PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Andrei Arlovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Warren Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fitzgerald has chosen And Now We Dance - The Vandals 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.

Arlovski
vs
Fitzgerald

180 cm
22
185 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

177 cm
23
186 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

STEEL PENN NUTRITION - STEEL RESERVE 158+ ONLY$89
STEEL PENN NUTRITION - STEEL RESERVE 158+ ONLY$89

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Andrei Arlovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Warren Fitzgerald!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Paul Aken and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzgerald fails to land with a series of punches.
No joy there for Arlovski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Arlovski moves away from the strike by Fitzgerald.
Arlovski slips a straight right by Fitzgerald.
Arlovski works over Fitzgerald's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Warren Fitzgerald has been cut.
Arlovski fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Arlovski slips under a jab.
Arlovski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Fitzgerald loads up on a big right hand but Arlovski slips the punch.
Fitzgerald misses with a double jab
and Fitzgerald takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
An inside leg kick from Fitzgerald misses.
Nice straight punches there by Fitzgerald. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Fitzgerald.
Arlovski uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fitzgerald.
Arlovski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fitzgerald.
Arlovski fails to land the takedown.
Fitzgerald throws a hook to the side of Arlovski's head but Arlovski sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Arlovski checks a low kick from Fitzgerald.
Arlovski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald throws a shot from downtown. Arlovski moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Fitzgerald misses the target.
Fitzgerald misses with a straight left.
Fitzgerald takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Fitzgerald shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Arlovski napping and manages to drive through into side control!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitzgerald looks gassed!
Fitzgerald working away.
Arlovski tries to improve position but can't.
Arlovski can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Fitzgerald wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Arlovski manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fitzgerald is defending against the submission attempts here by Arlovski.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fitzgerald tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Warren Fitzgerald seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski swinging wildly here.
Fitzgerald scores with a nice strike.
Fitzgerald takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Arlovski lands a body shot.
Fitzgerald walks into a left hand.
Arlovski uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fitzgerald.
Arlovski lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Arlovski misses with a double jab.
Arlovski misses with a takedown attempt - Fitzgerald sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Arlovski ducks under a wild hook from Fitzgerald.
Arlovski fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A punch lands to the side of Fitzgerald 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Arlovski lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Fitzgerald backs up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Arlovski slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fitzgerald as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrei Arlovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fitzgerald defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Arlovski.
Arlovski slips under a jab from Fitzgerald.
Arlovski scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Arlovski bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Arlovski punishes Fitzgerald's body with a nice straight punch.
Some wild striking there from Arlovski.
Fitzgerald takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Arlovski throws a combination. Fitzgerald tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Arlovski connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Fitzgerald momentarily.
Arlovski ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Arlovski darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Arlovski lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Arlovski scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Arlovski works the jab nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Arlovski dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Warren Fitzgerald's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Arlovski's corner calls for a 1-2. Arlovski obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Fitzgerald fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fitzgerald throws the left hand but Arlovski avoids the punch easily.
Arlovski ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Arlovski goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Arlovski moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Danga de danga de dang - Arlovski scores with a four punch combination!
Arlovski ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Fitzgerald takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Fitzgerald is rocked!
Arlovski listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Fitzgerald is still on wobbly legs! Can Arlovski finish him?
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arlovski's corner calls for a 1-2. Arlovski obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Arlovski misses with a series of wild punches.
Fitzgerald seems to have recovered his senses.
Fitzgerald throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Fitzgerald takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arlovski connects with a right hand. Fitzgerald shakes it off.
Fitzgerald is breathing heavily.
Arlovski will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Arlovski scores with a nice head shot.
Arlovski tries to bum rush Fitzgerald with a series of wild strikes but Fitzgerald uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Arlovski's corner calls for a 1-2. Arlovski obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Fitzgerald has a takedown stuffed.
Arlovski with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fitzgerald has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Fitzgerald doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Arlovski lands a jab to the nose.
Arlovski scores with a hook to the body. Fitzgerald takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Arlovski lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Arlovski.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Arlovski fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Andrei Arlovski is winning the standup battle so far.
Nice body punch from Arlovski.
Fitzgerald moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arlovski misses with the combination.
Arlovski connects with a nice looking jab.
Fitzgerald is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Arlovski.
Arlovski throws a series of punches but Fitzgerald moves out of range.
Fitzgerald defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Arlovski.
Arlovski scores with a jab to the head.
Arlovski scores with a body shot.
Arlovski fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fitzgerald avoids it really well and circles away.
Fitzgerald misses with a double jab
and Arlovski counters with a series of strikes. Fitzgerald will be more careful next time no doubt.
Arlovski connects with a crisp jab.
Arlovski throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fitzgerald drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Arlovski fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald drops his hands momentarily and Arlovski takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Fitzgerald shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Andrei Arlovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Arlovski lands a glancing blow to the side of Fitzgerald's head.
Fitzgerald tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Arlovski is able to avoid easily.
Arlovski scores with a nice strike.
Fitzgerald takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fitzgerald misses with a straight left.
Arlovski lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fitzgerald at a distance.
Arlovski looks to land a combination but Fitzgerald avoids it well.
Fitzgerald on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Arlovski lands a body shot.
Arlovski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrei Arlovski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fitzgerald takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Arlovski lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Arlovski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A cross from Arlovski lands.
Arlovski works Fitzgerald's body with a nice hook.
Arlovski lands with a shot to the body.
Arlovski is working the combinations to good effect here.
Arlovski scores with a jab to the jaw.
Arlovski scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Arlovski staying out of range there.
Arlovski swinging wildly here.
Arlovski throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fitzgerald stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Arlovski is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fitzgerald can do to turn this around?
Fitzgerald on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Fitzgerald walks into a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fitzgerald moves forwards but Arlovski connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Arlovski misses with a few strikes there.
Left hook, right uppercut from Arlovski.
Fitzgerald moves forwards but Arlovski connects with a nice, crisp jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Andrei Arlovski dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Warren Fitzgerald's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Arlovski misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Arlovski lands a two punch combo.
Arlovski fails to land with a series of punches.
Fitzgerald throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Fitzgerald misses with a hook. Arlovski ducked under it nicely.
Arlovski will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Arlovski scores with a nice right hand.
Arlovski moves out of range as Fitzgerald strikes.
Fitzgerald misses with a hook. Arlovski ducked under it nicely.
Arlovski throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Fitzgerald throws a leg kick but Arlovski sees it coming and moves out of range.
Arlovski scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

