PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Izzy Beast (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonathan Banks (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.

Beast
vs
Banks

170 cm
19
159 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

170 cm
22
155 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Izzy Beast!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Jonathan Banks!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Andrew Berry and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy left from Beast finds it's target.
Banks closes the distance but Beast moves to the side
and Beast counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Banks shoots in and drives through. Beast sprawls well.
Banks tries to clinch up but Beast circles away and keeps his distance.
Beast lands an overhand right.
Banks takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Beast looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A slapping leg kick lands for Beast.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Banks shoots in for a double leg but Beast sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Banks tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Beast manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Beast lands a nice leg kick that just misses Banks's sensitive parts.
Banks moves in looking to clinch but Beast pushes him off.
Banks tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Banks takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Banks tries to clinch there but Beast circles away.
A slapping leg kick lands for Beast.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Banks tries to clinch there but Beast circles away.

Banks has managed to clinch.
Beast blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Beast can't find room to land a body shot as Banks controls the action.
Banks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Beast lands with a light punch inside.

Beast breaks the clinch.
Banks tries to clinch up but Beast circles away and keeps his distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Beast stuns Banks with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Banks moves out of range as Beast strikes.
Banks takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Banks fails in his attempt to clinch.
Beast swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Good standup being displayed there by Beast as he connects with a hook.
Beast scores with a kick to the midsection.

Banks fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Beast, pushing him back against the cage.
Beast misses with a punch to the body.
Banks working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Banks with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Banks misses with some punches.
Banks displaying some good clinch control by pressing Beast up against the cage.
Banks misses with a punch on the inside.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nice body punch from Beast - that landed with a thud.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Banks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Beast.
Beast lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Banks told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Beast has a couple of punches blocked by Banks.
A right handed body shot lands from Beast.

Beast breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Beast throws a quick inside leg kick.
Banks tries to clinch but Beast is having none of it.
Beast misses with a head kick.
Banks is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Banks fails with an attempt to clinch.
Beast fires out a quick counter leg kick but Banks just manages to avoid it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Beast tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Beast stalling against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Beast.
Banks blocks a body shot from Beast.
Beast tries a body shot but Banks blocks it.
Beast softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Banks is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beast misses with a punch to the body.
Banks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Beast throws a punch but it's blocked by Banks.
Beast misses with some punches.
Still in the clinch, Banks scores with a nice short uppercut.
Banks gets through Beast's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Beast blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Beast lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Banks.
Beast misses with a body punch.
Beast tries a body shot but Banks blocks it.
Beast misses with a punch on the inside.
Banks misses with a punch on the inside.
Banks misses with the head strike.
Beast goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Beast misses with a punch on the inside.
Beast misses with the head strike.
Beast scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Banks lands with a short shot to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Banks.
Banks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Banks as the two fighters clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Beast tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Banks's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Beast.
Beast blocks an uppercut.
Beast blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Beast digs a right hand into Banks's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Banks's gas tank.
A head punch on the inside from Beast fails to land.
Banks swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A short right from Banks on the inside.
Beast tries to throw a body punch but Banks avoids it by throwing Beast back against the cage.
Beast is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Beast misses with the head strike.
Banks working aggressively here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Beast takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Beast.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Banks blocks an uppercut.
Beast tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Banks scores with a shot to the side of Beast's head.
Banks blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Izzy Beast dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Beast throws a body punch but Banks moves out of range.
Beast swats away the attempt to clinch by Banks.
Beast moves into range and connects with a jab.
Banks looks to land a left hand but Beast moved out of range nicely.
Banks tries to clinch but Beast is having none of it.
Banks takes one to the side of the head.
Banks doesn't manage to clinch there - Beast circles away.
Beast feinted there with a counter leg kick.
A head kick misses from Beast.
Banks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Beast lands with a thumping leg kick.

Beast gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Banks blocks an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Beast tries a body shot but Banks blocks it.
A short body shot lands from Banks as the two fighters clinch.

Banks breaks from the clinch.
Izzy Beast is winning the standup battle so far.
Banks on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Beast. Beast obviously looking to wear him down.

