PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Max Faction (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Feyd Rabban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Faction
vs
Rabban

175 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
20
164 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Max Faction!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Feyd Rabban!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rabban misses with a takedown attempt - Faction sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
As Rabban looks to move away, Faction throws a big counter combo but Rabban just gets out of the way.
Rabban takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Rabban lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Faction misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Faction stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Faction wants it to stay on the feet.
Faction half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Faction throws a low kick but it's checked well by Rabban.
Rabban throws a counter combo.
Rabban dives in and grabs Faction's left leg, looking for a takedown. Faction pushes down on Rabban's head and hops out.
Max Faction has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Feyd Rabban.
Faction jabs Rabban to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Faction misses with a double jab.
Faction throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Faction shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Faction looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Faction thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Faction sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Rabban blocking the ground and pound attempt from Faction.

Rabban looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rabban gets back to full guard.

Faction gets to his feet. Rabban looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Faction clinches with his opponent.
Rabban can't find room to land a body shot as Faction controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Faction pulls guard effortlessly.
Rabban preventing the sweep.
Rabban tries to free his leg and advance position but Faction is retaining full guard.
Faction wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Rabban throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Faction works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rabban advances to half guard.
Faction is staying active underneath Rabban, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Faction is trying to control but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rabban trying to control the action but Faction is working from the bottom.
Faction gets full guard.
Rabban looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rabban loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Faction is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Faction preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rabban looking to sit in guard and control but Faction gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rabban is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Faction throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Faction postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Rabban looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Faction stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rabban closes this distance looking for a takedown but Faction circles away.

Faction moves into the clinch.
Rabban jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Faction walks away with a smile on his face. Rabban gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Faction shoots in and bounces Rabban off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rabban looks winded!
Faction not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Faction postures up in Rabban's guard and throws a big left but Rabban blocks it.
Faction connects with a couple of short punches.

Faction got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rabban has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Faction has managed to get both his arms back between Rabban's legs - danger averted.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Faction accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Faction dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Faction misses with a kick to the body.
Rabban dives in for a single leg takedown but Faction sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rabban fails with a takedown attempt.

Faction closes the distance and clinches.

Faction pulls Rabban into guard.
Rabban postures up in Faction's guard and throws a big left but Faction blocks it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rabban is pushing down on Faction's leg trying to pass to half guard. Faction is fighting to maintain full guard but Rabban has managed to sneak the leg through.
Faction is positioning himself well to prevent Rabban advancing to mount.
Rabban is looking to pass Faction's guard but actually Faction recovers to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Faction working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rabban doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rabban manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Faction wants to sweep here but Rabban controlling him for the moment.
We've been informed that Rabban has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Rabban wants to control from the top but Faction keeps moving.
Faction is trying to control the position but Rabban postures up.

Faction has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Rabban is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Faction.
Rabban trying to control the position but Faction is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rabban misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Rabban misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Faction is looking to regain half guard here but Rabban keeps moving and retains side control.
Faction trying to control but Rabban flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Faction covering up well and avoiding damage.
Rabban misses with a punch to the head.

Rabban is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Rabban looking to break Faction's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Faction remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Rabban will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Rabban is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Faction. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabban controlling well, preventing Faction from escaping the position.
Rabban has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Faction.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rabban has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Faction has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Feyd Rabban has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rabban scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Faction is looking for a way out.
Rabban trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Faction is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Rabban lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Faction trying to control the action but Rabban just sinks the hooks in.
Faction staying busy and making it hard for Rabban to control.
Rabban not allowing Faction to control his hands.
Rabban trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.

Faction manages to escape to his feet.

Rabban rushes Faction and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rabban tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Faction just stands there and leans against the cage.
Max Faction has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Feyd Rabban.
Rabban tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Faction smiles and moves away.
Max Faction seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Faction jabs Rabban to the body, keeping him at a distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Feyd Rabban showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Rabban tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Faction stuffs the takedown.
Faction tried to counter with a leg kick but Rabban avoided it.

Rabban shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Faction manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Faction manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Faction fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Rabban to the ground. Faction is now in Rabban's guard.
Rabban being controlled here, momentarily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Faction forces his way into half guard.
Faction is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rabban can do to turn this around?
Rabban takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Faction is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rabban sees it coming and defends easily.
Rabban trying to hold on to Faction's head to control him but Faction postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rabban looking for submissions off his back.
Faction is stalling here. Rabban is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Faction seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Rabban has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Rabban working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Rabban working the ground and pound.
Rabban trying to control the position but Faction is working away.
You can see the frustration on Faction's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Faction throwing some weak shots from the bottom that do no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rabban in side control, throwing shots but Faction defends.
Faction is looking for a sweep.

Rabban decides to stand back up. Rabban steps back and let's Faction get back to his feet.

Faction scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rabban has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Faction throwing shots but Rabban is blocking nicely.
Faction tries to pass to full mount but Rabban defends it.
Rabban trying to hold on to Faction's head to control him but Faction postures up.
Rabban tries to roll over but Faction keeps him under control.

Faction wants to work for an arm triangle but Rabban is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Rabban actively working from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rabban looking for submissions off his back.
Rabban has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Faction is working away from the top position though.
Faction wants to take a breather but Rabban is having none of it.
Faction prevents Rabban from improving his position.

Faction stands up from half guard.
Max Faction is winning the standup battle so far.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rabban checks a leg kick.
Rabban shoots in but no luck this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Faction clinches with his opponent.

Faction has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Rabban is trying to keep an underhook but Faction manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Rabban is looking to escape.

Rabban looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rabban is looking to control Faction's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rabban avoid being mounted?

Faction escapes and gets back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rabban is defended easily by Faction.
Max Faction has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Feyd Rabban.
Rabban avoids a kick to the body.
Faction avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Faction showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Faction has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Max Faction!