PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pedro Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Titus Raptis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Titus Raptis is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Fitzgerald
vs
Raptis

165 cm
18
346 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

161 cm
23
291 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Pedro Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Titus Raptis!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Steven Brown and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fitzgerald gets a takedown into half guard.
Raptis trying to control but Fitzgerald postures up.
Raptis missing with punches from the bottom.

Fitzgerald is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raptis looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Raptis manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Fitzgerald could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Raptis fails with a takedown attempt.
No luck for Raptis with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Raptis or perhaps it was just good defense by Fitzgerald which made him look bad.
Pedro Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Titus Raptis.
Raptis shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fitzgerald as he avoids it easily.

Raptis clinches up with Fitzgerald and pushes him back against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Raptis is stalling here.
Raptis fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Raptis has had enough of the clinch but Fitzgerald keeps him there for the moment.
Raptis looking for a takedown.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald landing knees to the body.
Raptis looking to throw knees to the head but Fitzgerald is blocking nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fitzgerald.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Fitzgerald using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raptis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Fitzgerald tries a knee to the head but Raptis blocks it.
Raptis blocks an uppercut.
Raptis is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Raptis looking to stall.
Raptis is looking to take this one to the mat.
Fitzgerald looking to throw knees to the head but Raptis is blocking nicely.
Fitzgerald using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raptis has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Raptis is trying to break the clinch but Fitzgerald is controlling him.
Raptis misses with a knee to the head.
We've been informed that Raptis has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raptis is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Fitzgerald breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Raptis throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Raptis is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fitzgerald sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fitzgerald slaps away a takedown attempt from Raptis, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Raptis looks winded!
Raptis is looking to clinch but Fitzgerald is avoiding it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitzgerald tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Raptis's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Titus Raptis will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Raptis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Fitzgerald defends it nicely.
Fitzgerald doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Raptis counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

It looks like Pedro Fitzgerald has been cut.
Raptis misses with a takedown attempt - Fitzgerald sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Raptis swats away the attempt to clinch by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald throws a sloppy head kick and Raptis moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raptis throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fitzgerald's waist but Fitzgerald gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Raptis off to one side.
Pedro Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Titus Raptis.

Raptis cracks Fitzgerald with a big right hand that sends him crashing to the floor. Raptis has the opportunity to follow him to the ground but instead he's beckoning Fitzgerald to stand back up!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Raptis scores with a hook to the body. Fitzgerald takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Raptis shoots in and drives through. Fitzgerald sprawls well.

Raptis closes the distance and clinches.
Fitzgerald has Raptis pressed against the cage, preventing Raptis from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Raptis goes for a takedown in the clinch but Fitzgerald prevents it.
Fitzgerald throws a knee to the head but misses.
Raptis tries to circle away but Fitzgerald has him pinned against the cage.
Raptis is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fitzgerald gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Raptis is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fitzgerald tries a knee to the head but Raptis blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raptis is trying to break the clinch but Fitzgerald is controlling him.

Raptis jumps guard.
Raptis is pulling down on Fitzgerald's head to control his posture.

Raptis is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Fitzgerald presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

Raptis decides to pull guard.
Fitzgerald stopping the sweep attempt from Raptis.
Raptis throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raptis is controlling Fitzgerald's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Raptis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Raptis has managed to clinch.
Fitzgerald with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fitzgerald keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Raptis's efforts to push away.
Raptis is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Fitzgerald gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Fitzgerald misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raptis is trying to break the clinch but Fitzgerald has him pressed against the cage.
Raptis fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Raptis has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Raptis looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Fitzgerald gets underhooks to prevent Raptis's takedown attempt.
Raptis blocks an elbow strike from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Raptis wants to break the clinch but can't.
Raptis scores with a nice hook to the head.

Raptis jumps into guard, dragging Fitzgerald to the mat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Raptis manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raptis looking to control and managing it successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Titus Raptis showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Pedro Fitzgerald's cut.
That's time! Fitzgerald's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Raptis fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Pedro Fitzgerald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Raptis scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fitzgerald doesn't seem bothered though.
Raptis misses with a takedown attempt - Fitzgerald sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Oooooh!!! Raptis has knocked Fitzgerald down with a huge combo! Raptis steps away and waves a wobbly Fitzgerald back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Fitzgerald is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raptis looks for a takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls well.
Oh Fitzgerald is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pedro Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Titus Raptis.

Raptis forces Fitzgerald back against the cage and clinches.
Raptis stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Raptis breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Raptis. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A bone on bone clash there as Fitzgerald blocks the leg kick.
Raptis shoots for a double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sprawls well. He's pushed Raptis's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Raptis tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raptis fakes the body blow, causing Fitzgerald to drop his hands! Left hook to the temple! Fitzgerald goes stiff, and falls face first into the mat. Goodnight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:07 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Titus Raptis!
Our winner, Titus Raptis, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.