PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandar Volkanovski (ranked 1192 p4p, 1034 weight class) and Sol Fitzsimmons (ranked 156 p4p, 137 weight class). Volkanovski's entrance music is 2pac - Hail Mary. A fine choice. Aleksandar Volkanovski had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Volkanovski
vs
Fitzsimmons

193 cm
30
217
11 - 11 - 0

187 cm
33
215
21 - 16 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Fast

HELLBENT

Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Aleksandar Volkanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sol Fitzsimmons!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Eliza Hachem and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzsimmons is looking to land body kicks.
Volkanovski shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fitzsimmons as he jumps to the side.
Fitzsimmons misses the shot to the body.
Volkanovski is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons digs a good body shot into Volkanovski's ribs.
Fitzsimmons avoids the head kick by Volkanovski.
Fitzsimmons throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fitzsimmons ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Volkanovski moves away.
Volkanovski seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Fitzsimmons misses with an uppercut.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Volkanovski checks a leg kick.

Volkanovski rushes Fitzsimmons and presses him up against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Fitzsimmons fails to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzsimmons tries to throw a body punch but Volkanovski avoids it by throwing Fitzsimmons back against the cage.
Fitzsimmons throws a punch but it's blocked by Volkanovski.
Fitzsimmons swings wildly with an uppercut but Volkanovski uses good head movement to avoid it.

Volkanovski breaks from the clinch.
Volkanovski misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons misses the body punch
and Volkanovski counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fitzsimmons throws a body punch but Volkanovski moves out of range.
Fitzsimmons misses with a hook.
Volkanovski slips a jab from Fitzsimmons.
An attempted straight right counter from Volkanovski misses the target.
Fitzsimmons jabs Volkanovski right on the nose. Volkanovski blinks but takes it well.
Volkanovski goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Volkanovski has been working on his boxing with his coaches at LAFC Training Center in the buildup to the fight.
Volkanovski takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Volkanovski blocks the body kick.
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 listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Volkanovski is defended easily by Fitzsimmons.
Volkanovski throws a sloppy head kick
and Fitzsimmons counters with a right hand to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fitzsimmons throws a head kick but Volkanovski moves out of range.
It looked like Volkanovski was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fitzsimmons is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Volkanovski rather than just go for the knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fitzsimmons connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Volkanovski's hands.
Sol Fitzsimmons is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fitzsimmons lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Fitzsimmons lands with an overhand left.
Fitzsimmons stuffs the takedown attempt from Volkanovski. Volkanovski gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandar Volkanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fitzsimmons throws a big shot that misses.
Fitzsimmons throws a body punch but Volkanovski moves out of range.
Fitzsimmons lands with a straight right. Volkanovski didn't see that one coming.
Fitzsimmons swings for the body but Volkanovski moves out of range.
Volkanovski moves out of range as Fitzsimmons strikes.
Volkanovski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Fitzsimmons counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Volkanovski misses with an uppercut.
Volkanovski throws a jab but it's blocked by Fitzsimmons.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Volkanovski tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fitzsimmons manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fitzsimmons lets loose with a powerful body kick. Volkanovski will feel that in the morning.
Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fitzsimmons misses with an uppercut. Volkanovski saw that one coming.
Volkanovski throws a series of punches but Fitzsimmons moves out of range.
Jab from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons throws a shot from downtown. Volkanovski moves away and avoids it.
Sol Fitzsimmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fitzsimmons wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Fitzsimmons throws a body punch but Volkanovski moves out of range.
Fitzsimmons misses the jab.
Fitzsimmons throws a hook but Volkanovski avoids it easily.
Volkanovski fires out a quick counter leg kick but Fitzsimmons just manages to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Volkanovski misses with a body kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Fitzsimmons misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzsimmons scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Volkanovski doesn't seem bothered though.
Volkanovski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Volkanovski fails to land with a series of punches.
Volkanovski avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Volkanovski shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fitzsimmons is trying to defend but Volkanovski finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Volkanovski trying to pass the guard but Fitzsimmons defending well.
Volkanovski thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fitzsimmons tries to roll over but Volkanovski keeps him under control.
Fitzsimmons is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Volkanovski's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Volkanovski's back!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sol Fitzsimmons dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Volkanovski shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fitzsimmons misses with a looping right.
Fitzsimmons has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fitzsimmons throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fitzsimmons is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fitzsimmons thuds his right hand into Volkanovski's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Aleksandar Volkanovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fitzsimmons throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Volkanovski is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Fitzsimmons misses with a low kick.
Sol Fitzsimmons seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A left and a right from Volkanovski both land. Nice combination.
Fitzsimmons jabs Volkanovski right on the nose. Volkanovski blinks but takes it well.
Fitzsimmons scores with a jab to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A jab from Fitzsimmons does it's job there.
Fitzsimmons misses the body punch

