PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between James Krause (ranked 2174 p4p, 253 weight class) and Don Fagaro (ranked 479 p4p, 62 weight class). Krause comes into the arena with Heart of a Champion blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Don Fagaro enters the cage!

Krause
vs
Fagaro

180 cm
38
157 lbs
20 - 14 - 0

180 cm
30
168 lbs
16 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

IniTech Nutrition

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, James Krause!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Don Fagaro!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Reed Andrews and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krause throws a big shot that misses.
Fagaro feints the counter takedown.
Krause showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Fagaro.
A left and a right from Fagaro both land. Nice combination.

It looks like James Krause has been cut.
Krause slips a jab and a cross from Fagaro.
Krause bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Fagaro's head backwards.
Fagaro throws the left hand but Krause avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Krause shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fagaro manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Krause throws an elbow that misses. Fagaro uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Krause's guard. Nice move by Fagaro!

The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fagaro chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krause has Fagaro pulled in close to control his posture.

Krause throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Fagaro throws a big right hand that misses.

Fagaro gets to his feet - Krause follows without any prompting.
Krause looks to land a left hand but Fagaro moved out of range nicely.

Fagaro clinches.

Krause is fighting off a takedown attempt but Fagaro is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Krause to the mat. Krause regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Krause is looking for a triangle but Fagaro pushes his legs off easily.
Krause has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Fagaro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Fagaro gets to his feet - Krause follows without any prompting.
Krause uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fagaro.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Fagaro moves into the clinch successfully.

Fagaro tightens his grip and picks Krause up, before dumping him to the ground. Krause manages to land in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fagaro trying to stand up but can't free himself from Krause's guard.
Fagaro looking to pass the guard.

Krause looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Krause escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fagaro gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Krause utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fagaro postures up and lands a big shot to Krause's brow.
Fagaro postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Fagaro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Krause wants to sweep here but Fagaro controlling him for the moment.
Fagaro has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Krause is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fagaro passes Krause's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Fagaro is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Fagaro is working for a kimura but Krause is defending it quite comfortably.

Fagaro wants to work for an arm triangle but Krause is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Krause makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Krause.
Fagaro missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Krause looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Krause tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Fagaro pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Krause is keeping the position for now.
Krause is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Fagaro wants to control from the top but Krause keeps moving.

Fagaro stands up from Krause's guard - Fagaro perhaps looking for a knockout.
Krause looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fagaro is fending him off so far but Krause persists. Nope, Fagaro circles away and we're back to standing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Krause. Fagaro does a little dance to reset his feet.

Fagaro changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Krause looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Krause is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Fagaro dominated that round.
The cut man is working on James Krause's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Fagaro looks to land a left hand but Krause moved out of range nicely.

Fagaro closes the distance and pushes Krause back into the cage.

Fagaro is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Krause can't fight it off and eventually Fagaro manages to take the fight to the floor. Krause looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Fagaro trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Krause throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Fagaro escapes and throws Krause's legs to the side, diving into side control!

Fagaro stands up and beckons Krause to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krause rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fagaro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Krause takes a swing at Fagaro's ribcage but misses.
Fagaro defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Krause.
Fagaro with the counter takedown but Krause avoids it easily.
Fagaro scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krause just misses with a punch to the body.
Krause just misses with a punch to the body.
James Krause seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Fagaro forces Krause back against the cage and clinches.

Fagaro has picked Krause up - he's going for a ride! Fagaro dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Krause wants to improve his position but Fagaro is controlling well.
Fagaro perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

Fagaro is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Krause defends it well.
Fagaro wants to stand up but Krause is controlling the position.
Fagaro is looking to take a break and control but Krause is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Fagaro is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krause moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Krause is looking for a triangle but Fagaro pushes his legs off easily.
Krause is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Don Fagaro has got the better of the ground game so far.
Fagaro tries to stand but Krause is controlling from the bottom.
Fagaro works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Fagaro is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Krause sees it coming and defends easily.

Krause looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Fagaro is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fagaro passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Krause!
Krause manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Krause is defending against the submission attempts here by Fagaro.
Krause tries to get to full guard but Fagaro has control of the leg.

Fagaro is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fagaro wants to stand up but Krause has a hold of him and won't allow it.

Fagaro gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Fagaro takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Fagaro closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Krause is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fagaro's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fagaro's back!
Krause is punishing Fagaro with strikes - can he finish him?!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fagaro rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Fagaro tries to roll over but Krause keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Don Fagaro showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on James Krause's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Krause throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Krause misses with an uppercut.
Fagaro takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Krause slips a jab from Fagaro.

Krause shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Fagaro's guard.
Fagaro wants to get back to his feet but Krause is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Krause trying to control but Fagaro is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Krause cracks Fagaro with a solid left hand.

Fagaro is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Krause defends well.
Krause stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Fagaro swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fagaro looking for a guillotine here but Krause defends easily.
Krause trying to control but Fagaro is working from the bottom.
Fagaro wants to stand and escape but Krause is having none of it.

Krause drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Krause jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Fagaro uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Krause shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Fagaro but Fagaro pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fagaro throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Krause changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Fagaro misses with a wild body shot.
Krause drops down looking for a counter takedown but Fagaro sprawls and moves away.
Krause scores with a punch to the head.
Fagaro will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Krause attempts a counter takedown but Fagaro avoids it well and moves away.
Krause throws a body punch but Fagaro moves out of range.
Fagaro throws a right and a left that Krause avoids nicely.
Krause tries to bum rush Fagaro with a series of wild strikes but Fagaro uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fagaro swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Krause takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Krause throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Fagaro on the side of the head.
Don Fagaro is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fagaro clinches up with Krause and pushes him back against the cage.

Fagaro gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Fagaro tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Krause.
Fagaro is trying to control. Krause wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Krause moves into full guard.
Krause trying to keep a closed guard but Fagaro is proving a slippery customer.

Krause is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fagaro defends well.
Fagaro trying to control but Krause is working from the bottom.
Fagaro stands and throws Krause's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krause is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Krause looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fagaro frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Fagaro stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Fagaro tries to bum rush Krause with a series of wild strikes but Krause uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Krause dodges the punch combination from Fagaro.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fagaro stuffs the takedown.
James Krause has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Fagaro decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Don Fagaro comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fagaro has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Don Fagaro!
After the big win, Don Fagaro made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200) and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.
James Krause was interviewed post fight and said 'I want a rematch. I'll beat him in the next one, just as I did with everyone who was lucky enough to beat me in Highland Games.'.