PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Eindria Chao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lamont Banner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Chao
vs
Banner

195 cm
28
215 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

185 cm
35
218 lbs
23 - 15 - 1

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Good chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Eindria Chao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Lamont Banner!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Illya Tyunina and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chao just misses with a punch to the body.
Banner fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Chao avoids it really well and circles away.
Chao is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Banner has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Chao is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Banner misses with a few strikes there.

Banner drives through with a takedown into Chao's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Banner drops back looking for a leg! Chao is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Chao manages to kick Banner off! Banner jumps back into Chao's guard.

Banner decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banner with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Chao to score with a decent uppercut.
Banner misses with a two punch combination.
Chao is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Banner avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Banner rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Chao moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
A telegraphed right hand from Chao misses the target.
Banner tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Chao defends well and Banner ends up having to push Chao into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Banner looks winded!
Chao swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Banner throws a counter combo.
Chao tries to clinch but Banner is having none of it.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Chao enables Banner to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Chao manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Banner stopping the sweep attempt from Chao.

Banner stands up from Chao's guard - Banner perhaps looking for a knockout.
Chao throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Banner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Chao is fending him off so far but Banner persists. Nope, Chao circles away and we're back to standing.
Eindria Chao has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lamont Banner.
Chao loads up on a big right hand but Banner slips the punch.
Chao scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Banner doesn't seem bothered though.

Banner looking to score a takedown here. Chao is defending well but Banner drives through and ends up in Chao's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Banner gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Chao misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banner cracks the inside of Chao's front leg.
Banner with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Banner misses with a takedown attempt - Chao sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Banner walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

Banner closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Chao tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Banner wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Chao, who protects the arm well.
Chao tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Banner is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Chao knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Banner is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Chao has escaped the position, nice work there.

Banner is working to tighten his grip on Chao's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Chao has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but Banner is really squeezing tight and eventually Chao passes out! Banner breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Lamont Banner!
During a confident post fight interview, Lamont Banner thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.