PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Roberto Fabinho (ranked 931 p4p, 1542 weight class) and Kobe Bryant (ranked 147 p4p, 226 weight class). Fabinho's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Glowed Up - Kaytranada. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fabinho
vs
Bryant

193 cm
26
200
9 - 5 - 0

184 cm
27
195
11 - 11 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Roberto Fabinho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kobe Bryant!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Daniel Blasius and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fabinho scores with a shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Fabinho. Bryant does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fabinho connects with a single shot there.
Bryant throws an overhand right that lands on Fabinho's shoulder, as Fabinho tries to avoid the shot.
Bryant goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Fabinho takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Bryant throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Fabinho looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Fabinho misses with a body shot.
Jab by Fabinho.
Bryant scores with a crisp jab that stopped Fabinho in his tracks.
Fabinho throws a looping overhand right but Bryant ducks down to avoid it.
Fabinho thuds his right hand into Bryant's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fabinho fails with the takedown
and Bryant connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fabinho avoids the head kick by Bryant.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bryant pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A slow jab from Fabinho misses its intended target.
Bryant ducks right into an uppercut from Fabinho.
Fabinho moves out of range as Bryant throws a body kick.
Bryant scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Bryant misses with a double jab.
A combination from Bryant does no damage.
Fabinho dives in for a single leg takedown but Bryant sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Bryant blocks an uppercut.
Fabinho lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Bryant is trying to push Fabinho away but Fabinho has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Bryant is trying to maintain a safe position but Fabinho gets an underhook and turns Bryant into the cage.
Fabinho blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Bryant wants to break the clinch but can't.
A body shot lands from Bryant.
Bryant tries to throw a body punch but Fabinho avoids it by throwing Bryant back against the cage.
Fabinho tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fabinho misses with a punch to the body.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Fabinho.

Bryant breaks from the clinch.
Bryant throws a body punch but Fabinho moves out of range.
Fabinho changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Fabinho misses with a body shot.
Bryant tries a quick counter leg kick but Fabinho is wise to it.
Fabinho throws a jab when Bryant was well out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A left lands for Bryant.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bryant. Fabinho does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fabinho throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bryant throws a counter combo.
Bryant with a nice cross.
Fabinho will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Bryant displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Fabinho throws out the jab.
Bryant misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bryant.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bryant misses with a wild body shot.
Fabinho lands a slapping body shot.
Fabinho thows a left - swing and a miss!
A left lands for Fabinho.
Some wild striking there from Bryant.
Fabinho showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Bryant.
Fabinho shoots in looking for a takedown but Bryant manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fabinho's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roberto Fabinho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fabinho throws a body shot but no joy.
Jab, jab by Bryant - just one landing.
Bryant keeps the fight on the outside.
The fighters circling - Fabinho throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Fabinho lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nice body kick from Bryant.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fabinho misses the shot to the body.
Bryant is looking for the big counter here.
Bryant throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Bryant needs to keep his hands up - Fabinho had a free shot at his head there.

Fabinho darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Fabinho trying to control the action but Bryant is working from the bottom.

Bryant kicks off Fabinho and gets to his feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kobe Bryant will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Fabinho misses with an uppercut.
Fabinho doesn't manage to clinch there - Bryant circles away.

Fabinho shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Bryant manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bryant is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Bryant working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Fabinho doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Fabinho manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Fabinho landing some decent shots from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fabinho advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fabinho tries to pass to full mount but Bryant defends it.
Bryant is trying to control but can't.
Fabinho slows the pace down in half guard.
Fabinho is nestled in close to Bryant, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Fabinho is looking to take a break and control but Bryant is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fabinho controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bryant is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Fabinho's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Fabinho's back!
Fabinho just trying to survive but Bryant is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Fabinho tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Fabinho is looking to get to half guard.
Fabinho sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bryant decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Fabinho throws the left hand but Bryant avoids the punch easily.
Bryant misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nice body punch from Fabinho.
Bryant throws a jab but it's blocked by Fabinho.
Fabinho tries to counter with a takedown but Bryant is quick to defend against it.
Fabinho looks to land a combination but Bryant avoids it well.
Kobe Bryant is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Fabinho has closed the distance and engaged Bryant in a clinch.

Bryant manages to break the clinch.
Bryant defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fabinho.
Bryant avoids the body shot from Fabinho.
Bryant falls off balance throwing a combination

and Fabinho counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant wants to stand up but Fabinho is controlling him.
Bryant is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bryant seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Fabinho is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bryant tries to stand but can't do so whilst Fabinho controls his leg.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Roberto Fabinho dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Bryant uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fabinho.
Bryant now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Fabinho thuds his right hand into Bryant's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Fabinho punishes Bryant's body with a nice straight punch.
A big right from Fabinho misses.
Fabinho swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bryant is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Fabinho throws a poor cross that misses
and Bryant counters with a left and a right that stings Fabinho.
Fabinho throws out a loose jab but Bryant uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fabinho fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bryant manages to avoid it.
Bryant swats away the attempt to clinch by Fabinho.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fabinho tries to bum rush Bryant with a series of wild strikes but Bryant uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Bryant throws a head kick that misses.
Fabinho dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fabinho misses with an uppercut. Bryant saw that one coming.
Bryant swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bryant misses with a wild body shot.
Fabinho attempts a counter takedown but Bryant avoids it well and moves away.
No luck for Fabinho with that takedown attempt.
Nice takedown defense from Bryant. No joy for Fabinho on that attempt.
Bryant works Fabinho's body with a nice hook.
Fabinho cracks Bryant with a right hand to the side of the head.
Good work by Fabinho as he checks the leg kick.
Bryant lands a jab to Fabinho's midsection.
Fabinho moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Fabinho shoots in but no luck this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roberto Fabinho. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fabinho ducks under a wild hook from Bryant.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bryant keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fabinho.
A head kick misses from Bryant.
Bryant gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Fabinho waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Bryant.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fabinho misses with a body punch
and Bryant counters with a two punch combo.
Bryant bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bryant misses with a head kick.
Bryant misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bryant throws a hook but Fabinho avoids it easily.
Fabinho takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bryant moves away from the strike by Fabinho.
Fabinho scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fabinho fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bryant manages to avoid it.
Bryant is looking to land body kicks.
Bryant on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bryant wants to clinch up but Fabinho keeps it at a distance.
Bryant uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Fabinho.
Bryant is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Fabinho tries to clinch up.
Bryant tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fabinho swivels and escapes.
Fabinho tries to counter with a takedown but Bryant is quick to defend against it.
Fabinho fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fabinho shoots in looking for a takedown but Bryant manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fabinho's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Fabinho getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Bryant avoids the body shot from Fabinho.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bryant moves away from the strike by Fabinho.
Bryant is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Fabinho misses with a wild body shot.
Despite the aggression on Bryant's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Fabinho tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bryant was well out of range. Poor timing from Fabinho.
Fabinho throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fabinho pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bryant let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Fabinho misses with a hook to the body
and Bryant counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fabinho jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A slow jab from Fabinho misses its intended target.
A head kick by Bryant misses

and Fabinho counters with a takedown into side control.
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!
Bryant tries to escape but Fabinho is in control.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Roberto Fabinho.
I think Fabinho has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight for Kobe Bryant!
Judge Daniel Blasius scores the fight for Roberto Fabinho!
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight as a draw!

The fight ends as a draw!