PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Hecker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hector Fabio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jeff Hecker has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hecker
vs
Fabio

175 cm
25
135 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jeff Hecker!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hector Fabio!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Alyssa Summers and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Fabio gets caught flat footed, as Hecker shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fabio holds on and takes a little breather.
Hecker is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

We're going to have a standup here because Jeff Hecker wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Hecker drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Fabio preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hecker slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hecker's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Fabio working a defensive guard here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Hecker gets the takedown into side control.
Hecker lands an elbow.
Fabio is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fabio is not content to let Hecker control the position.

Hecker tries for a kimura but Fabio is defending well.
Fabio is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Hecker misses with the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hecker working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fabio wants to control but Hecker postures up.
An elbow from Hecker crashes against the mat.
You can see the frustration on Fabio's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Fabio taking a bit of punishment here - Hecker scoring with strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hecker wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Fabio, who protects the arm well.
Hecker 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.
Hecker just content to control the position.
Hecker tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Hecker throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hecker scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Fabio to see if he's OK.
Hecker throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Hecker scores with a couple of short elbows.
The referee asks Hecker politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Hecker prefers to stall for the moment though.
Hecker throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Hecker in side control lands a decent elbow.
You can see the frustration on Fabio's face as Hecker controls the position.
Hecker tries to move to mount but Fabio blocks the move with his legs.
Fabio takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Hecker misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Hecker working the ground and pound but Fabio is defending the strikes.
Hecker working the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fabio tries to bench press Hecker off him but Hecker keeps the position.

Hecker looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hecker scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Fabio to see if he's OK.
Hecker wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fabio keeps working.
Hecker working the ground and pound but Fabio is defending the strikes.
Fabio is looking for a sweep.
Hecker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Hecker tries for a kimura but Fabio is defending well.
Fabio can't do much from the bottom here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fabio tries to bench press Hecker off him but Hecker keeps the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Hecker dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hecker fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Fabio to the ground. Hecker is now in Fabio's guard.
Fabio controls Hecker momentarily but Hecker frees himself.
Hecker with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fabio keeping full guard, as Hecker tries to pass.
Fabio is trying to keep Hecker in close.
Hecker is looking to stand up but Fabio won't let him.
Hecker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fabio works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Fabio looking to control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Hector Fabio hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Fabio dodges the punch combination from Hecker.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fabio shoots in looking for a takedown. Hecker tries to sprawl out of it but Fabio keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hecker manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Hecker decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Well, if Hecker is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Fabio is staying active underneath Hecker, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fabio won't allow Hecker to pass to mount.
Jeff Hecker overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hecker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hecker working over Fabio with some ground and pound. Fabio looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Fabio is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hecker scores with a couple of nice shots.
Hecker thows a huge punch but Fabio dodges it nicely.
Hecker perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Hecker wants to get back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hecker not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hecker sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Fabio defending well though.
Hecker trying to control the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Jeff Hecker wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Hecker moves out of range of the body kick from Fabio.

Hecker shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hecker wants to pass to mount but Fabio is defending the position.
Hecker lands strikes from half guard.
Hecker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fabio can do to turn this around?
Hecker slows the pace down in half guard.
Hecker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Hecker is working for a kimura but Fabio is defending it quite comfortably.
Fabio is looking to control Hecker's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Fabio avoid being mounted?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hecker throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hecker not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Fabio makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Fabio.
Hecker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hecker throwing strikes but missing.
Fabio is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fabio seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hecker throwing strikes from guard but Fabio blocks nicely.
Hecker throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Hecker dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Hecker throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Fabio was covering up waiting for the punch and Hecker finishes the takedown easily into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hecker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hecker chips away with some ground and pound.
Fabio being controlled here, momentarily.
Fabio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fabio pulls Hecker in close to prevent any damage.
Hecker trying to control the position from guard on top but Fabio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fabio trying to control the position.
Hecker tries to free his leg and advance position but Fabio is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jeff Hecker.
Hecker throws a right hand that Fabio ducks under and follows up with a left that Fabio also avoids with ease.
Hecker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Fabio.

