PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Ricky Byrd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josh Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fitzgerald has chosen House of Pain: Jump Around as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Byrd
vs
Fitzgerald

179 cm
25
162 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

176 cm
19
167 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Ricky Byrd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Josh Fitzgerald!
The judges for this bout are Russell Pearce, Anthony Taglia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Byrd tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fitzgerald throws a series of punches but Byrd avoids them all with ease.
A head kick misses from Byrd.
Byrd throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Byrd pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Byrd misses the jab.
Byrd misses with a hook.
Byrd misses with a head kick.
Fitzgerald misses with a series of wild punches.
Byrd misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Byrd throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fitzgerald sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fitzgerald connects with a looping right hand.
Byrd throws the kick towards the body but Fitzgerald avoids it.
Byrd is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head kick misses from Byrd.
Fitzgerald lands a slapping body shot.
Ricky Byrd seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Byrd misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Byrd misses with a head kick.
Fitzgerald lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Byrd circles away quickly and effectively.

Byrd tries to keep at a distance but Fitzgerald has taken the fight into the clinch.

Fitzgerald jumps guard and drags Byrd to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald wants to sweep here but Byrd controlling him for the moment.
Fitzgerald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Fitzgerald is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Byrd is aware though and is defending well.
Byrd wants to stand and escape but instead Fitzgerald has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fitzgerald tries to free his leg and advance position but Byrd is retaining full guard.
Fitzgerald wants to control from the top but Byrd keeps moving.
Fitzgerald prevents Byrd from getting back to his feet.
Byrd keeping full guard, as Fitzgerald tries to pass.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Byrd tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Byrd throws a head kick that misses.
Fitzgerald moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

Fitzgerald gets a clinch.
Byrd goes for a takedown attempt but Fitzgerald pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Fitzgerald tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Byrd throws a sloppy head kick and Fitzgerald moves out of range easily.
Fitzgerald with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A lazy left from Fitzgerald finds it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Byrd wants to get back to his feet but Fitzgerald drags him back down.
Byrd avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald throws a strike aimed at the side of Byrd's head but Byrd avoids it well.
Fitzgerald is staying tight to Byrd's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Fitzgerald wants to control but Byrd is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Byrd wants to get back to his feet but Fitzgerald drags him back down.
Byrd prevents Fitzgerald from improving position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Fitzgerald moves into range and clinches up with Byrd.
Fitzgerald letting Byrd take a breather here.
Fitzgerald prevents a body shot from Byrd.

Fitzgerald pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fitzgerald blocks a head kick by Byrd.
Fitzgerald moves out of range as Byrd throws a body kick.
Fitzgerald closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Ricky Byrd is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fitzgerald throws a solid leg kick but Byrd takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fitzgerald.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Fitzgerald dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fitzgerald throws a one two combo.
Byrd takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A head kick misses from Byrd.
Byrd has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Byrd throws a head kick that misses.
Byrd misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fitzgerald works over Byrd's head and body with a nice combination.

Fitzgerald shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Fitzgerald was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Byrd prevents Fitzgerald from taking his back.
Fitzgerald tries to control but Byrd wriggling away.

Fitzgerald has hold of Byrd's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Byrd manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Byrd is trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald controlling the pace for now.
Byrd is trying to stand up.
Fitzgerald fails to advance to Byrd's back.
Fitzgerald trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Fitzgerald won't let Byrd get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Fitzgerald wants to take Byrd's back but he can't do it this time.
Fitzgerald is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Byrd is trying to stand up.
Fitzgerald looking to control and managing it successfully.
Byrd is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fitzgerald sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
You get the feeling that Byrd really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Fitzgerald wants to control the pace but Byrd is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Byrd is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Fitzgerald controlling the pace for now.
Byrd holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Fitzgerald tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Byrd wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Byrd prevents Fitzgerald from taking his back.
Fitzgerald tries to control but Byrd wriggling away.
Byrd's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Byrd is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Fitzgerald has taken his back!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Fitzgerald is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Byrd is defending well though. Fitzgerald let's go of the attempt for now.

Fitzgerald has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Byrd has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josh Fitzgerald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Byrd's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Fitzgerald rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Byrd moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fitzgerald blocks a head kick by Byrd.
Byrd misses with a hook.
Byrd misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Byrd showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fitzgerald.

Fitzgerald scores a takedown into full mount!
Fitzgerald trying to control but he's not successful this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Byrd is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Byrd trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Fitzgerald wants to control the pace but Byrd is squirming around nicely.
Fitzgerald throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Fitzgerald fails to take his opponent's back.
Byrd is squirming around, avoiding Fitzgerald's attempts to control the action.

Fitzgerald looking to secure an arm triangle but Byrd defends it well.
Fitzgerald looking to control but Byrd is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Byrd wants to try and get back to his feet.

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.
Fitzgerald sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Byrd is trying to stand.
Fitzgerald trying to control but Byrd is having none of it.
Fitzgerald looking to finish with strikes here!
Fitzgerald sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Fitzgerald thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Byrd is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald tries to control but Byrd wriggling away.
Byrd is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.

Byrd somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Byrd misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Byrd throws a sloppy head kick and Fitzgerald moves out of range easily.
Byrd throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Byrd throws a head kick that misses.
Byrd throws a head kick but Fitzgerald moves out of range.

Fitzgerald scores with a takedown into Byrd's guard.
Fitzgerald trying to control but Byrd is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Byrd is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Fitzgerald slips nicely into half guard.

Byrd has one foot on Fitzgerald's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Byrd 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 prevents Byrd from standing back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Byrd manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Byrd throws a head kick but Fitzgerald moves out of range.
Fitzgerald moves out of range as Byrd throws a body kick.
Ricky Byrd has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fitzgerald throws a quick inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Josh Fitzgerald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fitzgerald 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 Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anthony Taglia scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josh Fitzgerald!