PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Hooji Banis (ranked 5613 p4p, 0 weight class) and Corki Bagatov (ranked 8829 p4p, 0 weight class). Bagatov has chosen Bing Bong Bing as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Corki Bagatov is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Banis
vs
Bagatov

185 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
19
165 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hooji Banis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Corki Bagatov!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Josh West and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bagatov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Banis closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Banis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Banis appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bagatov throws a shot from downtown. Banis moves away and avoids it.
Banis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
A big right from Bagatov misses.
A jab from Bagatov misses.
Bagatov looks to land a left hand but Banis moved out of range nicely.
Banis blocks a jab.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Banis staying out of range there.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Corki Bagatov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Banis moves away from the strike by Bagatov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bagatov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bagatov with a jab.
Banis blocks a jab.
Bagatov might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagatov throws a looping overhand right but Banis ducks down to avoid it.
It looked like Banis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bagatov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bagatov misses with a hook.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Bagatov misses with an uppercut.
Bagatov lands a nice shot that snaps Banis's head back.
Bagatov misses with a hook. Banis ducked under it nicely.
It looked like Banis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bagatov misses with a looping right.
Bagatov connects with a right hand. Banis shakes it off.
Bagatov misses with an uppercut. Banis saw that one coming.
Banis slips a jab from Bagatov.
Bagatov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Banis.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Banis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Banis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
Bagatov looks to land a left hand but Banis moved out of range nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
Banis drops his hands momentarily and Bagatov takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Bagatov throws a hook but Banis blocks it.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Banis slips under a jab.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Banis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bagatov.
Bagatov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Banis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bagatov misses with an uppercut. Banis saw that one coming.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Banis slips a jab from Bagatov.
Bagatov misses with a looping left.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A big left from Bagatov misses.
Donk. Bagatov catches Banis right on the button with a cross.
Banis ducks under a wild hook from Bagatov.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov throws a looping overhand right but Banis ducks down to avoid it.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Jab by Bagatov.
A jab from Bagatov misses.
A big right from Bagatov misses.
Banis moves out of range as Bagatov strikes.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bagatov cracks Banis with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bagatov throws a looping overhand right but Banis ducks down to avoid it.
Banis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bagatov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bagatov misses with a hook. Banis ducked under it nicely.
Bagatov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Banis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Jab, jab by Bagatov - just one landing.
A slow jab from Bagatov misses its intended target.
It looked like Banis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bagatov is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Banis had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Bagatov loads up on a big right hand but Banis slips the punch.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov misses with a straight right.
Banis has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bagatov finds it's way round the side to connect with Banis's head.
Banis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Bagatov looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Bagatov missing with a left hand there. Banis was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Bagatov looks winded!
A jab from Bagatov misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bagatov misses with a hook. Banis ducked under it nicely.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Banis slips under a jab.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Bagatov throws a shot from downtown. Banis moves away and avoids it.
Banis appears to be looking for a big counter.
Banis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Banis uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bagatov.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov throws a hook but Banis blocks it.
As Bagatov looks to move away, Banis throws a big counter combo but Bagatov just gets out of the way.
A slow jab from Bagatov misses its intended target.
As Bagatov looks to move away, Banis throws a big counter combo but Bagatov just gets out of the way.
Bagatov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corki Bagatov dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Banis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
As Bagatov looks to move away, Banis throws a big counter combo but Bagatov just gets out of the way.
Bagatov paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Banis bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Banis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bagatov.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Banis uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bagatov.
Bagatov has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Banis staying out of range there.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Hooji Banis is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Bagatov connects with a single shot there.
Bagatov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Bagatov misses with a hook. Banis ducked under it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Bagatov finds it's way through Banis's defenses.
Bagatov throws a jab but it's blocked by Banis.
It looked like Banis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
The fighters circling - Bagatov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Bagatov misses with a straight right.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov is breathing heavily.
Banis moves out of range of the strikes.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bagatov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Banis.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
It looked like Banis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A telegraphed right hand from Bagatov misses the target.
Bagatov bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Banis's head.
Banis ducks under a wild hook from Bagatov.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Bagatov throws a jab but it's blocked by Banis.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Banis slips under a jab from Bagatov.
Banis staying out of range there.
Bagatov throws an overhand right that lands on Banis's shoulder, as Banis tries to avoid the shot.
Bagatov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice defenses there by Banis.
Bagatov throws a shot from downtown. Banis moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bagatov throws an overhand right that lands on Banis's shoulder, as Banis tries to avoid the shot.
Bagatov throws a looping overhand right but Banis ducks down to avoid it.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Banis might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Bagatov misses with a hook.
As Bagatov looks to move away, Banis throws a big counter combo but Bagatov just gets out of the way.
Banis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Banis moves out of range as Bagatov strikes.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Bagatov throws an overhand right that lands on Banis's shoulder, as Banis tries to avoid the shot.
Banis slips under a jab from Bagatov.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov misses with a hook. Banis ducked under it nicely.
