PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Dion Fitzwater (ranked 3901 p4p, 4698 weight class) and Peter Okropir (ranked 425 p4p, 463 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Peter Okropir was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Fitzwater
vs
Okropir

178 cm
21
185
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
185
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Dion Fitzwater!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Peter Okropir!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Jorge Garcia and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fitzwater moves into the clinch.
Okropir is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Fitzwater is keeping busy.
Fitzwater lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Fitzwater is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Okropir is trying to push Fitzwater away but Fitzwater has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Fitzwater drags the fight down to the ground.

Fitzwater escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Okropir gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Okropir trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fitzwater had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Okropir defends it easily.

Okropir stands and steps away. Fitzwater gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Okropir closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fitzwater circles away.
Fitzwater misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Okropir shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Fitzwater manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Okropir is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fitzwater pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Fitzwater throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Okropir blocks it with crossed arms.
The referee calls for Okropir to work.
Okropir misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fitzwater manages to break the clinch.
Okropir leaves Fitzwater with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Fitzwater moves into range and clinches up with Okropir.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Okropir tries for a takedown but Fitzwater manages to get underhooks.
Dion Fitzwater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Okropir.
Fitzwater is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Okropir to keep the fight standing.
Okropir goes for a takedown attempt but Fitzwater pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Fitzwater avoids the head kick by Okropir.
Crunch! Okropir slams his shin into Fitzwater's torso.
Okropir looks winded!

Fitzwater takes the fight into the clinch.
Okropir tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okropir jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fitzwater walks away with a smile on his face. Okropir gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Okropir takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Fitzwater moves into the clinch successfully.

Fitzwater's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Okropir moves out of range as Fitzwater throws a body kick.
A nice side step and Okropir releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Fitzwater changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Okropir tries to avoid it but Fitzwater manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Okropir to the ground. Okropir escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Fitzwater looks for a takedown but Okropir sprawls well.
Fitzwater dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Dion Fitzwater seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Fitzwater gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Okropir has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fitzwater avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzwater lands a hook that snaps the head of Okropir backwards.

Okropir decides to pull guard.
Okropir is trying to control the position but Fitzwater postures up.
Fitzwater stays in close to Okropir's body and controls the position.

Fitzwater is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Okropir bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fitzwater's guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Fitzwater gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Okropir tries to pull guard but Fitzwater won't allow it.
Fitzwater manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Okropir tries to pull guard but Fitzwater won't allow it.

Fitzwater pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Fitzwater clinches.
Fitzwater lands a hook to the side of the head.
Okropir has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fitzwater avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Dion Fitzwater has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Peter Okropir.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzwater crunches a lovely knee into Okropir's ribcage.

Fitzwater pulls guard.
Okropir is breathing heavily.

Fitzwater has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Okropir off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Dion Fitzwater is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Fitzwater darts in and clinches Okropir up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fitzwater pulls guard successfully.
Fitzwater lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Fitzwater is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Fitzwater is pushing down on Okropir's leg trying to pass to half guard. Okropir is fighting to maintain full guard but Fitzwater has managed to sneak the leg through.
Okropir is in trouble now - Fitzwater has advanced to mount!
Fitzwater trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzwater misses with a head shot.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fitzwater controlling from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitzwater avoids the attempt from Okropir to control.
Okropir is squirming around, avoiding Fitzwater's attempts to control the action.
Okropir keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okropir tries to hold on but Fitzwater pushes him away.
Okropir is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Okropir is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Fitzwater prevents Okropir from getting the reversal.
Fitzwater wants to control the pace but Okropir is squirming around nicely.
Okropir wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Fitzwater.

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.
Okropir is squirming around, avoiding Fitzwater's attempts to control the action.
Poor strikes thrown by Fitzwater there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Okropir is trying desperately to improve position.

Fitzwater goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Okropir is on top in guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dion Fitzwater dominated that second round.
That's time! Fitzwater's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Okropir swats away the attempt to clinch by Fitzwater.
Fitzwater dives in and grabs Okropir's left leg, looking for a takedown. Okropir pushes down on Fitzwater's head and hops out.
Okropir lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fitzwater's sensitive parts.
Okropir avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fitzwater throws a half hearted mid kick.
Fitzwater misses with a kick to the body.
Okropir fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzwater pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Fitzwater is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Okropir can do to turn this around?
Fitzwater tries to clinch but Okropir moves out of range.
Fitzwater lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Peter Okropir has been cut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
No luck for Fitzwater with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Fitzwater with that takedown attempt.
Okropir lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Dion Fitzwater. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Okropir moves into range and clinches up with Fitzwater.
Okropir is looking to break free of the clinch but Fitzwater has double underhooks.
Fitzwater looking to slow down the pace here.
Okropir drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fitzwater gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Fitzwater lands a hook that snaps the head of Okropir backwards.
Fitzwater is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Okropir pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzwater looking to stall.
Okropir tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Okropir taking a breather.
Okropir is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Fitzwater pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Fitzwater breaks the clinch.
Fitzwater pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Okropir drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Fitzwater defends it well.
Fitzwater explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

Okropir gets tackled into the cage by Fitzwater. Fitzwater maintains the clinch.
Okropir fails to pull the fight into his guard.

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

Okropir closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Okropir tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fitzwater just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fitzwater lands with a short shot to the head.
Fitzwater is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Okropir to keep the fight standing.
Okropir trying to stall but Fitzwater improves his position.
Fitzwater gets underhooks to prevent Okropir's takedown attempt.

Fitzwater's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Okropir tries to keep at a distance but Fitzwater has taken the fight into the clinch.
Okropir has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Fitzwater avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Okropir prevents the takedown attempt.
Okropir tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Fitzwater just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fitzwater utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fitzwater lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fitzwater's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Okropir avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Okropir tries a quick counter leg kick but Fitzwater is wise to it.
Horrible takedown attempt by Fitzwater or perhaps it was just good defense by Okropir, which made it look bad.

Okropir takes the fight into the clinch.
Fitzwater cracks Okropir with a nice body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Okropir is trying to push Fitzwater away but Fitzwater has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Peter Okropir has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A nice left hand lands by Okropir.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dion Fitzwater showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Fitzwater has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Franklyn Lucas scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dion Fitzwater!
Dion Fitzwater thanked the fans post fight for their support.