PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Van Der Weed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lamont Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Der Weed
vs
Banner

191 cm
27
205 lbs
9 - 4 - 1

185 cm
23
223 lbs
8 - 3 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

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 9 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Van Der Weed!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 1, fighting out of New York, Lamont Banner!
The judges for this bout are Albert Achterberg, Nard Betker and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Banner closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Banner lands in his opponent's guard.

Banner drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Weed manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Banner has Weed in his guard.
Weed advances position into side control!
Weed throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Weed tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Banner dodges the ground and pound from Weed.
Weed working the head with strikes.

Weed wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Banner, who protects the arm well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Banner wants to control but Weed postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner defending against the ground and pound.
Banner sneaks back into half guard.

Banner actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like Weed is going to stand back up.
Weed seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Weed thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Banner keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Banner manages to get to full guard.
Weed trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Banner manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner trying to control but Weed is working from the bottom.
Weed is looking to stand back up but Banner counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Weed.

Banner is looking for a kimura but Weed is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Banner to get the leverage.
Weed is staying active underneath Banner, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Banner might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Weed kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Weed is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
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 tries to pass the half guard into mount. Weed knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Weed tries to kick Banner off but Banner keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Banner working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Banner passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Weed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Banner goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Weed is on top in guard.

Banner is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Weed got a little sloppy there for a moment and Banner has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Weed has managed to get both his arms back between Banner's legs - danger averted.
Banner has a closed guard, preventing Weed from standing up.
Weed forces his way into half guard.
Banner is controlling Weed's trapped leg to prevent Weed from advancing to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Weed has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Banner throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Weed throws an elbow that misses. Banner uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Weed's guard. Nice move by Banner!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Weed bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Banner's guard.
Weed would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Banner is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Weed defends well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banner lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Weed!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lamont Banner will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Weed is looking to clinch but Banner is avoiding it.
Weed looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Weed wants to clinch up but Banner keeps it at a distance.
Banner looks to score with a jab to the body but Weed is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Weed misses with a wild combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Banner. Weed does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Weed's waist but Weed gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Banner off to one side.

Weed rushes Banner and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Banner blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Weed tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Weed prevents a takedown attempt there.
Weed misses with a punch on the inside.
Weed lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Weed stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Weed prevents the takedown attempt.
Van Der Weed has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lamont Banner.
Banner drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Come on Weed - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Banner has Weed pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Banner pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Weed tumbling to the mat - Banner dives into Weed's guard.
Weed wants to sweep here but Banner controlling him for the moment.

Weed looking for a guillotine here but Banner defends easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Banner tries to free his leg and advance position but Weed is retaining full guard.
Weed looking to hit a scissor sweep but Banner is one step ahead there.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Banner is pushing down on Weed's leg trying to pass to half guard. Weed is fighting to maintain full guard but Banner has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Banner wants to work for an arm triangle but Weed is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Weed moves into full guard.
Weed is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Banner trying to control but Weed is working from the bottom.
Banner stopping the sweep attempt from Weed.
Banner stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Weed swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Banner drops back, looking for a kneebar! Weed looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Weed looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Weed!
Banner is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Weed cracks Banner with a big elbow.
Weed creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Banner sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Banner tries to bench press Weed off him but Weed keeps the position.

Weed goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Banner has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Weed but great work by Banner.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Weed gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Banner prevents Weed from getting the reversal.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Weed tries to improve his position but instead Banner has taken his back!
Banner is hanging on to Weed's back as he tries to escape.

Banner has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Weed has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Lamont Banner will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. And we move into the final round!

Banner misses the jab.
Banner moves out of range as Weed throws a body kick.
Banner swats away the attempt to clinch by Weed.
Banner throws a shot from downtown. Weed moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Weed steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Banner.
Banner swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Banner throws a shot from downtown. Weed moves away and avoids it.
Banner scores with a jab to the head.
Banner lands a head shot.
Banner fails with a takedown attempt.

Weed moves into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Banner.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Weed misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Weed tries to land a knee to the head but Banner blocks with his arms.
Weed can't find room to land a body shot as Banner controls the action.
Weed is pressed up against the cage. Banner has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Weed down to the mat. Weed avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Banner will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Banner swats away the attempt to clinch by Weed.
Weed thows a body kick. Banner tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Weed uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Banner.
Banner misses with a lunging right hand
and Weed counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner avoids a punch combination nicely.
Weed tries to clinch there but Banner circles away.
Banner misses the jab.
Weed moves to clinch but Banner breaks away
and Banner counters with a stiff right hand.
Weed takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Weed is looking to clinch but Banner is avoiding it.
Today's fight clock is brought to you by... OOOH that's a huge shot by Banner! Weed is in big trouble here - the ref steps in to save him and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Lamont Banner!
Lamont Banner bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.