PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rahim Fabian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Baxter Cummins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fabian kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genuis that is The Game. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Fabian
vs
Cummins

150 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

179 cm
22
140 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rahim Fabian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Baxter Cummins!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Wesley Smith and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cummins stuffs the takedown.
Cummins gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Fabian counters with a single leg into guard. Cummins didn't expect that.
Fabian throws a strike but Cummins rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fabian 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.
Cummins trying to control the position from guard on top but Fabian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fabian wants to improve his position but instead Cummins has moved into half guard.
Cummins not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Fabian tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Cummins prevents Fabian from improving his position.
Cummins thows a huge punch but Fabian dodges it nicely.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Cummins misses with a takedown attempt

and Fabian counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Cummins's guard now.
Fabian scoring with punches to the head and body.
Fabian loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fabian lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Fabian cracks Cummins with a solid left hand.
Fabian might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Cummins wants to stand up but Fabian is controlling him.
Fabian is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cummins throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Cummins is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fabian tries to free his leg and advance position but Cummins is retaining full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Fabian throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Cummins's waist but Cummins gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fabian off to one side.
Cummins looks to clinch

and Fabian decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Cummins's guard.
Cummins throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Fabian scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fabian wants to pass the guard but Cummins is keeping the position.
Fabian throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Cummins works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cummins avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fabian stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Cummins swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fabian accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fabian passes into half guard.
Fabian throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Fabian wants to pass the guard but Cummins is defending well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fabian misses with a takedown attempt - Cummins sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahim Fabian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fabian shoots in for a double leg but Cummins sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fabian swings for the body but Cummins moves out of range.
Cummins fails with the takedown

and Fabian counters with a single leg into guard. Cummins didn't expect that.
Fabian works a leg free and moves into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Fabian throws a strike but Cummins avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Fabian works over Cummins with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fabian is looking to work some ground and pound but Cummins has wrist control.
Fabian trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Cummins wants to stand and escape but Fabian is having none of it.
Fabian could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Cummins looks gassed!
Fabian advances to half guard.
Fabian winds up and cracks Cummins with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Fabian lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Cummins is looking to improve his position.
Fabian drops an elbow to the side of Cummins's head.
Fabian thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Cummins avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fabian.
Fabian sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cummins defending well though.
Fabian wants to pass to mount but Cummins is defending the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Horrible takedown by Fabian or perhaps it was just good defense by Cummins which made him look bad.
Fabian looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Cummins throws a right hand that Fabian ducks under and follows up with a left that Fabian also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Cummins fails with the takedown

and Fabian counters with a nice double leg into side control. Cummins won't be happy with that.
Fabian cracks Cummins with a big right hand but Cummins just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Fabian cracks Cummins with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Cummins takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Fabian working the head with strikes.
Fabian is chipping away with strikes.
Cummins taking a bit of punishment here - Fabian scoring with strikes.
Cummins gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Fabian pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Cummins is looking to get to half guard.
Cummins bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Cummins trying to control but Fabian is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rahim Fabian dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Cummins misses with a double jab

and Fabian counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Cummins's guard now.
Fabian distracts Cummins with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fabian lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cummins 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.
Cummins wants to stand but Fabian is controlling the position.
Cummins seems keen to control Fabian's posture.
Fabian landing some decent shots from guard.
Fabian lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Cummins is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Fabian scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rahim Fabian overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Cummins is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fabian landing with the ground and pound.
Cummins lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Fabian!
Fabian swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fabian is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Cummins has control of Fabian's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Fabian regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Cummins lands a nice shot to the head.
Cummins is breathing heavily.
Fabian slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Fabian landing a few short strikes.
Fabian is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Cummins working Fabian over with strikes.
Fabian gets back to full guard.
Cummins preventing the sweep.
Fabian keeping moving, preventing Cummins from controlling successfully.
Fabian looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fabian blocks a head kick by Cummins.
Fabian misses with a takedown attempt - Cummins sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Cummins throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Fabian shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Fabian working the ground and pound effectively.
Fabian raining down shots from the mount!
Fabian in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Fabian fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Fabian breaks from Cummins's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Fabian lands a big elbow.
Fabian cracks Cummins with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Fabian with good strikes from the mount here!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Fabian cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cummins slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Cummins on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Cummins tries to get to full guard but Fabian has control of the leg.

