PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Bill Pitsenbarger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hiro Protagonist (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Protagonist comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Teenage Bottlerocket - Bigger Than Kiss kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pitsenbarger
vs
Protagonist

190 cm
33
195 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

183 cm
41
195 lbs
38 - 17 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

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 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bill Pitsenbarger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 17 - 1, fighting out of London, Hiro Protagonist!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Albert Achterberg and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Protagonist misses with a body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Protagonist.
Protagonist blocks a head kick by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Protagonist's head.
Pitsenbarger throws a sloppy head kick and Protagonist moves out of range easily.
Protagonist wants to slow Pitsenbarger down by chopping away at his legs.
Pitsenbarger throws a body punch but Protagonist moves out of range.
Protagonist takes a kick to the side of the head.
Bill Pitsenbarger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses
and Protagonist counters with a body kick that stops Pitsenbarger in his tracks momentarily.
Protagonist connects with a leg kick. Pitsenbarger looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Protagonist lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Bill Pitsenbarger has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pitsenbarger misses with a low kick as Protagonist jumps back.
Protagonist keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pitsenbarger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Protagonist pivots, looking for a leg kick but Pitsenbarger is out of range and Protagonist settles back down.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pitsenbarger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Protagonist misses with an uppercut.
Protagonist cracks the inside of Pitsenbarger's front leg.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Protagonist throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Protagonist takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Protagonist blocks the body kick.
Protagonist bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Pitsenbarger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Protagonist misses with a body shot.
Protagonist misses the shot to the body.
A low kick from Pitsenbarger misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Protagonist scores with a three punch combo!
Protagonist chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Pitsenbarger can pounce on him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Protagonist blocks the body kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pitsenbarger. Protagonist does a little dance to reset his feet.
Protagonist throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Pitsenbarger throws a leg kick which misses Protagonist's front leg but catches the back leg as Protagonist tries to avoid it.
Pitsenbarger wants to slow Protagonist down by chopping away at his legs.
Pitsenbarger misses with a body kick.
Pitsenbarger on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Protagonist. Protagonist obviously looking to wear him down.
A head kick misses from Pitsenbarger.
Protagonist scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Pitsenbarger misses with a head kick.
Pitsenbarger moves out of range as Protagonist strikes.
Protagonist uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A bone on bone clash there as Pitsenbarger blocks the leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger feints and then cracks Protagonist's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Protagonist down.
Nice body kick from Protagonist.
Pitsenbarger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pitsenbarger tries a head kick but it misses.
Protagonist misses with a body kick.
Protagonist avoids the head kick by Pitsenbarger.
Protagonist misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Pitsenbarger looks to score with a jab to the body but Protagonist is just out of range.
Pitsenbarger on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Pitsenbarger displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Protagonist throws out the jab.
Pitsenbarger misses with a body kick.
Pitsenbarger throws a body kick that misses.
Protagonist throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger blocks a head kick by Protagonist.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pitsenbarger.
A solid body kick from Protagonist.
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!
Protagonist throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Protagonist takes a kick to the side of the head.
Protagonist connects with a good right hand that stumbles Pitsenbarger. Pitsenbarger circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A jab from Protagonist finds it's way through Pitsenbarger's defenses.
Pitsenbarger ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Protagonist moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pitsenbarger tries a head kick but it misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Protagonist checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hiro Protagonist dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Bill Pitsenbarger's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Protagonist takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Protagonist takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Protagonist blocks a head kick by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger lands a high kick!
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick but Protagonist moves out of range.
Protagonist misses with a head kick.
Protagonist wants to clinch.
Pitsenbarger wants to clinch up but Protagonist keeps it at a distance.
Protagonist blocks a head kick by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Protagonist.
Protagonist misses with a wild combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Protagonist misses with a combination
and Protagonist takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Pitsenbarger misses with a body kick.
Pitsenbarger looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Pitsenbarger keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Protagonist.
Protagonist throws a head kick that Pitsenbarger semi-blocks.
Pitsenbarger slips a jab from Protagonist.
Protagonist looks to score with a jab to the body but Pitsenbarger is just out of range.
Protagonist avoids the body shot from Pitsenbarger.
Protagonist is looking to land body kicks.
Pitsenbarger is looking to wear down Protagonist with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A leg kick checked by Pitsenbarger.
