PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hong Kong (ranked 2171 p4p, 5383 weight class) and Greg Fitzgerald (ranked 283 p4p, 517 weight class). Kong's entrance music is Tom Cochrane - Life Is A Highway. A fine choice. Fitzgerald has chosen It's Bedtime by Ninja Sex Party as his entrance music. Greg Fitzgerald will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Kong
vs
Fitzgerald

185 cm
29
176
16 - 10 - 0

225 cm
36
186
15 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Hong Kong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Greg Fitzgerald!
The judges for this bout are Francis DeMontford, Hugh Johnson and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kong moves into range and clinches up with Fitzgerald.
Kong lands a shoulder strike.

Kong escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fitzgerald thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fitzgerald lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kong circles away quickly and effectively.
Kong fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kong blocks a jab.
Fitzgerald misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kong seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kong takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kong shoots in looking for a takedown but Fitzgerald manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kong's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kong shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fitzgerald but Fitzgerald pushes him off and we're back to square one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Fitzgerald does no damage.
Kong uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Fitzgerald. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Fitzgerald.
Greg Fitzgerald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fitzgerald works Kong's body with a nice hook.
Fitzgerald throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kong is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald throws a nice looking combination but Kong bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kong misses with a right hand
and Fitzgerald counters with a two punch combo.
Fitzgerald uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kong.
Fitzgerald throws a series of punches but Kong avoids them all with ease.
Fitzgerald misses with a right hand

and Kong counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kong.

Kong breaks from the clinch.
Kong throws an overhand right that lands on Fitzgerald's shoulder, as Fitzgerald tries to avoid the shot.
Fitzgerald goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kong closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fitzgerald circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hong Kong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fitzgerald lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Fitzgerald.
Kong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kong misses with a hook.
Kong slips a jab and a cross from Fitzgerald.
Kong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kong is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Fitzgerald.
Decent striking displayed by Fitzgerald there.
Kong uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fitzgerald.
Kong dives in for a single leg takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Fitzgerald swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Fitzgerald tries to circle away but Kong has him pinned against the cage.
Fitzgerald lands a nice uppercut.

Kong breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald throws a lazy uppercut
and Kong counters with a nice uppercut.
Greg Fitzgerald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kong throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fitzgerald sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fitzgerald swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kong tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Fitzgerald manages to circle out of the way.
Kong tries to close the distance and clinch but Fitzgerald swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice shot by Kong.
Kong moves in looking to clinch but Fitzgerald pushes him off.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kong.
Fitzgerald scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kong doesn't seem bothered though.
Fitzgerald is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Fitzgerald circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kong throws a lazy uppercut
and Fitzgerald counters with a nice uppercut.
Kong ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kong steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fitzgerald.
Kong swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Kong looks to land a left hand but Fitzgerald moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald misses with a right hand

and Kong counters with a single leg into guard. Fitzgerald didn't expect that.
Fitzgerald told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kong landing some decent shots from guard.
Fitzgerald really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kong. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Fitzgerald wants to get back to his feet but Kong is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kong trying to control but Fitzgerald is working from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fitzgerald can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kong trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Fitzgerald manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Kong throws his legs up looking for a submission but Fitzgerald uses it to pass to side control.
Kong is looking for a sweep.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Fitzgerald throws an off balance right hand
enabling Kong to counter with a crisp jab.
Greg Fitzgerald seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kong slips under a jab.
Fitzgerald works Kong's body with a nice hook.
The fighters circling - Kong throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzgerald. Kong does a little dance to reset his feet.
As Fitzgerald tries to get set, Kong tries to push him back and clinch up but Fitzgerald manages to avoid the attempt.
Fitzgerald fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kong is looking to counter the offense by Fitzgerald and move into the clinch.

Kong has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kong is looking for a takedown.

Kong breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald swings for the body but Kong moves out of range.
Fitzgerald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kong was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kong throwing a counter right hand but Fitzgerald manages to avoid it.
Fitzgerald scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong shoots for a takedown but Fitzgerald saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Fitzgerald swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Fitzgerald misses the shot to the body.
Fitzgerald misses with a looping right.
Greg Fitzgerald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A combination from Fitzgerald does no damage.
Kong throws a jab but it's blocked by Fitzgerald.
A countering left hand to the body from Fitzgerald misses.
Kong keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kong misses with a looping right.
A little jabbing left from Fitzgerald on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Fitzgerald thows a leg kick but Kong checks it

and Kong decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Fitzgerald's guard.
Kong distracts Fitzgerald with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Kong thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Kong drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kong jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kong throws a big elbow that misses.
Fitzgerald is looking to stand up but Kong isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kong distracts Fitzgerald with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kong connects with a couple of short punches.
Kong trying to control the position from guard on top but Fitzgerald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fitzgerald wants to stand but Kong is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kong trying to control the position from guard on top but Fitzgerald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kong looking to pass the guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Fitzgerald is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Fitzgerald gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kong.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hong Kong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Kong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kong takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kong goes for a double leg but Fitzgerald avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Fitzgerald continues to drive forward.
Kong has Fitzgerald pressed against the cage, preventing Fitzgerald from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Fitzgerald throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kongs head.
Fitzgerald looking to stall.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kong.
Kong tries to pull guard but Fitzgerald won't allow it.

Kong's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kong takes one on the button.
Kong lands with a right hand.
Kong ducks under a wild hook from Fitzgerald.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitzgerald keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kong.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Greg Fitzgerald will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Fitzgerald ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kong moves away.
Kong ducks under a wild hook from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald keeps the fight on the outside.
Fitzgerald throws a body punch but Kong moves out of range.
Kong dodges the punch combination from Fitzgerald.
Nice defenses there by Fitzgerald.
Kong throws a lazy right hand but Fitzgerald sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fitzgerald has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kong throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kong shoots in and bounces Fitzgerald off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kong seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kong postures up and lands a big shot to Fitzgerald's brow.
Kong advances position into side control!
Fitzgerald is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Kong wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Fitzgerald, who protects the arm well.
Fitzgerald is not content to let Kong control the position.
Kong has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kong lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Fitzgerald down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kong wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fitzgerald keeps working.
Fitzgerald is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
We've been hearing that Kong has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Kong scoring with punches from side control.
Fitzgerald is trying to get back to his feet.
Fitzgerald taking punishment in the form of punches.
Fitzgerald is pushing Kong's head away, looking to escape. Kong manages to hold on to the position though.

Fitzgerald explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Fitzgerald is rocked!
Fitzgerald looks to score with a jab to the body but Kong is just out of range.
Fitzgerald is still on wobbly legs! Can Kong finish him?
Kong shoots in but no luck this time.
Fitzgerald lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Fitzgerald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kong throws a lazy uppercut
and Fitzgerald counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kong.
Fitzgerald throws a body shot but no joy.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.
Fitzgerald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kong was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzgerald.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Fitzgerald!
Fitzgerald throws out a loose jab but Kong uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kong cracks Fitzgerald with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Fitzgerald throws a series of punches but Kong avoids them all with ease.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild combination.
Kong is looking to counter the offense by Fitzgerald and move into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Kong looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kong is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kong lands a massive shot from half guard that has rocked Fitzgerald! More strikes land and this one is all over! Kong jumps to his feet and is applauded loudly by the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Hong Kong!
In his post fight interview, Hong Kong started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
Greg Fitzgerald spoke after the fight, saying 'Let me start off by giving thanks to Blaze Brothers. They gave me every opportunity to succeed. But my body just can't keep taking the abuse. Every fight I break something. I'm old, I'm tired & I train with fookin' children. I'm officially retiring from fighting. Thank you, to the fans. It was fun.'.