PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Victor Reinhardt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). wa Za Banga comes to the cage accompanied by Motörhead - King of Kings. Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ngbendu wa Za Banga
vs
Reinhardt

186 cm
24
161 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

184 cm
20
166 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Shango Designs

Punishment Nutrition
Fightworld Formula

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Victor Reinhardt!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reinhardt throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Reinhardt thows a left - swing and a miss!
Good work by Reinhardt as he checks the leg kick.
wa Za Banga connects with a looping right hand.
wa Za Banga throws a leg kick but Reinhardt sees it coming and moves out of range.
wa Za Banga goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
wa Za Banga throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
wa Za Banga keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
wa Za Banga throws a sloppy head kick and Reinhardt moves out of range easily.
Reinhardt will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
wa Za Banga misses with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
wa Za Banga tries to land a front kick but Reinhardt steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
wa Za Banga pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Reinhardt staying out of range there.
Reinhardt lands a nice shot to the body.
wa Za Banga tries to move into range but Reinhardt moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reinhardt swings for the body but wa Za Banga moves out of range.
Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reinhardt lands with a nice combination. wa Za Banga backs away looking to recover.
Reinhardt with a hook.
wa Za Banga misses with a double jab

and Reinhardt counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Reinhardt missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
wa Za Banga is looking for a sweep. Reinhardt is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
wa Za Banga keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Reinhardt throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
wa Za Banga really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Reinhardt prevents wa Za Banga from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
wa Za Banga won't allow Reinhardt to pass to mount.
Reinhardt thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing wa Za Banga to regain full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nice sprawl there from wa Za Banga as Reinhardt shoots in.
Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Victor Reinhardt.
Reinhardt ducks under a wild hook from wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt misses with a few strikes there.
wa Za Banga throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Reinhardt missing with a left hand there. wa Za Banga was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
wa Za Banga throws a low kick, looking for Reinhardt's leg but Reinhardt calmly moves out of range.
wa Za Banga looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
wa Za Banga connects with a nice looking jab.
wa Za Banga throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Reinhardt on the side of the head.
wa Za Banga ducks under a wild hook from Reinhardt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
wa Za Banga pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
wa Za Banga lets loose with a powerful body kick. Reinhardt will feel that in the morning.
Reinhardt scores with a crisp jab that stopped wa Za Banga in his tracks.
wa Za Banga throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Reinhardt looks to land a right hand but wa Za Banga moved out of range.
Reinhardt swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Reinhardt shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. wa Za Banga defends it nicely.
Reinhardt swings for the body but wa Za Banga moves out of range.
wa Za Banga cracks the inside of Reinhardt's front leg.
wa Za Banga just misses with a punch to the body.
Reinhardt showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt fakes high and swings low for a body shot but wa Za Banga manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
wa Za Banga throws a leg kick but Reinhardt sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Reinhardt misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt looks to score with a jab to the body but wa Za Banga is just out of range.
wa Za Banga misses with a double jab

and Reinhardt counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for wa Za Banga!
wa Za Banga is squirming around, avoiding Reinhardt's attempts to control the action.
Reinhardt prevents wa Za Banga from getting the reversal.
Poor strikes thrown by Reinhardt there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
wa Za Banga avoids a series of strikes thrown by Reinhardt.
Reinhardt throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for wa Za Banga because Reinhardt loaded up on that one.
Reinhardt sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Reinhardt dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Reinhardt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Reinhardt throws a hook to the side of wa Za Banga's head but wa Za Banga sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
wa Za Banga throws a leg kick but Reinhardt sees it coming and moves out of range.
Reinhardt connects with a nice looking jab.
wa Za Banga fakes the leg kick and cracks Reinhardt in the body.
Reinhardt connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Reinhardt misses with a body shot.
Reinhardt avoids the head kick by wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt thows a body shot but no joy.
Reinhardt tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but wa Za Banga was well out of range. Poor timing from Reinhardt.
Reinhardt takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Reinhardt shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
wa Za Banga tries to get to full guard but Reinhardt has control of the leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
wa Za Banga wants to control but Reinhardt is keeping busy.
wa Za Banga is not content to let Reinhardt control the position.
wa Za Banga is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ground and pound from Reinhardt.
wa Za Banga is looking to improve his position.
Reinhardt is trying to control. wa Za Banga wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two 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.
Reinhardt looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
wa Za Banga misses with a combination

so Reinhardt counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Reinhardt throwing strikes but missing.
Reinhardt wants to control from the top but wa Za Banga keeps moving.
wa Za Banga has his hands on Reinhardt's head, controlling the position.
Reinhardt throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reinhardt trying to control the position from guard on top but wa Za Banga is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reinhardt lands a couple of decent looking shots.
wa Za Banga looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Reinhardt throws and elbow that misses. wa Za Banga uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Reinhardt's guard. Nice move by wa Za Banga!
wa Za Banga trying to control the position from guard on top but Reinhardt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Reinhardt is trying to control the position from the bottom.
wa Za Banga has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Reinhardt looking to hit a scissor sweep but wa Za Banga is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Reinhardt keeping moving, preventing wa Za Banga from controlling successfully.
Reinhardt tries to land a sweep but no joy.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
wa Za Banga showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Reinhardt.
wa Za Banga looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Reinhardt looks to land a left hand but wa Za Banga moved out of range nicely.
Reinhardt just misses with a punch to the body.
Reinhardt takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
wa Za Banga tries a head kick but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Victor Reinhardt showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Reinhardt jabs at wa Za Banga's body.

