PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thad Fitzgerald (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobby Marion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Fitzgerald
vs
Marion

195 cm
22
177 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

185 cm
22
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thad Fitzgerald!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Bobby Marion!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Paulo Santos and Mauricio Rocha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Marion fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fitzgerald sprawls well initially but Marion persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Fitzgerald is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Marion lands strikes from half guard.
Marion prevents Fitzgerald from improving his position.
Marion stalling away here and it's allowed Fitzgerald to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marion trying to control but Fitzgerald is working from the bottom.
Fitzgerald tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Marion is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Fitzgerald lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Fitzgerald postures up in Marion's guard and throws a big left but Marion blocks it.
Marion throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Marion looking to control but Fitzgerald passes into half guard.
Marion is looking to control Fitzgerald's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Marion avoid being mounted?
Marion is trying to control but Fitzgerald manages to pass to mount!
Fitzgerald lands a nice shot to the head.
Fitzgerald lands a big shot there that rocks Marion but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Fitzgerald connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Marion is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Fitzgerald really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Marion is wriggling around trying to escape.
Fitzgerald raining down shots from the mount!
Fitzgerald looking to finish Marion with some ground and pound. This is bad for Marion!
Fitzgerald blocks Marion's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Marion slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Fitzgerald seems to be looking for submissions.

Marion is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fitzgerald pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Marion tries to roll over but Fitzgerald keeps him under control.
Fitzgerald 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.
Fitzgerald 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.
Marion has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fitzgerald is working away from the top position though.
Marion manages to get to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Marion lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thad Fitzgerald dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Marion moves into the clinch.
Fitzgerald is working for takedown but Marion is calmly controlling the position for now.
Fitzgerald tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Marion smiles and moves away.
Marion is looking to clinch but Fitzgerald is avoiding it.

Marion looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Fitzgerald!
Marion tries to stand but Fitzgerald is controlling his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzgerald tries to bench press Marion off him but Marion keeps the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Marion has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Fitzgerald blocks a head kick by Marion.

Marion scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Marion tries for a kimura but Fitzgerald is defending well.
Marion has control of an arm but Fitzgerald manages to advance to Marion's back!
Marion manages to reverse the position and now he's in Fitzgerald's guard. Nice work there by Marion.

Fitzgerald looking for a guillotine here but Marion defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marion not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Marion missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Fitzgerald looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Marion wants to stand and escape but instead Fitzgerald has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald is in close to Marion's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Marion wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Fitzgerald is now in half guard.
Marion tries to get to full guard but Fitzgerald has control of the leg.
Fitzgerald missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Marion is trying to escape back to his feet but Fitzgerald uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Fitzgerald lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Marion down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fitzgerald scores with punches from side control.
Marion taking a bit of punishment here - Fitzgerald scoring with strikes.
Fitzgerald working the body and head with strikes.
Marion is looking for a sweep.
Fitzgerald lands a few punches from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fitzgerald scores with punches from side control.
Marion tries to escape but Fitzgerald is in control.
Marion wants to get back to his feet but Fitzgerald is dominant here and he's now got Marion's back!
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 Thad Fitzgerald will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Marion gets caught flat footed, as Fitzgerald shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Marion wants to get back to his feet but Fitzgerald passes into half guard.

Fitzgerald throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fitzgerald thows a huge punch but Marion dodges it nicely.
Marion wants to get back to his feet.
Marion trying to control but Fitzgerald postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Marion throws a strike from the bottom but Fitzgerald passes into side control!
Marion is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Fitzgerald asserts his dominance and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzgerald cracks Marion with a big elbow.
Marion taking a bit of punishment here - Fitzgerald scoring with strikes.
Marion looking for a sweep but Fitzgerald has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Fitzgerald with good strikes from the mount here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Marion is in a horrible position here. Fitzgerald smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Fitzgerald cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Fitzgerald lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Marion is rocked!
Marion is bucking up trying to escape but Fitzgerald cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Marion is still in real trouble! Can Fitzgerald finish him?
Marion really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Marion seems to have recovered his senses.
Marion takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fitzgerald breaks from Marion's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Marion is looking to improve his position but Fitzgerald isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fitzgerald swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Marion is now in Fitzgerald's guard. A big mistake from Fitzgerald there, giving up the dominant position!
Marion wanted to stand there but Fitzgerald had control of the position.
Fitzgerald keeping moving, preventing Marion from controlling successfully.
Fitzgerald controls Marion momentarily but Marion frees himself.
Marion is looking to stand up but Fitzgerald won't let him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Marion won't allow Fitzgerald to sweep him here.
Fitzgerald is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Marion stopping the sweep attempt from Fitzgerald.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fitzgerald is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Marion won't allow Fitzgerald to sweep him here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thad Fitzgerald showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Fitzgerald, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:28
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thad Fitzgerald!