PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Gemellus Axius (ranked 1217 p4p, 1418 weight class) and Desmond Fairbanks (ranked 69 p4p, 81 weight class). Axius comes to the cage accompanied by Feed the Machine. 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.

Axius
vs
Fairbanks

175 cm
30
142
17 - 13 - 1

173 cm
35
142
29 - 25 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Altitude Clothing

Core Combat

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 17 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Gemellus Axius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 25 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Desmond Fairbanks!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Percy O'Donnell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick from Fairbanks, right into the meat of the thigh.
Axius lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Fairbanks smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Fairbanks lands a slapping body shot.
Fairbanks is looking to land body kicks.
Axius misses with a lunging right hand
and Fairbanks counters with a nice body shot.
Fairbanks misses with a hook.
Fairbanks connects with a right hand. Axius shakes it off.
Fairbanks misses with a low kick.

Fairbanks moves into the clinch successfully.
Axius misses with a body punch.
Fairbanks lands with a light punch inside.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Axius working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Axius misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Fairbanks fails to land.
Axius lands a shot to the body.
Axius misses with a punch on the inside.
Axius throws a head punch that misses.
Axius blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks is stalling here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axius lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fairbanks presses Axius against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Fairbanks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fairbanks misses with a punch to the body.
Axius tries to work over Fairbanks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Axius misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fairbanks misses with a short punch on the inside.

Fairbanks breaks the clinch.
A good leg kick by Axius.
Axius throws a head kick that misses.
Despite the aggression on Fairbanks's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Fairbanks lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Axius at a distance.
Axius fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Fairbanks has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Axius scores with a hook to the body. Fairbanks takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Axius jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Axius lands a leg kick that knocks Fairbanks off balance momentarily.
A shot to the liver by Axius. Beautiful body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fairbanks lands with a thumping leg kick.

Fairbanks moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Axius blocks it.
Fairbanks tries to work over Axius's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fairbanks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Axius lands a body punch in the clinch.
Axius blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Axius has a couple of punches blocked by Fairbanks.
Axius lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Axius is working Fairbanks over against the cage.
Axius tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fairbanks's elbow.
Axius lands a nice shot to the body.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Axius tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Axius struggles to land a body shot inside as Fairbanks controls his hands.
Axius throws a head punch that misses.
Axius goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Axius swings wildly with an uppercut but Fairbanks uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Axius.
Axius misses with a body punch.
Axius lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fairbanks backwards.
I was talking to Axius's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axius lands with a right to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Axius.
Axius cracks Fairbanks with a nice body shot.
Fairbanks blocking some punches.
Axius tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Axius lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Axius softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Axius throws a punch but it's blocked by Fairbanks.
Axius tries a body shot but Fairbanks blocks it.
Fairbanks blocking some punches.
Axius tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Axius lands with a left to the head.
Fairbanks blocks a body shot from Axius.
Fairbanks stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Axius misses with a body punch.
Axius presses Fairbanks against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Axius working aggressively here.
Fairbanks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fairbanks has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Axius seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Fairbanks can turn it around.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Axius.
Axius prevents a body shot from Fairbanks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axius throws a punch but it's blocked by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks prevents a body shot from Axius.
Axius blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Axius misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch on the inside from Fairbanks fails to land.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Axius blocks it.
A short body shot lands from Axius as the two fighters clinch.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Axius.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Axius.
A nice right hand lands inside from Axius.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fairbanks makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Axius lands an uppercut.
Fairbanks stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Axius lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A jab from Fairbanks does it's job there.
Fairbanks takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fairbanks throws a lazy right hand but Axius sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Axius is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fairbanks can do to turn this around?
Axius throws a combination. Fairbanks tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Axius misses with a looping right.
Fairbanks uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Axius has time to react.
Fairbanks throws a shot from downtown. Axius moves away and avoids it.
Fairbanks feints and then cracks Axius's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Axius down.
A nice leg kick from Axius, right into the meat of the thigh.
Axius fails in his attempt to clinch.
Axius moves in looking to clinch but Fairbanks pushes him off.
Axius misses with a hook
and Fairbanks counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Axius tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fairbanks was well out of range. Poor timing from Axius.
Axius fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Fairbanks drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Axius misses with a body kick.
Axius connects with a body shot that sends Fairbanks's belly button to the back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Fairbanks.
Axius scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Fairbanks takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Gemellus Axius is winning the standup battle so far.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Fairbanks - that will leave a mark!
Axius takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A left and a right from Axius both land. Nice combination.
Fairbanks throws a push kick but Axius slaps the foot to one side.
Fairbanks fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Axius throws a nice inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Axius tries to clinch but Fairbanks is having none of it.
Fairbanks throws a sloppy head kick and Axius moves out of range easily.
Axius appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Axius tries to clinch but Fairbanks is having none of it.
Axius steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Fairbanks. That one must have hurt.
Fairbanks scores with a nice head shot.
Axius misses with an uppercut. Fairbanks saw that one coming.
Fairbanks connects with a solid leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axius goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fairbanks will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Axius blocks the body kick.
Axius jabs Fairbanks to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Axius gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Fairbanks breaks the clinch.

