PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rick Flare (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Rizzo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Flare comes into the arena with Also Sprach Zarathustra blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Flare
vs
Rizzo

173 cm
21
180 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

178 cm
23
175 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ruthless Results 141+ Energy SALE $21

Rastafarii Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Rick Flare!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Frank Rizzo!
The judges for this bout are Steve Erwin, John Mangel and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flare moves away from the strike by Rizzo.
Rizzo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Flare fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rizzo avoids it really well and circles away.
Rizzo scores with a jab to the body.
Rizzo motions for Flare to come forward. Rizzo throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Flare shoots in looking for a takedown. Rizzo tries to sprawl out of it but Flare keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rizzo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rizzo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Flare moves away.
Flare keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo throws a right and a left that Flare avoids nicely.
Rizzo scores with a jab to the head.
Flare takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rizzo lands a nice looking body shot.
A punch combination from Rizzo misses.
Flare shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rizzo as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Flare. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Flare takes the fight into the clinch.
Flare is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rizzo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rizzo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Flare avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Flare. Rizzo does a little dance to reset his feet.

Flare shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Flare was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo is looking to improve his position but Flare isn't that keen on the idea.
Rizzo squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Flare is working for a guillotine from mount but Rizzo frees his head quite easily.
Rizzo tries to hold on but Flare pushes him away.

Flare is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rizzo has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Flare controlling the pace for now.
Rizzo tries to buck Flare off but he can't manage it.
Rizzo wants to control but Flare is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.

Flare get's back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Rizzo. No joy for Flare on that attempt.
Flare takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Flare is breathing heavily.
Rizzo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rizzo throws a right hand that Flare ducks under and follows up with a left that Flare also avoids with ease.
A right-left combo lands from Rizzo.
Frank Rizzo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rizzo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Flare stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Nice takedown defense from Rizzo. No joy for Flare on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flare is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rizzo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Flare slips under a jab from Rizzo.
Rizzo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rizzo throws a looping overhand right but Flare ducks down to avoid it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Rizzo.
Flare is looking to clinch.
Rizzo stuffs the takedown.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Flare throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rizzo's waist but Rizzo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Flare off to one side.
Flare looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rizzo is fending him off so far but Flare persists. Nope, Rizzo circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Rizzo dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rizzo keeps the fight on the outside.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Flare is defended easily by Rizzo.
Flare doesn't manage to clinch there - Rizzo circles away.
Rizzo throws an overhand right that lands on Flare's shoulder, as Flare tries to avoid the shot.
Flare fails in his attempt to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Flare shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rizzo sprawls well. Rizzo wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Flare gets slowly back to his feet.
Rizzo tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot by Rizzo.
Flare connects with a jab.
Flare takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rizzo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Flare takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Flare looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rizzo throws a series of punches but Flare avoids them all with ease.
Rizzo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Flare shoots in but Rizzo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Flare. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Flare moves out of range as Rizzo strikes.
Frank Rizzo seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Rizzo misses its intended target.
Flare shoots for a double leg takedown but Rizzo sprawls well. He's pushed Flare's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rizzo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Flare circles away quickly and effectively.
Rizzo throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rick Flare is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Flare shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rizzo's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Flare gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Flare.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Flare ducks under a wild hook from Rizzo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo lands with a right hand.
Nice body punch from Rizzo.
Flare is looking to clinch.
Rizzo stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Flare shoots in but Rizzo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Flare looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nice shot lands for Rizzo.
Flare shoots in for a double leg but Rizzo sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo misses the jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Flare.
Flare looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Flare moves in looking to clinch but Rizzo pushes him off.
Flare uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rizzo.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rizzo wants to land a leg kick but Flare is out of range.
Flare wants to clinch up but Rizzo keeps it at a distance.
Rizzo thuds his right hand into Flare's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Rizzo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Flare throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rizzo's waist but Rizzo gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Flare off to one side.
Nice takedown defense from Rizzo. No joy for Flare on that attempt.
Rizzo scores with a sloppy right hand. Flare should have avoided that one.
Rizzo throws a body punch but Flare moves out of range.
Rizzo thuds a left hand into Flare's body.
The crowd cheers as Rizzo lands an impressive looking overhand right. Flare doesn't seem phased though.
Rizzo lands with an overhand left.
Rizzo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A jab from Rizzo finds it's way through Flare's defenses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rizzo cracks a nice hook into Flare's ribs.
Flare takes one on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Flare on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rizzo. Rizzo obviously looking to wear him down.
Rizzo scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Oh, that's a big right hand from Rizzo and Flare goes tumbling to the canvas! Rizzo follows him to the ground and looks to finish from half guard.

Flare is rocked!
Rizzo is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rizzo tries to stand and escape but Flare is controlling the position.
Rizzo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Flare is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rizzo pulls his head out easily.
Rizzo with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Flare is looking for a sweep. Rizzo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rizzo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Flare does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rizzo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Rizzo stops Flare from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Flare tries to roll over but Rizzo keeps him under control.
Flare is working hard here to advance position.
Rick Flare has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Flare looking for submissions off his back.

Rizzo stands up and beckons Flare to join him on the feet.
Rizzo connects with a nice looking jab.
Flare moves out of range as Rizzo strikes.
Flare shoots in but Rizzo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick Flare. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Flare tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Rizzo misses the target.
Rizzo lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Flare circles away quickly and effectively.
Rizzo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Flare moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rizzo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rizzo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Flare manages to avoid it.
Frank Rizzo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Flare shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rizzo as he avoids it easily.
Rizzo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rizzo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Flare tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rizzo swivels and escapes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Frank Rizzo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rizzo winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Steve Erwin scores the fight 26:30
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 26:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Rizzo!