PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rodrick Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Derick Sprole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sprole has chosen Youre Gonna Go Far, Kid as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fitzgerald
vs
Sprole

170 cm
19
135 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

165 cm
19
142 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Fighters First Nutrition Amsterdam 160

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rodrick Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Derick Sprole!
The judges for this bout are Matheus Silva, Daniel Cesar and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sprole is looking to clinch but Fitzgerald is avoiding it.
Sprole tries to clinch up but Fitzgerald circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice sprawl there from Sprole as Fitzgerald shoots in.
Sprole tries to clinch there but Fitzgerald circles away.

Sprole shoots in and gets a takedown into Fitzgerald's guard.
Sprole postures up and lands a big shot to Fitzgerald's brow.

Sprole avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Fitzgerald looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fitzgerald keeping moving, preventing Sprole from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fitzgerald looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sprole passes into half guard.

Fitzgerald looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fitzgerald wants to get back to full guard but Sprole has mounted him!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sprole lands a big elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitzgerald is in all sorts of trouble here.
Sprole punishing his opponent with strikes.
Sprole 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.
Sprole unloading with bombs!
Fitzgerald regains half guard.
Sprole is keen to just control but Fitzgerald is a slippery customer.

Sprole wants to work for an arm triangle but Fitzgerald is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Sprole lands with a punch from half guard.
Sprole is looking to take a break and control but Fitzgerald is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fitzgerald tries to get to full guard but Sprole has control of the leg.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fitzgerald is not content to let Sprole control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald gets back to full guard.
Fitzgerald keeping moving, preventing Sprole from controlling successfully.

Fitzgerald throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sprole controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Sprole avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sprole must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sprole wants to control from the top but Fitzgerald keeps moving.
Fitzgerald lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Sprole!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Sprole defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald wants to take Sprole's back but he can't do it this time.
Sprole is trying desperately to improve position.

Fitzgerald is working for a guillotine from mount but Sprole frees his head quite easily.

Fitzgerald looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sprole is trying to escape the mount but Fitzgerald keeps good control and instead manages to take Sprole's back.

Fitzgerald is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Sprole is defending well though. Fitzgerald let's go of the attempt for now.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Sprole defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Fitzgerald's arms.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Sprole defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Fitzgerald's arms.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sprole moves into the clinch.
Sprole missing with knees to the body.
Sprole using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Sprole prevents a takedown attempt there.
Sprole tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fitzgerald on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sprole lands an elbow inside.
Sprole gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Fitzgerald jumps guard but Sprole stands there with Fitzgerald around his waist. Fitzgerald gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Sprole connects with a nasty looking knee right to Fitzgerald's face.
Sprole is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fitzgerald is defending well for now.
Sprole tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald tries to pull guard but Sprole forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrick Fitzgerald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fitzgerald trying to stall but Sprole improves his position.
Sprole connects with a knee to the head.

Fitzgerald jumps guard.

Fitzgerald is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sprole defends well.

Fitzgerald escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Sprole gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Sprole sitting in guard, not really doing much.

Fitzgerald is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sprole trying to control the position from guard on top but Fitzgerald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sprole is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Sprole showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Sprole avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Fitzgerald has his foot on Sprole's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sprole works his way back into a safe position though.

Fitzgerald is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Fitzgerald is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sprole defends well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald being controlled here, momentarily.

Fitzgerald working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sprole has passed into half guard!
Sprole is trying to control the action in half guard but Fitzgerald is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Fitzgerald is trying to get back to full guard.
Sprole wants to pass to mount but Fitzgerald is defending the position.
Sprole drops an elbow to the side of Fitzgerald's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fitzgerald looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sprole prevents Fitzgerald from improving his position.

Fitzgerald looking for a kimura from the bottom but Sprole passes into side control!

Sprole is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fitzgerald is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sprole scores with a couple of short elbows.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fitzgerald is being controlled here.
Fitzgerald is trying to improve his position.
Fitzgerald is working to avoid the ground and pound but Sprole connects with a decent elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rodrick Fitzgerald will probably get the nod.
That's time! Fitzgerald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Fitzgerald looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Sprole is fending him off so far but Fitzgerald persists. Nope, Sprole circles away and we're back to standing.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sprole looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Sprole rushes Fitzgerald and presses him up against the cage.
Fitzgerald can't break the clinch.
Sprole landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Sprole unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Fitzgerald has had enough of the clinch but Sprole keeps him there for the moment.
Sprole lands a knee to the head.
Fitzgerald jumps guard but Sprole stands there with Fitzgerald around his waist. Fitzgerald gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sprole.
Sprole misses with a knee strike.
Sprole throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fitzgerald tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Sprole avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald takes a knee to the side of the body.
Sprole tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Sprole.
Sprole tries to land knees in the clinch but Fitzgerald avoids the damage to the body.
Sprole working Fitzgerald over with knees to the body.
Fitzgerald is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sprole to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rodrick Fitzgerald. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sprole throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sprole tries a knee to the head but Fitzgerald blocks it.
Fitzgerald takes an elbow to the temple.
Sprole misses with a knee strike.
Sprole unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Fitzgerald misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sprole crunches a lovely knee into Fitzgerald's ribcage.
Fitzgerald is trying to break the clinch but Sprole is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Sprole.
Sprole tries to land a knee to the head but Fitzgerald blocks with his arms.
Fitzgerald is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Sprole to keep the fight standing.
Sprole tries a knee to the head but Fitzgerald blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitzgerald jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Sprole walks away with a smile on his face. Fitzgerald gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Derick Sprole seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sprole fails in his attempt to clinch.

Fitzgerald changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Sprole looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Fitzgerald is trying to get an arm triangle but Sprole is defending well.
Sprole wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Fitzgerald tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sprole is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Fitzgerald has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Sprole is looking to reverse the position.
Fitzgerald advances to full mount.

Fitzgerald swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Sprole is now in Fitzgerald's guard. A big mistake from Fitzgerald there, giving up the dominant position!

Fitzgerald has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Sprole doesn't defend quickly enough and Fitzgerald has managed to lock this one up! Can Sprole escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to Fitzgerald on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Rodrick Fitzgerald!
After the fight, Rodrick Fitzgerald was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.