PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Alejandro Sepulveda (ranked 834 p4p, 44 weight class) and Desmond Fairbanks (ranked 1106 p4p, 64 weight class). Sepulveda's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Lady Gaga - Alejandro. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sepulveda
vs
Fairbanks

159 cm
35
141 lbs
29 - 17 - 2

173 cm
29
142 lbs
22 - 15 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 29 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Las Vegas, Alejandro Sepulveda!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Desmond Fairbanks!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Aafke Stam and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fairbanks fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sepulveda looks to score with a jab to the body but Fairbanks is just out of range.
Sepulveda throws a body punch but Fairbanks moves out of range.
Fairbanks throws out a counter right but Sepulveda avoids it with no problem.
Sepulveda fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Fairbanks checks it well.
Fairbanks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sepulveda.
Fairbanks throws out a counter right but Sepulveda avoids it with no problem.
The fighters circle momentarily. Sepulveda darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Fairbanks throws a looping overhand right but Sepulveda ducks down to avoid it.
Sepulveda tries to counter by clinching up but Fairbanks breaks away and moves out of range.
Sepulveda gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks blocks a head kick by Sepulveda.
A big right from Fairbanks misses.
Fairbanks tests Sepulveda's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Fairbanks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sepulveda sees it coming and avoids it easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Sepulveda misses the target.
Jab by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks avoids the head kick by Sepulveda.
Sepulveda slips a jab from Fairbanks.
Sepulveda half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairbanks thows a left - swing and a miss!
Sepulveda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fairbanks manages to avoid it.
Alejandro Sepulveda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fairbanks on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Sepulveda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Sepulveda scores with a jab to the body.
Sepulveda takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Sepulveda sizes up Fairbanks with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Sepulveda swings for the body but Fairbanks moves out of range.
Fairbanks tries to move into range but Sepulveda moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sepulveda loads up on a big right hand but Fairbanks slips the punch.
Fairbanks looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

