PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between richard diaz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rory Bannister (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

diaz
vs
Bannister

185 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, richard diaz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rory Bannister!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Robert Twigg and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
diaz shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Bannister pinned against the cage. Bannister gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Bannister drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
diaz being controlled for a moment.
Bannister connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused diaz some visible discomfort.
diaz is looking to regain half guard here but Bannister keeps moving and retains side control.
Bannister connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused diaz some visible discomfort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
diaz struggling a bit here.
diaz is looking to reverse the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
diaz pushes Bannister away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bannister gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Bannister works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Bannister working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bannister is looking to take a break and control but diaz is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bannister looks up at the clock and then as diaz takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Bannister smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Bannister in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
diaz is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
diaz manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Bannister regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
diaz trying to control but Bannister is working from the bottom.
Bannister is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Bannister really doesn't want to stay on the ground with diaz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

diaz stands and steps away. Bannister gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
diaz is breathing heavily.

Bannister changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. diaz looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Bannister wants to lay and pray for a moment but diaz keeps working.
diaz pushes Bannister away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Bannister gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
diaz takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Bannister controlling the position from side mount.
Bannister in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
diaz takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Bannister working the body and head with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
diaz is trying to escape the position but Bannister is controlling the position.
Bannister creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rory Bannister dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bannister feints and as diaz raises his hands in defense, Bannister changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
diaz is trying to keep Bannister in close.
Bannister throwing strikes from guard but diaz blocks nicely.
diaz looking for a sweep. Not yet diaz, not yet.
diaz is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Rory Bannister has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bannister trying to control but diaz is working from the bottom.

diaz looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Bannister is defending well. diaz quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Bannister has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! diaz celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). richard diaz!