PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juju Baraka (ranked 1113 p4p, 962 weight class) and Sol Fitzsimmons (ranked 174 p4p, 149 weight class). Baraka comes to the cage accompanied by Burning Spear. Sol Fitzsimmons acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Baraka
vs
Fitzsimmons

203 cm
32
206
18 - 11 - 0

187 cm
35
215
24 - 18 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Powerful

Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Juju Baraka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sol Fitzsimmons!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yuuki Gou and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baraka takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fitzsimmons misses with a looping left.
Baraka buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Fitzsimmons throws the left hand but Baraka avoids the punch easily.
Fitzsimmons scores with a jab. Baraka acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Baraka looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fitzsimmons.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Baraka really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Fitzsimmons has a couple of punches blocked by Baraka.
Fitzsimmons blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baraka lands a body shot.
Fitzsimmons comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Juju Baraka has been cut.
Baraka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Baraka's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Baraka has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fitzsimmons tries to land a knee to the head but Baraka blocks with his arms.
Baraka prevents a body shot from Fitzsimmons.
Baraka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body punch.
Baraka throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Baraka throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baraka blocking some punches.
Fitzsimmons lands a damaging elbow.
Baraka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Baraka lands with a right to the head.
Fitzsimmons blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Baraka pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Fitzsimmons tries to keep at a distance but Baraka has taken the fight into the clinch.
Baraka has a couple of punches blocked by Fitzsimmons.
Baraka blocking some punches.
Baraka lands a hook that snaps the head of Fitzsimmons backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baraka.
Baraka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fitzsimmons doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baraka stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Fitzsimmons blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baraka misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Baraka.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Baraka lands a body shot.
Baraka has a couple of punches blocked by Fitzsimmons.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.

Baraka manages to break the clinch.
Baraka wants to clinch up but Fitzsimmons keeps it at a distance.
Fitzsimmons loads up on a big right hand but Baraka slips the punch.
Fitzsimmons scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzsimmons. Baraka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baraka lands a jab to the head.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fitzsimmons. Baraka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Baraka throws a hook but Fitzsimmons avoids it easily.
Fitzsimmons takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice defenses there by Baraka.
Baraka punishes Fitzsimmons's body with a nice straight punch.
Baraka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Fitzsimmons can pounce on him.
Baraka lands with a thumping leg kick.
Fitzsimmons moves forwards but Baraka connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Baraka with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fitzsimmons misses with an uppercut.
Fitzsimmons is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Fitzsimmons gets cracked there but stands up to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons takes a swing at Baraka's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Baraka was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Baraka throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot.
Baraka tries to land a body kick
and Fitzsimmons counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fitzsimmons is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Baraka.
Fitzsimmons throws a body punch but Baraka moves out of range.
Fitzsimmons keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Fitzsimmons looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Fitzsimmons waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Baraka.
Fitzsimmons changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Baraka gets a clinch.
Baraka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Fitzsimmons backwards.
Baraka scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short left from Baraka.
Fitzsimmons is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Baraka is keeping busy.
A short right from Fitzsimmons on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitzsimmons misses with a punch to the body.
Fitzsimmons misses with a punch on the inside.
Baraka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fitzsimmons's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baraka has a couple of punches blocked by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons lands a left hand that snaps the head of Baraka backwards.
Baraka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Baraka pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fitzsimmons checks a low kick from Baraka.
Fitzsimmons throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Baraka ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Baraka scores with a nice right hand.
Baraka walks into a jab.
Fitzsimmons fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baraka manages to avoid it.
Baraka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fitzsimmons scores with a nice head shot.

Baraka drives through and clinches with Fitzsimmons against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baraka with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Baraka lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Baraka lands an uppercut.
Baraka lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fitzsimmons backwards.
Baraka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juju Baraka dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Juju Baraka's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fitzsimmons has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Fitzsimmons there as he acknowledges the shot.
Fitzsimmons fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fitzsimmons tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Baraka was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzsimmons.
Baraka blocks a jab.
Baraka defending well as Fitzsimmons loads up on a big left hand.
Fitzsimmons tries to clinch up
and Baraka counters with a left to the body.
Baraka scores with a jab. Fitzsimmons acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Fitzsimmons misses with a looping left.
Baraka misses with a wild body shot.