Sepulveda gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Fairbanks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sepulveda struggles to land a body shot inside as Fairbanks controls his hands.
Sepulveda letting Fairbanks take a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sepulveda breaks from the clinch.
Fairbanks moves out of range as Sepulveda throws a body kick.
As Sepulveda backs off Fairbanks throws a huge counter combo but Sepulveda manages to avoid it all.
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!
Sepulveda scores with a hook to the body. Fairbanks takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fairbanks throws a poor cross that misses
and Sepulveda counters with a nice body kick.
Sepulveda needs to keep his hands up - Fairbanks had a free shot at his head there.
Sepulveda moves away from the strike by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sepulveda looks to throw a body kick
and Fairbanks connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Sepulveda throws a front kick aimed at Fairbanks's knee but Fairbanks avoids it well.
The crowd cheers as Fairbanks lands an impressive looking overhand right. Sepulveda doesn't seem phased though.
Fairbanks fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Sepulveda shoots in but Fairbanks avoids the takedown attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda misses with a hook. Fairbanks ducked under it nicely.
Sepulveda lands a slapping body shot.
Sepulveda is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fairbanks! But no joy.
Fairbanks rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Sepulveda counters with a nice low kick that buckles Fairbanks's knee momentarily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Sepulveda, as that shot connected.
Sepulveda blocks a jab.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the body
enabling Sepulveda to counter with a crisp jab.
Sepulveda wants to land a leg kick but Fairbanks is out of range.
Fairbanks might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Sepulveda wants to clinch up but Fairbanks keeps it at a distance.
Sepulveda takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sepulveda dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sepulveda throws out a loose jab but Fairbanks uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Sepulveda. That one must have hurt.
Sepulveda scores with a nice body kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sepulveda just misses with a punch to the body.
Fairbanks is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Sepulveda with a body shot.
Sepulveda throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Sepulveda throws a body punch but Fairbanks moves out of range.
Fairbanks looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A swing and a miss from Sepulveda.
Fairbanks tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sepulveda manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sepulveda scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fairbanks doesn't seem bothered though.
Sepulveda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fairbanks.
Sepulveda seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Sepulveda pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sepulveda throws a leg kick
enabling Fairbanks to counter with a crisp jab.
Sepulveda pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fairbanks now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Fairbanks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alejandro Sepulveda dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Sepulveda closes the distance looking to clinch
and Fairbanks counters with a right hand to the body.
Fairbanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sepulveda moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Sepulveda. Fairbanks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Sepulveda looks to land a body kick but Fairbanks moved away.
Fairbanks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sepulveda was well out of range. Poor timing from Fairbanks.
Sepulveda tries to counter by clinching up but Fairbanks breaks away and moves out of range.
Fairbanks throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Sepulveda stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Sepulveda with a body punch. A glancing blow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairbanks connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fairbanks tries to clinch up.
Sepulveda connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sepulveda throws a right and a left that Fairbanks avoids nicely.
Fairbanks looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairbanks misses the jab.
Sepulveda throws a sloppy head kick and Fairbanks moves out of range easily.
Sepulveda is looking to wear down Fairbanks with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Fairbanks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Sepulveda scores with a four punch combination!
Sepulveda connects with a good right hand that stumbles Fairbanks. Fairbanks circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sepulveda slips under a jab from Fairbanks.
Sepulveda 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.
A little jabbing left from Fairbanks on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Sepulveda keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fairbanks.
Sepulveda takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sepulveda works Fairbanks's body with a nice hook.
Fairbanks throws a looping overhand right but Sepulveda ducks down to avoid it.
A left lands for Fairbanks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fairbanks throws a poor cross that misses
and Sepulveda counters with a left to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sepulveda manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fairbanks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sepulveda blocks a jab.
Sepulveda is looking to counter the offense by Fairbanks and move into the clinch.
Fairbanks fails to land with a series of punches.
Sepulveda was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Fairbanks throws the left hand but Sepulveda avoids the punch easily.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sepulveda.
Sepulveda on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A telegraphed right hand from Fairbanks misses the target.
Fairbanks misses with a wild body shot.
Fairbanks looks to score with a jab to the body but Sepulveda is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fairbanks manages to avoid it.
Sepulveda throws a head kick that misses.
Fairbanks moves out of range as Sepulveda throws a body kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Fairbanks, as that shot connected.
Fairbanks just misses with a punch to the body.
Sepulveda gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Fairbanks counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Fairbanks works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Fairbanks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Sepulveda throws a series of strikes that have Fairbanks backpedaling.
Sepulveda throws a leg kick
letting Fairbanks counter with a right hand.
Sepulveda swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sepulveda lands a front kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big right from Fairbanks misses.
Alejandro Sepulveda is winning the standup battle so far.
Fairbanks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fairbanks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sepulveda manages to avoid it.
Sepulveda changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Fairbanks tries to avoid it but Sepulveda manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Fairbanks to the ground. Fairbanks escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alejandro Sepulveda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sepulveda fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Fairbanks is looking to clinch.
Sepulveda throws a jab when Fairbanks was well out of range.
Nice uppercut lands for Sepulveda. That snapped Fairbanks's head back.
Sepulveda looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Fairbanks has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Fairbanks there as he acknowledges the shot.
Sepulveda takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Desmond Fairbanks will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Sepulveda tries to land a front kick but Fairbanks steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fairbanks checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sepulveda shoots in for a double leg but Fairbanks sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fairbanks throws a big shot that misses.
Fairbanks missing with a left hand there. Sepulveda was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Sepulveda looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Sepulveda misses with a hook
and Fairbanks counters with a left and a right that stings Sepulveda.
Sepulveda 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.
Sepulveda throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fairbanks swats away the attempt to clinch by Sepulveda.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fairbanks! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairbanks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sepulveda manages to avoid it.
Sepulveda takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Fairbanks tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sepulveda was well out of range. Poor timing from Fairbanks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sepulveda misses with a kick to the body.
Fairbanks is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Fairbanks clobbers Sepulveda with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Sepulveda misses with an uppercut. Fairbanks saw that one coming.
Sepulveda misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nice body punch from Fairbanks.
Sepulveda is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sepulveda takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda drops his hands momentarily and Fairbanks takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Sepulveda rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Fairbanks counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sepulveda swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks misses with an uppercut
and Fairbanks takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sepulveda has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sepulveda there as he acknowledges the shot.
Fairbanks fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Sepulveda gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Sepulveda misses with a low kick.
Fairbanks swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Sepulveda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Sepulveda clinches up against the cage.
Sepulveda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sepulveda tries a body shot but Fairbanks blocks it.
Fairbanks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Sepulveda misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sepulveda working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Sepulveda blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Sepulveda changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Fairbanks fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alejandro Sepulveda. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fairbanks scores with a one two! Sepulveda had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Sepulveda closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Fairbanks wants the takedown. Sepulveda is fighting it off but Fairbanks persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Sepulveda's guard against the cage.
Fairbanks would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Fairbanks decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Sepulveda misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks moves into range and connects with a jab.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Sepulveda keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It looked like Sepulveda wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sepulveda slips under a jab.
Fairbanks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sepulveda throws a lazy right hand but Fairbanks sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice defenses there by Sepulveda.
Sepulveda swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Fairbanks! But no joy.
Sepulveda misses the jab.
Fairbanks with a hook.
Sepulveda throws a sloppy head kick and Fairbanks moves out of range easily.
A nice side step and Fairbanks releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Sepulveda just misses with a punch to the body.
Fairbanks tries to clinch up but Sepulveda circles away and keeps his distance.
Desmond Fairbanks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sepulveda swings and misses with a hook to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Desmond Fairbanks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fairbanks has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Desmond Fairbanks!
Desmond Fairbanks thanked the fans post fight for their support.