PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sam Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ashley Banjo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ashley Banjo is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Spencer
vs
Banjo

193 cm
20
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
170 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Sam Spencer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Ashley Banjo!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spencer takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Spencer looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!
Banjo is looking to clinch but Spencer is avoiding it.
Banjo motions for Spencer to come forward. Banjo throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Banjo.
Spencer closes the distance looking to clinch
and Banjo counters with a big head kick but Spencer shrugs it off.
Banjo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Spencer manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Banjo tries for a takedown but Spencer sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Banjo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Spencer's waist but Spencer gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Banjo off to one side.
Banjo looks for a takedown but Spencer sprawls well.
Sam Spencer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ashley Banjo.
Banjo looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Spencer tries to close the distance and clinch but Banjo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Banjo shoots in looking for a takedown. Spencer tries to sprawl out of it but Banjo keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Spencer manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Spencer gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Banjo wants the takedown. Spencer is fighting it off but Banjo persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Spencer's guard against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banjo prevents Spencer from getting back to his feet.
Spencer really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Spencer keeping moving, preventing Banjo from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer wants to stand but Banjo is controlling the position.
Banjo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Banjo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Spencer swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Banjo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Banjo trying to control the position from guard on top but Spencer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spencer preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Spencer wants to stand up but Banjo is controlling him.
Banjo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Spencer has a closed guard, preventing Banjo from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Banjo not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Banjo won't allow Spencer to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Banjo tries to clinch up.
Spencer is looking to clinch.
Spencer wants to clinch up but Banjo keeps it at a distance.
Banjo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Spencer as he avoids it easily.
A nice leg kick lands there from Spencer.

Spencer shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Banjo napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Banjo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Spencer. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Spencer decides to stand back up.

Spencer instigates a clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Spencer.
Banjo can't get the takedown.
Spencer is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Banjo gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banjo looking for a takedown.
Still in the clinch, Banjo scores with a nice short uppercut.
Spencer is working for takedown but Banjo is calmly controlling the position for now.
Banjo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Banjo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Spencer breaks the clinch.

Spencer closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Banjo's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banjo pulls Spencer in close to prevent any damage.

Spencer gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Spencer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Banjo, pushing him back against the cage.
Banjo tries to score a body lock takedown but Spencer shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Banjo wants to get back to striking at distance but Spencer won't allow it.

Spencer breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Banjo tries to sprawl but Spencer drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Spencer stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Banjo tries to clinch but Spencer moves out of range.

Spencer decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Spencer decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Sam Spencer seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Banjo.
Banjo dives in and grabs Spencer's left leg, looking for a takedown. Spencer pushes down on Banjo's head and hops out.

Spencer clinches up against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banjo looking to slow down the pace here.

Spencer pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Banjo drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Banjo tries to keep at a distance but Spencer has taken the fight into the clinch.
Banjo is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Spencer gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Banjo is looking to control Spencer's arms but Spencer gets an underhook and turns him. Now Banjo has his back to the cage.
Banjo tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Spencer smiles and moves away.
Spencer throws a combination that misses

and Banjo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Spencer is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Banjo is controlling him.
Spencer avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Spencer wants to stand but Banjo is controlling the position.

Spencer pushes Banjo off and scrambles back to his feet.
Spencer scoring well with a low kick there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spencer takes the fight into the clinch.
Spencer taking a breather.
Banjo fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Sam Spencer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ashley Banjo.

Spencer pulls Banjo into guard.
Banjo wants to control from the top but Spencer keeps moving.

Spencer has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Banjo off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

Spencer shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Banjo's guard.

Spencer stands up from Banjo's guard - Spencer perhaps looking for a knockout.
Banjo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Spencer sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Banjo counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

Spencer closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Banjo quickly recovers to half guard.
Banjo manages to get to full guard.

Spencer gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Spencer is defended easily by Banjo.
Banjo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Spencer swivels and escapes.
Spencer misses with a double jab
and Banjo counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Spencer thinking.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Spencer gets tackled into the cage by Banjo. Banjo maintains the clinch.

Spencer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Spencer misses with a combination

and Banjo counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spencer kicks Banjo off and gets to his feet.
Banjo leaves Spencer with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Spencer looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Banjo is looking to stand up but Spencer isn't so interested in that idea.

Banjo is working an open guard so Spencer takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Spencer throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Banjo connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Banjo shoots in but no luck this time.

Banjo gets caught napping as Spencer dives in and scores a takedown. Banjo manages to retain guard.

Spencer stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Banjo shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Spencer but Spencer pushes him off and we're back to square one.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Banjo enables Spencer to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Banjo manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Spencer gets to his feet - Banjo follows without any prompting.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Banjo gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Banjo scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Banjo darts in and clinches Spencer up against the cage.

Spencer ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Spencer no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Spencer wriggles free and stands up.
Spencer leaves Banjo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Spencer as Banjo shoots in.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Spencer drives through with a takedown into Banjo's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Spencer stands up and waves to Banjo to follow him.

Spencer rushes Banjo and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sam Spencer dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Banjo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Banjo tries to clinch up.
Banjo shoots in and drives through. Spencer sprawls well.

Banjo clinches up with Spencer and pushes him back against the cage.
Banjo dodges an elbow strike from Spencer.

Spencer pulls guard successfully.
Banjo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Spencer uses the cage to get back to his feet.
A chopping leg kick lands by Spencer.

Spencer drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Spencer stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Spencer connects with an inside leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Spencer closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Spencer has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Banjo fails to land the takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banjo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sam Spencer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ashley Banjo.

Spencer closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Banjo to the mat! Banjo manages to get full guard.

Banjo is working an open guard so Spencer takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Banjo is defended easily by Spencer.
Crunch! Banjo slams his shin into Spencer's torso.
A leg kick checked by Banjo.
Banjo tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Spencer swivels and escapes.
Spencer shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice sprawl there from Spencer as Banjo shoots in.

Spencer drives through with a takedown into Banjo's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Banjo manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer is trying to stand up.
Spencer blocking the ground and pound.
Spencer wants to try and get back to his feet.

Spencer bucks Banjo off and manages to get back to his feet!

Banjo gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Spencer to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Banjo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Spencer gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Spencer looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Banjo tries to clinch up but Spencer circles away and keeps his distance.

Spencer scores a takedown into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer looking to control but Banjo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Banjo is looking to improve his position but Spencer isn't that keen on the idea.

Spencer is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Spencer checks the leg kick.

Spencer closes the distance and pushes Banjo back into the cage.
Banjo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Banjo breaks from the clinch.
Spencer tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Banjo swivels and escapes.

Spencer shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Spencer showed some decent athleticism there.

Spencer stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banjo wants to clinch.
Spencer scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Banjo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Banjo shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Spencer pinned against the cage. Spencer gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

Spencer looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Spencer decides to stand up.
Ashley Banjo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sam Spencer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Spencer closes the distance and pushes Banjo back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sam Spencer showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Spencer, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sam Spencer!