PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Niko Fairtex (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Calvin Hobbs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Fairtex
vs
Hobbs

205 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

186 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Decent elbows
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Niko Fairtex!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calvin Hobbs!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fairtex fails in his attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Hobbs or perhaps it was just good defense by Fairtex which made him look bad.

Hobbs shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fairtex manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hobbs looks gassed!
Hobbs won't allow Fairtex to get back to his feet.
Fairtex is pulling down on Hobbs's head. It's preventing any offense from Hobbs, at least for the moment.
Fairtex tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hobbs throws a big right hand that misses.
Fairtex avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fairtex wants to get back to his feet but Hobbs is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hobbs has a takedown stuffed.
Fairtex shoots in and drives through. Hobbs sprawls well.
Fairtex fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hobbs misses with a takedown
and Fairtex counters with a thumping low kick.
Niko Fairtex has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvin Hobbs.
Fairtex shoots in for a double leg but Hobbs sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fairtex lands a head kick. Hobbs smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Fairtex keeps Hobbs at a distance using the push kick.
Calvin Hobbs seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fairtex tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hobbs paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Fairtex - that will leave a mark!
Hobbs swats away the attempt to clinch by Fairtex.
Fairtex wants to clinch up but Hobbs keeps it at a distance.
Fairtex connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hobbs momentarily.
Fairtex is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hobbs sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hobbs shoots and misses

so Fairtex counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hobbs punching from the bottom.
Hobbs is striking but Fairtex is not phased and passes to half guard.
Hobbs strikes from the bottom but Fairtex uses the opportunity to move to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.
Fairtex really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hobbs manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Fairtex is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Fairtex not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hobbs strikes from the bottom but Fairtex uses the opportunity to move to side control.
Hobbs throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Hobbs is trying to work for a sweep but Fairtex has mounted him!
Fairtex is landing with some decent strikes but Hobbs is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex prevents Hobbs from getting the reversal.
Fairtex scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Hobbs swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Fairtex blocks Hobbs's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Hobbs is trying to escape the mount.
Fairtex working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Fairtex 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.
Fairtex scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Fairtex blocks Hobbs's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Hobbs tries to improve his position but instead Fairtex has taken his back!
Fairtex trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Fairtex lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hobbs breaks Fairtex's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Hobbs lands a couple of elbows.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fairtex wants to clinch up but Hobbs keeps it at a distance.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hobbs.
Fairtex is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hobbs is working Fairtex over with some ground and pound from side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Fairtex is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hobbs 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.
Hobbs landing strikes.
Hobbs scoring with punches and elbows.
Fairtex takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Fairtex dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hobbs misses with a takedown

and Fairtex counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hobbs's guard now.
Hobbs trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Hobbs throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Hobbs striking off his back but it's not causing Fairtex any problems.
Fairtex slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Fairtex working the head and body with strikes.
Hobbs looking for a sweep but Fairtex has passed into full mount! Oh no!
Hobbs throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Fairtex working for a submission but Hobbs is keeping him at bay.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fairtex punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hobbs wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Hobbs tries to break free.
Hobbs breaks Fairtex's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Fairtex wants to stand up but Hobbs is controlling him.
Hobbs keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fairtex's head.
Fairtex will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hobbs lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hobbs pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fairtex is keeping the position for now.
Fairtex is looking to stand up but Hobbs isn't so interested in that idea.

Fairtex is looking for a triangle but Hobbs pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Fairtex gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hobbs accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hobbs content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Niko Fairtex overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hobbs stops Fairtex from standing up.

Fairtex is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fairtex is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hobbs cracks Fairtex with a solid left hand.
Hobbs throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hobbs tries for a takedown but Fairtex circles away easily

and Fairtex counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hobbs won't be happy with that.
Hobbs is looking for a sweep.
Fairtex tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Hobbs strikes from the bottom.
Hobbs is looking for a sweep.
Fairtex tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

Fairtex is trying to get an arm triangle but Hobbs is defending well.
Hobbs throws an elbow to the body but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs tries to improve position but can't.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hobbs fails with the takedown
and Fairtex counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Niko Fairtex has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvin Hobbs.
Fairtex misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Fairtex tries for a takedown but Hobbs sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fairtex shoots for a takedown but Hobbs saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Fairtex gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fairtex wants to get back to his feet but Hobbs is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Fairtex is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hobbs content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Fairtex dominated that second round.
That's time! Fairtex's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Fairtex shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hobbs defends it nicely.
Hobbs stuffs the takedown.

Hobbs scores with a takedown into Fairtex's guard.
Hobbs throwing strikes but missing.
Hobbs lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hobbs lands a couple of digs.
Hobbs scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fairtex controls Hobbs momentarily but Hobbs frees himself.
Fairtex tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hobbs working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hobbs is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hobbs keeps the fight on the outside.
Fairtex slaps away a takedown attempt from Hobbs, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Hobbs gets the takedown into side control.
Fairtex wants to get back to his feet.
Hobbs working the head and body with strikes.
Fairtex is pushing Hobbs's head away, looking to escape. Hobbs manages to hold on to the position though.
Hobbs scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Fairtex to see if he's OK.
Fairtex is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hobbs asserts his dominance and retains side control.
You can see the frustration on Fairtex's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hobbs is chipping away with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fairtex lands a head kick. Hobbs smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Hobbs has his takedown stuffed
and Fairtex counters with a one-two to the body.
Hobbs doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Fairtex counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hobbs!
Niko Fairtex has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvin Hobbs.
Hobbs flailing away with punches but nothing is landing.
Fairtex in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Hobbs throwing hammer fists to the chest of Fairtex. What's that going to do exactly?
Hobbs is trying to escape the mount.
Hobbs swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex landing shots from mount.
Hobbs bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Hobbs working some strikes from top position.
Hobbs working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Fairtex's head.
Hobbs makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hobbs stands up over Fairtex, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hobbs with a nice head shot there.
Hobbs with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hobbs scoring with some ground and pound.
Hobbs stops Fairtex from standing up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Hobbs gets a takedown into half guard.
Hobbs looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Fairtex with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs stops Fairtex from getting back to his feet.
Hobbs scoring with strikes to the body and head.

Fairtex looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Fairtex works his way to full guard. Good work.

Fairtex is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Fairtex has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hobbs can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Hobbs works over Fairtex with some ground and pound from guard.
Fairtex is looking to stand up but Hobbs isn't so interested in that idea.
Hobbs tries to free his leg and advance position but Fairtex is retaining full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Calvin Hobbs comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fairtex 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Niko Fairtex!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Calvin Hobbs!

The fight ends as a draw!