PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Thaddeus Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikolai Medvedev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thaddeus Fitzgerald has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fitzgerald
vs
Medvedev

176 cm
26
144 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

170 cm
27
140 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Knockout power

Atlantis

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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Thaddeus Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Nikolai Medvedev!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, Michael Johnstone and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzgerald swinging wildly here.
Medvedev moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Medvedev misses the jab.
Fitzgerald avoids the head kick by Medvedev.
Fitzgerald looks to score with a jab to the body but Medvedev is just out of range.
A leg kick checked by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald checks a leg kick.
Medvedev misses with a hook. Fitzgerald ducked under it nicely.
A big right from Medvedev misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Medvedev moves away from the strike by Fitzgerald.
Medvedev counters with a body kick.

Fitzgerald moves into the clinch.
Medvedev gets through Fitzgerald's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fitzgerald tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fitzgerald misses with a punch on the inside.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Medvedev throws a head punch that misses.
Fitzgerald doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Medvedev working aggressively here.
Fitzgerald misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fitzgerald tries to work over Medvedev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fitzgerald blocks a body shot from Medvedev.
Medvedev has Fitzgerald pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Fitzgerald manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Medvedev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fitzgerald is leaning against Medvedev and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Fitzgerald lands a shot to the body.
Medvedev blocking some punches.
Stalling in the clinch from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fitzgerald misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fitzgerald.
Medvedev is struggling to control the position.
Fitzgerald wants to stall.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Medvedev as Fitzgerald tries to tie him up.
Fitzgerald can't find room to land a body shot as Medvedev controls the action.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Fitzgerald's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Medvedev stalling against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Medvedev just leaning against Fitzgerald, taking a breather.
Fitzgerald lands with a short shot to the head.
Fitzgerald has Medvedev pressed against the cage.
Fitzgerald lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Medvedev misses with a punch on the inside.
Fitzgerald trying to land knees to the body.
Medvedev blocks an uppercut.

Medvedev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Fitzgerald tries to clinch there but Medvedev circles away.
Medvedev throws a head kick but Fitzgerald moves out of range.
Medvedev thuds his shin into the meat of Fitzgerald's side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald thows a left - swing and a miss!
A swing and a miss from Medvedev.
Fitzgerald is looking to clinch.
Fitzgerald uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Medvedev has time to react.
Fitzgerald looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Fitzgerald misses with a series of wild punches.
Medvedev is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Fitzgerald.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fitzgerald tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Medvedev slips a jab and a cross from Fitzgerald.
And Medvedev tries to counter it with a takedown but Fitzgerald pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Fitzgerald blocks a head kick by Medvedev.
Fitzgerald misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Medvedev.
Medvedev uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fitzgerald.
Medvedev buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Fitzgerald takes a jab right on the kisser.
Medvedev scores with a kick to the midsection.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Medvedev - that will leave a mark!
Fitzgerald tries to clinch up but Medvedev circles away and keeps his distance.
Medvedev lands a leg kick that knocks Fitzgerald off balance momentarily.
Medvedev tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Fitzgerald gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Medvedev has a couple of punches blocked by Fitzgerald.
Still in the clinch, Fitzgerald scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fitzgerald doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fitzgerald tries to work over Medvedev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Medvedev wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Fitzgerald lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Medvedev stalling against the cage.
Fitzgerald tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Medvedev's elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald struggles to land a body shot inside as Medvedev controls his hands.
Fitzgerald misses with a body punch.
Fitzgerald misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Medvedev.
Fitzgerald working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fitzgerald tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Medvedev avoids it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Medvedev stalling in the clinch but Fitzgerald improves position.
Fitzgerald is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Medvedev can do to turn this around?
Medvedev misses with a punch on the inside.
Fitzgerald lands a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from Fitzgerald.
Medvedev prevents a body shot from Fitzgerald.
Medvedev lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Medvedev slowing the pace effectively.