Cummins kicks off Fabian and gets to his feet.
Cummins fails with the takedown

and Fabian counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Cummins scores with a couple of body punches from the bottom.
Cummins wants to get back to his feet but Fabian is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Fabian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Cummins uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Cummins tries to clinch but Fabian moves away

and Fabian counters with a nice double leg into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Fabian prevents Cummins from getting back to his feet.
Cummins wants to sweep but no luck.
Fabian stands and throws Cummins's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fabian working the ground and pound.
Cummins sneaks back into half guard.
Fabian winds up and cracks Cummins with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Fabian slips a nice elbow through Cummins's hands, connecting with Cummins's forehead.
Cummins taking some punishment here, with Fabian in his half guard.
Fabian is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Fabian with the ground and pound but Cummins uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Fabian throws a big right hand that misses.
Cummins working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Fabian.
Fabian won't allow Cummins to get back to his feet.
Fabian makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Cummins lands a jab to Fabian's midsection.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Cummins darts in trying to clinch

and Fabian counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rahim Fabian dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Cummins tries to bum rush Fabian with a series of wild strikes but Fabian uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Fabian gets a takedown into half guard.
Fabian sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Cummins defending well though.
Cummins is trying to stand back up but Fabian is controlling him
Fabian is looking to advance position but Cummins won't allow it.
Cummins pushes Fabian off looking to stand but Fabian dives back in and keeps control.
Fabian working the head and body with strikes.
Fabian thows a huge punch but Cummins dodges it nicely.
Fabian thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Cummins's head.
Cummins wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Horrible takedown by Fabian or perhaps it was just good defense by Cummins which made him look bad.
Fabian shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Cummins pinned against the cage. Cummins gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cummins tries to close the distance and clinch but Fabian swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Fabian.
Cummins wants to control but Fabian postures up.
Fabian misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Fabian cracks Cummins with a big right hand but Cummins just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Cummins tries to escape but Fabian is in control.
Cummins takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Fabian lands an elbow.
Cummins is looking to regain half guard here but Fabian keeps moving and retains side control.
Cummins is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Fabian is controlling him well.
Fabian moves into full mount!
Fabian lands a heavy elbow.
Fabian scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Fabian connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Fabian avoids the attempt from Cummins to control.
Cummins really wants to buck Fabian off and get back to his feet.
Cummins tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fabian connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Fabian is landing with some decent strikes but Cummins is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Fabian landing punches.
Cummins is desperately trying to improve his position but Fabian has a good base and remains in mount.
Cummins wants to try and get back to his feet.
Fabian landing strikes from the mount.
Cummins really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Fabian lands a heavy elbow.
Fabian with the ground and pound from mount.
Cummins is working to get back to half guard.
Cummins is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fabian lands a big shot there that rocks Cummins but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Cummins is looking to get to half guard.
Cummins bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Cummins has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Fabian is proving hard to escape from.
Fabian throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Fabian will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Cummins is looking to stand up but Fabian won't let him.
Cummins trying to control the position from guard on top but Fabian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Cummins passes into half guard.
Cummins wants to get back to his feet.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Fabian shoots in and drives through. Cummins sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rahim Fabian. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cummins misses with a wild combination.

Fabian shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Fabian stops Cummins from getting back to his feet.
Cummins is looking to control Fabian's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Cummins avoid being mounted?
Fabian not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fabian throwing shots but Cummins is blocking nicely.
Fabian wants to free his trapped foot but Cummins is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Cummins moves into full guard.
Fabian postures up.
Baxter Cummins has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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

Fabian shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Fabian was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

And that's the end of the fight!
Rahim Fabian showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Fabian, 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight 30:27
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rahim Fabian!