PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Jacques Durand (ranked 18177 p4p, 23515 weight class) and Songkom Fairtex (ranked 625 p4p, 629 weight class). Durand comes into the arena with Kaaris - S.E.V.R.A.N. blaring out of the sound system. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Durand
vs
Fairtex

201 cm
37
214
43 - 14 - 1

196 cm
28
262
13 - 4 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Gatoroids

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 43 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jacques Durand!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Songkom Fairtex!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, Tiny Johnson and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Durand avoids the head kick by Fairtex.
Durand looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Fairtex takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Fairtex darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Fairtex moves out of range of the body kick from Durand.
Durand throws a nice inside leg kick.
Durand misses with a low kick.
Durand lands a nice hook to Fairtex's body. Fairtex takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fairtex tries to score with a low kick but Durand moves his leg out of the way.
Durand fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Durand drives through and clinches with Fairtex against the ropes.
Durand looking to throw knees to the head but Fairtex is blocking nicely.
Durand prevents a body shot from Fairtex.
Durand using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fairtex has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Fairtex lands with a right to the head.
A knee to the head by Durand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fairtex manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Durand breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fairtex uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Durand.
Fairtex tries to counter with a clinch but Durand shakes him off and moves away.
Durand throws out a leg kick but Fairtex moves out of range and Durand only half commits.
We've been informed that Fairtex has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Fairtex misses with an uppercut. Durand saw that one coming.
Durand scores with a jab.
Durand tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fairtex steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Durand.
Fairtex buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Durand steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Fairtex.
Durand throwing a counter right hand but Fairtex manages to avoid it.
Fairtex lands a lovely overhand right.
Fairtex checks a leg kick nicely.
Durand blocks a low kick nicely.
It appears Durand was looking to counter with a kick there.
Durand avoids the body shot from Fairtex.

Durand has managed to clinch.
Durand prevents a body shot from Fairtex.
Durand tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Durand tries a body shot but Fairtex blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durand with a knee to the head.

It looks like Songkom Fairtex has been cut.
Fairtex landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Durand struggles to land a body shot inside as Fairtex controls his hands.
Fairtex is trying to stall.
Nice elbow from Fairtex.
Fairtex tries to work over Durand's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Durand misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fairtex.
Fairtex scores with a shoulder strike.
Fairtex misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Durand lands with a left to the head.
Fairtex taking a breather.
Durand with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fairtex is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the ropes.
Durand lands a right hand.
Durand blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fairtex comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Jacques Durand has been cut.
Durand misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fairtex.
Fairtex has Durand pressed against the ropes.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Durand dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Durand's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Fairtex connects with an inside leg kick.
Fairtex swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fairtex avoids a kick to the body.
Durand misses the shot to the body.
Fairtex gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Durand counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Durand lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Durand throws a front kick aimed at Fairtex's knee but Fairtex avoids it well.
Fairtex swings for the body but Durand moves out of range.
Durand appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

Fairtex tries to keep at a distance but Durand has taken the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Durand lands an elbow inside that Fairtex shrugs off.
Fairtex tries to land knees in the clinch but Durand avoids the damage to the body.
With the fighters up against the ropes, Durand throws an elbow but misses.
Durand is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fairtex is defending well for now.
Nice elbow from Durand.
Fairtex avoiding damage as Durand throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
Durand tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fairtex managing to block the knees to the body from Durand.
Fairtex digs a right hand underneath Durand's ribcage. Durand let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Come on Fairtex - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Fairtex lands on the inside with an uppercut.

Durand breaks the clinch.
Nice body kick from Durand.
Fairtex throws a body punch but Durand moves out of range.
Durand rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Fairtex moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fairtex throws a low kick but it's checked well by Durand.
Durand takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Fairtex misses with a wild body shot.
Fairtex throws a push kick but Durand slaps the foot to one side.
Nice uppercut lands for Durand. That snapped Fairtex's head back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Durand.
Fairtex swings for the body but Durand moves out of range.
Durand is looking to counter the offense by Fairtex and move into the clinch.
Fairtex throws a leg kick but Durand sees it coming and moves out of range.
Durand dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Fairtex. That did some damage!

Durand has managed to clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fairtex makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Durand misses with some punches.
A bit of stalling here from Fairtex.
Durand with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Jacques Durand has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Fairtex avoids the elbow strike from Durand, against the ropes.
Durand tries to land knees in the clinch but Fairtex avoids the damage to the body.
Fairtex taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Fairtex blocks a body shot from Durand.
Fairtex lands a damaging elbow.
Durand is working Fairtex over against the ropes.
Fairtex dodges an elbow strike from Durand.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Durand dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business.

Durand lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Fairtex at a distance.

