with strikes to the body and head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

A shot to the liver by Fitzsimmons. Beautiful body shot.
Tsuruta looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Tsuruta lands with a good body shot.
Tsuruta avoids the body shot from Fitzsimmons.
Tsuruta misses with a body shot.
Fitzsimmons let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Tsuruta swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fitzsimmons ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tsuruta moves away.
Tsuruta appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Fitzsimmons misses with a hook.
Tsuruta looks to score with a jab to the body but Fitzsimmons is just out of range.
Tsuruta uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzsimmons.
Tsuruta getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Tsuruta shoots in and bounces Fitzsimmons off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Fitzsimmons scrambles and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tsuruta takes a swing at Fitzsimmons's ribcage but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuruta defending well as Fitzsimmons loads up on a big left hand.
Tsuruta drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons sprawls and moves away.
A big right from Fitzsimmons misses.
Sol Fitzsimmons is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tsuruta takes a swing at Fitzsimmons's ribcage but misses.
Tsuruta misses with a body shot.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tsuruta.
Fitzsimmons just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Tsuruta was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Fitzsimmons drops his hands momentarily and Tsuruta takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Tsuruta steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons looks to land a left hand but Tsuruta moved out of range nicely.
Fitzsimmons changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzsimmons lands with a nice body punch.
Tsuruta uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzsimmons. Tsuruta does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tsuruta tries to counter with a takedown but Fitzsimmons is quick to defend against it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta looks to score with a jab to the body but Fitzsimmons is just out of range.
Fitzsimmons keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Fitzsimmons is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Tsuruta with a body shot.
Tsuruta on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jab from Fitzsimmons.
Tsuruta fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fitzsimmons avoids it really well and circles away.
Tsuruta avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tsuruta attempts a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons avoids it well and moves away.
Fitzsimmons lands a nice looking body shot.
Tsuruta throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tsuruta staying out of range there.
Fitzsimmons throws a shot to the body.
Fitzsimmons has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tsuruta uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fitzsimmons.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons misses with a wild body shot.
Fitzsimmons with a nice calf kick.
Fitzsimmons misses with an uppercut

and Tsuruta counters with a nice double leg into guard.

Fitzsimmons is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Tsuruta presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Fitzsimmons takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Fitzsimmons is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Tsuruta lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fitzsimmons misses with some punches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Tsuruta drops down looking for an ankle pick but Fitzsimmons pulls his leg out and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomomisan Tsuruta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A cross from Tsuruta lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzsimmons throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tsuruta moves out of range of the strikes.
Fitzsimmons looks to land a left hand but Tsuruta moved out of range nicely.
Fitzsimmons looks to land a left hand but Tsuruta moved out of range nicely.

Tsuruta manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Fitzsimmons on his heels. He'll look to pass Fitzsimmons's guard now, I'm sure.

Fitzsimmons kicks Tsuruta off and gets to his feet.
Tsuruta fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fitzsimmons manages to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons misses with a wild body shot.
Tsuruta uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzsimmons.
Tsuruta uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons throws a big shot that misses.
Tsuruta changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Fitzsimmons connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Tsuruta momentarily.
Sol Fitzsimmons seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fitzsimmons keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tsuruta misses the shot to the body.
Fitzsimmons waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tsuruta.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sol Fitzsimmons showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Tsuruta connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fitzsimmons misses with a wild body shot.
Tsuruta fails with the takedown.
Tsuruta bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fitzsimmons swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Tsuruta feinted with a counter takedown.
Tsuruta ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A shot to the body from Fitzsimmons misses
and Tsuruta counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Fitzsimmons thinking.
Fitzsimmons takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tsuruta. Fitzsimmons does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzsimmons lands a jab.
Fitzsimmons just misses with a punch to the body.
Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fitzsimmons missing with a left hand there. Tsuruta was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tsuruta drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons sprawls and moves away.
Fitzsimmons takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tsuruta shoots in and gets a takedown into Fitzsimmons's guard.

Fitzsimmons uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Tsuruta moves out of range as Fitzsimmons strikes.
Fitzsimmons comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Tsuruta throws a shot from downtown. Fitzsimmons moves away and avoids it.
Tsuruta uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzsimmons.
Tsuruta drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fitzsimmons sprawls and moves away.
Tsuruta changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzsimmons misses with an uppercut. Tsuruta saw that one coming.

Tsuruta dives in and scores a takedown into Fitzsimmons's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tsuruta is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Tsuruta wants to control from the top but Fitzsimmons keeps moving.
Fitzsimmons utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tomomisan Tsuruta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta throws a big elbow that misses.
Tsuruta with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tsuruta is looking to work some ground and pound but Fitzsimmons has wrist control.
Fitzsimmons seems keen to control Tsuruta's posture.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fitzsimmons is on top in guard.

Fitzsimmons trying to control but Tsuruta is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tsuruta utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tsuruta looking for a sweep. Not yet Tsuruta, not yet.
Sol Fitzsimmons has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fitzsimmons postures up in Tsuruta's guard and throws a big left but Tsuruta blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Tsuruta looking for a sweep. Not yet Tsuruta, not yet.
Fitzsimmons sitting in guard here, content to control.
Tsuruta has a closed guard, preventing Fitzsimmons from standing up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Tsuruta throwing rabbit punches from the bottom - showing the judges that he's keeping busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fitzsimmons misses with a shot to the body
and Tsuruta counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tsuruta fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fitzsimmons manages to avoid it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tsuruta. Fitzsimmons does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fitzsimmons swings for the body but Tsuruta moves out of range.
Fitzsimmons scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nice defenses there by Tsuruta.
Tsuruta misses the shot to the body.
Sol Fitzsimmons 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.
Fitzsimmons gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Tsuruta swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fitzsimmons stuns Tsuruta with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tsuruta takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fitzsimmons lands with a nice body punch.

Tsuruta shoots in and bounces Fitzsimmons off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tsuruta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fitzsimmons has his hands on Tsuruta's head, controlling the position.
Fitzsimmons is trying to control the position from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Sol Fitzsimmons.
I've got Fitzsimmons 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 Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Darius Henderson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Dean scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sol Fitzsimmons!
Sol Fitzsimmons seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.