PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Branko Banik (ranked 2156 p4p, 4116 weight class) and Zahir Harden (ranked 286 p4p, 507 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Banik
vs
Harden

183 cm
20
179
6 - 3 - 0

188 cm
27
180
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Branko Banik!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Zahir Harden!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harden shoots in but Banik avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Banik slips under a jab.
Banik seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Banik throws a right and a left that Harden avoids nicely.
Banik throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Banik misses the shot to the body.
Harden changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Harden gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Banik counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Harden!
Harden wants to get back to his feet but Banik is dominant here and he's now got Harden's back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Banik keeps control of the position as Harden tries to break free.
Banik is riding his opponent, not letting Harden buck him off.
The referee is taking a good look at Harden as he is on the wrong end of some big shots from Banik!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Banik lands a shot to the head.
Harden tries to escape but Banik has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Banik scores with strikes from the back.
Banik trying to control momentarily.
Banik lands a shot to the body.
Harden can't escape the position.
Banik tries to get the hooks in deep but Harden pushed the leg off.
Harden felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Banik gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Harden looking very determined here, making life difficult for Banik.
Harden grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Harden tries to escape the position.
Banik is landing with strikes from the back.
I really don't envy Harden right now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Banik looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Harden staying busy and making it hard for Banik to control.
Banik is riding his opponent, not letting Harden buck him off.
Banik connects with a couple of big shots that have Harden covering up! Oh, this looks bad for Harden! Banik fires away with several more unanswered shots and the referee has no choice but to step in! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Branko Banik!
During a confident post fight interview, Branko Banik thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.