PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kasemchai Fairtex (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brian Fantana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fantana is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: You! Me! Dancing!. 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.

Fairtex
vs
Fantana

175 cm
27
157 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

168 cm
29
153 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Empire Threads - Featuring Deadly Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kasemchai Fairtex!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brian Fantana!
The judges for this bout are Reed Andrews, Jorge Garcia and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice leg kick lands there from Fairtex.
Fairtex throws a right hand that misses
and Fantana cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fairtex tries a low kick but Fantana avoids it.
Fairtex tries to clinch up but Fantana circles away and keeps his distance.
Fairtex rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Fantana counter with a right hand.
Fairtex throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Fantana counters with a stiff right hand.
Fairtex tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Fantana counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice jab there from Fantana.
Fantana 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.
Fairtex fails in his attempt to clinch.
Fantana punishes Fairtex's body with a nice straight punch.
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!
Fairtex throws a lazy uppercut
and Fantana counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fantana avoids the head kick by Fairtex.
Fairtex tries to work over Fantana's front leg with a kick but Fantana checks it.
Fairtex throws a hook but Fantana avoids it easily.
Fantana ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fairtex moves away.
Fantana checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Fairtex misses with a kick to the body.
A head kick misses from Fairtex.
Fairtex misses with a leg kick
and Fantana counters with a nice uppercut.
Fairtex throws a leg kick that is checked
and Fantana counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fantana cracks Fairtex with an open hand slap.
Fantana walks into a jab.
The fighters circling - Fairtex throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Fantana shoots for a double leg takedown but Fairtex sprawls well. He's pushed Fantana's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fairtex closes the distance looking to clinch

and Fantana counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Fairtex's guard now.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fantana wants to control from the top but Fairtex keeps moving.
Fairtex is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Fantana dives into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Fantana working the ground and pound from side control.
Fairtex can't do much from the bottom here.
Fairtex tries to improve position but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fantana is looking to take a break and control but Fairtex is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantana lands some shots froms side control.
Fairtex is working to avoid the ground and pound but Fantana connects with a decent elbow.
Fairtex knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fantana on the ground.
Fairtex is looking for a sweep.
Fairtex managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Fantana.
Fantana content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Fantana is working Fairtex over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex is looking for a sweep.
Fairtex taking punishment in the form of punches.
Fairtex is looking to regain half guard here but Fantana keeps moving and retains side control.

Fantana wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Fairtex, who protects the arm well.
Fantana in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Fantana throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Fantana working away.
Fantana working the head with strikes.
Fairtex can't do much from the bottom here.
Fantana in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantana wants to lay and pray for a moment but Fairtex keeps working.
Fantana landing a few strikes.
Fantana working away.
Fantana trying to control the action but Fairtex is working from the bottom.

Fantana is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Fairtex is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Fairtex tries to bench press Fantana off him but Fantana keeps the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fairtex is working hard here to advance position.
Fantana gets to mount! Fairtex was on the offensive and wasn't defending properly.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Fantana dominated that round.
That's time! Fairtex's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fantana lands with a good body shot.
Fairtex misses with a lunging right hand
and Fantana counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Fantana defending well as Fairtex loads up on a big left hand.
Fairtex moves in looking to clinch but Fantana pushes him off.
Fairtex looks to clinch
and Fantana counters with a nice uppercut.
Fairtex drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Fantana keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Fairtex tries a head kick but it misses.
Fairtex walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fairtex pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fairtex tries a head kick but it misses.
Fairtex tries to clinch but Fantana moves away
and Fantana counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Fantana scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairtex takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Fantana grinds an elbow into Fairtex's temple.
Fantana has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Fantana landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Fantana is looking to take a break and control but Fairtex is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fantana has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fantana scores with punches from side control.
Fantana cracks Fairtex with a big elbow.
Fantana works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Fantana working the head and body with strikes.

Fantana tries for a kimura but Fairtex is defending well.
Fairtex is trying to control Fantana's posture but Fantana avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantana looks up at the clock and then as Fairtex takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Fantana smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Fairtex is not content to let Fantana control the position.
Fantana connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Fairtex some visible discomfort.
Fairtex is holding Fantana down, trying to stall.
Fairtex is trying to control Fantana's posture but Fantana avoids it.
Fantana lands a nice forearm strike.
Fantana takes a little break here. Fairtex wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
An elbow from Fantana crashes against the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fantana working the head with strikes.
Fantana trying to control the action but Fairtex is working from the bottom.
Fairtex is looking for a sweep.
Fantana is looking to take a break and control but Fairtex is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Fairtex is looking to reverse the position.
Fantana has control of an arm but Fairtex manages to advance to Fantana's back!
Fairtex is looking to get the fight back to the feet.
Fantana can't escape the position.

Fairtex gets to his feet! The crowd go wild in anticipation of a knockout!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex misses with an uppercut

and Fantana counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fantana.
Fairtex keeping moving, preventing Fantana from controlling successfully.
Fantana preventing the sweep.
Fantana looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Fantana won't allow Fairtex to sweep him here.
Fantana with a flurry of punches that miss.
Fantana is pushing down on Fairtex's leg trying to pass to half guard. Fairtex is fighting to maintain full guard but Fantana has managed to sneak the leg through.
Fantana takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fairtex is looking to escape.
Fairtex is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Fairtex is pressing down on Fantana's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brian Fantana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Fantana lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Fairtex is looking to land body kicks.
Fairtex throws a leg kick
letting Fantana counter with a right hand.
Fairtex tries to clinch up.
Fantana lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Fairtex tries to score with a low kick but Fantana moves his leg out of the way.
A bone on bone clash there as Fantana blocks the leg kick.
Fantana cracks a nice hook into Fairtex's ribs.
An inside leg kick from Fairtex misses.
Fantana keeps the fight on the outside.
Fantana scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantana scores with a jab to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fantana scores with a nice right hand.

Fantana drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fantana distracts Fairtex with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Fantana scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Fantana is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Fantana is working Fairtex over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Fantana stays in close to Fairtex's body and controls the position.
Fantana trying to control but Fairtex is working from the bottom.
Fantana is looking to work some ground and pound but Fairtex has wrist control.
Fantana postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Fantana stands and throws Fairtex's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Fairtex prevents Fantana from moving into mount.
Fairtex managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Fantana.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex is letting Fantana control him for a moment.
Fairtex parries the strikes from Fantana easily there. Fantana is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Fairtex to escape.
Fairtex is trying to improve his position.
Fantana trying to control the action but Fairtex is working from the bottom.
Fairtex tries to escape but Fantana is in control.
Fantana lands a few punches from side control.
Fantana is working Fairtex over with some ground and pound from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex taking punishment in the form of punches.
Fantana lands a nice forearm strike.
Fairtex taking punishment in the form of punches.
Fantana working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Fantana wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Fairtex, who protects the arm well.

Fantana is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Fairtex knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
The referee asks Fantana politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Fantana prefers to stall for the moment though.
Fantana sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Fairtex is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Fairtex regains half guard.
Kasemchai Fairtex has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex gets full guard.
Fairtex is controlling Fantana's posture.
Brian Fantana is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fantana in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Fantana is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Fantana won't allow Fairtex to sweep him here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Fairtex keeping moving, preventing Fantana from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kasemchai Fairtex.
Fairtex feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Fantana's calf.
Kasemchai Fairtex seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A head kick misses from Fairtex.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brian Fantana comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Fantana has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 26:30
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Brian Fantana!