PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Sau Minneo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlton Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Minneo kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is PowerTrip by Monster Magnet. Banks has chosen Carlton Dance Medley as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Minneo
vs
Banks

167 cm
28
141 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

172 cm
22
145 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Great elbows
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sau Minneo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Carlton Banks!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Minneo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Minneo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Minneo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Banks slips a jab from Minneo.
Minneo looks to land a combination but Banks avoids it well.
Banks slaps away a takedown attempt from Minneo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sau Minneo. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Banks closes the distance and clinches.
Banks creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Banks is pressed up against the cage. Minneo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Banks down to the mat. Banks avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Banks tries a head kick but it misses.
Minneo looks to land a left hand but Banks moved out of range nicely.
Minneo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Banks misses with a head kick.
A head kick by Banks misses

and Minneo counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Banks defending against the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minneo trying to control the position but Banks is working away.

Minneo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Banks is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Minneo is controlling him well.
Minneo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Minneo throws an elbow but Banks slips to the side and avoids it well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banks is pushing Minneo's head away, looking to escape. Minneo manages to hold on to the position though.
Minneo controls the position.
Banks is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Minneo is controlling him well.

Minneo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Banks, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Minneo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Minneo is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Banks is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

Minneo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Minneo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Banks knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks wants to get back to his feet but Minneo drags him back down.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Banks can do anything to dispel that myth.

Minneo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Minneo tries for a kimura but Banks is defending well.
Minneo cracks Banks with a big right hand but Banks just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Minneo throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Minneo tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

Minneo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Minneo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Minneo wants to control but Banks is keeping him busy.

Minneo 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 Minneo but great work by Banks.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Banks wants to stand but Minneo is controlling his arm.
Minneo tries to buck Banks off but Banks is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sau Minneo dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Minneo throws a head kick but Banks moves out of range.
Banks tries a head kick but it misses.
Sau Minneo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Minneo scores with a head kick. Banks tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Minneo fails with a takedown attempt.
Minneo thows a leg kick but Banks checks it
and Banks counters with a nice body kick.
Banks doesn't manage to clinch there - Minneo circles away.
Minneo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Banks avoids it really well and circles away.
Banks tries to clinch up.
Minneo shoots in for a takedown but Banks shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sau Minneo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Minneo blocks a head kick by Banks.
Banks tries to close the distance and clinch but Minneo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Minneo is defended easily by Banks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minneo has his takedown stuffed
and Banks counters with a nice body kick.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice takedown defense from Banks. No joy for Minneo on that attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Minneo. Banks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Banks leaves Minneo with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Banks tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Banks, right into the meat.
Minneo stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Banks.
Minneo avoids the head kick by Banks.

Banks closes the distance and clinches.
Banks pushes off an throws an elbow but Minneo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Banks pushes off an throws an elbow but Minneo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Banks landing knees to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Banks pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Minneo tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Banks is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Minneo is defending well for now.

Minneo gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Banks tries to kick Minneo off but Minneo keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Minneo is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Banks sees it coming and defends easily.
Banks is trying to stand.

Minneo is looking for a kimura but Banks is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Minneo to get the leverage.
Banks pushes Minneo off looking to stand but Minneo dives back in and keeps control.
Banks keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Banks is trying to stand.
Minneo works his way into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minneo looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Banks is avoiding damage well.
Banks is pushing Minneo's head away, looking to escape. Minneo manages to hold on to the position though.

Minneo is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Banks is trying to escape and Minneo transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Banks is forced to tap! Nice work there by Minneo! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Sau Minneo!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Sau Minneo waved his t-shirt featuring 5th Round Clothing's logo in front of the cameras.