PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ryan Banks (ranked 4682 p4p, 3819 weight class) and Kirk Fitzpatrick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Ryan Banks has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Banks
vs
Fitzpatrick

178 cm
21
155
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
23
145
4 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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, Ryan Banks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kirk Fitzpatrick!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Percy O'Donnell and Timothy Bukovac.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzpatrick shoots for a double leg takedown but Banks sprawls well. He's pushed Fitzpatrick's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Banks.
Banks throws a left and a right that both miss

and Fitzpatrick counters with a shoot takedown. Banks fights it but they end up in guard.
Banks looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Fitzpatrick puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Banks on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Banks is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Banks is trying to stand up here but Fitzpatrick is controlling him well.
Fitzpatrick not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Fitzpatrick has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Los Angeles. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Banks is looking to improve his position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banks controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Banks is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Banks looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Fitzpatrick is trying to work for a kimura but Banks is defending well.
Banks trying to control but Fitzpatrick postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Banks is trying to stand back up but Fitzpatrick is controlling him
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Banks desperately trying to maintain half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Banks throws a sloppy head kick and Fitzpatrick moves out of range easily.
Banks throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Fitzpatrick's waist but Fitzpatrick gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Banks off to one side.
Fitzpatrick appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Banks is breathing heavily.
Fitzpatrick keeps the fight on the outside.

Fitzpatrick shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Fitzpatrick seems to be looking for submissions.
Banks gets back to full guard.
Fitzpatrick wants to control from the top but Banks keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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

Banks trying to control the position from guard on top but Fitzpatrick is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Fitzpatrick is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Fitzpatrick keeping moving, preventing Banks from controlling successfully.
Banks throws a big right hand that misses.
Banks engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Fitzpatrick trying to control the position here.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kirk Fitzpatrick dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Banks tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fitzpatrick sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Banks somewhat.
Banks fails with the takedown

and Fitzpatrick counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Fitzpatrick postures up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Banks is on top in guard.

Fitzpatrick utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banks trying to control but Fitzpatrick is working from the bottom.
Fitzpatrick tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Fitzpatrick is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Banks defends well.
Fitzpatrick has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fitzpatrick is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Fitzpatrick is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Banks is working hard here to advance position.
Kirk Fitzpatrick has got the better of the ground game so far.
Banks is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Fitzpatrick pulls Banks in to control the position.
Banks trying to control but Fitzpatrick is working from the bottom.
Banks wants to stand but Fitzpatrick has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Fitzpatrick is controlling Banks's posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Banks tries to close the distance and clinch up but Fitzpatrick swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kirk Fitzpatrick seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Banks closes the distance and pushes Fitzpatrick back into the cage.
Banks effectively controlling the action here.
Banks is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Banks stops a takedown attempt from Fitzpatrick.

Fitzpatrick gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Banks is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Fitzpatrick presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Banks goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fitzpatrick prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ryan Banks. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Banks fails to pull guard.
Banks stalling against the cage.
Banks is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Fitzpatrick to keep the fight standing.
Banks tries for a takedown but Fitzpatrick manages to get underhooks.
Banks stops a takedown attempt from Fitzpatrick.
Banks prevents the takedown attempt.
Fitzpatrick prevents Banks from breaking the clinch.

Fitzpatrick gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Banks regains guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Banks keeping moving, preventing Fitzpatrick from controlling successfully.

Fitzpatrick has gone for a leg lock! Banks slips out almost immediately though and dives into Fitzpatrick's guard.

Banks trying to control but Fitzpatrick is working from the bottom.
Fitzpatrick is trying to control the position from the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fitzpatrick can do anything to dispel that myth.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Banks trying to control but Fitzpatrick is working from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Ryan Banks will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Banks doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Fitzpatrick counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Fitzpatrick.
Banks wants to sweep here but Fitzpatrick controlling him for the moment.
Banks can't keep his opponent in guard - Fitzpatrick advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Fitzpatrick is controlling the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banks is controlling Fitzpatrick's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banks is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Banks manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Banks keeping full guard, as Fitzpatrick tries to pass.
Banks doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Fitzpatrick content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Fitzpatrick avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Banks trying to keep a closed guard but Fitzpatrick is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Fitzpatrick thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Fitzpatrick prevents Banks from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Banks looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Fitzpatrick is fending him off so far but Banks persists. Nope, Fitzpatrick circles away and we're back to standing.
Banks stuffs the takedown attempt from Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick gets slowly back to his feet.
Fitzpatrick just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromBanks.
Banks throws a head kick that misses.

Fitzpatrick drives through with a takedown into Banks's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Fitzpatrick landing some decent shots from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick pushing down on Banks's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Fitzpatrick is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Banks!
Fitzpatrick is trying to take his opponent's back.
Fitzpatrick tries to control but Banks wriggling away.
Fitzpatrick scoring with strikes but Banks is staying in there.

Fitzpatrick has control of Banks's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Banks regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Fitzpatrick prevents Banks from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fitzpatrick looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Banks tries to hold on but Fitzpatrick postures up.

Fitzpatrick goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Banks turns into him and now he's in Fitzpatrick's guard.
Fitzpatrick trying to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kirk Fitzpatrick comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Fitzpatrick 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kirk Fitzpatrick!