PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rei Higuchi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Desmond Fairbanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Higuchi
vs
Fairbanks

163 cm
26
139 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

173 cm
20
142 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Hellraiser FightGear

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Rei Higuchi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Desmond Fairbanks!
The judges for this bout are David Hoff, Daniel Franklin and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Higuchi looks for a takedown but Fairbanks sprawls well.
Jab, jab by Fairbanks - just one landing.
Higuchi closes the distance and clinches up with Fairbanks, looking for a takedown. Higuchi pushes Fairbanks against the cage but Fairbanks circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Fairbanks's coach down at Next Gen MMA (Only Elite coaches) was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Fairbanks's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Higuchi is defended easily by Fairbanks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rei Higuchi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Higuchi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fairbanks but Fairbanks pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Higuchi.
Fairbanks tries to improve position but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Higuchi is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Fairbanks knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Fairbanks tries to buck Higuchi off but Higuchi is having none of it.
Higuchi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fairbanks keeps working.
Fairbanks is looking to reverse the position.
Fairbanks keeps trying to improve his position.
Fairbanks manages to get back to half guard.

Higuchi is trying to work for a kimura but Fairbanks is defending well.
We've been hearing that Higuchi has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.

Higuchi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Fairbanks has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks tries to roll over but Higuchi keeps him under control.
Higuchi is keen to just control but Fairbanks is a slippery customer.
Fairbanks tries to roll over but Higuchi keeps him under control.
Higuchi is trying to control the action in half guard but Fairbanks is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Higuchi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Fairbanks works his way to full guard. Good work.
Higuchi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Fairbanks looking for a sweep. Not yet Fairbanks, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higuchi wants to control from the top but Fairbanks keeps moving.
Fairbanks can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Higuchi controls the pace.
Fairbanks wants to sweep here but Higuchi controlling him for the moment.

Higuchi is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Higuchi tries to free his leg and advance position but Fairbanks is retaining full guard.
Fairbanks looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Fairbanks uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Higuchi.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Higuchi throws out a loose jab but Fairbanks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Higuchi darts in looking for a takedown but Fairbanks gets double underhooks and turns Higuchi into the cage.
Fairbanks catches Higuchi with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

It looks like Rei Higuchi has been cut.
Fairbanks ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Higuchi takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Higuchi shoots in but no luck this time.
Fairbanks throws out a counter right but Higuchi avoids it with no problem.
Fairbanks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Higuchi.
Higuchi dives in for a single leg takedown but Fairbanks sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fairbanks! But no joy.
Fairbanks lands a head shot.
Fairbanks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Higuchi.
Nice uppercut there from Fairbanks.
A jab from Fairbanks does it's job there.

Higuchi is rocked!
Fairbanks finds Higuchi's off switch, with a big overhand right that connects perfectly to the side of the head! Higuchi flops back against the cage, eyes gazing into the distance. Fairbanks lands an unnecessary shot before the referee has time to step in and end the fight. Brutal stuff but I'm sure Higuchi will be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Desmond Fairbanks!
Our winner, Desmond Fairbanks, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.