PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paul Bannion (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paulie Wahlburg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul Bannion has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Bannion
vs
Wahlburg

170 cm
18
168 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
19
171 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Counter striker
Plays chess

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Paul Bannion!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Paulie Wahlburg!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Donatello Bradman and Damien Edna.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wahlburg fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Bannion lands a head kick. Wahlburg smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Bannion throws a half hearted mid kick.
Bannion misses with a head kick.

Wahlburg has taken the fight to the clinch.
Wahlburg leaning his opponent against the cage.
Wahlburg tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bannion wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bannion wants to break free but Wahlburg has control.
Bannion wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bannion managing to block the knees to the body from Wahlburg.
Wahlburg stalling.
Bannion wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Wahlburg crunches a lovely knee into Bannion's ribcage.
Bannion wants to get back to striking at distance but Wahlburg won't allow it.
Wahlburg will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bannion up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bannion avoiding damage as Wahlburg throws knees to the body.
Wahlburg trying to land knees to the body.
Wahlburg just leaning against Bannion, taking a breather.
Bannion is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Wahlburg with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Wahlburg lands an elbow inside.
Wahlburg keeps control of Bannion as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Bannion is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Wahlburg lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Paul Bannion has been cut.

Wahlburg pulls guard successfully.

Bannion gets to his feet - Wahlburg follows without any prompting.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Bannion scores with a four punch combination!
Wahlburg doesn't manage to clinch there - Bannion circles away.
Wahlburg tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wahlburg takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bannion throws a head kick that half lands.
Bannion throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Bannion scores with a nice strike.
Bannion pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bannion throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Bannion throws a head kick that misses.
A combination from Bannion does no damage.
Bannion displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Bannion throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bannion tries a head kick but it misses.
Bannion throws a head kick but Wahlburg moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wahlburg tries to clinch up but Bannion circles away and keeps his distance.

Wahlburg drives through and clinches with Bannion against the cage.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Wahlburg tries a knee to the head but Bannion blocks it.
Bannion is looking to break free of the clinch but Wahlburg has double underhooks.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Wahlburg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bannion has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wahlburg lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Knees to the body from Wahlburg.
Wahlburg manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Wahlburg looking to throw knees to the head but Bannion is blocking nicely.
Wahlburg stalling in the clinch.

Wahlburg manages to break the clinch.
Bannion throws a nice looking combination but Wahlburg bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Bannion pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wahlburg blocks a head kick by Bannion.
No joy there for Bannion, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bannion looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Wahlburg gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bannion tries to break the clinch but Wahlburg is controlling the position.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Bannion is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Wahlburg holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Wahlburg scores with a knee to the head.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Nice elbow from Wahlburg.
Come on Wahlburg - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Bannion wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Paulie Wahlburg will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Paul Bannion's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Wahlburg tries to clinch but Bannion is having none of it.
Bannion throws a right and a left that Wahlburg avoids nicely.
Bannion throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Wahlburg.
Bannion pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Wahlburg tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Bannion swivels and escapes.

Wahlburg pushes Bannion up against the cage in a clinch.
Bannion wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Bannion blocks an elbow strike from Wahlburg.
Bannion is looking to break free of the clinch but Wahlburg has double underhooks.
Bannion wants to get back to striking at distance but Wahlburg won't allow it.
Wahlburg lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bannion wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bannion wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bannion wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Wahlburg unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bannion lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wahlburg is stalling here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bannion wants to get back to striking at distance but Wahlburg won't allow it.
Nice elbow from Wahlburg.
Wahlburg pressing his opponent against the cage.
Wahlburg fails to pull guard.
Bannion can't break the clinch.
Wahlburg lands a nice knee to the body.
Wahlburg unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bannion lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Wahlburg is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nice elbow from Wahlburg.
Wahlburg unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bannion lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bannion is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Wahlburg gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

Wahlburg pulls Bannion into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Wahlburg wriggles free and stands up.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Wahlburg scores with a knee to the head.
The is referee keeping an eye on Wahlburg - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Bannion takes an elbow to the temple.
Wahlburg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bannion has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Wahlburg content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Wahlburg breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paul Bannion is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wahlburg tries to clinch up.
Bannion throws a nice head kick!

Wahlburg gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wahlburg will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Bannion up against the cage.
Bannion wants to break free but Wahlburg has control.
Wahlburg slows down the pace here.

Wahlburg turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Wahlburg has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Wahlburg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Bannion swinging wilding here.
Paul Bannion is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wahlburg avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wahlburg pushes Bannion up against the cage in a clinch.
Bannion wants to get back to striking at distance but Wahlburg won't allow it.
Bannion wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bannion wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Bannion can't break the clinch.
Wahlburg stalling in the clinch.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
A body shot lands from Wahlburg.
Wahlburg unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bannion lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Bannion takes an elbow to the temple.
Wahlburg scores a nice knee to the body.
Wahlburg just leaning against Bannion, taking a breather.
Wahlburg scores with a nice hook to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paulie Wahlburg showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Paul Bannion's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Wahlburg has closed the distance and engaged Bannion in a clinch.
Bannion takes an elbow to the temple.
Wahlburg misses with a knee strike.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Bannion wants to break free but Wahlburg has control.
Bannion wants to break free but Wahlburg has control.
Wahlburg lands an elbow just above Bannion 's eye.
Bannion is trying to break free.
Wahlburg stalling.
Wahlburg lands an elbow just above Bannion 's eye.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wahlburg avoiding damage.
Wahlburg with a knee to the head.
Wahlburg lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Bannion backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bannion blocks an elbow strike.

Wahlburg decides to pull guard.
Bannion has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Wahlburg is proving hard to escape from.

Wahlburg wriggles free and stands up.
Bannion tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Wahlburg tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bannion misses with a series of wild punches.
Wahlburg tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bannion paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Wahlburg tries to clinch but Bannion moves out of range.
Wahlburg tries to clinch up.
Wahlburg avoids the head kick by Bannion.
Bannion goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Bannion throws a series of punches but Wahlburg avoids them all with ease.
Bannion misses with a head kick.
Wahlburg fails with an attempt to clinch.

Wahlburg gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bannion wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Wahlburg is stalling here.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.

Wahlburg manages to break the clinch.

Wahlburg closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Wahlburg breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bannion lands a jab-cross combination.
Bannion misses with a series of wild punches.
Bannion misses with a kick to the body.
Bannion throws a right and a left that both miss.
Wahlburg wants to clinch up but Bannion keeps it at a distance.
Wahlburg is looking to clinch.

Wahlburg moves into range and clinches up with Bannion.
Wahlburg avoiding damage.
Bannion has had enough of the clinch but Wahlburg keeps him there for the moment.
Wahlburg landing knees to the head.
Wahlburg using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Bannion has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Bannion wants to get back to striking at distance but Wahlburg won't allow it.
Bannion is trying to break the clinch but Wahlburg has him pressed against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Wahlburg stalls.
Wahlburg with a knee to the head.
Bannion wants to break the clinch but can't.
Wahlburg wants a takedown but no success here.
Bannion takes a knee right on the jaw!
Wahlburg lands an elbow inside that Bannion shrugs off.

Wahlburg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wahlburg closes the distance and clinches up with Bannion, looking for a takedown. Wahlburg pushes Bannion against the cage but Bannion circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Wahlburg scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Wahlburg in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Paul Bannion has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bannion is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Wahlburg asserts his dominance and retains side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paulie Wahlburg comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Wahlburg winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Skip Squint scores the fight 27:30
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Paulie Wahlburg!