PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Igor Shusharin (ranked 4567 p4p, 3506 weight class) and Mark Banner (ranked 553 p4p, 470 weight class). Igor Shusharin has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Shusharin
vs
Banner

191 cm
25
192
1 - 1 - 0

178 cm
25
195
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Igor Shusharin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mark Banner!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Daniel Franklin and Michael Johnstone.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banner misses the jab.
Shusharin fails with a takedown attempt.
Shusharin will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Banner closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Banner lands in his opponent's guard.
Shusharin trying to control the position.
Shusharin wants to sweep but no luck.
Banner is working Shusharin over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banner works over Shusharin with some ground and pound from guard.
Shusharin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Banner thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Shusharin can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Banner controls the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shusharin looking to control.
Banner chips away with some ground and pound.
Banner is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Banner must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Shusharin wants to sweep but no luck.
Banner slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Shusharin has momentary wrist control but Banner slips an elbow through the middle.
Banner controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Shusharin is on top in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Shusharin drops back, looking for a kneebar! Banner looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Banner looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Banner!

Shusharin manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banner scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ground and pound from Banner.
Shusharin is trying to control but can't.
Shusharin manages to get to full guard.
Banner postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Shusharin is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Banner chips away with some ground and pound.
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!
Banner is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shusharin looking to hit a scissor sweep but Banner is one step ahead there.
Banner chips away with some ground and pound.
Banner really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Shusharin. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Banner pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shusharin is keeping the position for now.
Banner showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Banner scoring with punches to the head and body.
Banner slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Shusharin 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 four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Shusharin being controlled here, momentarily.
Banner works over Shusharin with some ground and pound from guard.
Banner connects with a couple of short punches.
Banner scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Banner stands and throws Shusharin's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Shusharin manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Banner keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Banner dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Banner lands a jab to the head.

It looks like Igor Shusharin has been cut.
Banner tries to bum rush Shusharin with a series of wild strikes but Shusharin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Banner looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shusharin looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Banner wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Banner looks to score with a jab to the body but Shusharin is just out of range.
Banner throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Shusharin shoots in for a double leg but Banner sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Banner is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Shusharin's half guard.
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!

Banner is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Banner is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shusharin manages to get to full guard.
Shusharin trying to keep a closed guard but Banner is proving a slippery customer.
Shusharin has momentary wrist control but Banner slips an elbow through the middle.
Banner distracts Shusharin with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Banner content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Shusharin is rocked!
Shusharin wants to sweep but no luck.
Oh Shusharin is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shusharin wants to improve his position but instead Banner has moved into half guard.
Shusharin seems to have got his legs back now.
Shusharin tries to roll over but Banner keeps him under control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Banner seems to be working for a kimura but Shusharin defends the submission attempt.
Banner is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Banner seems to be looking for submissions.
Banner scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Banner looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Shusharin trying to control from the bottom.
Shusharin is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Banner is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Shusharin is looking for a sweep. Banner is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner tries to pass the half guard into mount. Shusharin knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Banner controlling the pace.
Banner is nestled in close to Shusharin, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Banner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Banner connects with a nice short shot to Shusharin's temple.
Shusharin trying to control but Banner postures up.
Shusharin is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mark Banner has got the better of the ground game so far.

Banner is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Banner scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Igor Shusharin's cut is getting worse.
Banner working the head and body with strikes.
Shusharin trying to control here.
Banner looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Banner is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Shusharin is hurt! He's hurt bad - Banner fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Shusharin from any more punishment! Congratulations to Banner! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mark Banner!