PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bob Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hakeem Diaw (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Hakeem Diaw was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Banks
vs
Diaw

180 cm
24
205 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

181 cm
23
201 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

[CBK] LEGAL HIGHS « ↑ TRIPLE 160Q ®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bob Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hakeem Diaw!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Steven Brown and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Diaw walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Diaw is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheers as Banks lands an impressive looking overhand right. Diaw doesn't seem phased though.

Diaw clinches up against the cage.
Diaw slows down the pace here.

Banks gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Banks wants to control but Diaw is keeping him busy.
Diaw works his way to full guard. Good work.
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!
Banks tries to free his leg and advance position but Diaw is retaining full guard.

Diaw had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Banks defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diaw seems keen to control Banks's posture.
Diaw tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Diaw looking to control.
Banks postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Diaw wants to sweep but no luck.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diaw trying to strike off his back.
Banks wants to control from the top but Diaw keeps moving.

Banks thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diaw working a defensive guard here.
Banks trying to control the position from guard on top but Diaw is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Banks makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Diaw doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Diaw looking to control.
Diaw might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Banks kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Banks knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Diaw on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks looking to pass the guard.

Diaw looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Diaw is trying to keep Banks in close.
Banks slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Banks lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks misses with a leg kick.
Banks tries to work over Diaw's front leg with a kick but Diaw checks it.
Diaw on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Diaw takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Banks throws a body kick that misses.
Diaw scores with a jab to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banks gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Diaw counters with a nice body shot.
Diaw throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Diaw tries to close the distance and clinch up but Banks swats him away and circles back towards the center.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
An inside leg kick from Banks misses.
Banks bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Banks goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bob Banks dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Banks swats away the attempt to clinch by Diaw.
Banks chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Diaw fails with an attempt to clinch.
Diaw tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Banks was well out of range. Poor timing from Diaw.

Banks gets caught napping as Diaw dives in and scores a takedown. Banks manages to retain guard.

Banks has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Diaw can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Diaw pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Banks is keeping the position for now.
Diaw scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Diaw has passed into side control.
Diaw is looking to take a break and control but Banks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Diaw cracks Banks with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Banks struggling a bit here.
Diaw scoring with punches from side control.

Diaw tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
You can see the frustration on Banks's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks taking a bit of punishment here - Diaw scoring with strikes.

Diaw goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Banks has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Diaw but great work by Banks.
Diaw takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
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!
Diaw tries to buck Banks off but Banks is having none of it.
Diaw manages to get back to half guard.
Diaw wants to improve his position but Banks is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diaw is pressing down on Banks's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Diaw controls Banks momentarily but Banks frees himself.

Diaw working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Banks doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Diaw is tightening it up a little... Banks has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Banks reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Banks taps out! Nice BJJ there by Diaw!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Hakeem Diaw!
Hakeem Diaw decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.