PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Franklin Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Georges Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Georges Hughes told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Fitzgerald
vs
Hughes

180 cm
26
180 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

174 cm
26
170 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 9 - 4 - 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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Georges Hughes!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Bart Greer and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzgerald thows a left - swing and a miss!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hughes tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fitzgerald's elbow.
Hughes misses with a body punch.
Hughes misses with a knee strike.

Fitzgerald breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fitzgerald scores with a hook to the body. Hughes takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hughes moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Hughes shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fitzgerald sprawls well. Fitzgerald wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hughes gets slowly back to his feet.
Fitzgerald connects with the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald lands a head shot.
Fitzgerald lands a right hook to the body.
A jab from Fitzgerald misses.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hughes misses the shot to the body.
Fitzgerald connects with a jab.
Fitzgerald works the jab nicely.
Hughes missing with a left hand there. Fitzgerald was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald slips a straight right by Hughes.
Fitzgerald listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Hughes tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Fitzgerald counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fitzgerald cracks Hughes with a right hand to the side of the head.

Fitzgerald bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Hughes! He dives into his guard looking to finish!

Hughes is rocked!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fitzgerald pushes down on Hughes's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Hughes is still in real trouble! Can Fitzgerald finish him?
Hughes tries to roll over but Fitzgerald keeps him under control.

Hughes looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hughes seems to have recovered his senses.
Well, if Fitzgerald is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fitzgerald wants to get back to his feet.
Fitzgerald trying to pass the guard but Hughes defending well.
Fitzgerald looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hughes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hughes looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Fitzgerald thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hughes's head.
Hughes is refusing to be controlled, as Fitzgerald sits in half guard.

Fitzgerald moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Hughes.
Hughes is trying to escape the position but Fitzgerald is controlling the position.
Hughes felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Fitzgerald continues to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fitzgerald decides to stand up, so the ref orders Hughes to his feet.
Fitzgerald throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fitzgerald moves out of range as Hughes strikes.
Hughes throws a sloppy body shot
and Fitzgerald counters with an outside leg kick.
Hughes's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Fitzgerald connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Hughes scrambles back to his feet.
Fitzgerald listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hughes lands with a shot to the body.
Hughes tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fitzgerald was well out of range. Poor timing from Hughes.
No joy there for Hughes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fitzgerald buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Fitzgerald is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Hughes throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hughes doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Fitzgerald throws a series of strikes that have Hughes backpedaling.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fitzgerald lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hughes misses with a left hand
and Fitzgerald cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fitzgerald looks to land a combination. Hughes sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
That kick from Fitzgerald tenderised Hughes's leg. Hughes is trying to keep his angry face on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hughes takes a swing at Fitzgerald's ribcage but misses.

Fitzgerald cracks Hughes with a big right hand and Hughes goes down!
Fitzgerald content to stall in guard here.

Hughes looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Hughes has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fitzgerald can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hughes looks winded!
Fitzgerald wants to pass the guard but Hughes is keeping the position.

Hughes is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fitzgerald trying to control but Hughes is working from the bottom.
Fitzgerald tries to free his leg and advance position but Hughes is retaining full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hughes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
No joy there for Hughes, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hughes dodges the punch combination from Fitzgerald.
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 connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hughes. Hughes circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Fitzgerald dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hughes misses with a wild combination.
Fitzgerald tries a low kick but Hughes avoids it.
Fitzgerald scores with a nice strike.
Fitzgerald scores with a nice right hand.
Hughes is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Fitzgerald.
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 showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Hughes.
Fitzgerald fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Hughes is out of range.
Hughes has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Hughes there as he acknowledges the shot.
Fitzgerald lands a leg kick that knocks Hughes off balance momentarily.
Hughes moves forwards but Fitzgerald connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Fitzgerald throws an overhand right that drops Hughes like a sack of potatoes! Fitzgerald dives in to finish the fight with more strikes and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Franklin Fitzgerald!