Reinhardt closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming wa Za Banga to the mat! wa Za Banga manages to get full guard.
Reinhardt loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
wa Za Banga wants to sweep but no luck.
Reinhardt throws a strike but wa Za Banga rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Reinhardt wants to sweep but no luck.
Reinhardt has control of wa Za Banga's left arm, preventing wa Za Banga from doing any damage.
wa Za Banga stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Reinhardt swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Reinhardt has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Reinhardt is working an open guard so wa Za Banga takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Reinhardt swings and misses with a shot to the body
and wa Za Banga makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
wa Za Banga swings for the body but Reinhardt moves out of range.
wa Za Banga tries to score with a low kick but Reinhardt moves his leg out of the way.
wa Za Banga tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Reinhardt steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from wa Za Banga. That one must have hurt.
Reinhardt is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down wa Za Banga rather than just go for the knockout.
A solid leg kick lands there for wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Reinhardt misses with a hook.
wa Za Banga throws a lazy right hand but Reinhardt sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice defenses there by wa Za Banga.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinhardt misses with an uppercut. wa Za Banga saw that one coming.
wa Za Banga misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nice shot lands for Reinhardt.
Reinhardt connects with the punch.
Reinhardt avoids the head kick by wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt misses with a hook.
Reinhardt with a hook.
wa Za Banga throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Reinhardt throws a right and a left that both miss.
Reinhardt uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt's corner calls for a 1-2. Reinhardt obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
wa Za Banga lands a nice leg kick that just misses Reinhardt's sensitive parts.
A solid leg kick lands there for wa Za Banga.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
wa Za Banga misses with a double jab
and Reinhardt counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
wa Za Banga throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
wa Za Banga throws a head kick but Reinhardt moves out of range.
Reinhardt throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
wa Za Banga throws a nice head kick!
wa Za Banga listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
wa Za Banga attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Reinhardt blocks a head kick by wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt blocks a low kick nicely.
Reinhardt uses good head movement to avoid the hook from wa Za Banga.
wa Za Banga throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Reinhardt counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good work by Reinhardt as he checks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reinhardt connects with a good right hand that stumbles wa Za Banga. wa Za Banga circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Reinhardt throws a series of punches but wa Za Banga moves out of range.

Reinhardt shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. wa Za Banga is trying to defend but Reinhardt finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Reinhardt wants to control but wa Za Banga is keeping him busy.
wa Za Banga is positioning himself well to prevent Reinhardt advancing to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
wa Za Banga wants to get back to full guard.
Reinhardt is trying to control. wa Za Banga wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
wa Za Banga is trying to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

wa Za Banga throws a sloppy head kick and Reinhardt moves out of range easily.
Reinhardt misses with a wild body shot.
wa Za Banga scores with a nice right hand.
Reinhardt misses with a looping right.
Some bone on bone action there as Reinhardt checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
wa Za Banga misses with a leg kick
and Reinhardt counters with a three punch combo that has wa Za Banga backing up. wa Za Banga nods at Reinhardt to acknowledge the strikes.
Reinhardt with a jab.
Reinhardt throws a predictable looking body shot
and wa Za Banga counters with an inside leg kick.
Reinhardt with a nice cross.
Reinhardt throws an overhand right that lands on wa Za Banga's shoulder, as wa Za Banga tries to avoid the shot.
Reinhardt avoids the head kick by wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt blocks the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reinhardt throws a looping overhand right but wa Za Banga ducks down to avoid it.
Reinhardt jabbing away but nothing is landing.
wa Za Banga misses with a straight right.
Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga is winning the standup battle so far.
Reinhardt lands a nice shot that snaps wa Za Banga's head back.
Reinhardt looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? wa Za Banga is fending him off so far but Reinhardt persists. Nope, wa Za Banga circles away and we're back to standing.
Reinhardt works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
wa Za Banga tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Reinhardt is able to avoid easily.
wa Za Banga throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
wa Za Banga throws the left hand but Reinhardt avoids the punch easily.
Reinhardt scores with a nice strike.
wa Za Banga throws a jab but it's blocked by Reinhardt.
Good work by Reinhardt as he checks the leg kick.
Reinhardt misses with an uppercut. wa Za Banga saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt scores with a decent looking hook.
wa Za Banga lands with a nice body punch.
Reinhardt swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and wa Za Banga counters with a low kick, right behind Reinhardt 's knee.
Reinhardt is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
wa Za Banga scores with a nice body kick.
wa Za Banga scores with a leg kick.
Reinhardt ducks under a wild hook from wa Za Banga.
wa Za Banga throws a low kick but Reinhardt avoids it.
wa Za Banga scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Reinhardt doesn't seem bothered though.
A low kick from wa Za Banga is predictable there
and Reinhardt counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Reinhardt misses the jab.
wa Za Banga wants to land a leg kick but Reinhardt is out of range.
wa Za Banga pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
wa Za Banga throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Reinhardt checks the leg kick.
Reinhardt takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
wa Za Banga looks to throw the jab but Reinhardt is out of range.
wa Za Banga misses the shot to the body.
wa Za Banga misses with a body shot.
A clash of legs there as Reinhardt blocks the low kick.
wa Za Banga avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Reinhardt cracks wa Za Banga with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Reinhardt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
wa Za Banga misses with a double jab.
Reinhardt ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