Fitzsimmons is rocked!
Fitzsimmons tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Volkanovski was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons is still on wobbly legs! Can Volkanovski finish him?
Fitzsimmons tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Volkanovski was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzsimmons.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons lands a nice looking body shot.
Fitzsimmons seems to have recovered his senses.
Fitzsimmons misses with a lunging right hand

and Volkanovski counters with a crisp one two that drops Fitzsimmons! Volkanovski thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Fitzsimmons to his feet! Fitzsimmons is in big trouble!
Fitzsimmons takes a swing at Volkanovski's ribcage but misses.
A little feinted left hand from Volkanovski on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Volkanovski fails with a takedown attempt.
Volkanovski scores with a kick to the midsection.
Fitzsimmons is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Volkanovski.
Volkanovski cracks Fitzsimmons with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Fitzsimmons throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Fitzsimmons connects with an inside leg kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice shot by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fitzsimmons misses with a head kick.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Volkanovski.
Volkanovski lands a head kick. Fitzsimmons smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Fitzsimmons tests Volkanovski's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Volkanovski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fitzsimmons.
Volkanovski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Some bone on bone action there as Fitzsimmons checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Fitzsimmons stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Fitzsimmons paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fitzsimmons misses with a looping left.
Volkanovski ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Fitzsimmons looks to score with a jab to the body but Volkanovski is just out of range.
Fitzsimmons with a nice calf kick.
Fitzsimmons displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Volkanovski.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandar Volkanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Volkanovski drops his hands momentarily and Fitzsimmons takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Fitzsimmons cracks a nice hook into Volkanovski's ribs.
A punch lands to the side of Volkanovski 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Volkanovski throws a head kick but Fitzsimmons moves out of range.
Volkanovski takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Volkanovski slips under a jab from Fitzsimmons.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circle momentarily. Fitzsimmons darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Fitzsimmons throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Volkanovski counters with a left and a right that stings Fitzsimmons.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fitzsimmons pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fitzsimmons scores with a jab to the head.
Volkanovski uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzsimmons.
Volkanovski pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fitzsimmons throws a body shot but no joy.
Fitzsimmons drops his hands momentarily and Volkanovski takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Volkanovski drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fitzsimmons thuds a left hand into Volkanovski's body.
Fitzsimmons throws a body shot but no joy.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Volkanovski throws a combination that misses
enabling Fitzsimmons to counter with a crisp jab.
Fitzsimmons stuns Volkanovski with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Volkanovski checks a leg kick.
Fitzsimmons misses with a looping right.
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.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Fitzsimmons misses with a lunging right hand
and Volkanovski makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Fitzsimmons really felt that one!
Volkanovski throws a good cross that connects.
Fitzsimmons throws a big shot that misses.
Volkanovski misses with a head kick.
Volkanovski has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Volkanovski there as he acknowledges the shot.
Volkanovski blocks a jab.
Fitzsimmons dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A jab from Fitzsimmons finds it's way through Volkanovski's defenses.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fitzsimmons thuds his right hand into Volkanovski's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Volkanovski shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzsimmons wants to control but Volkanovski is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Volkanovski is trying to control. Fitzsimmons wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fitzsimmons tries to roll over but Volkanovski keeps him under control.

Volkanovski gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Fitzsimmons thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fitzsimmons throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Volkanovski moves into the clinch.
Volkanovski prevents a body shot from Fitzsimmons.
Volkanovski looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Volkanovski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Volkanovski uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzsimmons.
Volkanovski thinks about countering with a head kick.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that Fitzsimmons semi-blocks.
Fitzsimmons stuffs the takedown attempt from Volkanovski. Volkanovski gets slowly back to his feet.
Volkanovski throws a left and a right that both miss
and Fitzsimmons connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Volkanovski looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fitzsimmons is fending him off so far but Volkanovski persists. Nope, Fitzsimmons circles away and we're back to standing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fitzsimmons lands a right hook to the body.
Fitzsimmons ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Volkanovski moves away.
Volkanovski went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Fitzsimmons lands with an overhand left.
A shot to the body from Fitzsimmons misses
and Volkanovski counters with a head kick. That will keep Fitzsimmons thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Volkanovski fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aleksandar Volkanovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Volkanovski gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons misses with a low kick as Volkanovski jumps back.
Some wild striking there from Volkanovski.
Fitzsimmons looks to score with a jab to the body but Volkanovski is just out of range.
Fitzsimmons with a nice cross.
Fitzsimmons connects with a crisp jab.
Volkanovski fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Volkanovski throws a lazy head kick
and Fitzsimmons counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Jab by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons with a jab.
Fitzsimmons throws a head kick that misses.
Volkanovski went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
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.
The fighters circling - Fitzsimmons throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fitzsimmons looks to score with a jab to the body but Volkanovski is just out of range.
Fitzsimmons moves out of range of the body kick from Volkanovski.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitzsimmons throws a lazy right hand but Volkanovski sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Volkanovski shoots in looking for a takedown. Fitzsimmons tries to sprawl out of it but Volkanovski keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fitzsimmons manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fitzsimmons tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Volkanovski was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzsimmons.
Good shot there by Fitzsimmons.
Volkanovski throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Volkanovski avoids the head kick by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons digs a good hook to Volkanovski's body.
Aleksandar Volkanovski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Volkanovski takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sol Fitzsimmons comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
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 John Mangel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sol Fitzsimmons!
Our winner, Sol Fitzsimmons, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.