PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Yoshimitsu Fukumitsu (ranked 588 p4p, 1149 weight class) and Frank Rizzo (ranked 44 p4p, 76 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Fukumitsu might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to you should see me in a crown. The key to victory for Yoshimitsu Fukumitsu has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Fukumitsu
vs
Rizzo

160 cm
28
135
13 - 7 - 0

150 cm
27
140
10 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Hoarse Pills

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

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 13 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Yoshimitsu Fukumitsu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frank Rizzo!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, William Gold and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fukumitsu fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fukumitsu throws a lazy uppercut
and Rizzo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fukumitsu has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Gold Samurai's Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Fukumitsu scores with a punch to the head.
Fukumitsu bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rizzo's head.
Rizzo moves out of range of the strikes.
Fukumitsu swings widly with a right hand
and Rizzo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Rizzo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fukumitsu moves away.
Fukumitsu misses with a lunging right hand
and Rizzo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice defenses there by Rizzo.
Yoshimitsu Fukumitsu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fukumitsu uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rizzo has time to react.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rizzo scores with a hook.
Rizzo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Fukumitsu throws the left hand but Rizzo avoids the punch easily.
Fukumitsu throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Rizzo counter with a right hand.
Fukumitsu throws a hook but Rizzo avoids it easily.
Fukumitsu cracks Rizzo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fukumitsu is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Fukumitsu throws a right hand that misses
and Rizzo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukumitsu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rizzo.
Fukumitsu swings widly with a right hand
and Rizzo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Fukumitsu misses with a left hand
and Rizzo counters with a nice body shot.
Yoshimitsu Fukumitsu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fukumitsu misses with an uppercut.
Fukumitsu lands the left hand.
Fukumitsu falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rizzo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rizzo has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Fukumitsu after a bit of a struggle.
Fukumitsu looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Fukumitsu wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Fukumitsu breaks from the clinch.
Fukumitsu loads up on a big right hand but Rizzo slips the punch.
Rizzo wants to counter the offense by Fukumitsu and move into the clinch position.
Fukumitsu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Fukumitsu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rizzo avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fukumitsu sets himself, and Rizzo steps forward looking for the clinch! Fukumitsu avoids it this time.
Rizzo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fukumitsu throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Rizzo to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fukumitsu misses with an uppercut
and Rizzo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Fukumitsu misses with a hook
and Rizzo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Fukumitsu looks to throw the jab but Rizzo is out of range.
Rizzo slips a jab from Fukumitsu.
Fukumitsu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rizzo.
Rizzo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fukumitsu.
Fukumitsu misses with a right hand
and Rizzo counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Rizzo looking to score a takedown here. Fukumitsu is defending well but Rizzo drives through and ends up in Fukumitsu's guard.
Fukumitsu wants to stand up but Rizzo is controlling him.
Rizzo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rizzo won't allow Fukumitsu to get back to his feet.
Rizzo advances to half guard.
Fukumitsu is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo lands strikes from half guard.
Rizzo prevents Fukumitsu from standing back up.
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. Rizzo connects with a nice short shot to Fukumitsu's temple.
Rizzo content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Fukumitsu is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rizzo scores with a couple of nice shots.
Fukumitsu avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rizzo.
Rizzo wants to free his trapped foot but Fukumitsu is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rizzo content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukumitsu looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rizzo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ground and pound from Rizzo.
Fukumitsu wants to get back to his feet.
Rizzo working Fukumitsu over with strikes.
Rizzo prevents Fukumitsu from standing back up.
Rizzo is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Fukumitsu is looking to escape.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Fukumitsu misses the jab.

Fukumitsu tries to keep at a distance but Rizzo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fukumitsu is trying to break the clinch but Rizzo is controlling him.
The referee is keeping an eye on Rizzo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Fukumitsu's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Fukumitsu is trying to push Rizzo away but Rizzo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Rizzo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rizzo misses with the head strike.
Rizzo stalling against the cage.

