PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Zaru Kayne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Michael Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Banks has chosen White and Nerdy as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Kayne
vs
Banks

185 cm
33
245 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

191 cm
25
255 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good gas tank

Hellraiser Fightgear (10$ clothing SALE)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zaru Kayne!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Michael Banks!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Chris Saunders and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Left hook, right uppercut from Kayne.

It looks like Michael Banks has been cut.

Banks throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kayne tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Banks is in Kayne's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banks prevents Kayne from getting back to his feet.
Banks not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Banks's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Kayne wants to get back to his feet but Banks is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Michael Banks hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
No joy there for Kayne, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Banks closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Banks has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Kayne!
Banks lands a nice shot to the head.
Banks looking to control and managing it successfully.
Kayne is trying to stand up.
Banks tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Kayne squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks controlling the position easily from mount.
Kayne trying desperately to get to his feet.
Banks controlling the pace for now.
Kayne is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
Banks controlling the position easily from mount.
Kayne wants to try and get back to his feet.
Banks is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Banks controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banks with shots to the head and body - Kayne looks very uncomfortable down there.

It looks like Zaru Kayne has been cut.
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!
Kayne is trying to stand up.
Banks controlling his opponent.
Banks lands with some strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks controlling from the full mount.
Banks looking to finish Kayne with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kayne!
Banks looking to control and managing it successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kayne tries to buck Banks off but he can't manage it.
Banks in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Zaru Kayne's cut is getting worse.
Kayne knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Banks on the ground.
Banks controlling the pace for now.
Kayne is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Banks landing strikes from the mount.
Banks tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Banks has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Banks jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kayne manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Kayne is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Banks asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Banks controls the position.

Banks wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kayne, who protects the arm well.
Banks content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Banks has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Kayne is not content to let Banks control the position.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Michael Banks wasn't active enough on the ground.

Banks shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banks trying to control the position from guard on top but Kayne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kayne wants to stand up but Banks is controlling him.
Kayne preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Banks trying to control the position from guard on top but Kayne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Banks seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Banks trying to control the position from guard on top but Kayne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Michael Banks was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Banks misses with a two punch combination.
Kayne falls off balance throwing a combination
and Banks counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

Jeez, Zaru Kayne's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Banks scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kayne in his tracks.
Kayne slips under a jab from Banks.
Kayne misses with a wild combination.
Kayne fails to land with a series of punches.
Sloppy strikes from Kayne. Those never looked like landing.
Banks pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kayne back to the cage. Banks follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Zaru Kayne's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 6:06 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Michael Banks!
Michael Banks took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Hellraiser Fightgear (10$ clothing SALE) for their support in the buildup to the fight.