PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lamont Banner (ranked 4301 p4p, 452 weight class) and Herbert Mullin (ranked 6904 p4p, 599 weight class). Lamont Banner is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Banner
vs
Mullin

171 cm
19
160 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
19
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Lamont Banner !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Herbert Mullin!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Daniel Franklin and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mullin tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Banner counters with a nice uppercut.
Mullin jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Banner fails to land with a series of punches.

Banner gets caught napping as Mullin dives in and scores a takedown. Banner manages to retain guard.
Mullin missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Mullin throws a big elbow that misses.
Mullin throwing strikes but missing.
Mullin is pushing down on Banner 's leg trying to pass to half guard. Banner is fighting to maintain full guard but Mullin has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mullin sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Banner defending well though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banner trying to control here.
Mullin thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banner trying to control but Mullin postures up.
Mullin missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Mullin throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Banner trying to control here.
Mullin has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Banner wants to get back to full guard.
Banner 's coaches at Big Bear Fight Factory have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Banner is looking to control Mullin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Banner avoid being mounted?

Banner is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Mullin pulls his head out easily.
Banner might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Banner is looking for a sweep. Mullin is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Banner looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Mullin controlling the action here.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Mullin throws a sloppy head kick and Banner moves out of range easily.
Mullin throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Banner counters with a straight right hand.
Herbert Mullin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mullin throws a solid leg kick but Banner takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Mullin.
A little feinted left hand from Banner on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Banner waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Mullin.
Banner moves out of range as Mullin throws a body kick.
Mullin throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Banner .
Banner keeps the fight on the outside.
Mullin shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Banner counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mullin takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mullin moves out of range of the strikes.
Banner misses with a straight left.
Mullin is looking for the big counter here.
Mullin shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Banner as he jumps to the side.
A jab lands there for Banner .
Mullin closes this distance looking for a takedown but Banner circles away.
Lamont Banner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Herbert Mullin.
Banner defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mullin.
Mullin fails with the takedown.
It looked like Banner wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner throws a lazy uppercut
and Mullin counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Banner thuds his right hand into Mullin's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mullin tries to score a power double leg takedown but Banner sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mullin somewhat.
Mullin throws a sloppy head kick and Banner moves out of range easily.
Banner swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Banner swats away the attempt to clinch by Mullin.
Mullin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Banner closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mullin misses with a two punch combination.
A little feinted left hand from Banner on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Mullin lands a jab to the nose.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Herbert Mullin will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mullin is looking to clinch but Banner is avoiding it.
Herbert Mullin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mullin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Banner is fending him off so far but Mullin persists. Nope, Banner circles away and we're back to standing.
Lamont Banner is winning the standup battle so far.
Banner slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mullin gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Mullin pulls out of a head kick attempt.
It looked like Banner wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Mullin with a poor takedown
and Banner counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Banner throws a jab when Mullin was well out of range.
Banner is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Banner scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mullin in his tracks.

Mullin is rocked!

Mullin clinches.
Mullin is still on wobbly legs! Can Banner finish him?
Mullin blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Banner working aggressively here.
Banner tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Banner is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Banner fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mullin blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mullin seems to have recovered his senses.

Mullin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mullin fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Banner avoids it really well and circles away.
Lamont Banner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Herbert Mullin.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Mullin clinches with his opponent.
Banner throws a head punch that misses.
Banner gets underhooks to prevent Mullin's takedown attempt.
Mullin is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Banner gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Banner is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mullin is trying to push Banner away but Banner has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mullin jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Banner walks away with a smile on his face. Mullin gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Mullin fails with the takedown
and Banner counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mullin looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mullin takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Lamont Banner is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Banner lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Mullin circles away quickly and effectively.
Mullin dives in and grabs Banner 's left leg, looking for a takedown. Banner pushes down on Mullin's head and hops out.
Mullin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Banner throws the left hand but Mullin avoids the punch easily.
Mullin shoots in for a double leg but Banner sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Banner defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Mullin.
Mullin fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mullin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mullin misses with a two punch combination.
Mullin is breathing heavily.
A combination from Banner does no damage.
Mullin is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Mullin dives in for a single leg takedown but Banner sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Banner is looking to counter punch.

Mullin instigates a clinch.
Banner wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Mullin is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Banner to keep the fight standing.

Banner 's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Banner is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mullin can do to turn this around?
Mullin throws a series of punches but Banner moves out of range.
Banner misses with the combination.

Mullin has Banner up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banner taking a breather.
Banner lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Mullin drops down looking for an ankle pick but Banner pulls his leg out and moves away.
Banner scores with a punch to the head.
Banner avoids a kick to the body.
Banner went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Banner missing with a left hand there. Mullin was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Banner misses with a hook.
Mullin slips a jab from Banner .
Banner lands with an uppercut that bounces Mullin off the cage and back into range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lamont Banner dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Mullin closes the distance but Banner moves to the side
and Banner counters with a massive hook, right on the button! He's out cold! Damn, that was naaaaaasty! Hopefully he'll be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Lamont Banner !
An out of breath Lamont Banner thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.