Fukumitsu breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fukumitsu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fukumitsu misses with a straight left.
Rizzo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fukumitsu.
Fukumitsu throws a lazy right hand but Rizzo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Fukumitsu throws an overhand right that lands on Rizzo's shoulder, as Rizzo tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukumitsu swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rizzo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rizzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fukumitsu.
Rizzo scores with a jab to the jaw.
Fukumitsu throws a right hand that misses
and Rizzo counters with a straight right hand.
Fukumitsu throws a right hand that misses
and Rizzo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Fukumitsu throws a hook to the side of Rizzo's head but Rizzo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A slow jab from Fukumitsu misses its intended target.
Rizzo steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fukumitsu.
Fukumitsu throws a right hand that misses
and Rizzo counters with a left to the body.
Frank Rizzo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fukumitsu takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rizzo stuns Fukumitsu with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Rizzo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fukumitsu.
Fukumitsu misses with a two punch combination.
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!
Fukumitsu is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rizzo.
Fukumitsu misses with a body punch
and Fukumitsu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fukumitsu will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rizzo now looks to counter with a shot at the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fukumitsu throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Rizzo to counter with a crisp jab.
Fukumitsu misses with a combination
enabling Rizzo to counter with a crisp jab.
Fukumitsu throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Rizzo to counter with a crisp jab.
Fukumitsu swinging wildly here.
Rizzo wants to counter the offense by Fukumitsu and move into the clinch position.
Fukumitsu takes a swing at Rizzo's ribcage but misses.
Fukumitsu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rizzo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fukumitsu is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rizzo scores with a hook to the body.
Rizzo fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fukumitsu wants to break free but Rizzo has control.

Rizzo pulls guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rizzo trying to control the position.

Rizzo is looking for a triangle but Fukumitsu pushes his legs off easily.
Rizzo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fukumitsu is trying to stand.
Rizzo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo lands strikes from half guard.
Rizzo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rizzo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fukumitsu has hold of Rizzo's hands but Rizzo slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Frank Rizzo has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fukumitsu pushes Rizzo off but Rizzo dives into side control.
Rizzo slows the pace down.
Rizzo landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Fukumitsu is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Rizzo controlling the position from side mount.
Rizzo landing a few strikes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Rizzo 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! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rizzo moves forwards but Fukumitsu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Fukumitsu misses with an uppercut. Rizzo saw that one coming.
Rizzo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A shot to the liver by Rizzo. Beautiful body shot.
Rizzo tries to clinch but Fukumitsu is having none of it.
Fukumitsu throws a right hand that misses
and Rizzo counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Rizzo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fukumitsu keeping moving, preventing Rizzo from controlling successfully.
Fukumitsu wants to stand up but Rizzo is controlling him.
Rizzo trying to control but Fukumitsu is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fukumitsu is looking to stand up but Rizzo isn't so interested in that idea.
Rizzo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fukumitsu wants to stand and escape but Rizzo is having none of it.
Rizzo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rizzo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rizzo landing with the ground and pound.
Fukumitsu wants to get back to his feet but Rizzo is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Rizzo lands a couple of elbows.
Fukumitsu wants to stand up but Rizzo is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rizzo controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A jab from Fukumitsu misses.
Rizzo tries to counter by closing the distance.

Rizzo rushes Fukumitsu and presses him up against the cage.
Rizzo goes for a takedown attempt but Fukumitsu pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Rizzo has closed the distance and engaged Fukumitsu in a clinch.
Fukumitsu wants to break the clinch but can't.
Fukumitsu wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Rizzo prevents Fukumitsu from breaking the clinch.
Rizzo has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Fukumitsu seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Rizzo can turn it around.

Fukumitsu breaks the clinch.
Rizzo defending well as Fukumitsu loads up on a big left hand.
Rizzo let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fukumitsu lands with a nice combination. Rizzo backs away looking to recover.
Fukumitsu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fukumitsu backing away here, and Rizzo unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Fukumitsu throws an off balance right hand
and Rizzo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Fukumitsu thinking.
Rizzo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Fukumitsu throws a lazy uppercut

and Rizzo counters with a shoot takedown. Fukumitsu fights it but they end up in guard.
Rizzo is pushing down on Fukumitsu's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fukumitsu is fighting to maintain full guard but Rizzo has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rizzo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rizzo content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Rizzo slips a nice elbow through Fukumitsu's hands, connecting with Fukumitsu's forehead.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rizzo working the head and body with strikes.
Rizzo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Fukumitsu does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fukumitsu looks like he's trying to stand up.
Fukumitsu is looking to get back to is feet but Rizzo passes into side control.
Frank Rizzo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rizzo just content to control the position.
Rizzo lands a decent elbow from side control.
Rizzo grinds an elbow into Fukumitsu's temple.
Rizzo looks up at the clock and then as Fukumitsu takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Rizzo smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Rizzo staying calm.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Rizzo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rizzo has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Rizzo!
A very excited looking Frank Rizzo rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.