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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Frank Rizzo (ranked 592 p4p, 431 weight class) and Phil Sprintin (ranked 52 p4p, 35 weight class). Sprintin has chosen Disturbed - Bad Man as his entrance music. Phil Sprintin will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.
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| 150 cm
36
140
23 - 16 - 2 |
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168 cm
28
135
18 - 8 - 1 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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 23 - 16 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Frank Rizzo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Phil Sprintin!
The judges for this bout are Robert Twigg, Frank Dennis and Gwen Towbar.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sprintin lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sprintin cracks Rizzo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Sprintin wants to clinch up but Rizzo keeps it at a distance.
A nice leg kick from Sprintin, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rizzo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Sprintin fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rizzo manages to avoid it.
Sprintin has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Rizzo finds it's way round the side to connect with Sprintin's head.
Phil Sprintin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sprintin throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rizzo looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Sprintin throws out a counter right but Rizzo avoids it with no problem.
Rizzo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sprintin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Rizzo counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Sprintin bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sprintin misses the shot to the body.
Rizzo was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Sprintin gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sprintin working a defensive guard here.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Sprintin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rizzo is one step ahead there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rizzo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Sprintin tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rizzo might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Sprintin bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rizzo's guard.
Sprintin is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Sprintin stands and throws Rizzo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sprintin is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rizzo is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sprintin advances nicely into full mount.
Rizzo is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Sprintin content just to control the position here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sprintin wants to control the pace but Rizzo is squirming around nicely.
Rizzo is wriggling around trying to escape.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sprintin looking to control but Rizzo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rizzo is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Sprintin wants to take his opponent's back but Rizzo doesn't allow it.
Sprintin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sprintin is working for a guillotine from mount but Rizzo frees his head quite easily.
Sprintin trying to control but Rizzo is having none of it.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Sprintin controlling from mount.
Rizzo is desperately trying to improve his position but Sprintin has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rizzo is squirming around, avoiding Sprintin's attempts to control the action.
Rizzo tries to reverse the position but Sprintin maintains control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Phil Sprintin dominated that round.
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.
Rizzo has a takedown stuffed.
Sprintin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Rizzo just misses with a punch to the body.
Rizzo with a lazy takedown attempt
and Sprintin connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Rizzo 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.
A right-left combo lands from Rizzo.
Rizzo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Sprintin.
Rizzo throws an off balance right hand
and Sprintin counters with a lovely shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sprintin blocks the body kick.
Sprintin throws out a counter right but Rizzo avoids it with no problem.
Sprintin lands a really nice looking cross but Rizzo seems unphased.
Rizzo misses the jab.
Rizzo misses with a jab, cross combination.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo throws a big shot that misses.
Sprintin appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Rizzo gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rizzo walks into a stiff left hand from Sprintin.
Rizzo tries for a takedown but Sprintin circles away easily
and Sprintin counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Frank Rizzo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rizzo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sprintin throws a sloppy body shot
and Rizzo counters with a straight right hand.
Sprintin misses with a low kick as Rizzo jumps back.
Phil Sprintin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sprintin misses with a hook.
Sprintin is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Rizzo avoids the body shot from Sprintin.
Sprintin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Sprintin throws a leg kick but Rizzo checks it.
A good leg kick by Sprintin.
Sprintin throws the left hand but Rizzo avoids the punch easily.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sprintin attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rizzo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rizzo pivots, looking for a leg kick but Sprintin is out of range and Rizzo settles back down.
Rizzo moves away from the strike by Sprintin.
Rizzo is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Sprintin shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sprintin tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rizzo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sprintin throws a hook but Rizzo blocks it.
Rizzo scores with a takedown into Sprintin's guard.
Rizzo slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sprintin controls Rizzo momentarily but Rizzo frees himself.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sprintin is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rizzo defends well.
Sprintin trying to keep a closed guard but Rizzo is proving a slippery customer.
Sprintin working a defensive guard but Rizzo manages to pass into side control anyway.
Sprintin takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Sprintin is looking for a sweep.
Sprintin 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.
Sprintin gets back to half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Sprintin is just riding it out for now. Rizzo eventually gives up the hold.
Sprintin is looking to control Rizzo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sprintin avoid being mounted?
Frank Rizzo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sprintin tries to roll over but Rizzo keeps him under control.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close second round but I would say that Frank Rizzo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
Rizzo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Sprintin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rizzo somewhat.
Rizzo takes a swing at Sprintin's ribcage but misses.
A little jabbing left from Sprintin on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sprintin throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rizzo takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Rizzo wants to land a leg kick but Sprintin is out of range.
Sprintin throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sprintin throws the kick towards the body but Rizzo avoids it.
Rizzo misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rizzo checks a leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Sprintin. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Sprintin.
Sprintin connects with a right hand. Rizzo shakes it off.
Sprintin lands an overhand right.
Phil Sprintin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rizzo gets a double leg takedown into Sprintin's guard.
Sprintin trying to keep a closed guard but Rizzo is proving a slippery customer.
Rizzo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Sprintin is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Rizzo distracts Sprintin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Sprintin 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.
Rizzo trying to control the position from guard on top but Sprintin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sprintin has his hands on Rizzo's head, controlling the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sprintin looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sprintin lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
Rizzo looking to hit a scissor sweep but Sprintin is one step ahead there.
Sprintin slips nicely into half guard.
Rizzo moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rizzo has an active guard here but Sprintin has managed to pass into half guard.
Sprintin is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Rizzo won't allow Sprintin to pass to mount.
Rizzo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sprintin slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Sprintin postures up.
Sprintin trying to control the position from guard on top but Rizzo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rizzo is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rizzo fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Sprintin tries to counter by closing the distance.
And that's the end of the fight!
Phil Sprintin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Sprintin 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 Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:30
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 28:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Phil Sprintin!
An out of breath Phil Sprintin thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
34% |
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