PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Taulua Fautanua (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edgy Brah (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Brah is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Dropped by Smoke Serpent. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Fautanua
vs
Brah

170 cm
25
150 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

173 cm
18
145 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Freebok

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Taulua Fautanua!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Edgy Brah!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Bruno Hogan and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Brah tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Fautanua is able to avoid easily.
Fautanua looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Brah is fending him off so far but Fautanua persists. Nope, Brah circles away and we're back to standing.
Brah is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Fautanua with a body shot.

Fautanua scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Brah told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Brah is trying to improve his position.
A lull in the action here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fautanua is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Brah knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Brah is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brah won't allow Fautanua to pass to mount.
Fautanua is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Brah wants to get back to his feet.
Fautanua is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
Fautanua controlling the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Brah trying to control from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Fautanua ducks under a wild hook from Brah.
Fautanua scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Fautanua forces Brah back against the cage and clinches.

Fautanua is trying to trip Brah. He has hold of a leg but Brah is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Fautanua persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Brah looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fautanua is one step ahead there.
Fautanua stops Brah from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fautanua looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Brah is trying to keep Fautanua in close.
Fautanua's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Brah tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Fautanua trying to control but Brah is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Brah wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Fautanua gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Fautanua turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Fautanua manages to end up in side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Brah tries to bench press Fautanua off him but Fautanua keeps the position.
The strikes coming from Fautanua are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A lull in the action here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Brah is not content to let Fautanua control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taulua Fautanua dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Fautanua closes this distance looking for a takedown but Brah circles away.

Fautanua gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Brah to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Brah showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Fautanua looking to control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fautanua is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Brah is controlling him.
Fautanua looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Taulua Fautanua overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Brah content to stall in guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fautanua controlling the position.
Brah throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fautanua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Brah pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fautanua is keeping the position for now.
Brah stopping the sweep attempt from Fautanua.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Brah gets a double leg takedown into Fautanua's guard.

Fautanua is looking for a triangle but Brah pushes his legs off easily.
Fautanua trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brah pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fautanua is keeping the position for now.

Fautanua had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Brah defends it easily.
Fautanua bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Brah's guard.

Fautanua trying to control but Brah is working from the bottom.
Fautanua stays in close to Brah's body and controls the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fautanua stopping the sweep attempt from Brah.
Fautanua postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Fautanua pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Brah is keeping the position for now.
Brah looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fautanua is one step ahead there.
Fautanua being controlled here momentarily.
Fautanua in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Brah is trying to keep Fautanua in close.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Fautanua wants to control from the top but Brah keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Fautanua avoids the head kick by Brah.
Brah misses with a straight left.
Brah avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Brah tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Brah tries to clinch but Fautanua is having none of it.

Brah drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fautanua wants to get back to his feet but Brah is dominant here and he's now got Fautanua's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Edgy Brah 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!

A looping hook to the body misses from Brah. Fautanua does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fautanua is looking to clinch but Brah is avoiding it.
Fautanua shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Brah pinned against the cage. Brah gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Fautanua throws a leg kick that is checked

and Brah counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Brah trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Brah trying to control the position from guard on top but Fautanua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fautanua looking for a sweep. Not yet Fautanua, not yet.
Brah trying to control but Fautanua is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brah missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Brah must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Fautanua utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fautanua has control of Brah's left arm, preventing Brah from doing any damage.
Fautanua continues to stall.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Brah ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Fautanua moves away.
Fautanua seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Fautanua fails with a takedown attempt.
Fautanua avoids the body shot from Brah.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Fautanua shoots in looking for a takedown. Brah tries to sprawl out of it but Fautanua keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Brah manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taulua Fautanua. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fautanua has a takedown stuffed.
Brah appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Brah gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Fautanua to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Brah wants to stand but Fautanua is controlling the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brah 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brah not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Brah 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.
Brah utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Fautanua missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Fautanua won't allow Brah to sweep him here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Fautanua gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Fautanua breaks the clinch.
Taulua Fautanua is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Fautanua is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Brah's half guard.
Fautanua trying to control the action but Brah is working from the bottom.
Brah is pressing down on Fautanua's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Brah is trying to control the position but Fautanua postures up.
Fautanua throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Brah works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fautanua prevents Brah from getting back to his feet.
Brah 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.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Taulua Fautanua did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fautanua looks to land a combination but Brah avoids it well.
Despite the aggression on Brah's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Fautanua looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Brah changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Brah throws a body punch but Fautanua moves out of range.

Fautanua rushes Brah and presses him up against the cage.
Fautanua displaying some good clinch control by pressing Brah up against the cage.

Brah pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Fautanua feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Fautanua trying to control but Brah is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Brah manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Fautanua manages to get himself to full guard.

Brah in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Brah accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fautanua keeping moving, preventing Brah from controlling successfully.
Fautanua trying to keep a closed guard but Brah is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Brah throwing strikes from guard but Fautanua blocks nicely.
Brah content to stall in guard here.
Fautanua wants to sweep here but Brah controlling him for the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Brah throws a push kick but Fautanua slaps the foot to one side.
Fautanua throws a head kick but Brah moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fautanua rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Brah moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A big right from Fautanua misses.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Brah throws a series of punches but Fautanua moves out of range.
Fautanua shoots in looking for a takedown but Brah manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Fautanua's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Brah throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Fautanua was covering up waiting for the punch and Brah finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Brah postures up.
Fautanua managing to control the position.
Brah trying to control the position from guard on top but Fautanua is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Brah showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Fautanua is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Brah throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fautanua works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Fautanua keeping moving, preventing Brah from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Edgy Brah will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Fautanua tries to bum rush Brah with a series of wild strikes but Brah uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Fautanua misses the jab.
Fautanua changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Brah tries to avoid it but Fautanua manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Brah to the ground. Brah escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Brah misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Fautanua.
Fautanua shoots in but no luck this time.
Edgy Brah seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Brah shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Fautanua's guard.

Fautanua wriggles free and stands up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Taulua Fautanua seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fautanua takes one to the side of the head.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Brah looks to score with a jab to the body but Fautanua is just out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brah looks to score with a jab to the body but Fautanua is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fautanua throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Brah was covering up waiting for the punch and Fautanua finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Fautanua slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Brah looking for a guillotine here but Fautanua defends easily.
Brah looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fautanua lands a couple of digs.
Fautanua trying to control but Brah is working from the bottom.
Brah preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Fautanua is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Fautanua throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Brah was covering up waiting for the punch and Fautanua finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fautanua lands a couple of digs.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Fautanua accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fautanua preventing the sweep.
Fautanua is standing up over Brah. Brah looks to escape but Fautanua dives into side control.
Brah tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Fautanua presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Brah is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fautanua wants to control the pace but Brah is squirming around nicely.
A nice elbow there by Fautanua.
Fautanua can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Brah is looking to escape.
Fautanua controlling the pace for now.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fautanua's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taulua Fautanua showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Fautanua has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 48:47
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 48:48
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Taulua Fautanua!
Taulua Fautanua is the new featherweight champion!
In his post fight interview, Taulua Fautanua started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.
Edgy Brah spoke after the fight, saying 'You probably get your information from the library!'.