PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Robin Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joe Foe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Banks
vs
Foe

150 cm
25
159 lbs
4 - 3 - 1

160 cm
30
148 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Sydney, Robin Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Joe Foe!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Steve Erwin and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Foe fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A combination from Banks does no damage.
Robin Banks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Foe swinging wildly here.
Foe throws a leg kick but Banks sees it coming and moves out of range.
Foe fails with a takedown attempt.
A combination from Foe does no damage.
Foe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Banks looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Banks shoots in looking for a takedown. Foe tries to sprawl out of it but Banks keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Foe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foe throws a series of punches but Banks avoids them all with ease.
Banks lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Foe circles away quickly and effectively.
Foe misses with a wild combination.
Foe shoots in looking for a takedown. Banks tries to sprawl out of it but Foe keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Banks manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Robin Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Foe.
Banks throws a left and a right that both miss

and Foe counters with a single leg into guard. Banks didn't expect that.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Foe accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Foe has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Banks is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Foe is controlling him.
Foe throws an elbow that misses. Banks uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Foe's guard. Nice move by Banks!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foe tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Banks trying to control but Foe is working from the bottom.
Banks won't allow Foe to sweep him here.
Foe wants to get back to his feet but Banks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Banks wants to control from the top but Foe keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banks postures up and lands a big shot to Foe's brow.
Banks engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Foe is trying to keep Banks in close.
Foe avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Foe has his foot on Banks's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Banks works his way back into a safe position though.
Banks trying to control the position from guard on top but Foe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Banks controlling from the top position.
Foe trying to keep a closed guard but Banks is proving a slippery customer.
Banks trying to control the position from guard on top but Foe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Foe has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Banks off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Banks lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Banks misses with a looping left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foe showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Banks.
Some wild striking there from Banks.
Foe swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Foe gets caught napping as Banks dives in and scores a takedown. Foe manages to retain guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
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!
Foe keeping moving, preventing Banks from controlling successfully.
Banks won't allow Foe to sweep him here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Foe manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Banks manages to get himself to full guard.
Foe in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Joe Foe will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Foe shoots in and drives through. Banks sprawls well.
Banks misses with a double jab.
Foe shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Banks as he avoids it easily.

Foe shoots in and gets a takedown into Banks's guard.
Foe throws a big right hand that misses.
Foe looking to pass the guard.
Foe trying to control the position from guard on top but Banks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Banks wants to sweep here but Foe controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Foe looking to pass the guard.
Foe is looking to stand up but Banks won't let him.
Foe trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Foe landing some decent shots from guard.
Banks utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Banks keeping moving, preventing Foe from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Foe pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Banks is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Foe trying to stand up but can't free himself from Banks's guard.
Foe throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Banks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Foe.
Banks can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Foe controls the pace.
Foe is working Banks over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Foe trying to control but Banks is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Foe has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Banks is proving hard to escape from.

Foe postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Banks is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Foe, into his guard.
Joe Foe has got the better of the ground game so far.

Foe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Banks is aware though and is defending well.

Foe had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Banks defends it easily.
Banks trying to control the position from guard on top but Foe is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Banks connects with a couple of short punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Banks lands a couple of elbows.
Foe looking to control.
Banks wants to control from the top but Foe keeps moving.
Banks prevents Foe from getting back to his feet.
Banks controlling from the top position.
Foe keeping full guard, as Banks tries to pass.
Foe trying to keep a closed guard but Banks is proving a slippery customer.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Joe Foe wasn't active enough on the ground.
Foe fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Banks avoids it really well and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joe Foe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Banks misses with a few strikes there.
Banks throws a series of punches but Foe moves out of range.
Banks takes one to the chin there.
A leg kick checked by Banks.
Foe shoots in for a takedown but Banks shows good takedown defense.
Banks misses with the combination.
Foe moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Banks tries to sprawl but Foe drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Banks blocking the ground and pound attempt from Foe.
Banks is trying to stand up here but Foe is controlling him well.
Foe wants to take a breather but Banks is having none of it.
Foe wants to free his trapped foot but Banks is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Banks has his hands clasped together around Foe's back. He's all about the action.
Foe trying to mount his opponent but Banks defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Foe wants to work for an arm triangle but Banks is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Foe is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Robin Banks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Foe not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Foe is keen to just control but Banks is a slippery customer.
Foe perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks blocking the ground and pound attempt from Foe.
Banks is trying is best to control the position here.
Foe wants to pass the guard but Banks is defending well.
Nice strikes from Foe there.
Banks is trying to stand back up but Foe is controlling him
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Foe is pressing down on Banks's thigh, looking to free his foot. Banks is holding on for now.
Banks is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Foe is looking to take a break and control but Banks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Banks throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Foe.
Foe shoots in and drives through. Banks sprawls well.
Foe turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
No luck for Foe with that takedown attempt.
Robin Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joe Foe.
Banks misses with a series of wild punches.
Joe Foe is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Foe shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Banks as he avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joe Foe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Foe has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 28:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joe Foe!