PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Bing Bang (ranked 2104 p4p, 2001 weight class) and Eric Fassett (ranked 164 p4p, 158 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Bang
vs
Fassett

165 cm
22
141
9 - 7 - 0

156 cm
24
139
9 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Honest Apparel ($30 SPECIAL ALL T-Shirts!)

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Bing Bang!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Eric Fassett!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Trevor Gratis and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fassett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bang.
Fassett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bang moves away.
Bing Bang seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Bang looks to score with a jab to the body but Fassett is just out of range.
Bang throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fassett just misses with a punch to the body.
Bang throws a leg kick
and Fassett connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bang throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fassett's waist but Fassett gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bang off to one side.
Bang keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fassett.
Bang looks to land a body kick but Fassett moved away.
Bang blocks a jab.
Fassett throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Bang stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fassett slips a straight right by Bang.
Bang throws a leg kick but Fassett sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Fassett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bang.
Bang shoots in but no luck this time.
Fassett feints the counter takedown.
Bang is looking to score with low kicks.
Bang has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big left from Fassett misses.
Bang misses with a straight right.
A countering left hand to the body from Fassett misses.
Bang ducks under a wild hook from Fassett.
Bang throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Fassett with the counter takedown but Bang avoids it easily.

Bang shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Fassett is trying to defend but Bang finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Fassett is looking for a sweep. Bang is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bang is trying to control the action in half guard but Fassett is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Fassett wants to control but Bang is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bang has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Bang avoids the attempt from Fassett to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fassett might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bang haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Bang is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Fassett has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Fassett!
Bang wants to stand and escape but Fassett is having none of it.
Fassett throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Bang works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Bang has his foot on Fassett's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fassett works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Fassett's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fassett stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bang swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bang keeping moving, preventing Fassett from controlling successfully.

Bang looking for a guillotine here but Fassett defends easily.
Fassett scoring with punches to the head and body.
Fassett looking to sit in guard and control but Bang gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Bang postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fassett managing to control the position.
Bang postures up in Fassett's guard and throws a big left but Fassett blocks it.
Fassett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bang throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Bang lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Fassett is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fassett working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Bang.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bang trying to control but Fassett is working from the bottom.
Bang wants to pass the guard but Fassett is keeping the position.
Bang trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Bang lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fassett controlling the position.
Our spies down at at Triumph Over Fear inform us that Fassett has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

Bang got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fassett has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Bang has managed to get both his arms back between Fassett's legs - danger averted.
Bang works over Fassett with some ground and pound from guard.
Fassett looking to control.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bang trying to control but Fassett is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Bang lands a jab-cross combination.
A combination from Bang does no damage.
Bang misses with a wild body shot.
Bang misses the shot to the body.
Bang fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fassett checks it well.
Bang tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fassett manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fassett uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bang.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Fassett.
Bang lets loose with a powerful body kick. Fassett will feel that in the morning.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bang is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fassett swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Bang slips under a jab.
Fassett lands with a straight right. Bang didn't see that one coming.

Fassett closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Bang to the mat! Bang manages to get full guard.
Bang trying to keep a closed guard but Fassett is proving a slippery customer.
Fassett preventing the sweep.
Fassett wants to control from the top but Bang keeps moving.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Bang has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fassett can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fassett with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bang tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Fassett drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Fassett jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Fassett scoring with punches to the head and body.

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

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Fassett sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Fassett is in close to Bang's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Bang working for a triangle but Fassett defends it easily.

Bang looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Fassett has picked Bang up and slammed him! Bang can't keep hold of the triangle and Fassett manages to pass to side control!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Bing Bang will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Bang wants to clinch.
Bang ducks under a wild hook from Fassett.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Fassett checks a leg kick.

Bang has closed the distance and engaged Fassett in a clinch.
Bang taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Fassett tries to score a body lock takedown but Bang shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Bang tries for a takedown. No joy.
Bang tries a body shot but Fassett blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bang tries for a takedown. No joy.
Fassett stalls.

Fassett pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Bang. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Bang.
Fassett misses with a body shot.

Bang gets caught flat footed, as Fassett shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Bang looking to control.

Bang had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fassett defends it easily.
Bang pulls Fassett in to control the position.
Fassett postures up.
Fassett connects with a couple of short punches.
Fassett throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fassett working some strikes from top position.
Bang wants to sweep but no luck.
Bang is trying to control the position but Fassett postures up.
Fassett loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fassett wants to control from the top but Bang keeps moving.
Bang has momentary wrist control but Fassett slips an elbow through the middle.
Fassett stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bang swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bang looking to control but Fassett passes into half guard.

Fassett is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bang is trying to get back to full guard.
Fassett working over Bang with some ground and pound. Bang looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Fassett connects with a nice short shot to Bang's temple.
Bang is looking to improve his position.
Fassett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bang keeps working.
Bang moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Fassett must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fassett postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fassett wants to pass the guard but Bang is keeping the position.
Fassett is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Eric Fassett has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bang working a defensive guard here.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bang is on top in guard.

