PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Hans Lankari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bruce Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lankari comes to the cage accompanied by AC/DC - Thunderstruck. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Lankari
vs
Banner

177 cm
37
142 lbs
18 - 26 - 0

165 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

V-Mask Clothing (10%)

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 18 - 26 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hans Lankari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bruce Banner!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Colin Fray and Chris Saunders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banner lands a head kick. Lankari smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

Oooooh!!! Banner has knocked Lankari down with a huge combo! Banner steps away and waves a wobbly Lankari back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Lankari is rocked!
Banner misses with a straight right.
Oh Lankari is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lankari shoots in looking for a takedown but Banner manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Lankari's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banner falls off balance throwing a combination

and Lankari counters with a takedown into side control.

Lankari tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Lankari seems to have got his legs back now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banner tries to bench press Lankari off him but Lankari keeps the position.

Lankari decides to stand up, so the ref orders Banner to his feet.
Lankari slips under a jab.
Lankari avoids the head kick by Banner.
Banner keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner misses with a two punch combination.
Lankari slips a straight right by Banner.

Banner lands a big head kick that sends Lankari tumbling to the mat! Banner takes a step backwards and waves Lankari back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Hans Lankari has been cut.
Banner swinging wildly here.
Lankari fires out a quick counter leg kick but Banner just manages to avoid it.
Banner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Lankari gets a clinch.
Banner tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Lankari's elbow.
Lankari has Banner pushed against the cage.
Banner is trying to stall.

Lankari gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Banner is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Banner looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner looking to control but Lankari passes into half guard.
Banner tries to get to full guard but Lankari has control of the leg.

Lankari is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Banner defends it well.

Lankari is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Banner is looking to improve his position.
Lankari works his foot free and advances to mount.
Banner tries to buck Lankari off but Lankari takes his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Banner rolls, trying to escape but Lankari keeps control of the position.
Banner has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Banner manages to reverse the position and now he's in Lankari's guard. Nice work there by Banner.
Lankari bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Banner's guard.

Lankari postures up and lands a big shot to Banner's brow.
Banner looking to control.
Lankari lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Lankari gets to his feet - Banner follows without any prompting.
Lankari lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Banner misses with a few strikes there.
Banner swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Lankari counters with a three punch combo that has Banner backing up. Banner nods at Lankari to acknowledge the strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Lankari closes the distance and pushes Banner back into the cage.
Lankari is trying to pull guard but Banner turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hans Lankari. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lankari has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Banner after a bit of a struggle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lankari fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Lankari breaks from the clinch.
A head kick from Banner lands but Lankari takes it in his stride.

Banner lands a left and a right that send Lankari crashing to the mat, dazed. Banner thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Lankari throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Banner tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Lankari is in Banner's guard.

Banner working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lankari doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lankari manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lankari postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Lankari pushing down on Banner's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lankari lands with a punch from half guard.
Lankari prevents Banner from improving his position.

Lankari stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Banner dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hans Lankari's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A swing and a miss from Banner.
Lankari fails with the takedown.
Banner is looking to land body kicks.
Banner tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lankari shoots in looking for a takedown. Banner tries to sprawl out of it but Lankari keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Banner manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Banner tries to bum rush Lankari with a series of wild strikes but Lankari uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lankari appears to be looking for a big counter.
Lankari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Banner manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banner misses with a head kick.
Lankari looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hans Lankari. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banner swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
No luck for Lankari with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lankari steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Banner.
Lankari wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Bruce Banner seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lankari is trying hard to land a takedown here. Banner sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Lankari decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Lankari lands strikes from half guard.
Lankari throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Banner works his way to full guard. Good work.

Banner is looking for a triangle but Lankari pushes his legs off easily.
Lankari keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Banner's head.
Banner wants to sweep here but Lankari controlling him for the moment.
Lankari postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lankari stopping the sweep attempt from Banner.

Lankari decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Banner, up you get!
Banner misses with the combination.
Banner throws a head kick that Lankari semi-blocks.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lankari slips a jab and a cross from Banner.
Hans Lankari is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Banner throws a series of punches but Lankari moves out of range.
Lankari tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Banner defends well and Lankari ends up having to push Banner into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Banner looks to land a right hand but Lankari moved out of range.
Lankari connects with a body shot.

Lankari closes the distance and clinches.

Banner manages to break the clinch.
Lankari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Banner paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banner misses with a few strikes there.
Lankari wants to clinch up but Banner keeps it at a distance.
Banner tries a head kick but it misses.
Lankari wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Banner throws a sloppy head kick and Lankari moves out of range easily.
Lankari is looking to counter the offense by Banner and move into the clinch.
Lankari tries to clinch there but Banner circles away.
Lankari dives in for a single leg takedown but Banner sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nice takedown defense from Banner. No joy for Lankari on that attempt.
A head kick from Lankari lands but Banner takes it in his stride.
Lankari shoots in for a takedown but Banner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Banner throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Banner misses with a straight left.
Banner throws a right and a left that Lankari avoids nicely.
Banner stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Banner wants it to stay on the feet.
Banner fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Banner just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromLankari.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Banner throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Banner has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Lankari tries to clinch there but Banner circles away.
Banner misses with a wild combination.
Lankari tries to counter by clinching up but Banner breaks away and moves out of range.
Lankari shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Banner but Banner pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Banner is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lankari fails with the takedown.
Lankari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bruce Banner seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lankari scores with a spinning back kick!
A punch combination from Banner misses.
Banner steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Lankari. That one must have hurt.
Banner throws a series of punches but Lankari avoids them all with ease.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bruce Banner showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hans Lankari's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Lankari closes the distance and clinches.

Banner's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Banner looks to land a right hand but Lankari moved out of range.
Lankari dodges the punch combination from Banner.
A little feinted left hand from Lankari on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A head kick misses from Banner.
Banner throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Lankari closes the distance and clinches up with Banner, looking for a takedown. Lankari pushes Banner against the cage but Banner circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Lankari fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A little jabbing left from Banner on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banner throws a body punch but Lankari moves out of range.
Lankari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Banner paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Banner misses with a head kick.
Banner throws a head kick but Lankari moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Banner gets caught flat footed, as Lankari shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Banner takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Banner trying to control the position.
Lankari wants to control from the top but Banner keeps moving.
Banner wants to sweep here but Lankari controlling him for the moment.
Lankari scoring with some ground and pound.
Lankari preventing the sweep.
Lankari passes Banner's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Lankari landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lankari tries to pass the half guard into mount. Banner knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Lankari has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lankari with a couple of short strikes.
Lankari lands with some strikes.
Banner wants to control but Lankari is having none of it.
Lankari lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banner slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Lankari prevents Banner from improving his position.

Lankari is looking for a kimura but Banner is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lankari to get the leverage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Banner manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lankari drops back looking for a leg! Banner is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Banner manages to kick Lankari off! Lankari jumps back into Banner's guard.
Lankari stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Banner swivels though and keeps the full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Banner is on top in guard.

Banner passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Lankari tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Banner wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Banner moves into full mount!
Banner fails to move to back control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Banner is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Banner swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Lankari holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Banner pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lankari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lankari appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bruce Banner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lankari fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hans Lankari. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Lankari darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hans Lankari has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Banner trying to get back to full guard but Lankari takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lankari lands with some strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hans Lankari showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Banner has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bruce Banner!
Bruce Banner really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that V-Mask Clothing (10%) logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.