PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Brett Gray (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buhju Banton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Gray
vs
Banton

193 cm
36
264 lbs
18 - 13 - 0

203 cm
28
285 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brett Gray!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Buhju Banton!
The judges for this bout are Donatello Bradman, Bruno Hogan and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banton fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Gray drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
The referee asks Gray politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Gray prefers to stall for the moment though.
Banton tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gray throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Gray scoring with punches from side control.
Gray wants to lay and pray for a moment but Banton keeps working.
Banton really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Gray. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Banton is looking for a sweep.
Gray 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.

Gray tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Gray has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gray throws a strike aimed at the side of Banton's head but Banton avoids it well.
Banton is trying to improve his position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banton takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Gray content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Banton tries to escape but Gray is in control.
Gray throws a strike aimed at the side of Banton's head but Banton avoids it well.
Gray trying to control the action but Banton is working from the bottom.
Banton wants to control but Gray postures up.
The ground and pound from Gray seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Gray connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Banton some visible discomfort.
Gray sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Banton is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Gray tries for a kimura but Banton is defending well.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Gray tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banton is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Banton is trying to improve his position.
Gray working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Gray is trying to get an arm triangle but Banton is defending well.
Banton defending against the ground and pound.
Banton defending against the ground and pound.
Gray creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Banton sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Banton takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Sloppy strikes there by Gray.

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

Gray has an Americana. Banton didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Gray is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Gray hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Brett Gray!