PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sol Fitzsimmons (ranked 1826 p4p, 221 weight class) and Fred Bizihwaeile (ranked 2267 p4p, 257 weight class). Bizihwaeile has chosen Pardon my G! as his entrance music. Fred Bizihwaeile has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fitzsimmons
vs
Bizihwaeile

187 cm
23
215 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

193 cm
23
215 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Great elbows
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 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sol Fitzsimmons!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Fred Bizihwaeile!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Illya Tyunina and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzsimmons tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bizihwaeile was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons throws a left and a right that both miss
and Bizihwaeile cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fitzsimmons throws a body punch but Bizihwaeile moves out of range.
A jab from Bizihwaeile misses.
Bizihwaeile moves out of range of the body kick.
Bizihwaeile has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
A swing and a miss from Fitzsimmons.
Bizihwaeile walks into a jab.
Fitzsimmons moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
We've been told by Fitzsimmons's head coaches at The Coffee Shop that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Bizihwaeile defending well as Fitzsimmons loads up on a big left hand.
Fitzsimmons with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Fitzsimmons is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bizihwaeile.

Fitzsimmons clinches up with Bizihwaeile and pushes him back against the cage.
Bizihwaeile can't find room to land a body shot as Fitzsimmons controls the action.
Bizihwaeile throws a punch but it's blocked by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons throws a head punch that misses.
Bizihwaeile misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fitzsimmons throws a head punch that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bizihwaeile dodges an elbow strike from Fitzsimmons.
Bizihwaeile doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons lands a right hand.

Bizihwaeile pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fitzsimmons just misses with a punch to the body.
Fitzsimmons listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fitzsimmons pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Fitzsimmons tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Bizihwaeile counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Sol Fitzsimmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bizihwaeile misses with a looping left.
Bizihwaeile just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromFitzsimmons.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Bizihwaeile.
Fitzsimmons on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Fitzsimmons throws a leg kick
and Bizihwaeile counters with a thumping low kick.
Fitzsimmons avoids the head kick by Bizihwaeile.

Fitzsimmons closes the distance and pushes Bizihwaeile back into the cage.
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!
Fitzsimmons lands a right hand.
Bizihwaeile tries to throw a body punch but Fitzsimmons avoids it by throwing Bizihwaeile back against the cage.
Bizihwaeile misses with a punch to the body.
Bizihwaeile blocks an elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bizihwaeile lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fitzsimmons blocks an elbow strike.
Fitzsimmons manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Bizihwaeile can't find room to land a body shot as Fitzsimmons controls the action.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Bizihwaeile.
Fitzsimmons misses with an elbow strike.
Bizihwaeile looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fitzsimmons prevents a body shot from Bizihwaeile.
Fitzsimmons has Bizihwaeile pressed against the cage, preventing Bizihwaeile from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Bizihwaeile breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fitzsimmons swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bizihwaeile scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Good leg kick by Bizihwaeile there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Fitzsimmons clinches up with Bizihwaeile and pushes him back against the cage.
Fitzsimmons displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bizihwaeile up against the cage.
Fitzsimmons lands a right hand that snaps the head of Bizihwaeile backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bizihwaeile tries a body shot but Fitzsimmons blocks it.
Fitzsimmons misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fitzsimmons cracks Bizihwaeile with a nice body shot.
Stalling in the clinch from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons is trying to maintain a safe position but Bizihwaeile gets an underhook and turns Fitzsimmons into the cage.
Bizihwaeile has a couple of punches blocked by Fitzsimmons.
Bizihwaeile on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fitzsimmons blocks a body shot from Bizihwaeile.
Fitzsimmons tries to work over Bizihwaeile's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bizihwaeile is looking to control Fitzsimmons's arms but Fitzsimmons gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bizihwaeile has his back to the cage.
Bizihwaeile is looking to control Fitzsimmons's arms but Fitzsimmons gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bizihwaeile has his back to the cage.
Fitzsimmons lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Fitzsimmons lands a nice shot to the body.
Bizihwaeile misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fitzsimmons lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

