PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between James Viper (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonathan Fitzpatrick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Viper
vs
Fitzpatrick

178 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
189 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 London, James Viper!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jonathan Fitzpatrick!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, James Ackerman and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Viper looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Viper misses the jab.
Fitzpatrick shoots in for a takedown but Viper shows good takedown defense.
Viper is looking to score with low kicks.
Viper throws a head kick but Fitzpatrick moves out of range.
Fitzpatrick fails with a takedown attempt.
Viper looks to score with a jab to the body but Fitzpatrick is just out of range.

Viper shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fitzpatrick manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Viper trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Viper prevents Fitzpatrick from getting back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fitzpatrick is trying to keep Viper in close.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Viper tries to stand but Fitzpatrick is controlling from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick is striking from the bottom but Viper uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
Fitzpatrick is looking for a sweep. Viper is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Viper throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fitzpatrick is positioning himself well to prevent Viper advancing to mount.
Viper sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Viper passes to full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viper landing strikes from the mount.
Fitzpatrick keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Viper controlling the pace for now.
Fitzpatrick wants to hold on but Viper pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viper trying to control but Fitzpatrick is having none of it.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Viper working for a guillotine from mount but Fitzpatrick is in no mood to give up.
Fitzpatrick is squirming around, avoiding Viper's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick tries to hold on but Viper pushes him away.

Viper looking to secure an arm triangle but Fitzpatrick defends it well.
Viper controlling his opponent.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitzpatrick sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Viper dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Fitzpatrick throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Viper's waist but Viper gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fitzpatrick off to one side.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Viper is defended easily by Fitzpatrick.
Viper moves in looking to clinch but Fitzpatrick pushes him off.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Fitzpatrick is defended easily by Viper.

Fitzpatrick fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Viper sprawls well initially but Fitzpatrick persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Viper keeping hold of Fitzpatrick's head, controlling as best he can.
James Viper overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Viper is trying to stand back up but Fitzpatrick is controlling him

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viper keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Fitzpatrick wants to stand up but Viper has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Viper wants to control but Fitzpatrick is keeping busy.

James Viper has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Viper goes for a double leg but Fitzpatrick avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Fitzpatrick continues to drive forward.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Fitzpatrick breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fitzpatrick goes for a double leg but Viper avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Viper continues to drive forward.
James Viper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonathan Fitzpatrick.

Viper's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice takedown defense from Viper. No joy for Fitzpatrick on that attempt.
Viper defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick fails with a takedown attempt.
Fitzpatrick tries to clinch up.

Fitzpatrick rushes Viper and presses him up against the cage.
Viper jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Fitzpatrick walks away with a smile on his face. Viper gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Viper wants to land a leg kick but Fitzpatrick is out of range.
Viper tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fitzpatrick was well out of range. Poor timing from Viper.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick shoots in for a double leg but Viper sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fitzpatrick stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fitzpatrick wants it to stay on the feet.
Viper rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fitzpatrick moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Viper closes the distance and clinches.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Fitzpatrick dodges an elbow strike from Viper.

Viper pulls Fitzpatrick into guard.
Viper has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Viper throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Viper works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Viper is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fitzpatrick defends well.
Fitzpatrick not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Viper wants to sweep here but Fitzpatrick controlling him for the moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Viper is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Viper dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Fitzpatrick shoots in looking for a takedown. Viper tries to sprawl out of it but Fitzpatrick keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Viper manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Viper throws a body kick that misses.
Viper throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
James Viper is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Fitzpatrick rushes Viper and presses him up against the cage.
Fitzpatrick tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Viper smiles and moves away.
Viper tries to clinch but Fitzpatrick moves out of range.
Fitzpatrick fails with a takedown attempt.
James Viper has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonathan Fitzpatrick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick closes the distance and clinches up with Viper, looking for a takedown. Fitzpatrick pushes Viper against the cage but Viper circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Viper wants to clinch up but Fitzpatrick keeps it at a distance.
Fitzpatrick looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Viper is fending him off so far but Fitzpatrick persists. Nope, Viper circles away and we're back to standing.
Viper throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Viper changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fitzpatrick tries to avoid it but Viper manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fitzpatrick to the ground. Fitzpatrick escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Fitzpatrick darts in looking for a takedown but Viper gets double underhooks and turns Fitzpatrick into the cage.
Viper looking for a takedown.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Viper tries to pull guard but Fitzpatrick holds him up against the cage and eventually Viper drops back down to his feet.

Viper breaks the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick fails with the takedown.
Fitzpatrick throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Viper stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Fitzpatrick getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Fitzpatrick tries to close the distance and clinch but Viper swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jonathan Fitzpatrick seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Fitzpatrick wants to clinch.
Fitzpatrick tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Viper swivels and escapes.

Viper looking to score a takedown here. Fitzpatrick is defending well but Viper drives through and ends up in Fitzpatrick's guard.
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!
Viper trying to control the position from guard on top but Fitzpatrick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Viper got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fitzpatrick has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Viper has managed to get both his arms back between Fitzpatrick's legs - danger averted.
Viper slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Fitzpatrick not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Viper advances to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viper trying to control the action but Fitzpatrick is working from the bottom.

Viper is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Fitzpatrick is trying to control but can't.
Fitzpatrick wants to get back to his feet.
Fitzpatrick really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Viper. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Fitzpatrick tries to roll over but Viper keeps him under control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Viper trying to control from half guard but Fitzpatrick is working away.

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 James Viper.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Viper, 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Viper!