PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Edkins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikhailu Banister (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paul Edkins had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Edkins
vs
Banister

190 cm
25
204 lbs
15 - 7 - 0

193 cm
21
220 lbs
7 - 10 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 15 - 7 - 0, fighting out of London, Paul Edkins!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mikhailu Banister!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Richard Clark and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Banister tries for a takedown but Edkins sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Banister gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Edkins to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Edkins throws a big right hand that misses.

Banister has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Edkins can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Edkins drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Edkins jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Edkins cracks Banister with a solid left hand.

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

Edkins drops back looking for a leg! Banister is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Banister manages to kick Edkins off! Edkins jumps back into Banister's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Edkins trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Edkins forces his way into half guard.

Edkins seems to be working for a kimura but Banister defends the submission attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Edkins is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Banister looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Banister has his hands clasped together around Edkins's back. He's all about the action.
Edkins is thwarting Banister's attempts to control the position.
Edkins has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Banister looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Edkins is working for a kimura but Banister is defending it quite comfortably.
Edkins winds up and cracks Banister with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Banister looking for submissions off his back.
Banister is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Edkins scores with a couple of nice shots.
Edkins throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Banister really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Edkins. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Banister is trying to control but can't.

Edkins is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Banister has managed to free his arm - good work.

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

Banister actively working from the bottom here.
Banister blocking the ground and pound attempt from Edkins.
Banister is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Edkins's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Edkins's back!
Edkins is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Tycoon Gym, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Edkins is really stuck here.
Edkins rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Edkins is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Banister's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Banister's back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Edkins has the rear naked choke here! This is very bad for Banister! Can he survive? No! He's out! Edkins gets to his feet and celebrates with his cornermen. He looks absolutely delighted. In the post fight interviews he takes time to thank his parents and everyone who has believed in him from the start. How sweet.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Paul Edkins!
The defeated Mikhailu Banister had this to say: 'Testing Hiddens'.