Baraka clinches.
Fitzsimmons lands with a left to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzsimmons working aggressively here.
Fitzsimmons misses with a short punch on the inside.
Juju Baraka has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Baraka scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fitzsimmons goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fitzsimmons tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Baraka avoids it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Baraka misses with some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons tries to land knees in the clinch but Baraka avoids the damage to the body.
Fitzsimmons throws a punch but it's blocked by Baraka.
Baraka blocks an elbow strike from Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baraka lands a left hand.
Baraka is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Baraka has a couple of punches blocked by Fitzsimmons.
Baraka lands an uppercut.
Fitzsimmons goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fitzsimmons throws a punch but it's blocked by Baraka.
Fitzsimmons goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baraka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baraka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Baraka scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fitzsimmons wants to stall.
Fitzsimmons misses with a punch to the body.
Baraka lands a hook that snaps the head of Fitzsimmons backwards.
Fitzsimmons struggles to land a body shot inside as Baraka controls his hands.
Fitzsimmons pushes off an throws an elbow but Baraka leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baraka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Baraka.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baraka swings wildly with an uppercut but Fitzsimmons uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fitzsimmons misses with a punch on the inside.
Fitzsimmons unloads a knee to the mid-section. Baraka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Fitzsimmons misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baraka scores with a shoulder strike.
Baraka lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fitzsimmons backwards.
Fitzsimmons doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fitzsimmons.
A head punch on the inside from Fitzsimmons fails to land.
Fitzsimmons tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Baraka avoids it.
Baraka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baraka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baraka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fitzsimmons doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fitzsimmons tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzsimmons avoids the elbow strike from Baraka, against the cage.
Fitzsimmons lands a left hand.
Fitzsimmons pushes Baraka back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Fitzsimmons doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Baraka misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baraka.
Baraka can't find room to land a body shot as Fitzsimmons controls the action.
Fitzsimmons throws an elbow that misses.
Baraka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fitzsimmons blocking some punches.
Baraka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Baraka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Baraka throws a leg kick
and Fitzsimmons counters with a leg kick.
Baraka moves away from the strike by Fitzsimmons.
Baraka takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Baraka is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Baraka is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Baraka clobbers Fitzsimmons with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Fitzsimmons throws a shot from downtown. Baraka moves away and avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baraka slips under a jab from Fitzsimmons.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A punch lands to the side of Fitzsimmons 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Fitzsimmons throws a sloppy body shot
and Baraka counters with a stiff right hand.
Fitzsimmons avoids a punch combination nicely.
Fitzsimmons throws a body shot but no joy.
Fitzsimmons just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromBaraka.
Baraka cracks Fitzsimmons with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Fitzsimmons takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A low kick lands for Baraka.
Baraka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fitzsimmons swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Baraka throws a head kick that half lands.
Baraka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Baraka cracks Fitzsimmons with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Baraka lands a really nice looking cross but Fitzsimmons seems unphased.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Baraka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Fitzsimmons lands a body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Juju Baraka dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Juju Baraka's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Fitzsimmons has taken the fight to the clinch.
Fitzsimmons working aggressively here.
Fitzsimmons throws a head punch that misses.
Baraka managing to block the knees to the body from Fitzsimmons.
Baraka avoids the elbow strike from Fitzsimmons, against the cage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Fitzsimmons in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
A nice left hand lands by Baraka.
Baraka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Baraka throws a punch but it's blocked by Fitzsimmons.
Fitzsimmons tries to work over Baraka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fitzsimmons working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Baraka tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Fitzsimmons prevents a body shot from Baraka.
Baraka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fitzsimmons can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short body shot lands from Baraka as the two fighters clinch.
Baraka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fitzsimmons pushes Baraka back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fitzsimmons tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Baraka misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Baraka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fitzsimmons goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baraka manages to break the clinch.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baraka.
Fitzsimmons throws a body punch but Baraka moves out of range.
Sol Fitzsimmons seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fitzsimmons misses with a body shot.
Baraka throwing a counter right hand but Fitzsimmons manages to avoid it.
Fitzsimmons throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Baraka makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Fitzsimmons keeps the fight on the outside.
Fitzsimmons gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Baraka.
Fitzsimmons has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Fitzsimmons there as he acknowledges the shot.
Baraka takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Fitzsimmons is rocked!
Baraka connects with a body shot.
Fitzsimmons is still on wobbly legs! Can Baraka finish him?
Baraka walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Fitzsimmons seems to have recovered his senses.
Baraka avoids the body shot from Fitzsimmons.
Baraka digs a good hook to Fitzsimmons's body.
Baraka lands with a straight right. Fitzsimmons didn't see that one coming.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzsimmons swings widly with a right hand
and Baraka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Baraka waves his right hand out in front of him, looking to distract Fitzsimmons. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Fitzsimmons to the canvas! Can he finish him!?
Baraka will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Baraka gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Baraka pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Fitzsimmons looks to land a body kick but Baraka moved away.
Baraka fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Fitzsimmons looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Baraka throws a head kick but Fitzsimmons moves out of range.
Baraka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baraka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fitzsimmons throws a jab when Baraka was well out of range.
Fitzsimmons takes a swing at Baraka's ribcage but misses.
Fitzsimmons swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Baraka connects with a looping right hand.
Baraka blocks a jab.
Fitzsimmons throws a low kick but Baraka avoids it.
Baraka throws a nice outside leg kick.
Baraka throws out a powerful jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baraka lands a jab to the head.
Fitzsimmons takes one to the chin there.
Baraka fakes a right and follows up with a big left that drops Fitzsimmons to one knee - oooooh, he's wobbly! Fitzsimmons looks to clinch but Baraka throws him off and pummels him into the canvas! Fitzsimmons taps out under the strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:14 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Juju Baraka!
Juju Baraka seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.