Hecker throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Fabio was covering up waiting for the punch and Hecker finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Fabio not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hecker makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hecker wants to control from the top but Fabio keeps moving.
Fabio is controlling Hecker's posture.
Fabio not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hecker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fabio avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fabio trying to keep a closed guard but Hecker is proving a slippery customer.
Hecker throws a big right hand that misses.
Fabio keeping moving, preventing Hecker from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Hecker gets a double leg takedown into Fabio's guard.
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!
Hecker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hecker is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Fabio not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fabio has a closed guard, preventing Hecker from standing up.
Hecker missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hecker postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fabio controls Hecker momentarily but Hecker frees himself.
Fabio can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hecker controls the pace.
Fabio looking to control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hecker blocks the body kick.
Fabio looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hecker is fending him off so far but Fabio persists. Nope, Hecker circles away and we're back to standing.
Fabio takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Hecker shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fabio manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Hecker not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hecker loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fabio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fabio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hecker.
Fabio trying to control the position.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hecker's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Fabio trying to control the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hecker landing some decent shots from guard.
Hecker sitting in guard, not really doing much.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hecker with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hecker is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Hecker clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Fabio moves in looking to clinch but Hecker pushes him off.

Hecker shoots in and gets a takedown into Fabio's guard.
Fabio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hecker.
Fabio trying to keep a closed guard but Hecker is proving a slippery customer.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hecker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hecker trying to control but Fabio is working from the bottom.
Hecker trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fabio keeping moving, preventing Hecker from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Jeff Hecker just wasn't active enough.

Hecker gets a double leg takedown into Fabio's guard.
Hecker tries to stand but Fabio is controlling from the bottom.
Fabio pulls Hecker in to control the position.
Fabio is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Fabio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hecker.
Hecker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hecker throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hecker throws a big elbow that misses.
Hecker postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Fabio can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hecker controls the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Jeff Hecker has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fabio looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jeff Hecker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Hecker drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hecker throwing strikes from guard but Fabio blocks nicely.
Fabio working a defensive guard here.
Hecker makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fabio is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hecker is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hecker with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hecker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fabio keeping moving, preventing Hecker from controlling successfully.
Fabio working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hecker.
Hecker throwing strikes from guard but Fabio blocks nicely.
Hecker with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Fabio working a defensive guard here.
Fabio can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Hecker controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hecker in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fabio not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hecker engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

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

Fabio gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hecker controls from within his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hecker throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Hecker had his way with Hector Fabio in 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. This is the final round!

Fabio tries to work over Hecker's front leg with a kick but Hecker checks it.

Hecker decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Fabio is looking for a sweep. Hecker is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hecker sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Hecker missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hecker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hecker throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fabio wants to control but Hecker is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hecker thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hecker not doing much here.
Fabio is staying active underneath Hecker, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hecker is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Fabio trying to control but Hecker postures up.
Hecker not doing much here.

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

Hecker fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Fabio sprawls well initially but Hecker persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hecker is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Fabio tries to get to full guard but Hecker has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hecker throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Fabio trying to control but Hecker postures up.
Hecker lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Hecker is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Fabio doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hecker.
Hecker controlling the action here.
Hecker is thwarting Fabio's attempts to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fabio is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Hecker is staying active.

Hecker looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Fabio is trying to maintain the position but Hecker is very close to passing his half guard.

Hecker is trying to work for a kimura but Fabio is defending well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fabio tries to get to full guard but Hecker has control of the leg.
Fabio is trying to maintain the position but Hecker is very close to passing his half guard.
Fabio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hecker.
Fabio blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hecker.

Hecker is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hecker with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fabio trying to get back to full guard but Hecker takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeff Hecker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hecker has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 50:45
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 50:45
Judge David Schapiro scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeff Hecker!
Jeff Hecker is the new bantamweight champion!
Jeff Hecker was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.