PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Franklin Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Tavi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Franklin Fitzgerald has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Fitzgerald
vs
Tavi

180 cm
26
180 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

157 cm
26
172 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Franklin Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Teppo Tavi!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tavi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Tavi motions for Fitzgerald to come forward. Tavi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Fitzgerald throws a right hand that Tavi ducks under and follows up with a left that Tavi also avoids with ease.
Tavi wants to counter the offense by Fitzgerald and move into the clinch position.
Fitzgerald throws a front kick aimed at Tavi's knee but Tavi avoids it well.
Fitzgerald sets himself, and Tavi steps forward looking for the clinch! Fitzgerald avoids it this time.
Tavi tries to clinch up but Fitzgerald circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tavi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Tavi tries to clinch but Fitzgerald is having none of it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Tavi. Fitzgerald does a little dance to reset his feet.
Tavi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fitzgerald throws a hook but Tavi avoids it easily.
Tavi misses with a wild body shot.
Fitzgerald swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tavi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fitzgerald's sensitive parts.
Tavi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald throws a nice looking combination but Tavi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tavi walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Fitzgerald 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.
Tavi staying out of range there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Fitzgerald throws the left hand but Tavi avoids the punch easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Tavi has Fitzgerald up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Tavi.
Fitzgerald scores with a shot to the side of Tavi's head.
Fitzgerald misses with the head strike.
Tavi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tavi avoids the elbow strike from Fitzgerald, against the cage.
Tavi misses with a hook to the ribs.
Tavi stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Fitzgerald misses with some punches.
Tavi lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavi lands an elbow inside that Fitzgerald shrugs off.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fitzgerald.
Tavi has Fitzgerald pressed against the cage, preventing Fitzgerald from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tavi is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Fitzgerald is trying to force a seperation but Tavi has the dominant position.
Tavi is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tavi looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Tavi working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Tavi misses with a punch to the body.
Tavi struggles to land a body shot inside as Fitzgerald controls his hands.
Fitzgerald lands a right hand that snaps the head of Tavi backwards.

Fitzgerald pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tavi throws a poor cross that misses
and Fitzgerald counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big left from Fitzgerald misses.
A swing and a miss from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald misses with the combination.
Good leg kick by Tavi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Fitzgerald keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tavi.
Fitzgerald scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald misses with a straight right.
Tavi wants to counter with a clinch but Fitzgerald pushes him away.
Tavi feints and then cracks Fitzgerald's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fitzgerald down.
We've been told by Fitzgerald's head coaches at THE GYM (20 Elite coaches on the Island !!!) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Fitzgerald swats away the attempt to clinch by Tavi.
That kick from Tavi tenderised Fitzgerald's leg. Fitzgerald is trying to keep his angry face on.
Fitzgerald misses with the combination.
Fitzgerald takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tavi throws a leg kick which misses Fitzgerald's front leg but catches the back leg as Fitzgerald tries to avoid it.
Fitzgerald stuns Tavi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Tavi takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tavi tries to close the distance and clinch but Fitzgerald swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fitzgerald tries to bum rush Tavi with a series of wild strikes but Tavi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Tavi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fitzgerald ducks right into an uppercut from Tavi.
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!
Tavi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Fitzgerald is out of range and Tavi settles back down.
Tavi tries to clinch there but Fitzgerald circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavi moves in looking to clinch but Fitzgerald pushes him off.
Tavi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Tavi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fitzgerald moves away.
Fitzgerald scores with a punch to the head.
Tavi takes one to the side of the head.
Tavi moves away from the strike by Fitzgerald.
Tavi misses the shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Fitzgerald.
Tavi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Fitzgerald lands a really nice looking cross but Tavi seems unphased.
Tavi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Tavi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Fitzgerald rather than just go for the knockout.
Good shot there by Tavi.
Fitzgerald stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Tavi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fitzgerald is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tavi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tavi feints and then cracks Fitzgerald's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fitzgerald down.
Tavi slips a straight right by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald looks to land a right hand but Tavi moved out of range.
Fitzgerald stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Tavi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Franklin Fitzgerald will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tavi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fitzgerald throws a looping overhand right but Tavi ducks down to avoid it.
Tavi throws a leg kick which misses Fitzgerald's front leg but catches the back leg as Fitzgerald tries to avoid it.
An inside leg kick from Fitzgerald misses.
Teppo Tavi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tavi throws a front kick aimed at Fitzgerald's knee but Fitzgerald avoids it well.
Tavi wants to clinch.
Fitzgerald fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Tavi checks it well.
Tavi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fitzgerald manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Tavi is looking to clinch.
Fitzgerald lands with an uppercut that bounces Tavi off the cage and back into range.
Fitzgerald with a nice cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tavi feints and then cracks Fitzgerald's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fitzgerald down.
Tavi slips under a jab from Fitzgerald.
Franklin Fitzgerald is winning the standup battle so far.
Fitzgerald loads up on a big right hand but Tavi slips the punch.
Fitzgerald misses with a wild body shot.
Tavi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tavi doesn't manage to clinch there - Fitzgerald circles away.
Fitzgerald is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald looks to score with a jab to the body but Tavi is just out of range.
The crowd cheers as Fitzgerald lands an impressive looking overhand right. Tavi doesn't seem phased though.
Fitzgerald connects with a nice looking jab.
Tavi slips a jab from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Fitzgerald fails to land with a series of punches.
Tavi tries to close the distance and clinch but Fitzgerald swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tavi throws a shot from downtown. Fitzgerald moves away and avoids it.
Fitzgerald lands a head shot.
Fitzgerald throws a head kick but Tavi moves out of range.
Some wild striking there from Fitzgerald.
Tavi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Tavi closes the distance and pushes Fitzgerald back into the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitzgerald stalling in the clinch.
Fitzgerald is trying to break the clinch but Tavi is controlling him.
Tavi lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Franklin Fitzgerald has been cut.
Tavi has Fitzgerald pressed against the cage, preventing Fitzgerald from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tavi blocks a body shot from Fitzgerald.
Teppo Tavi seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Fitzgerald wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Tavi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tavi avoiding damage.
Fitzgerald can't break the clinch.
Tavi lands a hook that snaps the head of Fitzgerald backwards.
Tavi doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Tavi.
Tavi misses with a punch to the body.
Fitzgerald has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Fitzgerald throws an elbow that misses.
Fitzgerald misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice elbow from Tavi.
Tavi misses with the head strike.
Tavi tries to work over Fitzgerald's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavi is pushing Fitzgerald up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Fitzgerald tries to break the clinch but Tavi is controlling the position.
Tavi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Tavi misses with some punches.
Tavi can't find room to land a body shot as Fitzgerald controls the action.
Fitzgerald tries to break free but Tavi pushes him back against the cage.
Fitzgerald tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Tavi's elbow.
Tavi lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fitzgerald.
Tavi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Tavi taking a breather.
Fitzgerald lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Tavi slows down the pace here.
A short right from Tavi on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tavi misses with the head strike.
Tavi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Fitzgerald throws a punch but it's blocked by Tavi.
Fitzgerald is trying to force a seperation but Tavi has the dominant position.
A short right from Tavi.
Tavi pushes Fitzgerald back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavi lands a body punch.
Tavi'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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fitzgerald throws a punch but it's blocked by Tavi.
Tavi can't find room to land a body shot as Fitzgerald controls the action.
A frustrated look appears on Fitzgerald's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Fitzgerald blocks an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Teppo Tavi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Franklin Fitzgerald's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. 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.

