PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Spike Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jerry Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jerry Fitzgerald is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Saunders
vs
Fitzgerald

182 cm
26
201 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

166 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Inexperienced

The Prototype's Nutrition Company
The Prototype's Nutrition Company

The Prototype's Nutrition Company

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Spike Saunders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jerry Fitzgerald!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saunders shoots in and drives through. Fitzgerald sprawls well.
Saunders shoots in but no luck this time.
Fitzgerald misses the shot to the body.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fitzgerald sprawls well. Fitzgerald wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Saunders gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Spike Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saunders looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Saunders will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Saunders misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saunders manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Saunders.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Fitzgerald is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Fitzgerald wants to get back to his feet.
Fitzgerald gets back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald wants to improve his position but Saunders is controlling well.
Fitzgerald regains full guard. Nicely done.
Saunders has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Fitzgerald keeping full guard, as Saunders tries to pass.
Fitzgerald trying to keep a closed guard but Saunders is proving a slippery customer.
Saunders working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Saunders with a nice head shot there.
Fitzgerald controls Saunders momentarily but Saunders frees himself.
Fitzgerald wants to sweep here but Saunders controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Saunders loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Saunders postures up.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Saunders accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Saunders stops Fitzgerald from standing up.
Saunders in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fitzgerald stuffs the takedown attempt from Saunders. Saunders gets slowly back to his feet.
Saunders shoots in but no luck this time.
Saunders will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Saunders tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fitzgerald swivels and escapes.
Saunders is breathing heavily.
Fitzgerald just misses with a punch to the body.

Saunders closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Fitzgerald did well to prevent Saunders getting side control.
Fitzgerald trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders working Fitzgerald over with strikes.
Saunders is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Saunders missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Saunders missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Saunders thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nice strikes from Saunders there.
Saunders winds up and cracks Fitzgerald with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Saunders thows a huge punch but Fitzgerald dodges it nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Saunders sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fitzgerald defending well though.
Fitzgerald trying to control but Saunders postures up.
Saunders working the head and body with strikes.
Saunders scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Saunders looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Saunders is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Saunders looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Saunders connects with a nice short shot to Fitzgerald's temple.
Fitzgerald is looking to improve his position.
Fitzgerald is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Saunders scores with a couple of nice shots.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Saunders connects with a nice short shot to Fitzgerald's temple.
Saunders working over Fitzgerald with some ground and pound. Fitzgerald looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Saunders is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Saunders winds up and cracks Fitzgerald with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Saunders works his foot free and advances to mount.
Saunders landing strikes from the mount and Fitzgerald is in trouble!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Spike Saunders dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Saunders dives in and grabs Fitzgerald's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fitzgerald pushes down on Saunders's head and hops out.
Saunders fails to land the takedown.
Fitzgerald stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Spike Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saunders shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fitzgerald pinned against the cage. Fitzgerald gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Saunders uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzgerald.
Nice takedown defense from Fitzgerald. No joy for Saunders on that attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Saunders fails with a takedown attempt.
Fitzgerald misses the shot to the body.
Saunders fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Fitzgerald has eaten all the pies!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown but Fitzgerald shows good takedown defense.
Saunders misses with a takedown attempt - Fitzgerald sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot.
Fitzgerald displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Saunders.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fitzgerald as he jumps to the side.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fitzgerald but Fitzgerald pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.
Jerry Fitzgerald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Horrible takedown by Saunders or perhaps it was just good defense by Fitzgerald which made him look bad.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Saunders shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fitzgerald pinned against the cage. Fitzgerald gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Saunders fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Saunders closes the distance and clinches up with Fitzgerald, looking for a takedown. Saunders pushes Fitzgerald against the cage but Fitzgerald circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Saunders closes the distance and clinches up with Fitzgerald, looking for a takedown. Saunders pushes Fitzgerald against the cage but Fitzgerald circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Saunders will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Saunders fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saunders.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Saunders with that takedown attempt.
Saunders dives in and grabs Fitzgerald's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fitzgerald pushes down on Saunders's head and hops out.
Saunders dives in and grabs Fitzgerald's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fitzgerald pushes down on Saunders's head and hops out.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fitzgerald as he avoids it easily.
Fitzgerald looks to score with a jab to the body but Saunders is just out of range.
Saunders looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fitzgerald is fending him off so far but Saunders persists. Nope, Fitzgerald circles away and we're back to standing.
Saunders keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saunders manages to avoid it.
No luck for Saunders with that takedown attempt.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Horrible takedown by Saunders or perhaps it was just good defense by Fitzgerald which made him look bad.

Saunders feints and as Fitzgerald raises his hands in defense, Saunders changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Saunders will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Saunders with a flurry of punches that miss.
Saunders throwing strikes from guard but Fitzgerald blocks nicely.
Fitzgerald throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Saunders accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Saunders in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Spike Saunders overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fitzgerald manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Fitzgerald trying to control but Saunders is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jerry Fitzgerald showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Saunders tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fitzgerald swivels and escapes.
Saunders tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saunders somewhat.
Nice takedown defense from Fitzgerald. No joy for Saunders on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Spike Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Saunders shoots in but Fitzgerald avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Fitzgerald stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fitzgerald wants it to stay on the feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald stuffs the takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Saunders fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fitzgerald avoids it really well and circles away.
Saunders fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Saunders or perhaps it was just good defense by Fitzgerald which made him look bad.
Saunders will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot.
Saunders tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fitzgerald swivels and escapes.
Saunders shoots in and drives through. Fitzgerald sprawls well.
Saunders fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzgerald. Saunders does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fitzgerald keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

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.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Saunders.
No luck for Saunders with that takedown attempt.
Fitzgerald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Saunders closes this distance looking for a takedown but Fitzgerald circles away.
Saunders shoots in looking for a takedown. Fitzgerald tries to sprawl out of it but Saunders keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fitzgerald manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fitzgerald but Fitzgerald pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Saunders fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saunders manages to avoid it.
Saunders shoots in looking for a takedown. Fitzgerald tries to sprawl out of it but Saunders keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fitzgerald manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fitzgerald fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Saunders manages to avoid it.
Horrible takedown by Saunders or perhaps it was just good defense by Fitzgerald which made him look bad.
Saunders looks for a takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls well.
Saunders shoots for a takedown but Fitzgerald saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Saunders fails with the takedown.

That's four 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.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzgerald. Saunders does a little dance to reset his feet.
Saunders misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fitzgerald keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Saunders tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fitzgerald swivels and escapes.
Fitzgerald leaves Saunders with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Saunders fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown but Fitzgerald shows good takedown defense.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jerry Fitzgerald comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fitzgerald has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

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