PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Panupong Singsurat (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Fantana (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.

Singsurat
vs
Fantana

184 cm
30
135 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

165 cm
33
144 lbs
18 - 7 - 2

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Versus

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Panupong Singsurat!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Brian Fantana!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, William Gold and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Singsurat ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Singsurat takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A jab from Singsurat does it's job there.
Singsurat lands with a kick to the temple. Fantana shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Singsurat keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Singsurat half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Fantana throws a hook but Singsurat avoids it easily.
As Fantana tries to get set, Singsurat tries to push him back and clinch up but Fantana manages to avoid the attempt.
Singsurat fails in his attempt to clinch.
Singsurat ducks under a wild hook from Fantana.
Fantana cracks Singsurat with a right hand to the side of the head.
Fantana misses with a wild body shot.

Singsurat shoots in and bounces Fantana off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Singsurat has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Singsurat trying to control but Fantana is working from the bottom.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Singsurat sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Fantana's guard.

Singsurat decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Brian Fantana is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantana looks to throw the jab but Singsurat is out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Singsurat is defended easily by Fantana.
Singsurat walks into a straight right hand from Fantana.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Singsurat slips under a jab.
Fantana looks to land a left hand but Singsurat moved out of range nicely.
Singsurat is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fantana sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Singsurat tries to clinch but Fantana is having none of it.
Brian Fantana seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Singsurat blocks a jab.

Singsurat closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Singsurat throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Singsurat is looking to take a break and control but Fantana is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Singsurat stands up and beckons Fantana to his feet.
Singsurat is looking to clinch but Fantana is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana throws a hook but Singsurat avoids it easily.
A big left from Fantana misses.
Fantana misses with a left hand
and Singsurat counters with a head kick. That will keep Fantana thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Fantana throws out a powerful jab.
Fantana blocks a head kick by Singsurat.
Singsurat tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fantana throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Singsurat changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Fantana stuns Singsurat with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Singsurat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Panupong Singsurat. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Singsurat slips a straight right by Fantana.
Fantana misses with a straight left.
Singsurat has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Singsurat there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana swings and misses with a hook to the body.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fantana enables Singsurat to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fantana manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
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!
Fantana lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Fantana avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Singsurat not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fantana wants to pass the guard but Singsurat is keeping the position.
Fantana working some strikes from top position.
Singsurat will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Singsurat trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Brian Fantana will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Singsurat takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Singsurat takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Singsurat ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Singsurat changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Singsurat ducks under a wild hook from Fantana.
Singsurat tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Fantana defends well and Singsurat ends up having to push Fantana into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Fantana drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fantana fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Singsurat really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Fantana is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Singsurat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fantana throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Singsurat is looking for a counter combo.
Fantana jabs Singsurat to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Singsurat tries to close the distance and clinch but Fantana swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Fantana tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Singsurat was well out of range. Poor timing from Fantana.
Fantana's corner calls for a 1-2. Fantana obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
A swing and a miss from Fantana.
Fantana throws the left hand but Singsurat avoids the punch easily.
Singsurat uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fantana.
Singsurat tries to clinch there but Fantana circles away.
Singsurat is looking to clinch.
Fantana misses the shot to the body.
Singsurat thinks about countering with a head kick.
Singsurat shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fantana but Fantana pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fantana throws an overhand right that lands on Singsurat's shoulder, as Singsurat tries to avoid the shot.
Fantana lands with a shot to the body.
Singsurat takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A swing and a miss from Fantana.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Singsurat looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Fantana!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fantana is trying to improve his position.
Singsurat is looking to take a break and control but Fantana is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Singsurat working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantana is looking to reverse the position.
Singsurat is looking to take a break and control but Fantana is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana trying to remain calm as Singsurat controls from the top position.
Fantana tries to improve position but can't.
Fantana manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Singsurat manages to get to full guard.

Singsurat looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Singsurat keeping moving, preventing Fantana from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana with a nice head shot there.
Singsurat can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Fantana controls the pace.
Fantana chips away with some ground and pound.
Fantana distracts Singsurat with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fantana trying to control but Singsurat is working from the bottom.
Fantana content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Singsurat working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fantana doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fantana manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fantana works over Singsurat with some ground and pound from guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Fantana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A jab lands there for Fantana.
Fantana throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Singsurat tries to counter with a takedown but Fantana is quick to defend against it.
Fantana waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Singsurat.
Fantana waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Singsurat.
Singsurat shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A solid body kick from Singsurat.
Fantana lands a jab.
Fantana bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Singsurat lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Fantana throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fantana takes a swing at Singsurat's ribcage but misses.
Fantana throws a looping overhand right but Singsurat ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana throws a sloppy body shot
and Singsurat counters with a series of strikes. Fantana will be more careful next time no doubt.
Fantana throws a shot from downtown. Singsurat moves away and avoids it.
Singsurat scores with a crisp jab that stopped Fantana in his tracks.
Fantana misses with a body shot.
Singsurat tries for a takedown but Fantana sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Fantana looks to score with a jab to the body but Singsurat is just out of range.
Singsurat slips a straight right by Fantana.
Fantana misses with an uppercut
and Singsurat counters with a one-two to the body.
Singsurat staying out of range there.
Singsurat drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fantana sprawls and moves away.
Panupong Singsurat is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fantana jabs Singsurat to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Singsurat shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fantana pinned against the cage. Fantana gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Panupong Singsurat. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantana tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Singsurat was well out of range. Poor timing from Fantana.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice defenses there by Singsurat.
Nice straight punches there by Fantana. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Fantana.
Fantana misses with an uppercut.
Singsurat staying out of range there.
Singsurat displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fantana throws out the jab.
Singsurat takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
A big left from Fantana misses.
Fantana missing with a left hand there. Singsurat was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Singsurat uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fantana.

Singsurat drives through with a takedown into guard.
Fantana is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana keeping moving, preventing Singsurat from controlling successfully.
Singsurat works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Fantana is staying active underneath Singsurat, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fantana makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Fantana.
Singsurat wants to control from the top but Fantana keeps moving.
Fantana is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fantana not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fantana wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Singsurat trying to control but Fantana is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Brian Fantana is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fantana lands a nice shot to the body.
Singsurat ducks under a wild hook from Fantana.
Singsurat's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Fantana connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Singsurat scrambles back to his feet.
Fantana thuds a left hand into Singsurat's body.
Panupong Singsurat has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Singsurat slips under a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Fantana comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Fantana winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 27:30
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Fantana!
An out of breath Brian Fantana thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.