It looks like Fred Bizihwaeile has been cut.
Fitzsimmons displaying some good clinch control by pressing Bizihwaeile up against the cage.
Bizihwaeile lands a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bizihwaeile is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Bizihwaeile dodges an elbow strike from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Bizihwaeile takes an elbow to the forehead.
Bizihwaeile lands a shot to the body.
Fitzsimmons misses with a punch on the inside.
Bizihwaeile goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Fitzsimmons just misses with a elbow thrown towards Bizihwaeile's brow.
Fitzsimmons avoids the elbow strike from Bizihwaeile, against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fitzsimmons is leaning against Bizihwaeile and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Fitzsimmons creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Bizihwaeile's defenses.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Fitzsimmons creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

Bizihwaeile escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fitzsimmons fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fitzsimmons swings for the body but Bizihwaeile moves out of range.
Bizihwaeile wants to clinch up but Fitzsimmons keeps it at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sol Fitzsimmons dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Fred Bizihwaeile's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fitzsimmons throws a leg kick that is checked
and Bizihwaeile counters with a nice leg kick.
A decent looking cross lands there for Bizihwaeile.
An inside leg kick lands from Fitzsimmons.
Bizihwaeile lands a body shot.

Fitzsimmons moves into the clinch.
Fitzsimmons scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Fitzsimmons looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Sol Fitzsimmons has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bizihwaeile lands an elbow that stopped Fitzsimmons in his tracks for a moment.

Bizihwaeile breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bizihwaeile jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fitzsimmons throws a jab but it's blocked by Bizihwaeile.
Fitzsimmons tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice uppercut lands for Fitzsimmons. That snapped Bizihwaeile's head back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bizihwaeile looks to land a right hand but Fitzsimmons moved out of range.
Bizihwaeile chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Bizihwaeile ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bizihwaeile throws a looping overhand right but Fitzsimmons ducks down to avoid it.
Bizihwaeile bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot
and Bizihwaeile counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A big right from Fitzsimmons misses.
Bizihwaeile misses with a straight left.
Bizihwaeile is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons moves out of range of the body kick from Bizihwaeile.
Bizihwaeile paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bizihwaeile goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fitzsimmons works over Bizihwaeile's head and body with a nice combination.
A punch lands to the side of Bizihwaeile 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Fitzsimmons ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bizihwaeile moves away.
Fitzsimmons throws a hook to the side of Bizihwaeile's head but Bizihwaeile sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Fitzsimmons throws a combination. Bizihwaeile tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bizihwaeile swings widly with a right hand
and Fitzsimmons counters with a one-two to the body.
A low kick from Bizihwaeile is predictable there
and Bizihwaeile takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bizihwaeile steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fitzsimmons.
Bizihwaeile throws a body shot but no joy.
Sol Fitzsimmons is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzsimmons. Bizihwaeile does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fitzsimmons keeps Bizihwaeile at a distance using the push kick.

Fitzsimmons closes the distance and clinches.
Bizihwaeile avoiding damage.

Fitzsimmons escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Bizihwaeile throws a leg kick which misses Fitzsimmons's front leg but catches the back leg as Fitzsimmons tries to avoid it.

Fitzsimmons gets a clinch.
Bizihwaeile doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Bizihwaeile blocking some punches.
Fitzsimmons stalling against the cage.
A short right from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons lands a body shot in the clinch.
Fitzsimmons tries to throw a body punch but Bizihwaeile avoids it by throwing Fitzsimmons back against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bizihwaeile can do to turn this around?
Bizihwaeile misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fitzsimmons effectively controlling the action here.
Fitzsimmons misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Bizihwaeile pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Bizihwaeile works the jab nicely.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bizihwaeile checks a leg kick.
Bizihwaeile slips a jab from Fitzsimmons.
Bizihwaeile connects with a single shot there.
Bizihwaeile throws an overhand right that lands on Fitzsimmons's shoulder, as Fitzsimmons tries to avoid the shot.
Fitzsimmons misses with an uppercut
and Bizihwaeile cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fitzsimmons tries to land a front kick but Bizihwaeile steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A little jabbing left from Bizihwaeile on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