The fighters circling - Protagonist throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pitsenbarger walks forward, straight into a front kick from Protagonist.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pitsenbarger connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pitsenbarger, right into the meat.
Protagonist misses with an uppercut.
Pitsenbarger scores with a nice head shot.
Protagonist misses with a body kick.
Protagonist throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
A jab lands there for Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Pitsenbarger tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Protagonist is able to avoid easily.
Protagonist throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pitsenbarger lands a head kick. Protagonist smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Protagonist lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses.
Pitsenbarger throws a low kick but Protagonist moves out of range easily.
Protagonist walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses.
Pitsenbarger blocks a head kick by Protagonist.
Protagonist catches Pitsenbarger with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Pitsenbarger is looking to chop away at Protagonist's legs.
Protagonist goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Protagonist with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Pitsenbarger swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pitsenbarger slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Pitsenbarger moves out of range as Protagonist strikes.
Protagonist moves in looking to clinch but Pitsenbarger pushes him off.
Protagonist moves out of range of the leg kick from Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger throws a sloppy head kick
and Protagonist counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Protagonist lands a jab to Pitsenbarger's midsection.
Pitsenbarger throws a leg kick
and Protagonist counters with a stiff right hand.
Protagonist throws a wild body kick that Pitsenbarger sees coming a mile off.
Protagonist lands a jab to the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Protagonist's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Pitsenbarger connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Protagonist scrambles back to his feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pitsenbarger. That's going to slow Protagonist down.
Pitsenbarger bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
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 Bill Pitsenbarger will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Bill Pitsenbarger's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Protagonist is looking to slow Pitsenbarger down with leg kicks.
Protagonist scores with a jab to the body.
Pitsenbarger looks for the body kick but Protagonist saw that one coming.
Pitsenbarger avoids the head kick by Protagonist.
Protagonist connects with a high kick.
Protagonist throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pitsenbarger, right into the meat.
Protagonist takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A lazy body kick from Pitsenbarger
and Protagonist cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Protagonist avoids the head kick by Pitsenbarger.
Protagonist comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Protagonist. Pitsenbarger does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hiro Protagonist seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pitsenbarger keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Protagonist.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Protagonist throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger misses with a head kick.
Protagonist on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Pitsenbarger. Pitsenbarger obviously looking to wear him down.
Pitsenbarger lands with a nice body kick.
Protagonist lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Protagonist fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pitsenbarger manages to avoid it.
Protagonist scores with a kick to the midsection.
Pitsenbarger misses with a low kick as Protagonist jumps back.
Pitsenbarger lands with a slapping head kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pitsenbarger throws a head kick but Protagonist moves out of range.
Pitsenbarger is looking to score with low kicks.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Pitsenbarger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Protagonist throws a hook but Pitsenbarger blocks it.
Pitsenbarger misses with a body shot.
Protagonist tests Pitsenbarger's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A leg kick checked by Protagonist.
Nice uppercut lands for Pitsenbarger. That snapped Protagonist's head back.
Pitsenbarger throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Protagonist has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Protagonist misses with a head kick.
Pitsenbarger keeps Protagonist at a distance using the push kick.
Protagonist throws a head kick but Pitsenbarger moves out of range.
It looks like Pitsenbarger has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Pitsenbarger lands a high kick!
Protagonist throws a sloppy head kick and Pitsenbarger moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Pitsenbarger feints and then cracks Protagonist's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Protagonist down.
A head kick misses from Pitsenbarger.
Pitsenbarger throws a hook to the side of Protagonist's head but Protagonist sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Protagonist fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pitsenbarger throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Protagonist tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pitsenbarger was well out of range. Poor timing from Protagonist.
Protagonist throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Pitsenbarger misses with a head kick.
Pitsenbarger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Protagonist lands a jab to Pitsenbarger's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pitsenbarger dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Protagonist checks a leg kick.
Pitsenbarger slips under a jab.
Pitsenbarger is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Protagonist avoids the head kick by Pitsenbarger.
Protagonist throws a sloppy head kick and Pitsenbarger moves out of range easily.
Pitsenbarger will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Pitsenbarger ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pitsenbarger throws a wild body kick that Protagonist sees coming a mile off.
Pitsenbarger scores with a head kick. Protagonist tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Protagonist plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good work by Protagonist as he checks the leg kick.
Protagonist looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Protagonist scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bill Pitsenbarger.
I think Pitsenbarger 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Bill Pitsenbarger!
During a confident post fight interview, Bill Pitsenbarger thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.