PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Fabinho (ranked 1235 p4p, 1799 weight class) and Abdul Kaloev (ranked 191 p4p, 251 weight class). Fabinho's entrance music is Glowed Up - Kaytranada. A fine choice. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Fabinho
vs
Kaloev

193 cm
26
200
8 - 5 - 0

160 cm
31
185
13 - 8 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roberto Fabinho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abdul Kaloev!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Fabinho looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kaloev throws a head kick that misses.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kaloev has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Kaloev swats away the attempt to clinch by Fabinho.
Kaloev takes a jab right on the kisser.
Fabinho lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Kaloev takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Donk. Fabinho catches Kaloev right on the button with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaloev on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Fabinho scores with a decent looking hook.
Kaloev moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Fabinho digs a good body shot into Kaloev's ribs.
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!

Fabinho feints and as Kaloev raises his hands in defense, Fabinho changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fabinho stopping the sweep attempt from Kaloev.
We've been hearing that Fabinho has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Kaloev not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kaloev 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.
Kaloev working a defensive guard here.
Kaloev looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fabinho is one step ahead there.
Fabinho works over Kaloev with some ground and pound from guard.
Kaloev is trying to keep Fabinho in close.

Kaloev manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Fabinho lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fabinho cracks Kaloev with a nice body shot.
Fabinho scores with a shot to the side of Kaloev's head.
A short body shot lands from Fabinho as the two fighters clinch.
Fabinho lands a shoulder strike.
Fabinho scores with a shot to the side of Kaloev's head.

Fabinho works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fabinho makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fabinho tries to free his leg and advance position but Kaloev is retaining full guard.
Fabinho slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Fabinho lands an elbow.
Fabinho wants to control but Kaloev is keeping him busy.
Kaloev manages to get back to half guard.
Fabinho wants to take a breather but Kaloev is having none of it.

Kaloev is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fabinho pulls his head out easily.
Kaloev is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fabinho is working for a submission of some sort.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Fabinho working Kaloev over with strikes.
Fabinho tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kaloev knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Kaloev is defending against the submission attempts here by Fabinho.
Fabinho is nestled in close to Kaloev, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fabinho wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kaloev keeps working.
Fabinho slows the pace down in half guard.
Kaloev is trying to get back to full guard.

Fabinho is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kaloev has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Fabinho is working away from the top position though.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kaloev manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kaloev is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Fabinho dominated that 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.

Fabinho connects with a right hand. Kaloev shakes it off.
Fabinho fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Fabinho slips a jab from Kaloev.
Fabinho is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kaloev can do to turn this around?
Fabinho dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kaloev takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

Fabinho shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Fabinho was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kaloev is trying to control Fabinho's posture but Fabinho avoids it.

Fabinho is trying to get an arm triangle but Kaloev is defending well.
Fabinho lands a few punches from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaloev is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Fabinho has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Kaloev is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Fabinho yanks on the arm and Kaloev is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Fabinho.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:43 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Roberto Fabinho!
Roberto Fabinho decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.