PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aiden Shortcut (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Robert Banner has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Banner
vs
Shortcut

225 cm
25
300 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

200 cm
29
273 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Robert Banner!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Aiden Shortcut!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Seu Braga and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shortcut throws a poor cross that misses
and Banner counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shortcut misses with a hook
and Shortcut takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
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 shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Shortcut defends it nicely.
Shortcut misses with a lunging right hand
and Banner counters with a three punch combo that has Shortcut backing up. Shortcut nods at Banner to acknowledge the strikes.
Shortcut fails to land with a series of punches.
A combination from Banner does no damage.
Banner throws a right and a left that both miss.
Shortcut ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Banner moves away.
Banner scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Shortcut throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Banner counters with a right hand to the body.
Shortcut looks gassed!
No luck for Banner with that takedown attempt.
Shortcut showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Banner.
Banner shoots in for a takedown but Shortcut shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Banner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shortcut throws a lazy uppercut
and Banner counters with a two punch combo.
Banner closes this distance looking for a takedown but Shortcut circles away.
Aiden Shortcut is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Banner.
Banner scores with a one two! Shortcut had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

It looks like Aiden Shortcut has been cut.
Shortcut avoids a punch combination nicely.
Aiden Shortcut seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shortcut misses with a combination
and Banner counters with a left to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banner dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Banner connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Shortcut's hands.
Banner shoots in but Shortcut avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Banner changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Banner is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Banner dives in and grabs Shortcut's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shortcut pushes down on Banner's head and hops out.
Shortcut throws a lazy uppercut
and Banner counters with a straight right hand.
Banner scores with a hook to the body. Shortcut takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Banner lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Shortcut backs up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shortcut closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Banner wants to clinch up but Shortcut keeps it at a distance.
Shortcut's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Banner connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Shortcut scrambles back to his feet.
Banner looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Shortcut takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Banner shoots in and drives through. Shortcut sprawls well.
Banner is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
A combination from Banner does no damage.
Shortcut throws a sloppy body shot
and Banner counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Banner has a takedown stuffed.
Banner is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Shortcut throws a right hand that misses
letting Banner counter with a right hand.
Banner scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Shortcut rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Banner counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Banner stalks Shortcut and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Shortcut's face. Shortcut staggers backwards, shaken.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Nice sprawl there from Shortcut as Banner shoots in.
Banner is working the combinations to good effect here.
Banner will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Shortcut throws a right hand that misses
and Banner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Banner shoots in for a takedown but Shortcut shows good takedown defense.
Shortcut ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Banner moves away.
Shortcut misses with a left hand
and Banner counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Banner tries for a takedown but Shortcut sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Shortcut misses with a looping left.
Banner misses with a two punch combination.
Banner looks to land a combination but Shortcut avoids it well.
Shortcut throws a right hand that misses
and Banner counters with a left to the body.
Shortcut misses with a wild combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shortcut walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Banner dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Banner stalks Shortcut and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Shortcut's face. Shortcut staggers backwards, shaken.
Shortcut has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Banner lands a nice hook to Shortcut's body. Shortcut takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Banner getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Shortcut takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Banner throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shortcut stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Shortcut takes one on the button.
Banner moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Banner closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Banner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shortcut is fending him off so far but Banner persists. Nope, Shortcut circles away and we're back to standing.
Shortcut takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Banner dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Aiden Shortcut's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Banner lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Robert Banner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Good exchange - Shortcut coming out on top.