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.
wa Za Banga throws a front kick aimed at Reinhardt's knee but Reinhardt avoids it well.
Reinhardt has a takedown stuffed.
Reinhardt takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A swing and a miss from Reinhardt.
wa Za Banga avoids a punch combination nicely.
Reinhardt swinging wilding here.
wa Za Banga lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Reinhardt avoids the head kick by wa Za Banga.
wa Za Banga feints and then cracks Reinhardt's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reinhardt down.
A nice leg kick lands there from wa Za Banga.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga had his way with Victor Reinhardt in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Reinhardt throws out a loose jab but wa Za Banga uses good head movement to avoid it.
wa Za Banga looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Reinhardt closes this distance looking for a takedown but wa Za Banga circles away.
wa Za Banga throws a shot from downtown. Reinhardt moves away and avoids it.
Reinhardt takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
wa Za Banga misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Reinhardt.
Reinhardt misses with a straight left.
wa Za Banga misses the body punch
and Reinhardt counters with a nice uppercut.
A shot to the body from wa Za Banga misses
enabling Reinhardt to counter with a crisp jab.
Reinhardt throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
wa Za Banga misses with a low kick.
A head kick misses from wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Reinhardt is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Reinhardt fakes high and swings low for a body shot but wa Za Banga manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reinhardt throws a shot from downtown. wa Za Banga moves away and avoids it.
Nice uppercut lands for wa Za Banga. That snapped Reinhardt's head back.
wa Za Banga will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
wa Za Banga misses with a head kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by wa Za Banga.
A head kick misses from wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? wa Za Banga is fending him off so far but Reinhardt persists. Nope, wa Za Banga circles away and we're back to standing.
wa Za Banga throws a shot from downtown. Reinhardt moves away and avoids it.
wa Za Banga pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
wa Za Banga throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A solid body kick from wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from wa Za Banga.
wa Za Banga scores with a hook to the body. Reinhardt takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
wa Za Banga moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Reinhardt takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from wa Za Banga, right into the meat.
wa Za Banga misses with a kick to the body.
wa Za Banga misses with a double jab.
Reinhardt doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
wa Za Banga throws a leg kick which misses Reinhardt's front leg but catches the back leg as Reinhardt tries to avoid it.
wa Za Banga scores with a jab to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
wa Za Banga lands with an uppercut that bounces Reinhardt off the cage and back into rage.
wa Za Banga moves into range and connects with a jab.
wa Za Banga tries to land a front kick but Reinhardt steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
wa Za Banga scores with a punch to the head.
No joy there for Reinhardt, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
wa Za Banga throws a nice outside leg kick.
wa Za Banga bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A nice inside leg kick there by wa Za Banga. That's going to slow Reinhardt down.
Reinhardt uses good head movement to avoid the hook from wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt misses with an uppercut.
wa Za Banga moves out of range of the strikes.
wa Za Banga pivots, looking for a leg kick but Reinhardt is out of range and wa Za Banga settles back down.
Reinhardt waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract wa Za Banga.
Reinhardt swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice defenses there by Reinhardt.
Some bone on bone action there as Reinhardt checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
wa Za Banga explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
wa Za Banga works the jab nicely.
wa Za Banga pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Reinhardt avoids the head kick by wa Za Banga.
wa Za Banga swings for the body but Reinhardt moves out of range.
Reinhardt lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but wa Za Banga circles away quickly and effectively.
Reinhardt fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
wa Za Banga lands a head kick. Reinhardt smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
wa Za Banga throws a nice outside leg kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by wa Za Banga!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
wa Za Banga throws and low kick but Reinhardt moves out of range easily.
wa Za Banga throws a head kick but Reinhardt moves out of range.
wa Za Banga fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Reinhardt is out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga showed his dominance in that final round.
I think wa Za Banga 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 48:46
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 47:48
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 48:46

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga!
Nkuku Ngbendu wa Za Banga retains his lightweight title!