Durand moves into the clinch.
Fairtex throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Durand blocks it with crossed arms.
Durand lands a damaging elbow.
Durand looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Durand lands a nice elbow.
Durand blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Durand lands an uppercut.
Durand lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Durand works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Durand misses with a hook to the ribs.
A nice right hand lands inside from Durand.
Durand landing some nice looking knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Durand lands an elbow that stopped Fairtex in his tracks for a moment.
Durand misses with a knee strike.
Nice body punch from Durand - that landed with a thud.
Durand lands a right hand.
Fairtex takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Durand escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Durand's corner calls for a 1-2. Durand obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durand throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fairtex stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A low kick from Fairtex is predictable there
and Durand connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Songkom Fairtex seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Durand throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Durand avoids the head kick by Fairtex.
Durand feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Fairtex takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Fairtex takes a swing at Durand's ribcage but misses.
It looked like Durand was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Jacques Durand is winning the standup battle so far.
Durand cracks a nice hook into Fairtex's ribs.
Durand scoring well with a low kick there.
Fairtex is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Durand rather than just go for the knockout.
Durand dodges the punch combination from Fairtex.
Fairtex tries to close the distance and clinch up but Durand swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Durand is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fairtex can do to turn this around?
Fairtex misses with a low kick.
Durand tests Fairtex's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Durand tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durand lands a nice shot that snaps Fairtex's head back.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fairtex swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Durand digs a good body shot into Fairtex's ribs.
Fairtex misses the shot to the body.
Fairtex misses with a lunging right hand
and Durand finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Fairtex has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Durand finds it's way round the side to connect with Fairtex's head.
Durand is looking to chop away at Fairtex's legs.
Durand sets himself, and Fairtex steps forward looking for the clinch! Durand avoids it this time.

Durand has managed to clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Durand as Fairtex tries to tie him up.
Durand misses with an elbow over the top.
Durand throws an elbow but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Durand trying to land knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Fairtex just misses with a elbow thrown towards Durand's brow.
Durand connects with a knee to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Durand clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Durand shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Fairtex throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Durand sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fairtex looks to score with a jab to the body but Durand is just out of range.
Durand thumps Fairtex with a low kick.
Fairtex finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Durand moves into the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Durand creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Durand digs a right hand underneath Fairtex's ribcage. Fairtex let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Durand using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Fairtex is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Durand is keeping busy.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Durand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Durand scores with a shot to the side of Fairtex's head.
Fairtex swings wildly with an uppercut but Durand uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fairtex is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Fairtex avoids the elbow strike from Durand, against the ropes.
Fairtex avoiding damage as Durand throws knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Durand breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Durand throws a nice inside leg kick.
Durand moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Durand tries to land a front kick but Fairtex steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A clash of legs there as Durand blocks the low kick.
Fairtex misses with a shot to the body
and Durand counters with a nice low kick that buckles Fairtex's knee momentarily.
A telegraphed right hand from Fairtex misses the target.
Fairtex just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Durand wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Fairtex throws a solid leg kick but Durand takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Fairtex.
Fairtex's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Durand connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Fairtex scrambles back to his feet.
Durand throws a sloppy head kick and Fairtex moves out of range easily.
Fairtex drops his hands momentarily and Durand takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Durand ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Durand throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fairtex looks to throw a body kick
and Durand counters with a stiff right hand.
Fairtex throws a sloppy head kick and Durand moves out of range easily.
Fairtex will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nice cross by Fairtex.
Durand avoids the body shot from Fairtex.
Durand looks to land a body kick but Fairtex moved away.
A nice inside leg kick there by Durand. That's going to slow Fairtex down.
Fairtex turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Fairtex throws a low kick but it's checked well by Durand.
Fairtex throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Durand sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Durand throws a leg kick that misses.
Fairtex lands the left hand.
Fairtex throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jacques Durand had his way with Songkom Fairtex in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Fairtex takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Fairtex's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Durand throws a front kick aimed at Fairtex's knee but Fairtex avoids it well.
Fairtex throws a body shot but no joy.
Durand avoids a kick to the body.
Durand was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Durand looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Fairtex wants to counter the offense by Durand and move into the clinch position.
Fairtex throws a right hand that misses
and Durand cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fairtex tries to clinch up.
Durand throws a body punch but Fairtex moves out of range.
Durand keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fairtex swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fairtex takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fairtex misses with an uppercut.
Fairtex throws a leg kick that is checked
and Durand counters with a leg kick.
Durand works Fairtex's body with a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durand scores with a push kick.
Songkom Fairtex has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Durand has taken the fight to the clinch.
Durand lands an uppercut.
Fairtex doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Durand creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Fairtex's defenses.
Fairtex misses with a punch on the inside.
Durand tries a knee to the head but Fairtex blocks it.
Durand tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Durand lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Durand tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Durand pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the ropes.
Fairtex blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fairtex tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Durand's elbow.
Nice body punch from Fairtex.
Fairtex working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Fairtex lands an elbow just above Durand 's eye.
Fairtex prevents a body shot from Durand.
Fairtex digs a right hand into Durand's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Durand's gas tank.
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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fairtex digs a right hand underneath Durand's ribcage. Durand let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Fairtex obliges.
Fairtex working Durand over with knees to the body.
Fairtex with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the ropes, Fairtex creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Fairtex lands a hook to the side of the head.
Durand tries to land a knee to the head but Fairtex blocks with his arms.
Fairtex digs a right hand underneath Durand's ribcage. Durand let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A right handed body shot lands from Fairtex.
Fairtex landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Jacques Durand is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Durand blocks an uppercut.
Fairtex landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A bit of stalling here from Fairtex.
Fairtex keeps control of Durand as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Fairtex tries to throw a body punch but Durand avoids it by throwing Fairtex back against the ropes.
Fairtex is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Durand is defending well for now.
With the two fighters working up against the ropes, Fairtex just misses with a elbow thrown towards Durand's brow.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Songkom Fairtex.
Well Durand 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Wesley Smith scores the fight for Jacques Durand!
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight for Jacques Durand!
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight for Jacques Durand!

Jacques Durand wins by unanimous decision!
Jacques Durand is the new heavyweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Jacques Durand thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.