PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Samin Ax (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Urijah Faber (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Urijah Faber has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ax
vs
Faber

176 cm
28
140 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

168 cm
22
138 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

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 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Samin Ax!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Urijah Faber!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Damien Edna and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Faber shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Faber working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Ax has hold of Faber's hands but Faber slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Ax looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
We've been hearing good reports from Ax's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Faber prevents Ax from standing back up.
Faber drops an elbow to the side of Ax's head.

Faber is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Ax is just riding it out for now. Faber eventually gives up the hold.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ax is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Faber pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Faber not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Faber is working for a kimura but Ax is defending it quite comfortably.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ax tries to get to full guard but Faber has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faber frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Faber looking to secure an arm triangle but Ax defends it well.
BOOM! Faber connects with a massive shot to the dome!
BOOM! Faber connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Faber jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Ax manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Ax is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Faber landing a few strikes.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ax is pushing Faber's head away, looking to escape. Faber manages to hold on to the position though.
Ax is breathing heavily.
Faber scores with a couple of short elbows.

Ax is rocked!
Faber trying to control the action but Ax is working from the bottom.
Oh Ax is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Faber lands a decent elbow from side control.

Faber tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Ax is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Faber happy to just control the position for now.
Ax seems to have got his legs back now.

Faber looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Faber tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Faber tries for a kimura but Ax is defending well.
Ax takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Faber is trying to get an arm triangle but Ax is defending well.
Ax is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Faber has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Ax gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Faber lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Ax is trying to escape the mount.
Faber connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Faber landing shots from mount.
Faber is in full mount looking to finish with strikes. He lands a big shot, followed by another and Ax goes limp! The ref jumps in to end the fight - a big win for Faber!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Urijah Faber!
Urijah Faber seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.