PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between John Basilone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nash Banks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nash Banks is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Basilone
vs
Banks

169 cm
22
155 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

169 cm
22
150 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, John Basilone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nash Banks!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Chad Campbell and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banks lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
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 Basilone has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Basilone and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A nice leg kick lands there from Banks.
Banks lands with a good body shot.
Banks lands a glancing blow to the side of Basilone's head.
An inside leg kick from Banks misses.
A low kick from Banks misses
and Basilone counters with a straight right hand.
Banks lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Banks.
Basilone moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Basilone lands a jab to the nose.
Basilone scores with a jab. Banks acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Banks lands with a shot to the body.
Banks looks to score with a jab to the body but Basilone is just out of range.
Basilone appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Banks ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Basilone moves away.
Basilone just misses with a punch to the body.
Banks tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks throws the left hand but Basilone avoids the punch easily.
Banks dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A nice combination there by Basilone.
Basilone listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nash Banks seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Basilone staying out of range there.
Banks avoids the body shot from Basilone.
Banks tried to score with a low kick but Basilone checks it.
Banks takes one on the button.
Basilone slips under a jab from Banks.
Basilone appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Banks throws a body shot but no joy.
Basilone scores with a jab.
Banks lands a right hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Banks's jab looks to have found its range, popping Basilone under the eye.
Banks tries to work over Basilone's front leg with a kick but Basilone checks it.
Banks lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks jabs Basilone to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Basilone takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Banks throws a hook but Basilone avoids it easily.
Banks moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Basilone keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Banks throws a right hand that misses

and Basilone counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Basilone throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Banks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Banks is trying to keep Basilone in close.
Banks wants to stand up but Basilone is controlling him.
Basilone landing with the ground and pound.
Banks pulls Basilone in close to his closed guard and prevents Basilone from doing any damage or advancing position.
Basilone trying to control but Banks is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks wants to get back to his feet but Basilone is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Basilone throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Banks works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Basilone not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Basilone throwing strikes but missing.
Banks wants to stand up but Basilone is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Basilone in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Basilone accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Banks is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Basilone is controlling him.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Basilone closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Basilone misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Basilone is looking to take a break and control but Banks is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Basilone in side control, throwing shots but Banks defends.
Banks sneaks back into half guard.
Basilone thows a huge punch but Banks dodges it nicely.
Basilone trying to control from half guard but Banks is working away.
Banks is looking to escape.
Banks wants to get back to full guard.
Banks felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Banks is trying to stand up here but Basilone is controlling him well.
Banks avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Basilone.
Basilone not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Banks is looking to control Basilone's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Banks avoid being mounted?
Basilone prevents Banks from standing back up.
Basilone lands with a punch from half guard.
Basilone is trying to control the action in half guard but Banks is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Basilone tries to pass to full mount but Banks defends it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John Basilone will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Banks lands with a good body shot.
Banks looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Basilone is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Banks's half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Banks manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Basilone working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Banks's head.
Basilone trying to control but Banks is working from the bottom.
Banks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Banks preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Basilone throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Basilone postures up in Banks's guard and throws a big left but Banks blocks it.
Banks wants to stand and escape but Basilone is having none of it.
Basilone controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Banks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Basilone.
Basilone throws a big elbow that misses.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Banks is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks tries to stand but Basilone is controlling from the bottom.
Basilone managing to control the position.
Banks would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Banks stopping the sweep attempt from Basilone.
Basilone has Banks pulled in close to control his posture.
Basilone 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Banks wants to stand but Basilone is controlling his posture from full guard.
Banks is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Banks is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Basilone rather than just go for the knockout.
Banks cracks the inside of Basilone's front leg.
Banks misses with a hook.
Basilone throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Banks on the side of the head.
Banks does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Banks throws a shot from downtown. Basilone moves away and avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Basilone darts in looking for a takedown but Banks gets double underhooks and turns Basilone into the cage.
Basilone misses with a wild body shot.
Banks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Basilone.
Banks throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Banks leaves Basilone with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nash Banks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A telegraphed right hand from Basilone misses the target.
Banks throws a hook to the side of Basilone's head but Basilone sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Basilone was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Banks tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Basilone is able to avoid easily.
Basilone is looking for a counter combo.
Banks misses with a looping right.
Banks slips under a jab from Basilone.
Nice cross by Basilone.
Basilone is trying hard to land a takedown here. Banks sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Basilone. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banks looks to throw the jab but Basilone is out of range.
Basilone misses with a looping left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Banks.
Banks uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Basilone has time to react.
Banks fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Basilone is looking to counter punch.
Banks swings for the body but Basilone moves out of range.
Banks bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Basilone's head backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banks will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Basilone closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Basilone lands in his opponent's guard.
Basilone lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Banks wants to stand but Basilone is controlling the position.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!

