PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Kshymensky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Desmond Fairbanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jesse Kshymensky had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 146.5lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Desmond Fairbanks has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Jesse Kshymensky 's chin.

Kshymensky
vs
Fairbanks

175 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

173 cm
18
142 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Cuts easily

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jesse Kshymensky !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Desmond Fairbanks!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Santiago Holmes and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fairbanks shoots in for a takedown but Kshymensky shows good takedown defense.
Kshymensky swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Fairbanks manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kshymensky on his heels. He'll look to pass Kshymensky 's guard now, I'm sure.
Fairbanks is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kshymensky not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kshymensky is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Fairbanks controlling from the top position.
Fairbanks wants to pass the guard but Kshymensky is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairbanks passes Kshymensky 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kshymensky is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fairbanks's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fairbanks's back!
Kshymensky not allowing Fairbanks to control his hands.
You can see the frustration on Fairbanks's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Kshymensky is trying to stick to Fairbanks's back but Fairbanks is turning into Kshymensky . He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kshymensky 's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks passes Kshymensky 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Fairbanks is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Fairbanks wants to pass the guard but Kshymensky is defending well.
Fairbanks is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Fairbanks uses his free foot to push down on Kshymensky 's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kshymensky .

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks moves to the back position.
Fairbanks controlling the position well here. Kshymensky rolled but Fairbanks kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

Fairbanks is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kshymensky is defending well though. Fairbanks let's go of the attempt for now.
Kshymensky knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fairbanks on the ground.
Kshymensky tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Fairbanks is looking to control Kshymensky but Kshymensky is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Kshymensky covering up well and avoiding damage.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Fairbanks has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Kshymensky 's body.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kshymensky wants to get back to his feet.
You can see the frustration on Kshymensky 's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Fairbanks is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Fairbanks controlling from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kshymensky will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fairbanks looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kshymensky is fending him off so far but Fairbanks persists. Nope, Kshymensky circles away and we're back to standing.
Kshymensky throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kshymensky wants to land a leg kick but Fairbanks is out of range.
Fairbanks misses with a takedown
and Kshymensky counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Fairbanks shoots in looking for a takedown. Kshymensky tries to sprawl out of it but Fairbanks keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kshymensky manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Fairbanks has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Jesse Kshymensky has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Desmond Fairbanks.
No luck for Fairbanks with that takedown attempt.
Fairbanks throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kshymensky 's waist but Kshymensky gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fairbanks off to one side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairbanks showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kshymensky .
Fairbanks darts in looking for a takedown but Kshymensky gets double underhooks and turns Fairbanks into the cage.
Nice sprawl there from Kshymensky as Fairbanks shoots in.
Fairbanks fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kshymensky avoids it really well and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kshymensky tests Fairbanks's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Kshymensky gets a clinch.

Fairbanks decides to pull guard.
Kshymensky lands a couple of digs.
Fairbanks is trying to keep Kshymensky in close.
Kshymensky trying to control but Fairbanks is working from the bottom.
Kshymensky cracks Fairbanks with a solid left hand.
Fairbanks controlling the position.
Kshymensky wanted to stand there but Fairbanks had control of the position.
Fairbanks keeping moving, preventing Kshymensky from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks wants to sweep but no luck.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Fairbanks is on top in guard.

Fairbanks controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Fairbanks passes Kshymensky 's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kshymensky controlling the position well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fairbanks takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kshymensky throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks trying to mount his opponent but Kshymensky defends it.
Desmond Fairbanks has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kshymensky tries to roll over but Fairbanks keeps him under control.
Fairbanks uses his free foot to push down on Kshymensky 's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kshymensky .
Fairbanks sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Fairbanks wants to control the pace but Kshymensky is squirming around nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks looking to control and managing it successfully.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fairbanks moves to the back position.
Fairbanks biding his time, controlling Kshymensky .
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jesse Kshymensky will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Fairbanks fails with the takedown
and Kshymensky counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Fairbanks closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kshymensky circles away.
Kshymensky throws a big counter combination but Fairbanks scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Fairbanks misses with a takedown attempt
and Kshymensky counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Jesse Kshymensky has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Desmond Fairbanks.
Fairbanks shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kshymensky as he avoids it easily.
Kshymensky keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kshymensky throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Fairbanks enables Kshymensky to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Fairbanks manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Fairbanks controlling the position.
Fairbanks working a defensive guard here.
Kshymensky has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kshymensky 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.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairbanks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kshymensky trying to control the position from guard on top but Fairbanks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fairbanks manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kshymensky manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairbanks won't allow Kshymensky to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fairbanks stands and throws Kshymensky 's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Fairbanks wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kshymensky keeps working.
Fairbanks in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Fairbanks moves into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kshymensky has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
Kshymensky trying to control but not successfully.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Fairbanks controlling the positon.

Fairbanks is looking for the choke from the back position but Kshymensky is controlling his hands well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fairbanks working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Fairbanks working for a choke but Kshymensky is defending well.
Kshymensky trying to control the hands but Fairbanks breaks the grip.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Fairbanks tries to keep control of the position but Kshymensky is staying busy.
Fairbanks is not going to allow Kshymensky to sit and survive in this position.
Fairbanks is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Desmond Fairbanks.
I think Fairbanks 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 Sandra Marshall scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Desmond Fairbanks!