PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mao Zedong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Fittz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Markus Fittz will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Zedong
vs
Fittz

185 cm
27
213 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

194 cm
19
223 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mao Zedong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Markus Fittz!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Jeff Smith and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zedong fails with a takedown attempt.
Zedong showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fittz.

Fittz is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Zedong's half guard.
Zedong keeping control of the position.
Zedong tries to roll over but Fittz keeps him under control.
Zedong gets back to full guard.
Zedong is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Fittz wants to control from the top but Zedong keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zedong tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fittz trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Zedong working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fittz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fittz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Zedong looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fittz is one step ahead there.
Fittz trying to control but Zedong is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fittz is looking to stand up but Zedong won't let him.
Fittz wants to control from the top but Zedong keeps moving.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Markus Fittz wasn't active enough on the ground.
Zedong misses with a takedown attempt - Fittz sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zedong looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fittz is fending him off so far but Zedong persists. Nope, Fittz circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mao Zedong. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fittz bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Zedong is looking to reverse the position.
Zedong wants to control but Fittz postures up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zedong tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Fittz wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zedong manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fittz's best efforts.
Zedong desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Fittz decides to stand and escape the position.

Fittz drives through with a takedown into Zedong's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Fittz wants to control from the top but Zedong keeps moving.

Zedong is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fittz trying to control the position from guard on top but Zedong is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Zedong working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fittz doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fittz manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fittz tries to stand but Zedong is controlling from the bottom.

Zedong is working an open guard so Fittz takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Zedong bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Fittz tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Zedong wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Markus Fittz will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fittz shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Fittz wants to control from the top but Zedong keeps moving.
Zedong manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Zedong landing strikes from the mount.

Zedong jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Fittz is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Fittz and Zedong has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Zedong works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fittz struggling a bit here.

Zedong working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fittz is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Zedong has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Zedong throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Zedong working away.
Zedong lands a decent elbow from side control.
Fittz is trying to control Zedong's posture but Zedong avoids it.
Fittz takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Zedong scores with punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fittz is looking to regain half guard here but Zedong keeps moving and retains side control.
Fittz is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mao Zedong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Zedong trying to control the action but Fittz is working from the bottom.
Fittz struggling a bit here.
Fittz really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Zedong. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Zedong is looking to take a break and control but Fittz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Zedong has control of an arm but Fittz manages to advance to Zedong's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fittz trying to control.
Zedong manages to reverse the position and now he's in Fittz's guard. Nice work there by Zedong.
Zedong controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Zedong slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Zedong wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fittz keeps working.
Zedong in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zedong advances to full mount.
Fittz slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Zedong throwing shots but Fittz is blocking nicely.
Fittz trying to control from the bottom.

Zedong is working for a kimura but Fittz is defending it quite comfortably.
Fittz is staying active underneath Zedong, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zedong scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mao Zedong dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Zedong gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fittz to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Fittz trying to control but Zedong is working from the bottom.
Zedong is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Fittz wants to control from the top but Zedong keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Markus Fittz hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Fittz closes the distance looking to clinch

and Zedong counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Fittz!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zedong scoring with strikes but Fittz is staying in there.
Fittz tries to lock up and control but Zedong gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Zedong is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Fittz can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Fittz can't escape the position.
Zedong landing strikes from the mount and Fittz is in trouble!
Fittz tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Zedong landing strikes from the mount and Fittz is in trouble!
Fittz takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fittz in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Fittz is in a horrible position here. Zedong smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Zedong 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.

Zedong goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Fittz is on top in guard.

Zedong looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Zedong trying to control the position.
Zedong lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Fittz!
Zedong sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zedong moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Fittz has worked his arm free - good work by Fittz!
You can see the frustration on Fittz's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Fittz wants to get back to his feet but Zedong drags him back down.
Fittz tries to buck Zedong off but Zedong is having none of it.
Zedong lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Fittz down.
Fittz can't do much from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zedong remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Zedong advances nicely into full mount.
Fittz can't escape the position.
Zedong in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Fittz wants to control but Zedong is having none of it.

Zedong is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Fittz has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Fittz!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Zedong seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mao Zedong showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Zedong has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mao Zedong!