That has opened up Warren Fitzgerald's cut even more.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fitzgerald shoots in for a double leg but Arlovski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Arlovski scores with a punch to the head.
Arlovski with a body punch. A glancing blow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No joy there for Arlovski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Arlovski throws a right hand that Fitzgerald ducks under and follows up with a left that Fitzgerald also avoids with ease.
Arlovski lands with a nice combination. Fitzgerald backs away looking to recover.
Fitzgerald avoids a punch combination nicely.
Arlovski throws a series of strikes that have Fitzgerald backpedaling.
Fitzgerald on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Arlovski lands with a shot to the body.
No joy there for Arlovski, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fitzgerald gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Arlovski checks a leg kick nicely.
Arlovski fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nice body punch from Arlovski.
Arlovski lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Arlovski.
Fitzgerald throws the left hand but Arlovski avoids the punch easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald throws a looping overhand right but Arlovski ducks down to avoid it.
Arlovski scores with a one two! Fitzgerald had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Arlovski goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Fitzgerald stuffs the takedown.
Fitzgerald takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fitzgerald on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Arlovski cracks a nice hook into Fitzgerald's ribs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Arlovski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Arlovski lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Arlovski throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Fitzgerald.
Arlovski cracks Fitzgerald with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Fitzgerald closes this distance looking for a takedown but Arlovski circles away.

Arlovski shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Fitzgerald napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Fitzgerald tries to improve position but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald sneaks back into half guard.
Fitzgerald preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Warren Fitzgerald has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Arlovski is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Arlovski seems to be looking for submissions.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Fitzgerald actively working from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Andrei Arlovski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Arlovski, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 30:26
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:26
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Andrei Arlovski!