Banks uses the cage to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nash Banks showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Banks throws a hook to the side of Basilone's head but Basilone sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
It looks like Basilone has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Banks throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Basilone stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Banks throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Basilone counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A telegraphed right hand from Banks misses the target.
Banks throws an off balance right hand
and Basilone counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Basilone throws a hook but Banks avoids it easily.
Banks feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Basilone's calf.
Basilone with a poor takedown
and Banks counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Basilone is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Banks uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Basilone.
Basilone misses with a straight left.
Basilone throws a jab when Banks was well out of range.
Banks throws out a counter right but Basilone avoids it with no problem.
Nash Banks seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A looping hook to the body misses from Banks. Basilone does a little dance to reset his feet.
Banks is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Basilone.
Banks swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Basilone fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks misses with a straight left.

Basilone feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Banks is looking to stand up but Basilone isn't so interested in that idea.
Basilone trying to control but Banks is working from the bottom.
Basilone prevents Banks from getting back to his feet.
Basilone wants to control from the top but Banks keeps moving.
Banks working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Basilone.
Basilone is looking to work some ground and pound but Banks has wrist control.
Basilone with a flurry of punches that miss.
Banks wants to stand and escape but Basilone is having none of it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Basilone misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Basilone. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Basilone swings widly with a right hand
and Banks counters with a straight right hand.
Basilone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Banks manages to avoid it.
Banks tests Basilone's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Basilone checks a leg kick.
Basilone changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Banks tries to avoid it but Basilone manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Banks to the ground. Banks escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Banks looks to land a left hand but Basilone moved out of range nicely.
Banks steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Basilone.
Banks lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Basilone at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Basilone lands a nice hook to Banks's body. Banks takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Basilone shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Basilone throws an off balance right hand
and Banks counters with a stiff right hand.
Basilone moves out of range of the leg kick from Banks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Basilone eats them both and turns towards Banks to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Basilone slips under a jab.
Basilone feinted with a counter takedown.
Banks smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Basilone looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Banks is fending him off so far but Basilone persists. Nope, Banks circles away and we're back to standing.
Banks throws an overhand right that lands on Basilone's shoulder, as Basilone tries to avoid the shot.
Banks throws a body shot but no joy.
Basilone drops down looking for a counter takedown but Banks sprawls and moves away.
Banks moves away from the strike by Basilone.
Banks throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Basilone throws a combination. Banks tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Banks throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Banks cracks Basilone with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Basilone's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Banks connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Basilone scrambles back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banks moves away from the strike by Basilone.
Banks throws a counter combo.
Banks misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Banks. Basilone does a little dance to reset his feet.
Banks throws out a leg kick but Basilone moves out of range and Banks only half commits.
Basilone with a lazy takedown attempt
and Banks connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Basilone slips a jab from Banks.
Banks tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Basilone is able to avoid easily.
Banks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jab by Banks.
Banks scores with a hook.
Basilone throws a combination. Banks tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Banks tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Basilone is able to avoid easily.
Basilone slips a straight right by Banks.
Basilone waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Banks.
A punch combination from Banks misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nash Banks comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Banks 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 Anthony Taglia scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nash Banks!