PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Desmond Fairbanks (ranked 1198 p4p, 74 weight class) and Tom Thomas (ranked 2312 p4p, 132 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fairbanks
vs
Thomas

173 cm
33
142 lbs
27 - 21 - 0

160 cm
34
140 lbs
22 - 17 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Arcticus University: London

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 27 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Desmond Fairbanks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 22 - 17 - 1, fighting out of London, Tom Thomas!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fairbanks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thomas.
Fairbanks looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Thomas fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Fairbanks throws a looping overhand right but Thomas ducks down to avoid it.
An inside leg kick lands from Thomas.
Thomas with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Fairbanks keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thomas thuds his shin into the meat of Fairbanks's side.
Thomas misses with a shot to the body
and Fairbanks counters with a stiff right hand.
Thomas swings for the body but Fairbanks moves out of range.
Thomas ducks under a wild hook from Fairbanks.
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!
A big left from Thomas misses.
Desmond Fairbanks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slow jab from Fairbanks misses its intended target.
Thomas throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Fairbanks on the side of the head.
Nice defenses there by Thomas.
Fairbanks throws the left hand but Thomas avoids the punch easily.
Thomas thuds a left hand into Fairbanks's body.
Thomas misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairbanks lands with a kick to the temple. Thomas shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Thomas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fairbanks ducks under a wild hook from Thomas.
Fairbanks throws a nice inside leg kick.
Thomas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fairbanks was well out of range. Poor timing from Thomas.
Thomas looks to throw the jab but Fairbanks is out of range.
Fairbanks bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Fairbanks has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Fairbanks on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Thomas has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

Thomas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Fairbanks, pushing him back against the cage.
Thomas has Fairbanks pushed against the cage.
Thomas misses with some punches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Thomas.
A head punch on the inside from Fairbanks fails to land.
Thomas has a couple of punches blocked by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks misses with a body punch.
Fairbanks tries to throw a body punch but Thomas avoids it by throwing Fairbanks back against the cage.
Fairbanks blocks an uppercut.
Fairbanks lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fairbanks is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Fairbanks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thomas working aggressively here.
Fairbanks trying to stall but Thomas improves his position.
Thomas prevents a body shot from Fairbanks.
Thomas tries a body shot but Fairbanks blocks it.

Thomas breaks from the clinch.
Fairbanks misses with an uppercut.
Thomas throws a big shot that misses.
Fairbanks moves out of range as Thomas strikes.
Fairbanks missing with a left hand there. Thomas was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Fairbanks keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Thomas throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Fairbanks looks to land a right hand but Thomas moved out of range.

