PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rason Fairs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Darius Jones (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Fairs might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Hail mary. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Fairs
vs
Jones

195 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rason Fairs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Darius Jones!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fairs stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fairs wants it to stay on the feet.
Fairs throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jones's waist but Jones gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fairs off to one side.
Jones dives in for a single leg takedown but Fairs sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Jones can't get the takedown.
Rason Fairs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Jones.
Fairs tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fairs is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Jones prevents a takedown attempt there.
Fairs is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Jones gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Fairs wants to take the fight to the mat but Jones manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Jones drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Fairs gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jones is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Fairs is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Jones is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairs has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Jones avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Jones has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Fairs uses from the top position.
Fairs trying to move into half guard but instead Jones has managed to sweep!
Fairs keeping full guard, as Jones tries to pass.

Jones drops back, looking for a kneebar! Fairs looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Fairs looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Fairs!
Jones prevents Fairs from moving into mount.
Fairs working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Jones wants to control but Fairs postures up.
Jones tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Fairs wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones regains half guard.

Fairs decides to stand up.
Jones shoots in and drives through. Fairs sprawls well.
Jones looks winded!
Jones wants to clinch.
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!
Jones dives in for a single leg takedown but Fairs sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Fairs has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Jones regains guard immediately.
Fairs tries to free his leg and advance position but Jones is retaining full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Fairs's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairs sitting in guard here, content to control.
Fairs trying to control but Jones is working from the bottom.
Fairs passes Jones's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Fairs escapes and gets back to his feet.
Jones misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jones looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fairs is fending him off so far but Jones persists. Nope, Fairs circles away and we're back to standing.
Jones fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fairs tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Jones swivels and escapes.
Jones tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jones is looking to clinch.

Fairs forces Jones back against the cage and clinches.

Fairs gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Jones regains guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fairs throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jones works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fairs is looking to work some ground and pound but Jones has wrist control.
Jones is striking but Fairs is not phased and passes to half guard.
Fairs could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Jones wants to control but Fairs is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Jones avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Fairs.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Fairs is looking for a kimura here.

Fairs wants to work for an arm triangle but Jones is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rason Fairs dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Horrible takedown by Fairs or perhaps it was just good defense by Jones which made him look bad.
Fairs looks for a takedown but Jones sprawls well.
Jones fails with the takedown.
Fairs changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Jones tries to avoid it but Fairs manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Jones to the ground. Jones escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rason Fairs. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Fairs shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jones manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Jones is adopting a defensive guard.
Fairs trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairs throws a big right hand that misses.
Jones working a defensive guard here.
Fairs trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Fairs landing some decent shots from guard.

Fairs avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rason Fairs overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jones is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Fairs!
Jones trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Fairs tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Jones wants to control the pace but Fairs is squirming around nicely.
Fairs tries to buck Jones off but he can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones throwing strikes here but Fairs is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Fairs wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Jones.
Fairs regains half guard.

Fairs looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fairs works his way to full guard. Good work.
Fairs throws a couple of heel strikes.
Fairs keeping moving, preventing Jones from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fairs had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Jones defends it easily.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Jones is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Jones decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Fairs shoots in and drives through. Jones sprawls well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fairs tries for a takedown but Jones sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but Fairs shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
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 Rason Fairs will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

No luck for Jones with that takedown attempt.

Jones moves into the clinch.
Fairs drops down looking for an ankle pick but Jones pulls his leg out and moves away.
Darius Jones seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but Fairs shows good takedown defense.
Jones looks to land a combination but Fairs avoids it well.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Fairs!
Jones takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Jones throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Rason Fairs has been cut.
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!
Jones is looking to clinch but Fairs is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jones shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fairs sprawls well. Fairs wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jones gets slowly back to his feet.
Rason Fairs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Darius Jones.
Fairs fails with a takedown attempt.
Jones goes for a double leg but Fairs avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Fairs continues to drive forward.
Fairs fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fairs drops down looking for an ankle pick but Jones pulls his leg out and moves away.
Jones throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jones fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fairs shoots in but no luck this time.
Fairs connects with a body shot.
Fairs avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Fairs gets a double leg takedown into Jones's guard.
Fairs throwing strikes from guard but Jones blocks nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fairs trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairs working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Jones trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Fairs wants to pass the guard but Jones is keeping the position.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Fairs from controlling successfully.

Fairs is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Jones is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Jones has escaped and now he's on top!
Fairs looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Darius Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rason Fairs is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fairs wants to stand but Jones is controlling the position.
Fairs looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jones is one step ahead there.

Jones stands up from guard. Let's bang!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fairs throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Jones's waist but Jones gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Fairs off to one side.
Jones throws a left and a right that both miss
and Fairs counters with a lovely shot to the body.

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 Rason Fairs.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Fairs, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rason Fairs!
Rason Fairs bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.