Bagatov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bagatov works the jab nicely.
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!
Bagatov bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bagatov misses with a looping right.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov throws out a loose jab but Banis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bagatov misses the jab.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Bagatov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Banis appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bagatov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Banis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
Corki Bagatov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Bagatov loads up on a big right hand but Banis slips the punch.
Bagatov misses with a right hand
and Banis counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Banis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
Bagatov throws a jab but it's blocked by Banis.
Banis slips under a jab from Bagatov.
Bagatov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Banis.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Banis displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bagatov throws out the jab.
Bagatov throws a hook but Banis blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Banis appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bagatov throws a hook to the side of Banis's head but Banis sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Banis defending well as Bagatov loads up on a big left hand.
Bagatov throws the left hand but Banis avoids the punch easily.
Bagatov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Banis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Banis slips a jab from Bagatov.
Bagatov looks to land a left hand but Banis moved out of range nicely.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Banis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
As Bagatov looks to move away, Banis throws a big counter combo but Bagatov just gets out of the way.
Banis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Banis ducks under a wild hook from Bagatov.
A slow jab from Bagatov misses its intended target.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov throws an overhand right that lands on Banis's shoulder, as Banis tries to avoid the shot.
Banis appears to be looking for a big counter.
Banis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Corki Bagatov showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A jab from Bagatov misses.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Banis moves out of range of the strikes.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bagatov thows a left - swing and a miss!
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Banis ducks under a wild hook from Bagatov.
Banis ducks under a wild hook from Bagatov.
Bagatov lands with an uppercut that bounces Banis off the cage and back into range.
Banis ducks under a wild hook from Bagatov.
Banis ducks under a wild hook from Bagatov.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
A swing and a miss from Bagatov.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bagatov.
As Bagatov looks to move away, Banis throws a big counter combo but Bagatov just gets out of the way.
Bagatov misses with a looping left.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov throws an overhand right that lands on Banis's shoulder, as Banis tries to avoid the shot.
Bagatov throws out a loose jab but Banis uses good head movement to avoid it.
Banis appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bagatov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A big right from Bagatov misses.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banis steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
Banis ducks under a wild hook from Bagatov.
It looked like Banis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Bagatov misses with an uppercut. Banis saw that one coming.
Bagatov misses with a right hand
and Banis counters with a left and a right that stings Bagatov.
Nice uppercut there from Bagatov.
A swing and a miss from Bagatov.
Bagatov misses with a hook.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov looks to throw the jab but Banis is out of range.
Banis appears to be looking for a big counter.
Banis uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bagatov.
Banis keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bagatov.
Banis moves out of range of the strikes.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Banis defending well as Bagatov loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov throws an overhand right that lands on Banis's shoulder, as Banis tries to avoid the shot.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Banis staying out of range there.
Banis appears to be looking for a big counter.
Bagatov misses with a hook.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A jab from Bagatov misses.
Nice defenses there by Banis.
Bagatov misses with a looping right.
Bagatov misses with a straight right.
Bagatov misses with a hook.
As Bagatov looks to move away, Banis throws a big counter combo but Bagatov just gets out of the way.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Banis slips a jab from Bagatov.
Banis slips under a jab from Bagatov.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Bagatov throws a jab but it's blocked by Banis.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Banis ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Bagatov misses with an uppercut. Banis saw that one coming.
It looked like Banis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Banis.
Banis keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bagatov.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Banis avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Banis defending well as Bagatov loads up on a big left hand.
Bagatov throws a jab but it's blocked by Banis.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Banis ducks under a wild hook from Bagatov.
Bagatov misses with a hook.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Banis.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A telegraphed right hand from Bagatov misses the target.
Banis is looking for a counter combo.
Bagatov loads up on a big right hand but Banis slips the punch.
Bagatov misses with a straight right.
Bagatov loads up on a big right hand but Banis slips the punch.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov throws a hook but Banis blocks it.
It looked like Banis was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bagatov loads up on a big right hand but Banis slips the punch.
As Bagatov looks to move away, Banis throws a big counter combo but Bagatov just gets out of the way.
Nice defenses there by Banis.
Bagatov misses with a hook.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Banis uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Bagatov.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Bagatov looks to throw the jab but Banis is out of range.
Banis went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Bagatov loads up on a big right hand but Banis slips the punch.
Banis blocks a jab.
Bagatov throws a hook but Banis avoids it easily.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Banis blocks a jab.
Bagatov throws an overhand right that lands on Banis's shoulder, as Banis tries to avoid the shot.
Banis throws a big counter combination but Bagatov scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Banis keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bagatov.
Banis ducks under a wild hook from Bagatov.
Banis seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Hooji Banis has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Corki Bagatov is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Banis slips a jab from Bagatov.

And that's the end of the fight!
Corki Bagatov comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bagatov has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 25:30
Judge Josh West scores the fight 24:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Corki Bagatov!
During a confident post fight interview, Corki Bagatov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.