PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Scott Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zack Barch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Banks might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Tech N9ne- Slacker . Zack Barch has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Banks
vs
Barch

187 cm
28
181 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

190 cm
24
192 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Brute
Vitality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Scott Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Zack Barch!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Roger Salmon and Jeff Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banks checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Banks fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barch manages to avoid it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Barch blocks the body kick.
Banks throws a jab but it's blocked by Barch.
Banks keeps the fight on the outside.
Banks just misses with a punch to the body.
Banks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Banks stuffs the takedown attempt from Barch. Barch gets slowly back to his feet.
Barch misses with a takedown attempt - Banks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Banks lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Barch is looking to clinch but Banks is avoiding it.
Zack Barch seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banks throws a low kick, looking for Barch's leg but Barch calmly moves out of range.
Banks throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Banks pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Barch back to the cage. Banks follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Banks ducks under a wild hook from Barch.
A leg kick checked by Barch.

Barch instigates a clinch.

Banks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
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 misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barch's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Banks connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Barch scrambles back to his feet.
Banks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Barch.
Barch tries to clinch but Banks is having none of it.
Barch tries to clinch but Banks moves out of range.
Barch will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Scott Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Barch.
Barch wants to clinch.
Banks scores with a jab.
Banks scores with a hook.
Banks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Banks misses with a jab, cross combination.
Barch shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Banks as he avoids it easily.
Barch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Banks manages to avoid it.
Banks keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Banks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Barch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banks pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks stuffs the takedown.
Jab from Banks.
Barch lands a body shot.
Banks with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Barch throws a jab when Banks was well out of range.
An inside leg kick from Banks misses.
Banks looks to land a combination. Barch sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Banks looks for the body kick but Barch saw that one coming.
Scott Banks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Barch closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Banks misses with a leg kick.
Barch swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banks avoids the body shot from Barch.
Barch tries to clinch but Banks moves out of range.
Banks closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Banks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Barch moves away.
Barch is trying desperately to land a takedown but Banks is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Barch.
Banks keeps the fight on the outside.
Banks checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks throws a hook to the side of Barch's head but Barch sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Banks moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Barch lands with an uppercut that bounces Banks off the cage and back into range.
Banks throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Barch makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Banks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banks misses with a kick to the body.
Banks lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Barch shoots for a takedown but Banks saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Barch throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Barch throws an overhand right that lands on Banks's shoulder, as Banks tries to avoid the shot.
Banks throws a jab when Barch was well out of range.
Banks slips a straight right by Barch.
Banks tries to score with a low kick but Barch moves his leg out of the way.
Banks stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Banks wants it to stay on the feet.
Banks throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Barch sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Barch shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barch with a flurry of punches that miss.
Barch trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Banks controlling Barch's posture.
Barch trying to control the position from guard on top but Banks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Banks is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Barch passes Banks's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Banks is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Barch is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Banks has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Banks dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Barch uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Banks.
Banks throws a shot from downtown. Barch moves away and avoids it.
Banks pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A right-left combo lands from Banks.
Barch tries to close the distance and clinch but Banks swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Barch fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Banks manages to avoid it.
Banks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Barch moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Scott Banks is winning the standup battle so far.
Banks swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Banks stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Banks wants it to stay on the feet.
Barch is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Banks rather than just go for the knockout.
Barch misses with the combination.
Barch closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Barch shoots for a takedown but Banks saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Banks shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Barch avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Banks works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks blocks a jab.
Nice uppercut there from Banks.
Barch shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Banks as he jumps to the side.
Scott Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Barch.
Barch jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Barch walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Barch doesn't manage to clinch there - Banks circles away.
Banks fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Barch on the side of the head.
Barch looks to score with a jab to the body but Banks is just out of range.
Barch is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Banks thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Banks!
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!

Barch fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Banks to the ground. Barch is now in Banks's guard.

Barch drops back looking for a leg! Banks is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Banks manages to kick Barch off! Barch jumps back into Banks's guard.
Barch wants to control from the top but Banks keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barch stopping the sweep attempt from Banks.
Banks on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Banks tries to get out of the position.
Banks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Banks is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Barch pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Banks is keeping the position for now.
Barch scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barch passes Banks's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Barch trying to control the action but Banks is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nice strikes from Barch there.
Barch wants to lay and pray for a moment but Banks keeps working.
Barch throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Barch has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Barch looking to secure an arm triangle but Banks defends it well.

Barch looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks tries to control the position but Barch now has his back.

Barch is persistently looking for the submission but Banks is defending it well.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Banks is trying to break free.

Barch patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Banks looking to control the position.
Banks trying to control the hands but Barch breaks the grip.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Barch is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Banks knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Banks for a finish.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Zack Barch showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Banks throws a good cross that connects.
Barch drops his hands momentarily and Banks takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Banks scores with a punch to the head.
Banks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Barch.
Barch misses with a looping right.
Barch slips a jab and a cross from Banks.
Barch checks the leg kick.
Banks keeps the fight on the outside.
Barch moves in looking to clinch but Banks pushes him off.
The fighters circle momentarily. Banks darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Barch throws a shot to the body.
Barch is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Banks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barch throws a shot from downtown. Banks moves away and avoids it.
Barch tries to clinch but Banks is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Barch uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Banks has time to react.
Scott Banks is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Banks throws a looping overhand right but Barch ducks down to avoid it.
Barch moves in looking to clinch but Banks pushes him off.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Banks lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Barch has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Barch and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Banks keeps the fight on the outside.
Barch throws a jab but it's blocked by Banks.
Banks cracks Barch with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Banks works over Barch's head and body with a nice combination.
Banks stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Banks wants it to stay on the feet.
Barch dodges the punch combination from Banks.
Barch tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Banks paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Banks swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banks slips a straight right by Barch.
Banks looks for the body kick but Barch saw that one coming.
Banks's corner calls for a 1-2. Banks obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barch misses with a takedown attempt - Banks sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Scott Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zack Barch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks throws a body kick that misses.
Barch takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The fighters circle momentarily. Banks darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Barch cracks a nice hook into Banks's ribs.
Banks misses with a body kick.
Banks looks to score with a jab to the body but Barch is just out of range.
Banks ducks under a wild hook from Barch.
Banks lands a really nice looking cross but Barch seems unphased.
Banks throws a half hearted mid kick.
Banks connects with a body shot that sends Barch's belly button to the back.
Good work by Barch as he checks the leg kick.

Barch closes the distance and clinches.
Barch keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Banks's efforts to push away.
Banks blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barch keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Banks's efforts to push away.
Barch tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Banks manages to break the clinch.
Barch misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Barch is looking to clinch.

Barch closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Barch jumps guard but Banks turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Barch pulls guard effortlessly.
Barch with a couple of shots from the bottom there - nothing Banks can't handle though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banks controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Barch is looking for a triangle but Banks pushes his legs off easily.

Banks avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banks trying to control the position from guard on top but Barch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Banks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Barch is keeping the position for now.
Zack Barch has got the better of the ground game so far.

Barch escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Banks gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barch is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

And that's the end of the fight!
Scott Banks showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Banks has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Scott Banks!
Scott Banks really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Vitality logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.