PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Stephen Banks (ranked 6596 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arc Arcson (ranked 6594 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Banks
vs
Arcson

223 cm
22
151 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
23
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Stephen Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Arc Arcson!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Arcson is defended easily by Banks.
Arcson shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Banks pinned against the cage. Banks gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Banks throws a big counter combination but Arcson scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.

Banks has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banks scores with a shot to the side of Arcson's head.
Banks throws an elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Arcson tries to pull guard but Banks won't allow it.
Stephen Banks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Arc Arcson.
Arcson tries a body shot but Banks blocks it.
Arcson wants a takedown but no success here.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Arcson takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Arcson stalling the fight.
Banks wants a takedown.

Arcson drags the fight down to the ground.
Banks tries to stand but Arcson is controlling from the bottom.
Arcson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banks is working Arcson over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Banks wants to stand but Arcson has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Banks drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Arcson manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Banks has Arcson in his guard.

Banks is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Arcson won't allow Banks to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banks 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.
Banks is looking to sweep but instead, Arcson has passed into half guard.
Banks gets back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks pulls Arcson in to control the position.
Arcson tries to free his leg and advance position but Banks is retaining full guard.
Arcson trying to control the position from guard on top but Banks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Banks is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Arcson is controlling him.
Banks keeping moving, preventing Arcson from controlling successfully.
Arcson being controlled here momentarily.
Banks continues to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Arcson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Banks keeping moving, preventing Arcson from controlling successfully.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Arcson tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Banks defends well and Arcson ends up having to push Banks into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Banks really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Arcson lands a jab to Banks's midsection.
A good leg kick by Arcson.
Horrible takedown attempt by Arcson or perhaps it was just good defense by Banks, which made it look bad.
Banks tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Arcson manages to circle out of the way.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Arcson shoots in but no luck this time.
It looked like Banks was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Arcson shoots for a double leg takedown but Banks sprawls well. He's pushed Arcson's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
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 Stephen Banks will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Arcson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Banks moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Arc Arcson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banks shoots for a takedown but Arcson saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Arcson tries a head kick but it misses.

Arcson moves into the clinch.
Banks avoiding damage as Arcson throws knees to the body.
Banks wants a takedown but no success here.
Banks is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Arcson gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Stephen Banks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arcson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Banks fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Arcson darts in looking for a takedown but Banks gets double underhooks and turns Arcson into the cage.

Banks bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Banks wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Arcson, who protects the arm well.

Banks stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Banks will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Arcson throws a body kick that misses.
Banks appears to be looking for a big counter.
Arcson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Arcson is breathing heavily.

Arcson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Banks, pushing him back against the cage.
Arcson tries to land a knee to the head but Banks blocks with his arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Arcson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Arcson has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Banks after a bit of a struggle.
Banks looking to throw knees to the head but Arcson is blocking nicely.
A bit of stalling here from Arcson.

Banks lands a takedown into guard.
Banks lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Arcson is trying to keep Banks in close.

Banks stands up from Arcson's guard - Banks perhaps looking for a knockout.

Banks scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Banks is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Arcson has escaped the position, nice work there.
Banks connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Arcson some visible discomfort.
Arcson is looking to reverse the position.

Banks is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Arcson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Arcson taking a bit of punishment here - Banks scoring with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Banks has hold of Arcson's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Arcson tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Banks cranks the arm and Arcson screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Arcson, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:38 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Stephen Banks!