PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Marco Fabian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomasz Kowalski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kowalski's choice of entrance music: Two Steps From Hell - Heart of Courage (Extended Version). 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.

Fabian
vs
Kowalski

165 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

191 cm
23
130 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Marco Fabian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tomasz Kowalski!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fabian shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Kowalski counters by clinching up.
Fabian tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kowalski just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kowalski has Fabian pushed against the cage.

Kowalski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fabian shoots and misses

and Kowalski counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Marco Fabian. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kowalski is looking for a kimura here.

Kowalski seems to be working for a kimura but Fabian defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalski missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kowalski is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are battling for position here. Fabian manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Fabian might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Kowalski gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Fabian doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Kowalski counters with a shoot takedown. Fabian fights it but they end up in guard.
Fabian keeping moving, preventing Kowalski from controlling successfully.

Kowalski is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Fabian is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Fabian has escaped and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kowalski wants to sweep but no luck.
Kowalski is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fabian trying to control but Kowalski is working from the bottom.
Fabian wants to pass the guard but Kowalski is keeping the position.
Kowalski is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kowalski wants to control but Fabian passes easily into half guard.
Kowalski looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski tries to roll over but Fabian keeps him under control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kowalski manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Fabian controlling from the top position.
Kowalski is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Fabian looking to pass the guard.
Kowalski not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fabian tries to free his leg and advance position but Kowalski is retaining full guard.
Kowalski looking for a sweep. Not yet Kowalski, not yet.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kowalski has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Tomasz Kowalski was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Kowalski is looking to score with low kicks.
Fabian misses with a takedown

and Kowalski counters by clinching up.
Fabian is trying to pull guard but Kowalski turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kowalski decides to pull guard.
Fabian trying to control but Kowalski is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomasz Kowalski dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kowalski wants to land a leg kick but Fabian is out of range.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fabian enables Kowalski to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fabian manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Kowalski stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Kowalski scores with a takedown into Fabian's guard.

Fabian looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kowalski with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fabian looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Fabian looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fabian is trying to keep Kowalski in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kowalski drops back looking for a leg! Fabian is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Fabian manages to kick Kowalski off! Kowalski jumps back into Fabian's guard.
Kowalski wants to stand but Fabian is controlling his posture from full guard.

Fabian is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kowalski trying to control the position from guard on top but Fabian is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalski wanted to stand there but Fabian had control of the position.

Fabian has his feet on Kowalski's thighs here. He's pushed Kowalski off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Kowalski screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Marco Fabian!