Axius tries to keep at a distance but Fairbanks has taken the fight into the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Axius.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fairbanks blocks a body shot from Axius.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Axius blocks it.
Fairbanks will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Axius up against the cage.
Fairbanks misses with a punch to the body.
Fairbanks manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Axius can't find room to land a body shot as Fairbanks controls the action.

Fairbanks manages to break the clinch.
Fairbanks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Axius is looking to counter punch.
Axius lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fairbanks at a distance.
Axius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Axius looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Fairbanks looks to score with a jab to the body but Axius is just out of range.
Axius misses with a body kick.
Axius misses with a body kick.
Fairbanks looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Axius digs a good body shot into Fairbanks's ribs.
Axius works the jab nicely.
Axius avoids a kick to the body.
Axius thinks about countering with a body kick.
Axius throws a leg kick but Fairbanks checks it.
Fairbanks throws a low kick but Axius avoids it.
Axius takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Axius moves into range and clinches up with Fairbanks.
Fairbanks is trying to break the clinch but Axius has him pressed against the cage.
Fairbanks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Axius's elbow.
Axius tries to work over Fairbanks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Axius lands a hook that snaps the head of Fairbanks backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fairbanks misses with a punch to the body.
Axius misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Axius blocks it.
Axius tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fairbanks can't find room to land a body shot as Axius controls the action.
Axius blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Axius misses with a punch on the inside.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Axius lands a hook that snaps the head of Fairbanks backwards.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fairbanks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Axius struggles to land a body shot inside as Fairbanks controls his hands.
Axius misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fairbanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Axius keeps control of Fairbanks as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
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 Gemellus Axius will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Fairbanks takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Fairbanks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Fairbanks misses with an uppercut
and Axius counters with a nice uppercut.
Fairbanks misses with a few strikes there.
Nice body punch from Fairbanks.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Fairbanks crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Axius - the referee stops the clock and Fairbanks gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Axius. Fairbanks manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Axius uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fairbanks lands with a good body shot.
Axius misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fairbanks.
A little jabbing left from Fairbanks on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Axius tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Fairbanks manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Axius lands a leg kick that knocks Fairbanks off balance momentarily.
Axius getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fairbanks keeps the fight on the outside.

Axius gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Fairbanks misses with a body punch.
A short left from Axius.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairbanks misses with a punch to the body.
Gemellus Axius has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Axius prevents a body shot from Fairbanks.
Axius misses with the head strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Axius as Fairbanks tries to tie him up.
Axius blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Axius throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Axius lands a hook to the side of the head.
Fairbanks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Axius prevents a body shot from Fairbanks.
Axius swings wildly with an uppercut but Fairbanks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fairbanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A nice right hand lands inside from Axius.
Axius stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Fairbanks misses with a body punch.
Fairbanks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Axius scores with a shoulder strike.
Desmond Fairbanks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Axius misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fairbanks tries to break free but Axius pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Axius.
Fairbanks wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Axius has him pressed against the cage.
Axius throws a punch but it's blocked by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Axius can't find room to land a body shot as Fairbanks controls the action.
Fairbanks misses with a body punch.
Axius tries to work over Fairbanks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fairbanks misses with a body punch.
Fairbanks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Axius's elbow.
Gemellus Axius is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fairbanks tries to work over Axius's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice body punch from Fairbanks - that landed with a thud.
Axius misses with a punch on the inside.
Fairbanks's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Fairbanks breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Axius throws a quick inside leg kick.
Axius ducks under a wild hook from Fairbanks.
Axius lands with a nice body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks misses with a kick to the body.
Axius throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Axius lands with a kick to the temple. Fairbanks shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Axius lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Axius cracks a nice hook into Fairbanks's ribs.

Fairbanks gets tackled into the cage by Axius. Axius maintains the clinch.
Fairbanks wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Axius has him pressed against the cage.
Fairbanks misses with a body punch.
Axius lands a body shot in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Axius.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Axius misses with a punch to the body.
Fairbanks blocks a body shot from Axius.
Axius lands a right hand.
Fairbanks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Axius's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fairbanks misses with some punches.
Fairbanks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Axius's elbow.
Fairbanks is looking to break free of the clinch but Axius has double underhooks.
Axius prevents a body shot from Fairbanks.
Axius softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Axius prevents a body shot from Fairbanks.
Axius lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fairbanks misses with a punch to the body.
Axius misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fairbanks can't find room to land a body shot as Axius controls the action.
Axius lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fairbanks backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Axius.
Axius blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fairbanks softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gemellus Axius showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Axius has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gemellus Axius!
Our winner, Gemellus Axius, 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.