It looks like Robert Banner has been cut.
Shortcut misses with a hook to the body
and Banner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Banner lands a jab to Shortcut's midsection.
Banner scores with a nice strike.
Shortcut misses with a shot to the body
and Banner counters with a straight right hand.
Shortcut takes a jab right on the kisser.
Shortcut is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Shortcut leaves Banner with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Banner scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shortcut throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Banner counters with a left and a right that stings Shortcut.
Banner throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Shortcut showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Banner.
Banner lands with a nice combination. Shortcut backs away looking to recover.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shortcut throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Banner counters with a nice double leg into side control. Shortcut won't be happy with that.
Shortcut tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Banner is looking to take a break and control but Shortcut is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Banner tries to move into full mount but can't pass Shortcut's legs.
Banner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Shortcut keeps working.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shortcut stops Banner from passing to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Shortcut tries to buck Banner off but Banner is having none of it.
Banner trying to control the action but Shortcut is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Banner tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Shortcut sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Shortcut tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A lull in the action here as Banner stalls from top position.
Shortcut tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Shortcut is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Banner wants to stand but Shortcut has his arm trapped.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Shortcut tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Banner wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Banner decides to stand back up. Banner steps back and let's Shortcut get back to his feet.
Banner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shortcut moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Banner lands with a nice combination. Shortcut backs away looking to recover.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Banner dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Banner throws a series of punches but Shortcut avoids them all with ease.
Banner lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Shortcut throws a combination that misses
and Banner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Shortcut throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Banner counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Nice sprawl there from Shortcut as Banner shoots in.
Banner connects with a body shot that sends Shortcut's belly button to the back.
Banner closes the distance and lands a one-two.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banner looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Banner throws a series of strikes that have Shortcut backpedaling.
Banner shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shortcut falls off balance throwing a combination
and Banner counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Banner throws a combination. Shortcut tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Banner scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Banner is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Shortcut can do to turn this around?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Banner scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Banner fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Banner takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Shortcut throws a combination that misses
and Banner counters with a two punch combo.
Banner will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Banner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shortcut misses with an uppercut. Banner saw that one coming.
Shortcut takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Shortcut throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Banner counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Banner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shortcut moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Banner fails to land the takedown.
Banner misses with a two punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shortcut throws a right hand that misses
and Banner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Banner avoids a punch combination nicely.
Shortcut misses with a jab to the body
and Banner counters with a straight right hand.
Banner fails to land with a series of punches.
Shortcut misses with a lunging right hand
and Banner counters with a two punch combo.
Banner throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Shortcut misses with a right hand
and Banner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Banner misses with the combination.
Banner swinging wildly here.
A combination from Shortcut does no damage.
Banner lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Banner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Shortcut avoids it really well and circles away.
A punch combination from Banner misses.
Shortcut stuffs the takedown attempt from Banner. Banner gets slowly back to his feet.
Shortcut looks to throw the jab but Banner is out of range.
Shortcut throws a shot from downtown. Banner moves away and avoids it.
Shortcut misses with a lunging right hand
and Banner counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Shortcut in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
A punch combination from Banner misses.
Shortcut looks to score with a jab to the body but Banner is just out of range.
Jab by Shortcut.
The fight stays on the outside here - Banner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Banner is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shortcut sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Shortcut throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Banner counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shortcut thinking.
Shortcut with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Banner to score with a decent uppercut.
Banner jabs Shortcut to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A combination from Banner does no damage.
Shortcut swings widly with a right hand
and Banner counters with a series of strikes. Shortcut will be more careful next time no doubt.
Shortcut misses with an uppercut
and Banner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Banner throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A telegraphed right hand from Shortcut misses the target.
Banner scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Shortcut swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Banner counters with a lovely shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Banner clearly takes that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action!