Fassett lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bang wants to stand but Fassett is controlling the position.
Fassett throws a big right hand that misses.

Bang is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fassett defends well.
Fassett wants to control from the top but Bang keeps moving.

Fassett drops back looking for a leg! Bang is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bang manages to kick Fassett off! Fassett jumps back into Bang's guard.
Bang keeping moving, preventing Fassett from controlling successfully.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bang is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fassett defends well.
Fassett looking to pass the guard.
Bang keeping moving, preventing Fassett from controlling successfully.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bang looking for a sweep. Not yet Bang, not yet.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Fassett throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bang throws a quick counter kick to the body but Fassett avoids it.
Fassett throws a body shot but no joy.
Bang looks for a takedown but Fassett sprawls well.
Fassett appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Bing Bang. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fassett throws a right hand that misses
and Bang counters with a right hand to the body.
Fassett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bang moves away.
Fassett throws a sloppy body shot
and Bang connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Bang fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Fassett avoids it really well and circles away.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.

Fassett looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Fassett with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

Bang isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Fassett stacks Bang on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Fassett!
Fassett trying to control the action but Bang is working from the bottom.
Fassett cracks Bang with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Bang is looking for a sweep.
Bang is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Fassett off and has taken his back!
Bang wants to control the position but Fassett frees himself and scrambles - Bang manages to regain control in side control.
Fassett tries to buck Bang off but Bang is having none of it.
Bang working the head and body with strikes.
Bang misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Bang lands an elbow.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bang throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Fassett manages to get back to half guard.
Fassett is looking to improve his position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Eric Fassett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bang moves out of range of the strikes.
Good shot there by Fassett.
Bang lands a jab-cross combination.
Fassett showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bang.
Bang scores with a nice right hand.
Fassett avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
And Fassett tries to counter it with a takedown but Bang pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Bang misses with a body shot.
Fassett avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bang avoids the body shot from Fassett.
A telegraphed right hand from Bang misses the target.
Fassett fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bang manages to avoid it.
Bang fires out a quick counter leg kick but Fassett just manages to avoid it.
Bang looks to land a left hand but Fassett moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bang gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Fassett counters with a stiff right hand.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fighters circling - Fassett throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Bang fails with a takedown attempt.
Bang avoids the body shot from Fassett.
Fassett with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Fassett just misses with a punch to the body.
Bang throwing a counter right hand but Fassett manages to avoid it.
Bang looks to throw the jab but Fassett is out of range.
Fassett gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Bang swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Fassett feints the counter takedown.
A chopping leg kick lands by Bang.
Fassett works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Bang doesn't manage to clinch there - Fassett circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bang uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fassett.
Fassett connects with a nice looking jab.
Bang scores with a shot to the body.
Fassett swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fassett 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.
Bang swings for the body but Fassett moves out of range.
Fassett misses with a wild body shot.

Fassett drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fassett working some strikes from top position.
Fassett throws a big right hand that misses.
Bang wants to control but Fassett passes easily into half guard.
Fassett wants to take a breather but Bang is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bang wants to control but Fassett is keeping busy.
Fassett is nestled in close to Bang, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fassett lands a nice short elbow.
Fassett throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Bang trying to hold on to Fassett's head to control him but Fassett postures up.
Fassett seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Bang does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Fassett prevents Bang from improving his position.
Bang wants to control but Fassett is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bang is looking to improve his position.
Fassett is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Fassett wants to work for an arm triangle but Bang is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Bang is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Fassett avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A leg kick checked by Fassett.
Bang chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Bang swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fassett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bang.

Fassett shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Fassett content to control rather than advance.
Bang is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Fassett is taking a breather. Bang says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Fassett is looking for a kimura here.
Fassett lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Fassett content to control rather than advance.
Fassett wants to lay and pray for a moment but Bang keeps working.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Bang is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fassett's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fassett's back!
Bang gets his hands free as Fassett looks to control.

Bang looking for the choke but no joy.
Bang is working the ground and pound. Can Fassett escape?
Fassett can't escape the position.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Bang is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Bang gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Bang gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Bang apologises and we restart here on the feet.

Bang changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Fassett looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bang tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Fassett is trying to improve his position.
Bang wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fassett keeps working.
Bang tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Fassett's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Fassett manages to get back to half guard.
Fassett is refusing to be controlled, as Bang sits in half guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bang connects with a nice short shot to Fassett's temple.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fassett tries to roll over but Bang keeps him under control.
Fassett is controlling Bang's position as best he can from this difficult position.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Bing Bang.
I think Bang 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 William Peck scores the fight 29:28
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Steve Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Bing Bang!
A victorious Bing Bang thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.