Banks closes the distance and pushes Beast back into the cage.
Beast lands with a short punch from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Beast throws a punch but it's blocked by Banks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Beast misses with the head strike.
Beast fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Banks scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Beast goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Beast misses with a hook to the ribs.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Banks.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Beast.
A head punch on the inside from Beast fails to land.
Beast is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Banks can do to turn this around?
Beast swings wildly with an uppercut but Banks uses good head movement to avoid it.
Banks tries to pull guard but Beast holds him up against the cage and eventually Banks drops back down to his feet.
Banks tries a knee to the head but Beast blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Banks fails to land.
Banks throws a head punch that misses.
Beast misses with a body punch.
Beast has a couple of punches blocked by Banks.
Beast lands a nice uppercut.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Beast.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks working aggressively here.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Beast.
Beast tries a body shot but Banks blocks it.
Beast tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Banks's elbow.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Beast.
Banks scores with an uppercut up the middle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Beast.
Beast works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Banks throws a head punch that misses.
Beast wants to get back to striking at distance but Banks won't allow it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Beast lands a hook to the side of the head.
Beast lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Banks.
Beast holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Beast lands a shoulder strike.
Beast lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Beast tries a body shot but Banks blocks it.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Beast tries to throw a body punch but Banks avoids it by throwing Beast back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Beast goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Beast misses with a hook from the clinch.
A body shot lands from Banks.
A short left from Beast.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Banks.
Banks lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Banks presses Beast against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Banks lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Beast.
Beast lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Izzy Beast has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Beast misses with a hook to the ribs.
Beast working aggressively here.
Beast blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Banks's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Banks clinches up with Beast and pushes him back against the cage.
Banks has a couple of punches blocked by Beast.
Banks prevents a body shot from Beast.
Beast blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Banks tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice right hand lands inside from Banks.
Banks misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks misses with some punches.
Beast misses with some punches.
Banks working aggressively here.
Beast blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A left hand lands to the body for Banks.
Banks blocking some punches.

Beast breaks from the clinch.

Banks pushes Beast up against the cage in a clinch.
Banks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Banks lands a left hand.
Banks tries to stall but Beast uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Beast tries a body shot but Banks blocks it.

Banks decides to pull guard.
Banks looking to control.
Banks is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Banks seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

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.

That was a close second round but I would say that Izzy Beast will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Banks tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Beast cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Banks clinches up with Beast and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Beast.
Beast misses with a short punch on the inside.

Banks has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Beast uses from the top position.
Beast's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Beast looking to pass the guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Banks can do anything to dispel that myth.
Banks can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Beast controls the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banks pulls Beast in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks is looking to stand up but Beast isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Beast throws a good cross that connects.

Banks has managed to clinch.
Beast lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Banks.
Beast leaning his opponent against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Beast.
Beast lands with a left to the head.
Beast blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Beast works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Beast digs a right hand into Banks's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Banks's gas tank.
Beast lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Beast lands a shoulder strike.
Jonathan Banks has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks lands a left hand.
Banks tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Banks struggles to land a body shot inside as Beast controls his hands.
Beast throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bankss head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Beast lands with a light punch inside.
Banks leaning his opponent against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Beast.
Banks looking to stall.
Banks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Beast tries to throw a body punch but Banks avoids it by throwing Beast back against the cage.
Beast misses with a punch to the body.
Banks blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Beast has a couple of punches blocked by Banks.
Banks swings wildly with an uppercut but Beast uses good head movement to avoid it.
Banks has a couple of punches blocked by Beast.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Beast misses with a body punch.
Banks lands a right hand.
Beast blocking some punches.
Banks misses with the head strike.
Beast misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Beast tries to work over Banks's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Banks fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Beast blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Banks blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Beast tries a body shot but Banks blocks it.
Nice body punch from Beast - that landed with a thud.
Banks working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Banks misses with some punches.
Banks working aggressively here.
Banks misses with a hook from the clinch.
Beast tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Banks fails to land.
Beast misses with some punches.
Banks tries to work over Beast's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Beast is working Banks over against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Beast softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Beast lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Banks backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Beast tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Beast blocking some punches.
Banks pushes Beast back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Banks lands a right hand.

Banks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Beast digs a good hook to Banks's body.
Banks tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Beast manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Banks tries to clinch up.

Banks takes the fight into the clinch.
Beast has a couple of punches blocked by Banks.
A short right from Beast on the inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Beast.
Beast throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Bankss head.
Still in the clinch, Banks scores with a nice short uppercut.
Banks lands on the inside with an uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Izzy Beast.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Beast, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 29:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Izzy Beast!