PBP Commentary

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

Fitzgerald
vs
Zelditeez

176 cm
31
129 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

178 cm
32
142 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Thaddeus Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Dominance Zelditeez !
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Chris Edwards and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Crunch! Fitzgerald slams his shin into Zelditeez 's torso.
Fitzgerald scores with a hook.
Zelditeez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Zelditeez fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Fitzgerald connects with a crisp jab.
Nice uppercut there from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nice sprawl there from Fitzgerald as Zelditeez shoots in.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dominance Zelditeez .
Fitzgerald throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Dominance Zelditeez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Fitzgerald as Zelditeez shoots in.
Fitzgerald misses with a low kick.
We've been told by Fitzgerald's head coaches at English Top Team - THE Hybrid Gym (11 ELITE ) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Fitzgerald misses with an uppercut

and Zelditeez counters with a takedown into side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Zelditeez wants to control but Fitzgerald is keeping him busy.
Fitzgerald is looking to regain half guard here but Zelditeez keeps moving and retains side control.
Zelditeez is looking to take a break and control but Fitzgerald is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Zelditeez asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Fitzgerald defending against the ground and pound.
Fitzgerald struggling a bit here.
Zelditeez wants to take a breather but Fitzgerald manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Zelditeez .
Fitzgerald pulls Zelditeez in close to prevent any damage.
Fitzgerald controls Zelditeez momentarily but Zelditeez frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Fitzgerald has Zelditeez pulled in close to control his posture.
Zelditeez trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Fitzgerald manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Fitzgerald has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Zelditeez is proving hard to escape from.
Zelditeez bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Fitzgerald's guard.

Zelditeez wants to control from the top but Fitzgerald keeps moving.
Zelditeez won't allow Fitzgerald to sweep him here.
Zelditeez seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fitzgerald looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Fitzgerald keeping full guard, as Zelditeez tries to pass.
Zelditeez is still trying to improve position.
Fitzgerald really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Zelditeez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Zelditeez trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Zelditeez looking to pass the guard.
Fitzgerald has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Zelditeez has passed into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Zelditeez misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Zelditeez looking to control but instead Fitzgerald has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Fitzgerald holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Zelditeez wants to take a breather but Fitzgerald is having none of it.
Zelditeez lands with a punch from half guard.
Fitzgerald is looking to improve his position.
Fitzgerald is pressing down on Zelditeez 's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zelditeez is looking to work some ground and pound but Fitzgerald has wrist control.
Zelditeez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Zelditeez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
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 Thaddeus Fitzgerald will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Fitzgerald looks to land a combination but Zelditeez avoids it well.
Fitzgerald lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Zelditeez circles away quickly and effectively.
Fitzgerald throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Zelditeez tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fitzgerald sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Zelditeez somewhat.
Zelditeez just misses with a punch to the body.
Fitzgerald slaps away a takedown attempt from Zelditeez , before circling back to the center of the mat.
Fitzgerald lets loose with a powerful body kick. Zelditeez will feel that in the morning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald throws a series of punches but Zelditeez avoids them all with ease.
Fitzgerald stuffs the takedown attempt from Zelditeez . Zelditeez gets slowly back to his feet.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dominance Zelditeez .
Fitzgerald listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald throws a lazy uppercut

and Zelditeez counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Zelditeez working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Fitzgerald's thigh. Fitzgerald counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Zelditeez trying to control but Fitzgerald is working from the bottom.
Fitzgerald has Zelditeez pulled in close to control his posture.
Zelditeez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zelditeez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Zelditeez looking to sit in guard and control but Fitzgerald gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Zelditeez wants to sweep here but Fitzgerald controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is looking to stand up but Zelditeez won't let him.
Zelditeez has Fitzgerald pulled in close to control his posture.
Fitzgerald stopping the sweep attempt from Zelditeez .
Zelditeez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fitzgerald manages to get himself to full guard.

Fitzgerald wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Zelditeez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zelditeez loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Zelditeez trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Zelditeez must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fitzgerald not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fitzgerald can't keep his opponent in guard - Zelditeez advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Zelditeez is looking to advance position but Fitzgerald won't allow it.
Fitzgerald is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Fitzgerald here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Fitzgerald trying to control but Zelditeez postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fitzgerald blocking the ground and pound attempt from Zelditeez .
Zelditeez seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Fitzgerald does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Fitzgerald avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Zelditeez .
Zelditeez landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Fitzgerald regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Zelditeez .
Zelditeez preventing the sweep.
Fitzgerald is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fitzgerald preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fitzgerald loads up on a big right hand but Zelditeez slips the punch.
Zelditeez tries for a takedown but Fitzgerald sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thaddeus Fitzgerald dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Zelditeez looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fitzgerald is fending him off so far but Zelditeez persists. Nope, Fitzgerald circles away and we're back to standing.
Zelditeez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzgerald.
Zelditeez tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Fitzgerald defends well and Zelditeez ends up having to push Fitzgerald into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Zelditeez walks into a jab.
Fitzgerald is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Zelditeez can do to turn this around?
Fitzgerald scores with a jab to the body.
Fitzgerald throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Zelditeez .
Zelditeez thows a left - swing and a miss!
Zelditeez fails with a takedown attempt.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dominance Zelditeez .
Fitzgerald scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Fitzgerald misses.
Zelditeez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fitzgerald tries to avoid it but Zelditeez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fitzgerald to the ground. Fitzgerald escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Zelditeez shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fitzgerald pinned against the cage. Fitzgerald gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sloppy strikes from Fitzgerald. Those never looked like landing.
A punch combination from Fitzgerald misses.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald is winning the standup battle so far.
Fitzgerald misses with a looping left.
Zelditeez shoots in for a takedown but Fitzgerald shows good takedown defense.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zelditeez closes the distance and clinches up with Fitzgerald, looking for a takedown. Zelditeez pushes Fitzgerald against the cage but Fitzgerald circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Zelditeez looks to land a left hand but Fitzgerald moved out of range nicely.
Fitzgerald misses with a low kick.
Zelditeez drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Fitzgerald defends it well.
Fitzgerald misses with an attempted mid kick.

Zelditeez closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Zelditeez lands in his opponent's guard.
Fitzgerald tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zelditeez being controlled here momentarily.
Dominance Zelditeez has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fitzgerald is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fitzgerald controlling the position.
Fitzgerald keeping full guard, as Zelditeez tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zelditeez wants to control from the top but Fitzgerald keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Zelditeez throws out a loose jab but Fitzgerald uses good head movement to avoid it.

Fitzgerald gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fitzgerald looking to hit a scissor sweep but Zelditeez is one step ahead there.
Fitzgerald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fitzgerald looking for a sweep. Not yet Fitzgerald, not yet.
Zelditeez trying to control but Fitzgerald is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zelditeez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Fitzgerald keeping full guard, as Zelditeez tries to pass.
Zelditeez slips nicely into half guard.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fitzgerald taking some punishment here, with Zelditeez in his half guard.
Fitzgerald trying to control but Zelditeez postures up.
Zelditeez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Zelditeez is keen to just control but Fitzgerald is a slippery customer.
Dominance Zelditeez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fitzgerald makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Fitzgerald.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thaddeus Fitzgerald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Fitzgerald, 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 James Glass scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thaddeus Fitzgerald!
Thaddeus Fitzgerald seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.