Fitzsimmons darts in and clinches Bizihwaeile up against the cage.
Bizihwaeile scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fitzsimmons blocks the elbow strike.
Bizihwaeile misses with an elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bizihwaeile struggles to land a body shot inside as Fitzsimmons controls his hands.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Bizihwaeile stalling against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fitzsimmons.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bizihwaeile struggles to land a body shot inside as Fitzsimmons controls his hands.
Fitzsimmons throws a head punch that misses.
Fitzsimmons misses with some punches.
Bizihwaeile comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body punch.
Fitzsimmons lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Bizihwaeile lands on the inside with an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Bizihwaeile swings wildly with an uppercut but Fitzsimmons uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bizihwaeile or not.
A head punch on the inside from Fitzsimmons fails to land.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Bizihwaeile.
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 Sol Fitzsimmons will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Fred Bizihwaeile's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Bizihwaeile keeps the fight on the outside.

It looks like Sol Fitzsimmons has been cut.
Fitzsimmons darts in trying to clinch
and Bizihwaeile counters with a nice uppercut.
Bizihwaeile does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Fitzsimmons lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bizihwaeile looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Fitzsimmons misses with a few strikes there.
Fitzsimmons misses with a hook.
Fitzsimmons misses with a right hand
and Fitzsimmons takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A cross from Fitzsimmons lands.
Fitzsimmons swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Bizihwaeile throws out a counter right but Fitzsimmons avoids it with no problem.
Fitzsimmons throws a body shot but no joy.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Bizihwaeile checks a leg kick.
Bizihwaeile looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Bizihwaeile throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fitzsimmons.
Jab, jab by Fitzsimmons - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons slips a jab from Bizihwaeile.
Bizihwaeile misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fitzsimmons.
Bizihwaeile is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Fitzsimmons scores with a nice right hand.
Fitzsimmons throws a low kick, looking for Bizihwaeile's leg but Bizihwaeile calmly moves out of range.
Bizihwaeile ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Bizihwaeile throws a nice outside leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Bizihwaeile darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Fitzsimmons closes the distance and pushes Bizihwaeile back into the cage.
Fitzsimmons has a couple of punches blocked by Bizihwaeile.
Bizihwaeile lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fitzsimmons blocks an uppercut.
Fitzsimmons lands with a short shot to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bizihwaeile misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bizihwaeile can't break the clinch.
Fitzsimmons working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons taking a breather.
Fitzsimmons throws a head punch that misses.
Bizihwaeile tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bizihwaeile lands a body shot in the clinch.
Sol Fitzsimmons is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bizihwaeile lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fitzsimmons misses with an elbow over the top.
Bizihwaeile tries to work over Fitzsimmons's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Bizihwaeile lands an elbow that stopped Fitzsimmons in his tracks for a moment.
Fitzsimmons tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Bizihwaeile creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Fitzsimmons has Bizihwaeile pressed against the cage, preventing Bizihwaeile from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
With the fighters up against the cage, Bizihwaeile throws an elbow but misses.
Fitzsimmons keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bizihwaeile's efforts to push away.
Bizihwaeile lands with a short shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bizihwaeile.
Fitzsimmons lands with a right to the head.
Bizihwaeile goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Bizihwaeile.
Fred Bizihwaeile has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
With the fighters up against the cage, Fitzsimmons throws an elbow but misses.
Fitzsimmons leaning against his opponent.
Bizihwaeile goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fitzsimmons throws a punch but it's blocked by Bizihwaeile.
Nice body punch from Fitzsimmons - that landed with a thud.
Fitzsimmons prevents a body shot from Bizihwaeile.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bizihwaeile tries to work over Fitzsimmons's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Bizihwaeile.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Bizihwaeile.

Bizihwaeile escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A clash of legs there as Bizihwaeile blocks the low kick.
Good shot there by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons defending well as Bizihwaeile loads up on a big left hand.
The fighters circling - Bizihwaeile throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Bizihwaeile misses.
Bizihwaeile dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fitzsimmons. That did some damage!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fitzsimmons uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bizihwaeile.
Fitzsimmons thinks about countering with a body kick.
Bizihwaeile misses with a lunging right hand
and Bizihwaeile takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Bizihwaeile finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Fitzsimmons punishes Bizihwaeile's body with a nice straight punch.
Fitzsimmons darts in trying to clinch
enabling Bizihwaeile to counter with a crisp jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Fred Bizihwaeile.
I think Fitzsimmons has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!