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). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Ax
vs
Faber

176 cm
29
140 lbs
8 - 9 - 0

168 cm
23
138 lbs
9 - 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 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Samin Ax!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Urijah Faber!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Summer Carpenter and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Ax misses.
Ax looks to land a combination but Faber avoids it well.

Ax clinches up against the cage.

Faber pulls Ax into guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Faber has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Ax has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Faber wriggles free and stands up.
Ax tries to clinch but Faber moves out of range.
Faber throws a series of punches but Ax moves out of range.

Faber manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Ax on his heels. He'll look to pass Ax's guard now, I'm sure.
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!
Faber cracks Ax with a solid left hand.
Faber pushing down on Ax's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ax is refusing to be controlled, as Faber sits in half guard.
Faber frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Faber working his ground and pound in the gym. So far it seems to be working well.
Ax is squirming around, avoiding Faber's attempts to control the action.
Ax tries to lock up and control but Faber gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Ax is breathing heavily.
Ax really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Faber postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ax looks a forlorn figure.
Ax 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.

Faber working for a submission but Ax is keeping him at bay.
Faber lands a couple of good shots and Ax has given up his back, trying to escape the position!

Ax is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Faber tries to keep control of the position but Ax is staying busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Faber looking for the choke from the back.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Faber's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Faber has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Ax is in real trouble here. Faber gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Ax is tapping out! Faber wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:35 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Urijah Faber!
An out of breath Urijah Faber thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.