PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Shane Weiss (ranked 7363 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zach Banoe (ranked 5982 p4p, 0 weight class). Zach Banoe has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Shane Weiss's chin.

Weiss
vs
Banoe

155 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

175 cm
25
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Shane Weiss!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Zach Banoe!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Banoe pushes Weiss up against the cage in a clinch.
Weiss tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Weiss throws an elbow but it misses.
Banoe tries to pull guard but Weiss forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Banoe is trying to pull guard but Weiss turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Banoe pulls guard.
Banoe looking to control.
Weiss stops Banoe from standing up.
Weiss keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Banoe's head.
Weiss scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Weiss postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Weiss connects with a couple of short punches.

Weiss gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Weiss closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Banoe's guard.

Banoe manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Zach Banoe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Banoe throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Banoe has Weiss up against the cage in a clinch.
Banoe blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banoe jumps guard but Weiss stands there with Banoe around his waist. Banoe gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Shane Weiss has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Banoe.
Weiss throws an elbow that misses.
Banoe is trying to pull guard but Weiss has him pressed against the cage.
Banoe blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Banoe can't get the takedown.
Weiss has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Banoe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Banoe has Weiss up against the cage in a clinch.
Banoe blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Weiss throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Banoe blocks it with crossed arms.
Weiss could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Weiss can't break the clinch.

Weiss successfully pulls guard.
Weiss lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Weiss stands up over Banoe, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Weiss would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Weiss gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Weiss gets tackled into the cage by Banoe. Banoe maintains the clinch.
Weiss gets underhooks to prevent Banoe's takedown attempt.
Weiss creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Banoe is pressed up against the cage. Weiss has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Banoe down to the mat. Banoe avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Banoe has taken the fight to the clinch.
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!
Weiss drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Banoe gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Banoe crunches a lovely knee into Weiss's ribcage.

Banoe manages to break the clinch.

Weiss gets tackled into the cage by Banoe. Banoe maintains the clinch.
Banoe jumps guard but Weiss stands there with Banoe around his waist. Banoe gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Weiss wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banoe lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Banoe is trying to pull guard but Weiss has him pressed against the cage.
Weiss wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Weiss is trying to trip Banoe. He has hold of a leg but Banoe is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Weiss persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Banoe has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Weiss is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Banoe blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Weiss is breathing heavily.
Weiss swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Weiss takes an elbow to the forehead.

Banoe decides to pull guard.
Banoe is looking to stand up but Weiss isn't so interested in that idea.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Weiss keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Banoe's head.
Weiss working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Banoe's head.
Weiss is looking to stand up but Banoe won't let him.
Weiss is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
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.
Weiss wants to stand but Banoe is controlling his posture from full guard.

Banoe kicks Weiss off and gets to his feet.
Banoe throws a wild body kick that Weiss sees coming a mile off.

Banoe has closed the distance and engaged Weiss in a clinch.
Banoe avoids a wild elbow strike from Weiss.
Banoe is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Weiss pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Weiss gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Banoe.
Banoe tries to circle away but Weiss has him pinned against the cage.
Banoe avoids a wild elbow strike from Weiss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Zach Banoe will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Banoe rushes Weiss and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Banoe is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Banoe scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Banoe working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Banoe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Weiss tries to score a body lock takedown but Banoe shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Banoe goes for a takedown attempt but Weiss pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Banoe swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Weiss gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Banoe tries to pull guard but Weiss won't allow it.
Shane Weiss has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Banoe.
Weiss drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Weiss tries to pull guard but Banoe won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Weiss jumps guard and drags Banoe to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Banoe trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Banoe wanted to stand there but Weiss had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Weiss looking to control.
Weiss looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Weiss 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.
Weiss has his hands on Banoe's head, controlling the position.
Banoe tries to free his leg and advance position but Weiss is retaining full guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

That's two 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.
Weiss controlling Banoe's posture.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Weiss darts in and clinches Banoe up against the cage.

Banoe decides to pull guard.
Banoe is looking to stand up but Weiss isn't so interested in that idea.
Weiss with a nice head shot there.

Banoe is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Weiss jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Banoe walks away with a smile on his face. Weiss gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Weiss gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Banoe is trying to drag Weiss to the mat but Weiss just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Banoe is breathing heavily.
Banoe is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banoe tries to pull guard but Weiss won't allow it.
Banoe drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Weiss gets the underhooks and prevents it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Weiss has Banoe pressed against the cage.
Weiss lands an elbow inside.

Banoe drags the fight down to the ground.

Banoe is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Weiss is aware though and is defending well.
Weiss content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Weiss's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Weiss landing some decent shots from guard.
Weiss with a nice head shot there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Weiss postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Weiss might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Banoe is working an open guard so Weiss takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Weiss cracks a nice hook into Banoe's ribs.

Weiss pushes Banoe up against the cage in a clinch.

Weiss pulls guard successfully.
Shane Weiss overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Weiss has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Banoe off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
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!

Weiss gets a clinch.

Weiss has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Banoe clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Weiss working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Banoe fending off the submission attempt from Weiss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shane Weiss dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Weiss doesn't manage to clinch there - Banoe circles away.

Banoe has managed to clinch.
Banoe prevents the takedown attempt.
Banoe jumps guard but Weiss stands there with Banoe around his waist. Banoe gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Banoe is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Banoe.
Weiss is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Banoe to keep the fight standing.
Weiss looking to stall.
Weiss's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banoe tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Weiss smiles and moves away.
Weiss swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Banoe throws a lazy head kick
and Weiss counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Banoe closes the distance and pushes Weiss back into the cage.
Banoe tries to pull guard but Weiss forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Shane Weiss has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Zach Banoe.
Banoe takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Banoe avoids a wild elbow strike from Weiss.

Weiss has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Banoe regains guard immediately.

Banoe is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Weiss presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Banoe jumps guard but Weiss turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Weiss has Banoe pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Banoe manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Banoe prevents a takedown attempt there.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Banoe.
Banoe cracks Weiss with a nice body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Weiss is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banoe avoids the elbow strike from Weiss, against the cage.
Banoe holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Weiss is trying to force a seperation but Banoe has the dominant position.
Weiss swings wildly with an uppercut but Banoe uses good head movement to avoid it.
Banoe blocks an elbow strike from Weiss.

Weiss pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Zach Banoe is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Banoe misses with a head kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Banoe lands a nice uppercut.
Weiss tries to stall but Banoe uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Banoe prevents a body shot from Weiss.

Banoe manages to pull guard.
Weiss postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Weiss stops Banoe from standing up.
Weiss throws a strike but Banoe rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Weiss wants to stand and escape but Banoe is having none of it.
Banoe tries to free his leg and advance position but Weiss is retaining full guard.
Weiss pulls Banoe in close to his closed guard and prevents Banoe from doing any damage or advancing position.

Banoe stands and steps away. Weiss gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Weiss is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banoe jabs Weiss to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Banoe instigates a clinch.
Weiss tries to throw a body punch but Banoe avoids it by throwing Weiss back against the cage.

Weiss manages to pull guard.
Weiss lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Weiss scoring with some ground and pound.
Weiss missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Banoe is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Weiss wants to stand and escape but instead Banoe has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Weiss manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Zach Banoe.
I think Banoe has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Zach Banoe!
A very excited looking Zach Banoe made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.