PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joao Costa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and David Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Costa might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Coasters - Down In Mexico. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Costa
vs
Banner

179 cm
22
182 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

198 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Attliction

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joao Costa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, David Banner!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A left and a right from Banner both land. Nice combination.
Banner works the jab nicely.
Horrible takedown by Banner or perhaps it was just good defense by Costa which made him look bad.
Costa misses with a takedown attempt

and Banner counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Banner drags the fight down to the ground.
Costa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Banner is looking to stand up but Costa isn't so interested in that idea.
Costa wants to control from the top but Banner keeps moving.

Banner pushes Costa off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Banner is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
A head kick misses from Costa.
Banner tries to clinch but Costa moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Costa throws a head kick that misses

and Banner counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Banner.
Costa is trying to maintain a safe position but Banner gets an underhook and turns Costa into the cage.
Banner tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Costa pulls guard.
Costa might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Costa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Banner's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banner is looking to stand up but Costa isn't so interested in that idea.
Costa is breathing heavily.
Costa connects with a couple of short punches.
Costa is pushing down on Banner's leg trying to pass to half guard. Banner is fighting to maintain full guard but Costa has managed to sneak the leg through.
Costa thows a huge punch but Banner dodges it nicely.
Banner wants to get back to his feet.
Costa trying to control from half guard but Banner is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Costa is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Banner!
Costa controlling from the full mount.
Costa landing punches.
Costa wants to control the pace but Banner is squirming around nicely.
Banner is working to get back to half guard.
Costa trying to control but Banner is having none of it.
Costa lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Costa is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Banner has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Banner!
Banner wants to stand but Costa has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Costa pulls Banner in to control the position.
Banner won't allow Costa to sweep him here.
Costa thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Banner connects with a couple of short punches.

Costa is rocked!
Banner wants to get up but he can't break Costa's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Oh Costa is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Costa not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Costa seems to have got his legs back now.

Banner stands up and waves to Costa to follow him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Costa throws a head kick that misses

and Banner counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Banner.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Banner connects with a knee to the head.
Costa tries to pull guard but Banner holds him up against the cage and eventually Costa drops back down to his feet.
Costa can't break the clinch.
Costa tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Costa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Banner pulls guard successfully.
Costa stands and throws Banner's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Costa scores with a couple of short elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

David Banner dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Banner is looking to clinch but Costa is avoiding it.

Costa darts in and clinches Banner up against the cage.
Banner jumps guard but Costa stands there with Banner around his waist. Banner gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Costa stalling.
Costa wants to stall.
Costa is trying to break the clinch but Banner has him pressed against the cage.
Costa tries to pull guard but Banner won't allow it.
Costa fails to pull guard.
Costa tries to pull guard but Banner won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joao Costa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Banner pulls guard successfully.
Costa throwing strikes but missing.
Costa stands and throws Banner's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Costa has hold of Banner's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Banner seems comfortable defending it but Costa has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Banner is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Banner is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Costa couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:02 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Joao Costa!