PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Solofa Fatu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabriel Washington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fatu comes to the cage accompanied by Bad Man. Washington has chosen Big Pun feat.Fat Joe-Twinz (Deep Cover) as his entrance music. Gabriel Washington will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Fatu
vs
Washington

184 cm
27
220 lbs
16 - 10 - 0

191 cm
29
213 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Solofa Fatu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Gabriel Washington!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Colin Fray and Ryoma Takatsuka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fatu shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Washington as he jumps to the side.
Washington is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Washington stuffs the takedown attempt from Fatu. Fatu gets slowly back to his feet.
Fatu shoots in and drives through. Washington sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Solofa Fatu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fatu shoots in for a double leg but Washington sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fatu shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Washington sprawls well. Washington wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Fatu gets slowly back to his feet.
Fatu walks into a straight right hand from Washington.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fatu walks into a straight right hand from Washington.
Fatu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Washington defends it nicely.
Fatu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Washington sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Fatu somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fatu fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Fatu sets himself, and Washington steps forward looking for the clinch! Fatu avoids it this time.
Washington has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Fatu is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Fatu takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Fatu with a lazy takedown attempt

and Washington moves into the clinch.
Fatu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A nice right hand lands inside from Washington.
Come on Washington - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Washington is working Fatu over against the cage.
Washington working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Washington lands a shoulder strike.
Washington misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fatu blocks an uppercut.
Fatu blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fatu.
Washington lands a right hand.
A short uppercut from Washington.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Washington swings wildly with an uppercut but Fatu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Washington softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Washington makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Washington pushes Fatu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The referee calls for Washington to work.
Washington lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fatu.
Washington lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fatu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short right from Washington on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Washington.
Washington lands a nice uppercut.
Fatu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Washington fails to land.
Fatu tries to break free but Washington pushes him back against the cage.
Washington throws a head punch that misses.
Washington fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fatu has had enough of the clinch but Washington keeps him there for the moment.
Fatu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Washington.
Washington lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Washington keeps control of Fatu as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Washington fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Washington.
Washington slowing the pace effectively.
A short right from Washington on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Washington.
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!
Washington can't find room to land a body shot as Fatu controls the action.
Washington manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Washington.
Washington misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nice body punch from Washington.
Washington misses with a short punch on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Washington dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Washington lands with an uppercut that bounces Fatu off the cage and back into range.
Fatu fails with a takedown attempt.

Fatu looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Washington!
You can see the frustration on Washington's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Washington regains half guard.
Washington makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Washington.
Fatu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Washington works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Washington working a defensive guard here.
Fatu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Washington works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Washington keeping moving, preventing Fatu from controlling successfully.
Fatu working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Washington's head.
Washington is pulling down on Fatu's head to control his posture.
Washington has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Washington is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Fatu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Fatu would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Washington lands with a cross.
Washington misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fatu.
Fatu walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Solofa Fatu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fatu looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Washington is fending him off so far but Fatu persists. Nope, Washington circles away and we're back to standing.
Fatu shoots in for a takedown but Washington shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Solofa Fatu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fatu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Washington tries to avoid it but Fatu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Washington to the ground. Washington escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Washington leaves Fatu with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Washington defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Fatu.
Fatu shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Washington holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Washington lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Washington.
A right hook to the body lands for Washington.
Washington cracks Fatu with a nice body shot.
Washington cracks Fatu with a nice body shot.
Washington lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Fatu blocking some punches.
Fatu blocks an uppercut.
Washington has a couple of punches blocked by Fatu.
Washington can't find room to land a body shot as Fatu controls the action.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Washington.
Washington working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Washington scores with a shoulder strike.

Fatu is rocked!
Washington misses with a punch on the inside.
Oh Fatu is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Washington creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Fatu's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Fatu drops to his knees and Washington pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:09 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gabriel Washington!