Tavi tries to clinch up but Fitzgerald circles away and keeps his distance.
Fitzgerald connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tavi. Tavi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fitzgerald throws a hook but Tavi blocks it.
Tavi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tavi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Tavi lands a jab to the nose.
Fitzgerald jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fitzgerald throws a lazy right hand but Tavi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Tavi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fitzgerald paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Fitzgerald is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Tavi throws a leg kick which misses Fitzgerald's front leg but catches the back leg as Fitzgerald tries to avoid it.
Tavi slips a straight right by Fitzgerald.
Tavi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Fitzgerald connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The fighters circling - Fitzgerald throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Tavi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Fitzgerald's calf.
Tavi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tavi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fitzgerald manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fitzgerald is looking for a counter combo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fitzgerald walks into a left hand.
Fitzgerald pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fitzgerald lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Fitzgerald misses.
Tavi throws a leg kick but Fitzgerald sees it coming and moves out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Tavi 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Tavi doesn't manage to clinch there - Fitzgerald circles away.
Tavi jabs at Fitzgerald's body.
Tavi tries to close the distance and clinch but Fitzgerald swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Tavi is looking to clinch.
Fitzgerald misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tavi misses with a looping left.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tavi, right into the meat.
Tavi scores with a decent looking hook.
Fitzgerald turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tavi feints and then cracks Fitzgerald's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Fitzgerald down.
Fitzgerald takes a swing at Tavi's ribcage but misses.
Tavi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fitzgerald.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tavi. That's going to slow Fitzgerald down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fitzgerald has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tavi.
Fitzgerald looks to land a right hand but Tavi moved out of range.
Fitzgerald dips to his left and cracks Tavi with an uppercut!
Tavi is looking to slow Fitzgerald down with leg kicks.
Tavi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fitzgerald misses the shot to the body.
Tavi stuns Fitzgerald with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Fitzgerald is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

Tavi has managed to clinch.
Tavi lands with a short shot to the head.
Tavi lands a nice elbow.
Tavi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tavi lands with a right to the head.
Fitzgerald's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Fitzgerald is trying to force a seperation but Tavi has the dominant position.
Tavi misses with a punch to the body.
Fitzgerald looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Tavi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fitzgerald up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tavi pushes Fitzgerald back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Tavi lands an uppercut.
Tavi swings wildly with an uppercut but Fitzgerald uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tavi creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fitzgerald's defenses.
Tavi effectively controlling the action here.
Tavi tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tavi goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tavi throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Tavi swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Tavi scores with a hook to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fitzgerald lands a hook to the side of the head.
Tavi scores with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is trying to break the clinch but Tavi has him pressed against the cage.
Fitzgerald blocks a body shot from Tavi.
Tavi misses with a punch to the body.
Tavi lands an elbow inside.

Franklin Fitzgerald's cut is getting worse.
A right hand to the body from Tavi.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Fitzgerald tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tavi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tavi lands a damaging elbow.
Tavi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Nice elbow from Tavi.
Fitzgerald wants to break the clinch but can't.
A nice left hand lands by Tavi.

And that's the end of the fight!
Teppo Tavi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Tavi 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Teppo Tavi!