Banner tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Shortcut swivels and escapes.
Shortcut throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Banner to counter with a crisp jab.
Shortcut misses with a double jab
and Banner counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Robert Banner is winning the standup battle so far.
Banner misses with the combination.
Banner scores with a jab. Shortcut acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Shortcut displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Banner.
Banner staying out of range there.
Shortcut takes a shot to the body in his stride.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Banner misses with a wild combination.
Banner fails to land with a series of punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shortcut cracks Banner with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Banner swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shortcut throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Banner counters with a right hand to the body.
Banner misses with a jab, cross combination.
Banner throws a right and a left that both miss.
A nice combination there by Banner.
Shortcut misses with a left hand
and Banner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shortcut throws a combination that misses
and Banner counters with a one-two to the body.
Banner connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
No joy there for Banner, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shortcut misses with an uppercut
enabling Banner to counter with a crisp jab.
Shortcut rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Banner counters with a one-two to the body.
Shortcut doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Shortcut swings away with a body shot that misses
and Banner counters with a left and a right that stings Shortcut.
Shortcut misses with a lunging right hand
and Banner makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Shortcut throws a right hand that misses
and Banner counters with a left to the body.
Shortcut throws a left and a right that both miss
and Banner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shortcut misses with a left hand
and Banner counters with a three punch combo that has Shortcut backing up. Shortcut nods at Banner to acknowledge the strikes.
Shortcut misses with a double jab
and Banner counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Shortcut thinking.
Banner connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Shortcut misses with an uppercut
and Banner counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Banner works the jab nicely.
Shortcut on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Shortcut might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shortcut throws a lazy uppercut
and Banner counters with a nice uppercut.
Shortcut throws a lazy uppercut
and Banner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Banner fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Shortcut looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Banner moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Banner pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Shortcut back to the cage. Banner follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Shortcut throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Banner makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Donk. Banner catches Shortcut right on the button with a cross.
Banner lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Banner swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Shortcut.
Banner connects with a body shot that sends Shortcut's belly button to the back.
Banner lands a nice hook to Shortcut's body. Shortcut takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Banner scores with a one two! Shortcut had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Banner throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shortcut doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Banner misses with a double jab.
Banner throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Banner comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Banner throws a series of punches but Shortcut moves out of range.
Shortcut throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Banner counters with a three punch combo that has Shortcut backing up. Shortcut nods at Banner to acknowledge the strikes.
Shortcut throws a right hand that misses
letting Banner counter with a right hand.
Banner scores with a body shot.
Banner works over Shortcut's head and body with a nice combination.
Shortcut throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Banner connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shortcut lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Banner ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Banner!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Banner had his way with Aiden Shortcut in that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

No joy there for Banner, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Shortcut!
Shortcut throws a right hand that misses
and Banner counters with a series of strikes. Shortcut will be more careful next time no doubt.
Banner throws out a powerful jab.
Banner swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shortcut jabs at Banner's body.
Banner dodges the punch combination from Shortcut.
Banner closes the distance and clinches up with Shortcut, looking for a takedown. Banner pushes Shortcut against the cage but Shortcut circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Shortcut throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Banner.
Shortcut takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Banner scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Banner fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Shortcut looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Banner or perhaps it was just good defense by Shortcut which made him look bad.
Banner misses with a double jab
enabling Shortcut to counter with a crisp jab.
Shortcut throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Banner to counter with a crisp jab.
Shortcut showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Banner.
Banner will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Banner. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shortcut jabs at Banner's body.
Banner dives in and grabs Shortcut's left leg, looking for a takedown. Shortcut pushes down on Banner's head and hops out.
Shortcut throws the left hand but Banner avoids the punch easily.
Banner lands a nice hook to Shortcut's body. Shortcut takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Banner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Banner listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Shortcut throws an off balance right hand
and Banner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Shortcut misses with a right hand
and Banner counters with a left to the body.
Banner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Shortcut swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Banner will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A right-left combo lands from Banner.
Banner scores with a shot to the body.
No luck for Banner with that takedown attempt.
Shortcut misses with a straight right.
Shortcut throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Banner digs a good body shot into Shortcut's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nice sprawl there from Shortcut as Banner shoots in.
Shortcut misses with a series of wild punches.
Banner throws a good cross that connects.
Banner scores with a three punch combo!
Some wild striking there from Banner.
Shortcut throws a right hand that misses
and Shortcut takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Shortcut misses with a double jab
and Banner counters with a series of strikes. Shortcut will be more careful next time no doubt.
Shortcut tries to move into range but Banner moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Shortcut misses with a shot to the body
and Banner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Banner shoots in for a takedown but Shortcut shows good takedown defense.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner defending well as Shortcut loads up on a big left hand.
Shortcut misses with an uppercut
and Banner counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Banner jabs Shortcut to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Banner shoots in for a takedown but Shortcut shows good takedown defense.
Some wild striking there from Banner.
Banner takes one to the side of the head.
Banner scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Robert Banner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Shortcut throws a left and a right that both miss
and Banner cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Some wild striking there from Banner.
Banner fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Aiden Shortcut has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Shortcut takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Robert Banner.
Well Banner 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 50:44
Judge Seu Braga scores the fight 50:44
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Banner!
Robert Banner is the new super heavyweight champion!