Medvedev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice defenses there by Medvedev.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald doesn't manage to clinch there - Medvedev circles away.
Fitzgerald feints and then cracks Medvedev's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Medvedev down.
Medvedev uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Fitzgerald has time to react.
Medvedev throws a nice head kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Medvedev darts in looking for a takedown but Fitzgerald gets double underhooks and turns Medvedev into the cage.
Medvedev has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
Fitzgerald dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald lunges at Medvedev with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Medvedev's hand.
Medvedev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fitzgerald takes a swing at Medvedev's ribcage but misses.
Fitzgerald tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Medvedev was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzgerald.
A little jabbing left from Medvedev on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Fitzgerald is looking to wear down Medvedev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Medvedev connects with an inside leg kick.
Fitzgerald misses with a two punch combination.
Medvedev feints a counter leg kick.
A swing and a miss from Fitzgerald.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Fitzgerald takes a kick to the side of the head.
Nikolai Medvedev seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nice sprawl there from Fitzgerald as Medvedev shoots in.
Medvedev shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fitzgerald sprawls well. Fitzgerald wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Medvedev 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 Nikolai Medvedev.
Fitzgerald moves out of range as Medvedev strikes.
Medvedev throws a half hearted mid kick.

Fitzgerald has managed to clinch.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fitzgerald misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fitzgerald misses with some punches.
Fitzgerald holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Fitzgerald misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Medvedev scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fitzgerald misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Medvedev.
Fitzgerald trying to stall but Medvedev improves his position.
Fitzgerald misses with a body punch.
Medvedev has had enough of the clinch but Fitzgerald keeps him there for the moment.
Medvedev blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fitzgerald struggles to land a body shot inside as Medvedev controls his hands.
Medvedev misses with some punches.
Fitzgerald tries to stall but Medvedev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fitzgerald lands with a light punch inside.
Medvedev working aggressively here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fitzgerald works on Medvedev's body with a couple of short punches.
Medvedev is looking to control Fitzgerald's arms but Fitzgerald gets an underhook and turns him. Now Medvedev has his back to the cage.
Medvedev lands a left hand.
Medvedev content to slow the pace in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Thaddeus Fitzgerald will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Fitzgerald goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Medvedev misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Medvedev looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Fitzgerald connects with a body shot that sends Medvedev's belly button to the back.
Fitzgerald throws a big shot that misses.
Fitzgerald tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Medvedev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice body punch from Fitzgerald.
Medvedev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Medvedev on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald obviously looking to wear him down.
Fitzgerald throws a left and a right that both miss
and Medvedev counters with a nice low kick that buckles Fitzgerald's knee momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Medvedev looks for the body kick but Fitzgerald saw that one coming.
Medvedev slips a jab from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald swings widly with a right hand
and Medvedev makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Fitzgerald throws a lazy right hand but Medvedev sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Fitzgerald has closed the distance and engaged Medvedev in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald misses with a body punch.
Medvedev swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Medvedev is struggling to control the position.
A head punch on the inside from Fitzgerald fails to land.
A short right from Fitzgerald on the inside.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fitzgerald.
Medvedev blocking some punches.
A short right from Medvedev on the inside.
Medvedev is trying to maintain a safe position but Fitzgerald gets an underhook and turns Medvedev into the cage.
Medvedev is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Medvedev is looking to control Fitzgerald's arms but Fitzgerald gets an underhook and turns him. Now Medvedev has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Medvedev throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fitzgeralds head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Fitzgerald wants to stall.
Fitzgerald lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Fitzgerald tries a body shot but Medvedev blocks it.
Medvedev softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fitzgerald lands with a right to the head.
Medvedev misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fitzgerald swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fitzgerald tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Medvedev avoids it.
Fitzgerald goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Medvedev swings wildly with an uppercut but Fitzgerald uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Medvedev.
Fitzgerald lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Medvedev backwards.
Fitzgerald struggles to land a body shot inside as Medvedev controls his hands.
Medvedev blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fitzgerald slows down the pace here.
Medvedev trying to stall but Fitzgerald improves his position.
Fitzgerald misses with a punch on the inside.
Fitzgerald softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fitzgerald swings wildly with an uppercut but Medvedev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fitzgerald lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Medvedev just leaning against Fitzgerald, taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald tries to work over Medvedev's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Medvedev misses with some punches.
Fitzgerald goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Medvedev blocks a body shot from Fitzgerald.
Fitzgerald tries to stall but Medvedev uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Fitzgerald misses with a body punch.
Fitzgerald fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Medvedev scores with a shot to the side of Fitzgerald's head.
Thaddeus Fitzgerald is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fitzgerald being controlled against the cage.
Medvedev on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fitzgerald misses with a knee strike.
Fitzgerald swings wildly with an uppercut but Medvedev uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikolai Medvedev has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Medvedev working aggressively here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thaddeus Fitzgerald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Fitzgerald has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bart Greer scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thaddeus Fitzgerald!
Thaddeus Fitzgerald decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.