Thomas clinches up with Fairbanks and pushes him back against the cage.
Thomas misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Thomas working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fairbanks can't find room to land a body shot as Thomas controls the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas lands a right hand.
Thomas gets through Fairbanks's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fairbanks softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Fairbanks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thomas lands a shot to the body.
Fairbanks struggles to land a body shot inside as Thomas controls his hands.
Thomas blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
A nice right hand lands inside from Thomas.
Thomas tries to work over Fairbanks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thomas lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fairbanks can't find room to land a body shot as Thomas controls the action.
Fairbanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fairbanks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice right hand lands inside from Thomas.
Thomas lands a right hand.
Thomas digs a right hand into Fairbanks's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Fairbanks's gas tank.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Thomas.
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!
Fairbanks can't find room to land a body shot as Thomas controls the action.
Fairbanks gets through Thomas's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Fairbanks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thomas's elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thomas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Thomas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thomas is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Thomas blocks it.
Thomas works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fairbanks.
Thomas taking a breather.
Thomas can't find room to land a body shot as Fairbanks controls the action.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
A short left from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thomas's elbow.
Fairbanks lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Fairbanks lands a body punch.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
A hook to the body from Fairbanks.
Thomas lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fairbanks backwards.
Thomas misses with some punches.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thomas scores with a shot to the side of Fairbanks's head.
Fairbanks wants to stall.
Thomas scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Fairbanks tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom Thomas dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fairbanks jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Thomas takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Thomas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fairbanks.
Thomas misses with a straight right.
Thomas cracks Fairbanks with a good jab.
Tom Thomas seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Thomas pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Thomas scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Fairbanks doesn't seem bothered though.
Thomas throws a big shot that misses.
Thomas blocks a jab.
Fairbanks ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Thomas takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Thomas misses with a hook. Fairbanks ducked under it nicely.
Thomas loads up on a big right hand but Fairbanks slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairbanks lands with a straight right. Thomas didn't see that one coming.
Thomas avoids a kick to the body.
Thomas checks the leg kick.
Thomas looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Thomas swings for the body but Fairbanks moves out of range.
Donk. Fairbanks catches Thomas right on the button with a cross.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Left hook, right uppercut from Fairbanks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thomas throws a looping overhand right but Fairbanks ducks down to avoid it.
A jab from Thomas does it's job there.
Fairbanks feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Thomas's calf.
Thomas closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Fairbanks lets loose with a powerful body kick. Thomas will feel that in the morning.
Thomas takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Thomas connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Thomas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fairbanks moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fairbanks lands with a right to the head.
Fairbanks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
Thomas throws a head punch that misses.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Fairbanks is keeping busy.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Thomas is persisting with his attempts to control the action in the clinch, rather than do any real damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thomas throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Fairbankss head.
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!
Fairbanks tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Thomas's elbow.
Thomas lands a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks can't find room to land a body shot as Thomas controls the action.
Fairbanks lands an uppercut.
Thomas has a couple of punches blocked by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks tries to work over Thomas's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tom Thomas seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Thomas breaks the clinch.
Fairbanks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thomas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fairbanks throws the left hand but Thomas avoids the punch easily.
Thomas just misses with a punch to the body.
Fairbanks looked to counter with a high kick but didn't commit.
Thomas scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Fairbanks moves forwards but Thomas connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Thomas scores with a hook.
Good shot there by Fairbanks.
Thomas on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Thomas avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Fairbanks throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thomas misses with a looping right.
Good standup being displayed there by Thomas as he connects with a hook.
Thomas connects with a looping right hand.
Fairbanks throws a leg kick but Thomas sees it coming and moves out of range.
Fairbanks lands with a cross.
Fairbanks lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Thomas takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Fairbanks feints and then cracks Thomas's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Thomas down.
Thomas lands a right hook to the body.
Fairbanks lands with a straight right. Thomas didn't see that one coming.
Thomas ducks right into an uppercut from Fairbanks.
Fairbanks lands the left hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Thomas throws a looping overhand right but Fairbanks ducks down to avoid it.
Fairbanks misses with a hook.
Thomas swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Crunch! Fairbanks slams his shin into Thomas's torso.
Thomas throws a looping overhand right but Fairbanks ducks down to avoid it.
Thomas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fairbanks manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Fairbanks - that will leave a mark!
Fairbanks lands with a nice body punch.
Thomas throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Thomas lands with a shot to the body.
Fairbanks ducks under a wild hook from Thomas.
Thomas jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fairbanks lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fairbanks fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thomas appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Fairbanks scores with a hook to the body. Thomas takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Thomas connects with the punch.
Thomas throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Thomas throws a hook but Fairbanks avoids it easily.
Fairbanks stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fairbanks tries a head kick but it misses.
Thomas missing with a left hand there. Fairbanks was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A looping hook to the body misses from Thomas. Fairbanks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fairbanks throws a sloppy head kick and Thomas moves out of range easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Desmond Fairbanks dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Thomas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fairbanks throws a hook but Thomas avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Thomas on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Thomas takes a swing at Fairbanks's ribcage but misses.
A clash of legs there as Fairbanks blocks the low kick.
Fairbanks was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Thomas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Fairbanks scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Thomas looks to land a right hand but Fairbanks moved out of range.
Fairbanks moves in looking to clinch but Thomas pushes him off.
Fairbanks ducks under a wild hook from Thomas.
Thomas jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
A slapping leg kick lands for Fairbanks.
Fairbanks attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairbanks takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Thomas pushes Fairbanks up against the cage in a clinch.
Fairbanks lands with a short shot to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Thomas.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fairbanks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fairbanks is working Thomas over against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Thomas.
Thomas swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Fairbanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fairbanks lands a right hand.
Thomas has a couple of punches blocked by Fairbanks.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thomas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fairbanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fairbanks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Thomas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Fairbanks throws a head punch that misses.
Thomas misses with a hook from the clinch.
Fairbanks lands a hook that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice body punch from Fairbanks.
Thomas prevents a body shot from Fairbanks.
Thomas lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Thomas is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Thomas misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks misses with a body punch.
Thomas goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fairbanks lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Thomas backwards.
Fairbanks misses with a hook to the ribs.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Thomas.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Thomas tries to throw a body punch but Fairbanks avoids it by throwing Thomas back against the cage.
Fairbanks stalling.
Thomas wants to break the clinch but can't.
Thomas working aggressively here.
Thomas throws a head punch that misses.
Thomas effectively controlling the action here.

Thomas's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thomas gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Fairbanks.
Thomas avoids the head kick by Fairbanks.
Thomas misses with a left hand
and Fairbanks counters with a nice leg kick.
Thomas connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Fairbanks feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Thomass jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Thomas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Thomas avoids a kick to the body.
Fairbanks throws a hook to the side of Thomas's head but Thomas sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Thomas connects with a nice looking jab.
Fairbanks throws a leg kick but Thomas moved away.
Fairbanks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Thomas.

Fairbanks closes the distance and pushes Thomas back into the cage.
Thomas lands a right hand that snaps the head of Fairbanks backwards.
Fairbanks tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Thomas lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Thomas lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Fairbanks backwards.
Fairbanks tries to work over Thomas's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas can't find room to land a body shot as Fairbanks controls the action.
Thomas is trying to maintain a safe position but Fairbanks gets an underhook and turns Thomas into the cage.
Thomas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Thomas misses with some punches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fairbanks misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Fairbanks as Thomas tries to tie him up.
Fairbanks tries a body shot but Thomas blocks it.
A nice right hand lands inside from Thomas.
Fairbanks leaning against his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fairbanks doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thomas misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fairbanks can't find room to land a body shot as Thomas controls the action.
Thomas will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Fairbanks up against the cage.
Thomas blocks a body shot from Fairbanks.
Thomas misses with a punch on the inside.
Thomas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fairbanks digs a right hand into Thomas's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Thomas's gas tank.
Fairbanks blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Tom Thomas.
I think Thomas 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tom Thomas!
Our winner, Tom Thomas, 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.