PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Franco Fajardo (ranked 1987 p4p, 2349 weight class) and Author Fonzarelli (ranked 265 p4p, 301 weight class). Author Fonzarelli has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Fajardo
vs
Fonzarelli

185 cm
26
190
5 - 3 - 0

188 cm
25
199
6 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Powerful

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Franco Fajardo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Author Fonzarelli!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, Peter Branson and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fajardo looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fajardo is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Fajardo wants to pass the guard but Fonzarelli is keeping the position.
Fonzarelli really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Fajardo. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Fajardo is in close to Fonzarelli's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Fajardo throwing strikes from guard but Fonzarelli blocks nicely.
Fajardo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fonzarelli is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Fajardo wants to control from the top but Fonzarelli keeps moving.
Fonzarelli wants to sweep here but Fajardo controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fajardo lands a couple of elbows.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fonzarelli can do anything to dispel that myth.
Fonzarelli working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fajardo.
Fajardo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fajardo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fajardo is looking to take a break and control but Fonzarelli is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fonzarelli has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Elite Island Training. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Fonzarelli avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fajardo.
Fajardo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Fajardo is keen to just control but Fonzarelli is a slippery customer.
Fajardo with the ground and pound but Fonzarelli uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Fajardo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Fajardo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fonzarelli tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fonzarelli utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fajardo won't allow Fonzarelli to sweep him here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Fajardo throwing strikes from guard but Fonzarelli blocks nicely.
Fajardo definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Fajardo lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fajardo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fajardo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fajardo postures up in Fonzarelli's guard and throws a big left but Fonzarelli blocks it.
Fajardo won't allow Fonzarelli to sweep him here.
Fajardo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fajardo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fajardo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fajardo wants to control from the top but Fonzarelli keeps moving.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Fonzarelli has a takedown stuffed.
An attempted straight right counter from Fajardo misses the target.
Fonzarelli dives in and grabs Fajardo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fajardo pushes down on Fonzarelli's head and hops out.

Fajardo gets a takedown into half guard.
Fonzarelli blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fajardo.

Fajardo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Fonzarelli is just riding it out for now. Fajardo eventually gives up the hold.
Fajardo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fajardo is working for a kimura but Fonzarelli is defending it quite comfortably.
Fajardo tries to pass to full mount but Fonzarelli defends it.
Fajardo scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fonzarelli blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fajardo.

Fajardo is looking for a kimura but Fonzarelli is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Fajardo to get the leverage.
Fonzarelli blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fajardo.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Franco Fajardo dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fonzarelli takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Fajardo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fonzarelli shoots in but Fajardo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
It looked like Fajardo was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Fonzarelli.
Fajardo cracks Fonzarelli with an open hand slap.
Fonzarelli fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fajardo shoots in and drives through. Fonzarelli sprawls well.
Fonzarelli dives in and grabs Fajardo's left leg, looking for a takedown. Fajardo pushes down on Fonzarelli's head and hops out.
Franco Fajardo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Author Fonzarelli.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Fonzarelli works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Fonzarelli preventing the sweep.

Fajardo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fonzarelli must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Fonzarelli avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fonzarelli with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fonzarelli passes Fajardo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Fajardo tries to roll over but Fonzarelli keeps him under control.
Fajardo is trying to control but can't.
Fajardo has hold of Fonzarelli's hands but Fonzarelli slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Fajardo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fonzarelli throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Nice strikes from Fonzarelli there.
Fajardo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fonzarelli can do to turn this around?
Fonzarelli is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Fajardo actively working from the bottom here.
Fonzarelli looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Fajardo with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Fajardo trying to control here.

Fajardo looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fonzarelli thows a huge punch but Fajardo dodges it nicely.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Fonzarelli connects with a nice short shot to Fajardo's temple.
Fajardo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fonzarelli.
Fajardo wants to improve his position but Fonzarelli is controlling well.
Fajardo is working hard here to advance position.
Fonzarelli slips a nice elbow through Fajardo's hands, connecting with Fajardo's forehead.
Fajardo is trying to maintain the position but Fonzarelli is very close to passing his half guard.
Fajardo wants to improve his position but Fonzarelli is controlling well.

Fajardo is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fonzarelli pulls his head out easily.
Fonzarelli thows a huge punch but Fajardo dodges it nicely.

Fajardo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fonzarelli thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fajardo on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Franco Fajardo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fajardo is looking to control Fonzarelli's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fajardo avoid being mounted?
Fonzarelli is nestled in close to Fajardo, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fonzarelli lands strikes from half guard.
Fajardo wants to get back to full guard.
Fonzarelli lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Fonzarelli thows a huge punch but Fajardo dodges it nicely.
Fonzarelli scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Fajardo actively working from the bottom here.
Fajardo wants to improve his position but Fonzarelli is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fonzarelli seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Fonzarelli working Fajardo over with strikes.
Fajardo tries to get to full guard but Fonzarelli has control of the leg.
Fonzarelli thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Fajardo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fajardo trying to control but Fonzarelli postures up.
Fonzarelli missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fonzarelli landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Fonzarelli working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fajardo is pressing down on Fonzarelli's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Fonzarelli got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fajardo has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Fonzarelli has managed to get both his arms back between Fajardo's legs - danger averted.
Fonzarelli postures up in Fajardo's guard and throws a big left but Fajardo blocks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Author Fonzarelli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Fonzarelli fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Fajardo to the ground. Fonzarelli is now in Fajardo's guard.
Fajardo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fonzarelli throws a big elbow that misses.
Fonzarelli is working Fajardo over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fonzarelli is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Fajardo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Fonzarelli blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fajardo.

Fajardo looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Fajardo is keen to just control but Fonzarelli is a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fonzarelli is pressing down on Fajardo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Fonzarelli working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fajardo.
Fajardo trying to control the position from guard on top but Fonzarelli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fajardo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Fonzarelli utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fajardo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Fonzarelli utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fajardo slips nicely into half guard.
Fajardo thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fonzarelli's head.
Fajardo throwing shots but Fonzarelli is blocking nicely.
Fajardo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Fajardo seems to be looking for submissions.

Fajardo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fonzarelli controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Fonzarelli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fajardo wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fonzarelli keeps working.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Fajardo lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Fajardo tries to clinch but Fonzarelli moves out of range.
Fajardo scores with the left hand. Fonzarelli knows he should have avoided that one.
Fonzarelli shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fajardo but Fajardo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fonzarelli doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Fajardo decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Fonzarelli's guard.
Fajardo trying to control the position from guard on top but Fonzarelli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fonzarelli has momentary wrist control but Fajardo slips an elbow through the middle.
Fajardo is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fajardo throws an elbow that misses. Fonzarelli uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fajardo's guard. Nice move by Fonzarelli!

Fajardo working a defensive guard here.

Fonzarelli is posturing up here but Fajardo has hold of an arm and he's gone for an armbar! Fonzarelli tries to roll out but it's too tight and Fonzarelli has to tap! Slick submission there by Fajardo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Franco Fajardo!