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). Niko Fairtex has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Fairtex
vs
Hobbs

205 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 2 - 1

186 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 1

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 - 1, 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 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Calvin Hobbs!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fairtex clinches with his opponent.
Hobbs is trying to drag Fairtex to the mat but Fairtex just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Hobbs is trying to drag Fairtex to the mat but Fairtex just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fairtex lands an elbow that stopped Hobbs in his tracks for a moment.
Fairtex is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Fairtex gets underhooks to prevent Hobbs's takedown attempt.
Niko Fairtex has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvin Hobbs.

Fairtex manages to pull guard.
Hobbs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Fairtex escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hobbs gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hobbs cracks Fairtex with a solid left hand.
Hobbs keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fairtex's head.
Hobbs content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Fairtex escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hobbs gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Fairtex had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hobbs defends it easily.
Hobbs is in close to Fairtex's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairtex wants to stand but Hobbs is controlling the position.
Hobbs is working Fairtex over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Fairtex had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hobbs defends it easily.
Hobbs works over Fairtex with some ground and pound from guard.
Fairtex tries to strike from the bottom.
Hobbs scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hobbs in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Fairtex is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fairtex is breathing heavily.
Fairtex is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hobbs is controlling him.
Hobbs lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hobbs scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hobbs with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs distracts Fairtex with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hobbs lands a couple of digs.
Hobbs stands up over Fairtex, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hobbs lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Hobbs working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

Fairtex is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hobbs makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hobbs postures up and lands a big shot to Fairtex's brow.
Hobbs landing with the ground and pound.
Fairtex is looking to stand up but Hobbs isn't so interested in that idea.
Hobbs passes Fairtex's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Nice strikes from Hobbs there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Fairtex wants to get back to his feet.
Hobbs working over Fairtex with some ground and pound. Fairtex looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fairtex taking some punishment here, with Hobbs in his half guard.
Hobbs working the head and body with strikes.
Ground and pound from Hobbs.
Hobbs is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
No luck for Fairtex with that takedown attempt.

Hobbs scores with a takedown into Fairtex's guard.
Hobbs is in close to Fairtex's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Fairtex escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hobbs gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs postures up.
Fairtex is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hobbs is controlling him.
Hobbs postures up and lands a big shot to Fairtex's brow.
Fairtex is trying to keep Hobbs in close.

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

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Hobbs looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Fairtex is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Calvin Hobbs dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hobbs drives through with a takedown into guard.

Fairtex is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hobbs postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hobbs stands up over Fairtex, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hobbs content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Fairtex has his foot on Hobbs's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hobbs works his way back into a safe position though.
Fairtex has momentary wrist control but Hobbs slips an elbow through the middle.
Hobbs keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fairtex's head.
Hobbs keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Fairtex's head.
Fairtex looking to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hobbs won't allow Fairtex to get back to his feet.
Hobbs distracts Fairtex with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Calvin Hobbs has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hobbs works over Fairtex with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hobbs won't allow Fairtex to get back to his feet.

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

and Fairtex moves into the clinch.
Hobbs tries for a takedown but Fairtex manages to get underhooks.
Fairtex has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hobbs avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fairtex has Hobbs pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Hobbs manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hobbs letting Fairtex take a breather here.
Fairtex gets underhooks to prevent Hobbs's takedown attempt.
Niko Fairtex has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvin Hobbs.
Hobbs is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fairtex has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hobbs is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

Hobbs has Fairtex pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hobbs pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Fairtex tumbling to the mat - Hobbs dives into Fairtex's guard.
Hobbs throws a strike but Fairtex rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hobbs trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs keeping moving, preventing Fairtex from controlling successfully.
Hobbs lands with a heel strike from the guard.
Hobbs will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Hobbs can do anything to dispel that myth.
Hobbs doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Fairtex lands a couple of digs.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fairtex stands up over Hobbs, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

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

Fairtex gets caught flat footed, as Hobbs shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Fairtex preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hobbs looking to pass the guard.
Fairtex is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hobbs's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Fairtex wants to stand up but Hobbs is controlling him.
Hobbs lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fairtex controlling Hobbs's posture.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Hobbs gets a takedown into half guard.
Fairtex is trying to stand up here but Hobbs is controlling him well.
Hobbs working over Fairtex with some ground and pound. Fairtex looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fairtex looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs winds up and cracks Fairtex with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
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.
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. Hobbs connects with a nice short shot to Fairtex's temple.
Fairtex looks like he's trying to stand up.
Fairtex is looking to control Hobbs's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fairtex avoid being mounted?
Hobbs prevents Fairtex from standing back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fairtex is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Hobbs looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Hobbs is nestled in close to Fairtex, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fairtex is trying to stand back up but Hobbs is controlling him

Fairtex looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Calvin Hobbs 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. This is the final round!

Hobbs looks for a takedown but Fairtex sprawls well.
Hobbs fails with the takedown.

Fairtex has closed the distance and engaged Hobbs in a clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hobbs as Fairtex tries to tie him up.
Fairtex changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Hobbs fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Fairtex has taken the fight to the clinch.

Fairtex's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hobbs takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hobbs shoots in but no luck this time.
Niko Fairtex has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Calvin Hobbs.
Hobbs gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Fairtex counters with a solid body kick.
Hobbs stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hobbs wants it to stay on the feet.
Hobbs has his takedown stuffed

and Fairtex counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hobbs throwing short punches from the bottom.
Hobbs trying to strike off his back.
Hobbs trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.

Fairtex thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Fairtex preventing the sweep.
Hobbs thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Fairtex preventing the sweep.
Hobbs throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hobbs has his takedown stuffed
and Fairtex counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Fairtex wants to clinch up but Hobbs keeps it at a distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Fairtex is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hobbs tries for a takedown but Fairtex circles away easily
and Fairtex counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Fairtex stuffs the takedown attempt from Hobbs. Hobbs gets slowly back to his feet.
Fairtex dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Fairtex scores a takedown into full mount!
Hobbs throws a strike from the bottom but Fairtex uses the opportunity to take his back.
Hobbs turns into Fairtex and is now in his guard.
Fairtex wants to stand but Hobbs is controlling the position.
Hobbs works over Fairtex with some ground and pound from guard.
Hobbs throwing strikes from guard but Fairtex blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hobbs stands up over Fairtex, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hobbs content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Fairtex wants to sweep here but Hobbs controlling him for the moment.
Hobbs working some strikes from top position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hobbs shoots in for a takedown but Fairtex shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hobbs shoots and misses
and Fairtex makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Fairtex tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hobbs paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hobbs shoots and misses

and Fairtex counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fairtex.
Fairtex postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hobbs throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Fairtex passes into half guard under a barage of strikes.
Hobbs is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Fairtex lands a nice short elbow.
Fairtex will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hobbs regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hobbs tries to strike from the bottom.
Hobbs throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

Fairtex is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Fairtex stopping the sweep attempt from Hobbs.
Hobbs throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niko Fairtex showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hobbs has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Calvin Hobbs!
Judge Suge Night scores the fight for Calvin Hobbs!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Calvin Hobbs!

Calvin Hobbs wins by unanimous decision!