PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between James Monroe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Banker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Banker has chosen Voodoo as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Monroe
vs
Banker

203 cm
21
220 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

175 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Butchered Fight Wear

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, James Monroe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Steve Banker!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Colin Fotheringham and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monroe thumps Banker with a low kick.
Banker throws a leg kick that misses.
Monroe wants to clinch.
Banker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Banker misses with a wild body shot.
No joy there for Banker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Banker looks for the body kick but Monroe saw that one coming.
Banker swats away the attempt to clinch by Monroe.
A low kick from Banker is predictable there
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Banker misses with a straight right.
Monroe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Some wild striking there from Banker.
Monroe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Monroe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Banker swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Monroe scores with a head kick.

It looks like Steve Banker has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Monroe wants to clinch.
Monroe sets himself and throws a head kick that knocks Banker to the ground! Monroe dives into full mount looking to finish!

Banker is rocked!
Monroe looking to control but Banker is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banker is working to get back to half guard.
Banker tries to lock up and control but Monroe gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Banker sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Banker wants to control but Monroe is keeping busy.
Monroe slows the pace down in half guard.
Banker is trying to stand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Monroe wants to lay and pray for a moment but Banker keeps working.
Monroe is thwarting Banker's attempts to control the position.
Banker slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Monroe has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Banker had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Monroe is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Banker Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Monroe's back instead.

Banker is looking for the choke from the back position but Monroe is controlling his hands well.
Banker looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banker doesn't have the hooks in and Monroe manages to turn into his guard.

Banker throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Monroe escapes and throws Banker's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Banker tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Monroe working away.
Banker trying his best to control but Monroe has mounted him.
Banker tries to hold on but Monroe postures up.
Banker is in all sorts of trouble here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Monroe will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Banker bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Banker sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Monroe's guard.

Banker is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Banker wants to stand up but Monroe has a hold of him and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Monroe dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Banker's cut.
That's time! Monroe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Monroe doesn't manage to clinch there - Banker circles away.
Steve Banker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Monroe closes the distance and pushes Banker back into the cage.
Banker tries to pull guard but Monroe holds him up against the cage and eventually Banker drops back down to his feet.

Banker breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Banker shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Monroe's guard.
Banker working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Banker wants to control from the top but Monroe keeps moving.
Banker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Banker looking to sit in guard and control but Monroe gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Banker working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Monroe has passed into half guard!
Banker is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Banker is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Monroe pulls his head out easily.

Banker looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Banker keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Monroe is controlling the pace.

That's two 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.

Monroe decides to stand up.
Monroe tries to close the distance and clinch but Banker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A head kick from Monroe lands but Banker takes it in his stride.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Banker shoots in but Monroe avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Monroe is looking to clinch but Banker is avoiding it.
Banker lands a right hook to the body.
Banker throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Some wild striking there from Banker.
Banker throws the kick towards the body but Monroe avoids it.
Monroe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banker tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Monroe was well out of range. Poor timing from Banker.
Steve Banker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Banker scores with a jab to the body.
Banker missing with a left hand there. Monroe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Banker will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Monroe stuffs the takedown attempt from Banker. Banker gets slowly back to his feet.
James Monroe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Banker.
Monroe misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Banker throws a hook to the side of Monroe's head but Monroe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Banker decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Banker is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Banker lands strikes from half guard.

Banker is looking for a kimura but Monroe is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Banker to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Monroe is defending against the submission attempts here by Banker.
Monroe wants to get back to his feet.
Banker tries to stand but can't do so whilst Monroe controls his leg.

Banker is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Monroe doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Banker.
Banker is stalling here. Monroe is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Banker seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Monroe has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Steve Banker will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Steve Banker's cut.
That's time! 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.

A leg kick checked by Monroe.
Banker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Monroe feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Banker's calf.
Monroe wants to clinch.
Banker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Monroe tries to clinch up.
Banker shoots in and drives through. Monroe sprawls well.
Monroe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Banker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Monroe manages to avoid it.
Banker throws the left hand but Monroe avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Monroe gets a clinch.
Monroe using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Banker has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Banker tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Monroe smiles and moves away.
Monroe connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Monroe lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banker throws a chopping leg kick but Monroe manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Banker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Monroe tries to clinch but Banker is having none of it.
A head kick misses from Monroe.
Banker throws a leg kick which misses Monroe's front leg but catches the back leg as Monroe tries to avoid it.
Banker throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Monroe's waist but Monroe gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Banker off to one side.
James Monroe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Banker.
Banker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Monroe sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Banker gets the takedown into side control.

Banker goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Monroe has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Banker but great work by Monroe.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Monroe decides to stand back up.
Monroe moves out of range as Banker strikes.
Banker tries to bum rush Monroe with a series of wild strikes but Monroe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Monroe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Banker paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Monroe lands with a right hand.
Banker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A head kick by Banker misses
and Monroe counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banker has a takedown stuffed.
Monroe wants to clinch up but Banker keeps it at a distance.
Monroe tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Banker looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Monroe is fending him off so far but Banker persists. Nope, Monroe circles away and we're back to standing.
Monroe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Monroe throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Banker.
Banker tries to land a front kick but Monroe steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Monroe darts in and clinches Banker up against the cage.
Monroe with a knee to the head.
Banker wants a takedown.
Banker jumps guard but Monroe stands there with Banker around his waist. Banker gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Banker tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Banker tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Monroe smiles and moves away.
Monroe tries to clinch up but Banker circles away and keeps his distance.
Banker tries to work over Monroe's front leg with a kick but Monroe checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monroe lands with a slapping head kick.
Banker throws a hook to the side of Monroe's head but Monroe sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Banker misses with a few strikes there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Monroe looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Banker is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Banker checks a low kick from Monroe.
Monroe moves out of range of the strikes.
Monroe moves out of range as Banker throws a body kick.
Banker looks to land a combination but Monroe avoids it well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Monroe looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Banker takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Banker swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Monroe connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Nice sprawl there from Monroe as Banker shoots in.
Monroe scores with a leg kick.
Monroe checks a low kick from Banker.
James Monroe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Banker shoots in for a double leg but Monroe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Monroe has Banker up against the cage in a clinch.
Monroe with a knee to the head.
Banker fails to pull guard.
Banker tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Banker tries to pull guard but Monroe holds him up against the cage and eventually Banker drops back down to his feet.
Monroe scores a nice knee to the body.
Banker is trying to drag Monroe to the mat but Monroe just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Monroe unloads a knee to the mid-section. Banker lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Monroe with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Banker has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Monroe avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A knee to the head by Monroe.
Monroe throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Banker blocks it with crossed arms.
Banker jumps guard but Monroe stands there with Banker around his waist. Banker gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Banker jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Monroe walks away with a smile on his face. Banker gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Banker circles away from the clinch attempt.

Banker darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Banker is looking to take a break and control but Monroe is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Monroe showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Monroe has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 William Gold scores the fight for James Monroe!
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight for James Monroe!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for James Monroe!

James Monroe wins by unanimous decision!