PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Patrick Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexei Kropotkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kropotkin is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Boy prodolzhaetsya by Ariya. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Fitzgerald
vs
Kropotkin

198 cm
22
215 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
208 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Patrick Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexei Kropotkin!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fitzgerald closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
You can see the frustration on Kropotkin's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Fitzgerald wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kropotkin keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Fitzgerald wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kropotkin, who protects the arm well.

Fitzgerald tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Fitzgerald has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Fitzgerald is trying to get an arm triangle but Kropotkin is defending well.
Kropotkin is trying to control Fitzgerald's posture but Fitzgerald avoids it.
Fitzgerald is looking to take a break and control but Kropotkin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kropotkin is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Kropotkin is looking to regain half guard here but Fitzgerald keeps moving and retains side control.
Fitzgerald trying to control the position but Kropotkin is working away.

Fitzgerald is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kropotkin knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kropotkin is trying to control Fitzgerald's posture but Fitzgerald avoids it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Fitzgerald looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kropotkin!
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kropotkin can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fitzgerald is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kropotkin can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Fitzgerald is breathing heavily.
Fitzgerald tries to control but Kropotkin wriggling away.
Kropotkin can't escape the position.
Kropotkin tries to hold on but Fitzgerald pushes him away.

Fitzgerald is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kropotkin is surviving well by controlling Fitzgerald's body position as best he can.
Kropotkin tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald tries to push Kropotkin's head away but Kropotkin is holding on tight.
Kropotkin is wriggling around trying to escape.
Fitzgerald trying to control but Kropotkin is having none of it.
Fitzgerald is really struggling to control Kropotkin but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Fitzgerald sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Fitzgerald has hold of Kropotkin's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Kropotkin manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Kropotkin wants to hold on but Fitzgerald pushes him away.

Fitzgerald looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fitzgerald avoids the attempt from Kropotkin to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kropotkin cracks Fitzgerald with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kropotkin cracks the inside of Fitzgerald's front leg.
Fitzgerald ducks under a wild hook from Kropotkin.

Fitzgerald drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kropotkin struggling a bit here.

Fitzgerald tries for a kimura but Kropotkin is defending well.
Kropotkin is looking to regain half guard here but Fitzgerald keeps moving and retains side control.
Kropotkin manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fitzgerald's best efforts.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fitzgerald wants to take a breather but Kropotkin is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fitzgerald is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kropotkin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Kropotkin looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kropotkin lands with a nice combination. Fitzgerald backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Patrick Fitzgerald has been cut.
Kropotkin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kropotkin lands a right hook to the body.
Kropotkin works the jab nicely.
Alexei Kropotkin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kropotkin is looking to slow Fitzgerald down with leg kicks.
Fitzgerald has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Fitzgerald there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kropotkin lands a with a good body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fitzgerald takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kropotkin takes a swing at Fitzgerald's ribcage but misses.
Fitzgerald ducks right into an uppercut from Kropotkin.
Kropotkin lands a with a good body shot.
Kropotkin misses with an uppercut.
Kropotkin scores with a hook to the body. Fitzgerald takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kropotkin scores with a nice head shot.
Kropotkin bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kropotkin cracks Fitzgerald with a good jab.
Kropotkin throws a right hand that Fitzgerald ducks under and follows up with a left that Fitzgerald also avoids with ease.
Kropotkin misses with a few strikes there.
Alexei Kropotkin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fitzgerald takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fitzgerald tries for a takedown but Kropotkin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Kropotkin forces Fitzgerald back against the cage and clinches.
Fitzgerald tries to stall but Kropotkin uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fitzgerald blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kropotkin wants to get back to striking at distance but Fitzgerald won't allow it.

Kropotkin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fitzgerald tries for a takedown but Kropotkin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kropotkin lands a jab to the nose.
Kropotkin throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kropotkin lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Fitzgerald circles away quickly and effectively.

Fitzgerald closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Fitzgerald stalling.

Kropotkin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kropotkin has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fitzgerald is working away from the top position though.
Fitzgerald is looking to take a break and control but Kropotkin is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fitzgerald stops Kropotkin from getting back to his feet.
Kropotkin tries to roll over but Fitzgerald keeps him under control.

Fitzgerald is looking for a kimura here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Fitzgerald is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexei Kropotkin showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Patrick Fitzgerald's cut.
That's time! 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.

Kropotkin connects with a crisp jab.
Kropotkin throws a front kick aimed at Fitzgerald's knee but Fitzgerald avoids it well.
Patrick Fitzgerald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Fitzgerald closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Fitzgerald lands in his opponent's guard.

Fitzgerald has gone for a leg lock! Kropotkin slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fitzgerald's guard.

Fitzgerald throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Fitzgerald keeping moving, preventing Kropotkin from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kropotkin with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fitzgerald has momentary wrist control but Kropotkin slips an elbow through the middle.

Fitzgerald is looking for a triangle but Kropotkin pushes his legs off easily.
Kropotkin must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kropotkin looking to pass the guard.
Kropotkin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kropotkin in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kropotkin wants to control from the top but Fitzgerald keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kropotkin throws a sloppy head kick and Fitzgerald moves out of range easily.

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.
Kropotkin lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fitzgerald's sensitive parts.
Kropotkin throws a series of punches but Fitzgerald avoids them all with ease.
Kropotkin connects with a looping right hand.
Kropotkin misses with an attempted mid kick.
Fitzgerald throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kropotkin counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fitzgerald gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kropotkin counters with a nice body shot.
Fitzgerald wants to clinch
and Kropotkin counters with a nice leg kick.
Kropotkin scoring well with a low kick there.
A punch lands to the side of Fitzgerald 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Kropotkin lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kropotkin goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Kropotkin clinches up with Fitzgerald and pushes him back against the cage.
Fitzgerald tries for a takedown but Kropotkin manages to get underhooks.

Kropotkin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kropotkin lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Fitzgerald avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kropotkin throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Fitzgerald with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kropotkin counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Fitzgerald thinking.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Patrick Fitzgerald. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fitzgerald gets a clinch.
Kropotkin is pressed up against the cage. Fitzgerald has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Kropotkin down to the mat. Kropotkin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kropotkin connects with a body shot.
A head kick from Kropotkin lands but Fitzgerald takes it in his stride.
Fitzgerald throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kropotkin connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kropotkin throws a body punch but Fitzgerald moves out of range.

Kropotkin gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fitzgerald to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fitzgerald wants to control from the top but Kropotkin keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fitzgerald postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Kropotkin is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Fitzgerald, into his guard.
Fitzgerald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kropotkin really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fitzgerald. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Fitzgerald working for a triangle but Kropotkin defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexei Kropotkin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kropotkin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexei Kropotkin!