PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Carmelo Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ahmed Abd Elmonaem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Carmelo Fitzgerald has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Fitzgerald
vs
Abd Elmonaem

224 cm
20
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
21
183 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Carmelo Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ahmed Abd Elmonaem!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Hugh Johnson and Bruno Hogan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Abd Elmonaem clinches with his opponent.

Abd Elmonaem is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Fitzgerald can't fight it off and eventually Abd Elmonaem manages to take the fight to the floor. Fitzgerald looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
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.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Fitzgerald utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fitzgerald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Abd Elmonaem accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fitzgerald trying to keep a closed guard but Abd Elmonaem is proving a slippery customer.

Fitzgerald looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Fitzgerald trying to keep a closed guard but Abd Elmonaem is proving a slippery customer.

Fitzgerald working for a triangle but Abd Elmonaem defends it easily.
Abd Elmonaem working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fitzgerald is looking for a triangle here but Abd Elmonaem uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Abd Elmonaem working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Fitzgerald is not content to let Abd Elmonaem control the position.
Abd Elmonaem working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Abd Elmonaem landing strikes.
Fitzgerald tries to buck Abd Elmonaem off but Abd Elmonaem is having none of it.
Abd Elmonaem cracks Fitzgerald with a big right hand but Fitzgerald just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Fitzgerald wants to control but Abd Elmonaem postures up.
Abd Elmonaem cracks Fitzgerald with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is working to avoid the ground and pound but Abd Elmonaem connects with a decent elbow.
Fitzgerald wants to control but Abd Elmonaem postures up.
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!
Fitzgerald is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Abd Elmonaem off and has taken his back!
Fitzgerald is breathing heavily.
You can see the frustration on Abd Elmonaem's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Abd Elmonaem trying to get back to his feet but Fitzgerald is in full control for now.
Fitzgerald tries to get the hooks in deep but Abd Elmonaem pushed the leg off.
Abd Elmonaem has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Abd Elmonaem controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.
Fitzgerald really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
You can see the frustration on Abd Elmonaem's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abd Elmonaem holding both Fitzgerald 's hands and preventing any damage.
Abd Elmonaem trying to control the hands but Fitzgerald won't let him.
Fitzgerald somehow managing to miss with a strike from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Fitzgerald is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Abd Elmonaem. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Fitzgerald throwing wild punches that miss their target.
Abd Elmonaem trying to get back to his feet but Fitzgerald is in full control for now.
Fitzgerald misses with punches from the back.
Fitzgerald is looking to control Abd Elmonaem but Abd Elmonaem is wriggling around and keeping busy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abd Elmonaem breaks Fitzgerald's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahmed Abd Elmonaem dominated that round.
That's time! Fitzgerald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Abd Elmonaem misses with a takedown attempt - Fitzgerald sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Fitzgerald avoids the head kick by Abd Elmonaem.

Abd Elmonaem clinches up with Fitzgerald and pushes him back against the cage.

Abd Elmonaem wants the takedown. Fitzgerald is fighting it off but Abd Elmonaem persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Fitzgerald's guard against the cage.
Abd Elmonaem preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fitzgerald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Abd Elmonaem being controlled here momentarily.
Abd Elmonaem trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Fitzgerald looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Fitzgerald is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Abd Elmonaem is aware though and is defending well.
Abd Elmonaem postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Abd Elmonaem.
Abd Elmonaem landing some decent shots from guard.

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

Fitzgerald working for a triangle but Abd Elmonaem defends it easily.
Abd Elmonaem connects with a couple of short punches.
Abd Elmonaem throws a big elbow that misses.
Abd Elmonaem is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abd Elmonaem lands a couple of elbows.

Fitzgerald has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Abd Elmonaem can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Abd Elmonaem stands up from Fitzgerald's guard - Abd Elmonaem perhaps looking for a knockout.

Abd Elmonaem gets a double leg takedown into Fitzgerald's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fitzgerald has momentary wrist control but Abd Elmonaem slips an elbow through the middle.

Abd Elmonaem gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Fitzgerald gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Abd Elmonaem to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Abd Elmonaem chips away with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald looking to hit a scissor sweep but Abd Elmonaem is one step ahead there.
Abd Elmonaem connects with a couple of short punches.
Abd Elmonaem looking to pass the guard.
Abd Elmonaem trying to control the position from guard on top but Fitzgerald is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fitzgerald throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Abd Elmonaem looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Abd Elmonaem is in close to Fitzgerald's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Abd Elmonaem stays in close to Fitzgerald's body and controls the position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Abd Elmonaem lands a couple of digs.
Abd Elmonaem is in close to Fitzgerald's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Abd Elmonaem scoring with some ground and pound.
Abd Elmonaem with a flurry of punches that miss.
Abd Elmonaem passes Fitzgerald's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Abd Elmonaem missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ahmed Abd Elmonaem has got the better of the ground game so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abd Elmonaem lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Abd Elmonaem trying to control the action but Fitzgerald is working from the bottom.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Abd Elmonaem lands a nice short elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ahmed Abd Elmonaem showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Fitzgerald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Fitzgerald closes the distance and clinches up with Abd Elmonaem, looking for a takedown. Fitzgerald pushes Abd Elmonaem against the cage but Abd Elmonaem circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fitzgerald lands a head kick!
Fitzgerald bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Abd Elmonaem gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Fitzgerald counters with a head kick. That will keep Abd Elmonaem thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Abd Elmonaem shoots for a double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls well. He's pushed Abd Elmonaem's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Abd Elmonaem shoots in but no luck this time.
Carmelo Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ahmed Abd Elmonaem.
Fitzgerald stuffs the takedown attempt from Abd Elmonaem. Abd Elmonaem gets slowly back to his feet.
Ahmed Abd Elmonaem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fitzgerald tries to close the distance and clinch but Abd Elmonaem swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Abd Elmonaem blocks a head kick by Fitzgerald.

Abd Elmonaem shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fitzgerald is trying to defend but Abd Elmonaem finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Fitzgerald.

Abd Elmonaem avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fitzgerald looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Abd Elmonaem scoring with punches to the head and body.
Abd Elmonaem distracts Fitzgerald with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Abd Elmonaem stands up from Fitzgerald's guard - Abd Elmonaem perhaps looking for a knockout.

Abd Elmonaem closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Abd Elmonaem lands in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Abd Elmonaem throws a strike but Fitzgerald rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Abd Elmonaem working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald preventing the sweep.
Abd Elmonaem looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Abd Elmonaem has a closed guard, preventing Fitzgerald from standing up.
Abd Elmonaem keeping moving, preventing Fitzgerald from controlling successfully.

Carmelo Fitzgerald has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Abd Elmonaem misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Abd Elmonaem moves into the clinch successfully.
Abd Elmonaem landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Abd Elmonaem ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Abd Elmonaem no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Fitzgerald stopping the sweep attempt from Abd Elmonaem.
Fitzgerald will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Fitzgerald landing some decent shots from guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitzgerald postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ahmed Abd Elmonaem comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Abd Elmonaem has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 27:30
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ahmed Abd Elmonaem!